Marco Vicenzino represents a new generation of independent foreign policy thinkers that combines successful international private sector experience with profound insight into contemporary geo-politics to produce an informed global strategic perspective on issues, events and developments that drive world affairs in the 21st century. As a graduate of Oxford University and Georgetown University Law Center, Vicenzino has constantly distinguished himself through his ability to master and inter-connect a wide range of international topics and speak authoritatively on diverse media outlets around the world.
Vicenzino has provided commentary on CNN, BBC, NBC Nightly News, Fox, Al Jazeera, National Public Radio and many others. His writings and views have appeared in leading publications/websites including the New York Time- International Herald Tribune, Financial Times, U.S. News & World Report, Le Figaro, El Pais, Daily Star, Al Hayat, South China Morning Post and many others.
Vicenzino is a regular guest speaker, panelist, panel moderator and participant at international conferences, forums and institutes around the world. His public-speaking engagements on topics of global concern have included appearances in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. He also regularly hosts public and private high-level gatherings and roundtables.
As part of the State Department’s Strategic Speakers Initiative, Vicenzino is regularly called upon by the State Department to speak on world affairs in different countries around the world. One State Department official recently referred to a series of speeches given by Vicenzino in Europe about U.S. foreign policy and Afghanistan as “a complete success”. Vicenzino is also a guest speaker for the
Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), an international organization of company presidents from around the world. Vicenzino’s appearances in the US include the Department of Defense, US Naval Academy at Annapolis, World Bank, Council on Foreign Relations, Columbia University, Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Northwestern’s Graduate School of Journalism and other venues. He has also been called upon to testify before the Permanent Council of Organization of American States.
Vicenzino is director of the
Global Strategy Project and senior advisor to PFC Energy and Quantum Financial Advisors. He is also a fellow of the
Foreign Policy Association and strategic advisor to the
Afghanistan World Foundation. Vicenzino served as strategic communications consultant to the World Bank and Deputy Executive Director for the Washington, DC office of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS-US).
As an attorney admitted to the New York Bar, Mr. Vicenzino focused on international business transactions and government relations and taught International Law at the School of International Studies at American University in Washington, DC. As a business entrepreneur, Mr. Vicenzino served as founding member, general counsel and head of business development of the MapNetwork, an international technology enterprise, which is today owned by Nokia. As a social entrepreneur, Mr. Vicenzino has dedicated extensive time and efforts as an advocate and activist for humanitarian causes, particularly for the plight of Afghanistan. He continues to serve as an advisor to corporations and non-profits seeking expansion and opportunities in the U.S and overseas.
Vicenzino’s professional associations have included Term Membership of the Council on Foreign Relations, National Press Club, French-American Foundation, Atlantik Brucke, US-Spain Council, BMW Foundation, German Marshall Fund, Aspen Institute's Socrates Society, Aspen Berlin, Aspen Italia and the German Council on Foreign Relations. His languages include Spanish, Italian and Portuguese and he provides regular commentary in these respective languages.
The disastrous earthquake striking Haiti has clearly exposed its frailty as the poorest nation in the Americas. With the consent of the Haitian government, the United States must seize the initiative in leading the international rescue and relief effort. The effort must not only match but go beyond the level of American assistance provided to Indonesia after the 2005 Tsunami.
From a humanitarian perspective, it is simply the right thing to do. The vacuum created by the catastrophe, and its long-term social, political, economic and security implications, underscores the need for U.S. leadership. From a strategic perspective, Haiti’s proximity to the U.S. and America’s national interest and role in the broader region further highlight the need for U.S. leadership. Failure to act now will further complicate the plight of ordinary Haitians and force many to seek refuge in the U.S. From a security perspective, it is necessary to bolster the existing UN presence which is not adequate to address the earthquake’s fallout on its own.
Diplomatically and politically, direct U.S. engagement will reinvigorate American credibility and legitimacy as a force for good in the region and internationally. United States Southern Command in Miami has a critical role to play in the rescue and relief effort. As the United Nations’ special envoy for Haiti, former President Bill Clinton must be given an expanded mandate and assume leadership as the effort’s international public face and point of reference to draw desperately needed resources from around the world. Mr. Clinton must use his global gravitas to galvanize international participation. His personal credibility with ordinary Haitians resulting from his extensive involvement in Haitian affairs as president provides another critical asset. Once stabilization is achieved, Mr. Clinton must continue his work and lead the international reconstruction effort through constant and consistent engagement. Organizing international donor conferences and other fundraising activities will ensure a sustainable long-term commitment.
The magnitude of this disaster must galvanize wider regional efforts for collaboration and cooperation to address the fallout from crises in the Americas. It underscores the need for the creation of a regional multi-national rapid-reaction force of less than 10,000 members designed to provide humanitarian assistance during and immediately after natural and ensuing crises disasters. It would principally apply to cases involving hurricanes, earthquakes, prevailing lawlessness and the breakdown of civil order. The force would have a limited scope to restoring order, providing rescue and relief services and facilitating the transition to the reconstruction phase. Its missions should be prepared and supplied for three- to six-month deployments.
Together with regional and international partners, America has an obligation to provide the necessary global leadership to address the crisis in Haiti. Haiti’s leaders and ordinary citizens have an even greater obligation to assume responsibility and implement real change. Out of the rubble, a new sense of national purpose and renewal must emerge among Haitians. With international assistance, they must seize this opportunity to take ownership of their future and end the vicious cycle of political violence and endemic corruption that has plagued Haiti throughout its history. Failure to do so will render all those lost to have died in vain.
Marco Vicenzino is director of the Global Strategy Project in Washington, D.C. He provides global political risk analysis for corporations and regular commentary on foreign affairs for publications/media outlets worldwide. He can be reached at msv@globalsp.org.
Get Marco Vicenzino Feed
Loading ...
