The Richardson Center for Global Engagement

International Peace and Dialogue program engages directly with foreign leaders, governments and regimes: Political Prisoners: In 2022, the Center has been involved in the negotiations and release of the following prisoners: Tomeu Vadell, Alirio Zambrano, Jose Luis Zambrano, Gustavo Cardenas, Jorge Toledo, Jose Pereira, Matthew Heath and Osman Khan (Venezuela); Trevor Reed and Brittney Griner (Russia), Kyaw Htay Oo and Sean Turnell (Myanmar); Paul Rusesabagina (Rwanda). In addition, the Center has been working (not secured yet) on the release of additional prisoners in Venezuela, Russia, and Iran. Middle East - The Center continued its track II engagement with governments in the middle east as a way to bolster democracy and trust relations. North Korea - Despite the freeze in U.S - DPRK relations, the Center continued itsengagement with the North Korean counterpart, sustaining the relationships until conditions mature to restart the program. Myanmar/Bangladesh: In 2022, the Center convened a track of dialogue aimed at building trust between Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and Rakhine leaders in Myanmar, helped facilitate the resettlement of vulnerable Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh and Malaysia to third countries, and supported Rohingya-led initiatives in the refugee camps in Bangladesh, including a refugee-run library. Center staff were active in Rohingya-related policy and strategy conversations, influencing international approaches to the relocation of Rohingya to Bhasan Char and elevating the security concerns of Rohingya refugees.

Establishing Wildlife Program in Africa The Richardson Center launched a program in 2013 to assist and boost efforts aimed at securing a safe and secure future for threatened African wildlife.In 2022, The Center continued its partnership with Saving the Wild. The program rehabilitated bee colonies in Kenya restored Elephant water holes in Botswana, and provided training to rangers and law enforcement agencies in Africa as they prosecute poachers and traffickers in wildlife.