Ambassador Robert Pearson: Negotiation 101: Lessons from a Career in American Foreign Affairs

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Negotiation 101: Lessons from a Career in American Foreign Affairs

Personal Reflections on Turkey, Paris, NATO, and the First Gulf War

The Carolina Forum for Education and Diplomacy (CFED), in association with the Transatlantic Forum for Education and Diplomacy (TFED), welcomes Ambassador W. Robert Pearson to UNC–Chapel Hill for a special presentation exploring the art and practice of American diplomacy.

Ambassador Pearson served as United States Ambassador to Turkey (2000–2003) and Director General of the U.S. Foreign Service (2003–2006). His distinguished diplomatic career also includes service as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, Deputy Permanent Representative to NATO, and Executive Secretary of the U.S. Department of State.

Drawing on firsthand experiences from Turkey, Paris, NATO, and the First Gulf War, Ambassador Pearson will offer personal reflections on diplomatic negotiation, international alliances, foreign policy decision-making, and the challenges of representing American interests abroad.

Students will have an opportunity to learn how diplomacy operates behind the scenes, explore the role of negotiation in international affairs, and ask questions about careers in diplomacy and public service.

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026

• Time: 5:15–6:15 PM (ET)

• In-Person Location: FedEx Global Education Center, Room 3024, UNC–Chapel Hill

• Virtual Attendance: Zoom Webinar — (link below)

• Moderator: Dr. T. Leinbaugh, OBE, PhD

• Admission: Free and open to the university community

• Refreshments: Complimentary pizza and informal conversation following the in-person presentation

• CLE Credit: Pending Approval

Presented by: Carolina Forum for Education and Diplomacy (CFED), in association with the Transatlantic Forum for Education and Diplomacy (TFED).