EU hosts second awards ceremony; UAE cleans Rock Creek Park

European Union and Swedish House of Representatives host second annual awards ceremony

On 9 May, the European delegation and Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis hosted the second annual Transatlantic Bridge Awards at Sweden House. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Senator Rob Portman and journalist Judy Woodruff were honored for their efforts to advance US-EU relations.

Lambrinidis and Swedish Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter opened with comments on Europe’s current goals and highlighted the strength of the US-EU relationship, particularly with regard to the Ukraine war.

“We will and we will continue to work for a greener, freer and safer EU, because when it does, we will all benefit – Europeans and Americans alike,” Olofstoed said. She will transfer to her new position in Moscow later this year after six years in Washington. “We really need a partnership with the United States, especially in these days of war in Europe.”

Lambrinidis added: “As Americans and as Europeans, we have a special responsibility to make sure we take care of our houses. If our calling cards in the world are our values ​​and human rights, then when we are threatened on our own borders We cannot ignore them when we are here. We are in Europe every day making sure our families are in order on women’s rights, equality and fighting the racism that still exists at our borders.”

Attendees included: U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland; NBC’s Andrea Mitchell; reporters Al Hunt and Rachel Maddow; director George Stevens Jr.; dozens of ambassadors. 199

The event commemorates Europe Day, which coincides with the anniversary of the 1950 Schuman Declaration that laid the foundations for today’s European Union. The ceremony also kicked off the annual EU Open Day, when EU embassies opened to the public on May 13 as part of DC’s Cultural Awareness Month.

“The 27 EU ambassadors in this room today decided last year that we’re going to start celebrating those Americans,” Lambrinidis said. “We will use this nation’s May 9th, Europe’s birthday, to remember why we, as Europe, can exercise the power of our values ​​around the world today. It is because we stand hand in hand with this great nation here, America. ”

He added: “Today’s three laureates reflect European values ​​in science and technology, economics and trade, freedom and journalism in an extraordinary way in their own work.”

UAE embassy joins Earth Day cleanup

On April 22, the United Arab Emirates Embassy, ​​in collaboration with Emirati students from nearby universities and partners at Rock Creek Conservancy, organized a cleanup at Rock Creek Park to celebrate Earth Day.

UAE’s commitment to environmentalism comes from country’s founder Sheikh ZaieditEmirati diplomats in the District of Columbia continue this tradition, helping local residents preserve the urban environment.

Rock Creek Park has a long history and is an important green space in the city. Like any natural space, it requires constant care and maintenance.

During the cleanup, participants assist park rangers in their efforts to control the spread of English ivy and preserve native flora. It ends with a hike that puts the importance of environmental stewardship in the right place.

This is not the embassy’s first environmental work event.

In 2017, the UAE Embassy and partners in Florida launched a multi-year project to restore and protect 100 miles of coral reefs in the Florida Keys that were damaged by Hurricane Irma. The embassy also supported pioneering work with experts at the San Diego and Phoenix zoos to reintroduce more than 6,000 vulnerable Arabian oryx to their natural habitat.

The embassy is working with U.S. partners on a climate agriculture innovation mission, working to develop new, eco-friendly farming methods that reduce water dependence and preserve soil.

UAE Embassy Photos

Sri Lankan embassy celebrates Sinhala New Year

On April 15, the Sri Lankan Embassy in China and Ambassador Mahinda Samarasingh jointly celebrated the Sinhala New Year.

Traditionally, the celebration begins with the lighting of the fireplace and the boiling of milk to the rhythmic beat of Laban, followed by the lighting of oil lamps and religious ceremonies.

Samara Singh highlighted the cultural significance of the Sinhala and Tamil New Years and highlighted how diversity is part of the social fabric of Sri Lanka.

The event ends with a feast of traditional Sri Lankan sweets and milk rice, the first meal of the New Year. Traditional Avurudu games are also held, reminiscent of Sri Lankan culture and way of life. Mohan Piris, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, and family members of embassy staff also participated in the event.

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Photo courtesy of the Sri Lankan Embassy