The United States' first Ambassador to Macedonia, Christopher R. Hill will receive the distinguished UMD Macedonia Friendship Award at the 3rd Annual UMD Global Conference, celebrating 20 years of Macedonia's Independence from June 23-25, 2011 at the J.W. Marriott in Washington, D.C.

As the first U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia, Ambassador Hill was instrumental in advancing U.S.-Macedonia relations and assisting Macedonia on its path to Euro-Atlantic integration when the country faced enormous challenges.   His tireless efforts will never be forgotten by the global Macedonian community. 

The UMD Macedonia Friendship Award is given to individuals who have been long-standing friends of Macedonia.  During Ambassador Hill's time as U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia, he established the U.S. Embassy in Skopje, which paved the way for the current excellent cooperation between these two nations.  Ambassador Hill assisted Macedonia to develop and maintain its international position during difficult times in the Balkans by working closely with Macedonia's leadership to keep the country out of the Kosovo war and to address the refugee/humanitarian spillover in Macedonia.  His important efforts were exceptionally noteworthy.       

Biography

Ambassador Christopher R. Hill is the Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at The University of Denver.

Christopher Robert Hill served as the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, from April 2009 until August 2010.  He joined the Josef Korbel School of International Studies (named after Secretary Madeleine Albright's father) in September 2010.  He is a career member of the Senior Foreign  Service whose prior assignment was Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.  He has also served as Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.  On February 14, 2005, he was named as the Head of the U.S.  delegation to the Six- Party Talks on the North Korean nuclear issue.  Previously he has served as U.S. Ambassador to Poland (2000-2004), Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia (1996-1999) and Special Envoy to  Kosovo (1998-1999).  He also served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Southeast European Affairs in the National Security Council.

Earlier in his Foreign Service career, Ambassador Hill served tours in Belgrade, Warsaw, Seoul, and Tirana, and on the Department of State's Policy Planning staff and in the Department's Operation Center.  While on a fellowship with the American Political Science Association he served as a staff member for Congressman Stephen Solarz working on Eastern European issues.  He also served as the Department of State's Senior Country Officer for Poland.  Ambassador Hill received the State Department's Distinguished Service Award for his contributions as a member of the U.S. negotiating team in the Bosnia peace settlement, and was a recipient of the Robert S. Frasure Award for Peace Negotiations for his work on the Kosovo crisis.  Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Ambassador Hill served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon.

Ambassador Hill graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine with a B.A. in Economics.  He received a Master's degree from the Naval War College in 1994.  He speaks Polish, Serbo-Croatian, and Macedonian.
  

Join us in thanking Ambassador Hill for his strong friendship of Macedonia!

Are you coming to D.C. for the UMD Global Conference?  If you have not registered....

Don't wait till the last minute!  Be a part of it all.  Register today

Please join us for two and a half days of an unforgettable celebration of 20 years of Macedonian independence!  Hear insights from the movers and shakers that had an impact in Macedonia's history, debate, dine, network, learn, and refine your advocacy skills at THE premier Macedonian event in 2011.  Click HERE to learn more about the conference. 

Please plan to bring your entire family and tell all your friends, as Washington, D.C. has plenty to offer, including monuments, museums, tours of Congress and the White House, and much more...UMD is planning wonderful cultural evening programs featuring folk performances, dancing, and traditional Macedonian delicacies. 

REGISTER TODAY!

Rooms at the J.W. Marriott Hotel - the venue for the UMD Global Conference - are booking fast!  Don't miss out on being in the center of it all, book today to take advantage of our $189 plus tax room rate per night.  This rate is only available until May 15, 2011, so please do not miss out!  Click HERE to book your room! 

At the 2011 UMD Global Conference...You will meet those who make the decisions and influence public opinion.  You will learn advocacy skills.  You will be among Macedonians and friends of Macedonia from across the country and around the world.  You will make a difference at a time when our voices must be heard.  

Register TODAY!  Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity! 

If you have any questions, or need anymore information, please do not hesitate to contact UMD Global Conference Coordinator Diana Booth dbooth@umdiaspora.org, or contact at (202) 756-2244.

 
Watch the Conference Promo Video by clicking HERE! and please spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, your Blog, LinkedIn, etc... and e-mail all your family and friends!  Thank you!