Thursday, November 12, 2009

Hillary Clinton and others


Kelly:
As Hannah mentioned in her previous post, the access we have been given to high ranking officials, business people, etc has been absolutely incredible.

Two days ago (one of our supposed less interesting days), Dez and I ended up being able to stay around the ABAC (business leaders) meeting for the day and it paid off. I got to interview the Assistant US Secretary of State to Asia (2nd in command for Asia after Hillary Clinton), Secretary Clinton's military advisor who is also advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and a variety of other state department members like press secretaries and communications officers. I can not explain how incredible this was, particularly since I have a strong interest in the State Department and international relations. Furthermore, because we were able to speak with these people, Dez (with some Canadian delegates) were actually able to meet Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and sit in on her press conference.

Meeting Secretary Clinton and sitting in the second row of a major international press conference was something I never expected to have the opportunity to do. One thing that happened yesterday that actually rivals the experience, however, was the interview Voices of the Future set up for me and my 4 teammates to interview Michael Elliot, editor and top writer for Time Magazine International. This man was the leading reporter on Al Qaeda after 9/11, worked for the Economist, and is without a doubt one of the top print journalists in the world. We were able to ask about challenges he faced in reporting then and now, particularly in the Middle East, and if he regrets any of his initial work on terrorism.

I am not alone in these opportunities. Hannah was the lead interviewer for the executive VP of JP Morgan, Cary has been interviewed by top Chinese news networks, and Dez has made some huge political and professional connections.

Today we have a meeting with the Prime Minister of New Zealand. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be the biggest and most exciting days, but I am not sure how you can possibly beat the days we have had so far...

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