The Diplomacy Center Foundation (DCF) was delighted to host Thomas Friedman, three-time Pulitzer Prize-Winning foreign affairs columnist and best-selling author for the 2026 William C. and Ann D. Harrop Lecture Series. The evening explored the challenges of artificial intelligence in this globalized world and its impact on diplomacy as well as concerns on ethics and the future of coexistence with evolving AI. Moderating the discussion was veteran career ambassador and DCF Chair Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering.

The event was generously underwritten by Dr. Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel and the Nelson B Delavan Foundation.

Location: DACOR Bacon House 1801 F St NW, Washington, DC 20006

The Foundation and the Washington Ambassador Club International, hosted the inaugural William C. and Ann D. Harrop lecture series at DACOR Bacon House on October 22nd, 2025. The evening’s keynote speaker, Ambassador Roman Popadiuk (ret.), and moderator James T.L. Dandridge II, engaged the audience in a discussion examining the challenges facing a peace agreement in Ukraine and the potential shape of such a pact. The conversation reviewed the causes of the conflict, the roles of various actors like Europe and China, and the impact of the war on the greater region and the potential use of nuclear weapons. The evening culminated in the special announcement of the formation of the Unity Club, founded with the goal of helping Ukraine deal with the current war crisis and to help manage the transition into the post war environment. The club is a non-partisan organization and draws on leading experts in various sectors to provide advice, conduct public discourse and to provide possible roadmaps to both government and the private sector in an effort to stimulate discussion of the best ways to move Ukraine forward. 

The event was generously underwritten by Sunpro USA, a subsidiary of Sunpro, a major Ukrainian sunflower seed oil company. Attending the event was Pavlo Chumak, owner of Sunpro, who presented comments on the challenges Ukraine faces and the need for economic reforms.