FRONTLINES OF FOREIGN POLICY: CRISTAL MONTAÑEZ BAYLOR RECOGNIZED BY THE DALLAS COMMITTEE IN FOREIGN RELATIONS (DCFR)

The Dallas Committee in Foreign Relations (DCFR) presented a special recognition to Cristal Montañéz Baylor, Executive Director of the Hashoo Foundation USA, as an individual making a significant contribution on the frontlines of foreign policy.  The recognition was made by Jennifer Warren, President  DCFR,  during the 2011 DCFR Annual Holiday Event.

Global Affairs Mash Up: Financial-Economic Leader and Humanitarian

Where else but DCFR can a program accommodate duel topics such as global economy and peace. Last night, we received a global financial leader, Richard Fisher, and an international humanitarian and social activist, Cristal Montanez Baylor. In his keynote address, Mr. Fisher was optimistic about the U.S. economy’s prospects but cautioned members about the need for Washington to “do the right thing” (with references from Martin Luther King and Churchill). This may not be the popular thing to do, especially in light of upcoming elections. He suggested that the social unrest in the U.S. such as the “occupy” movements are the result of people being unemployed too long, economic unjustices from the recent financial crisis, and the feeling of desperation. But ultimately, Fisher is a believer in the American Dream. He is fighting the good fight for Americans.

Our special guest Cristal Montanez, executive director of Hashoo Foundation USA, was recognized for her work as a humanitarian. Cristal leads initiatives to promote women’s empowerment, particularly through a farming project, known as Plan Bee. This initiative was the winner of the prestigious BBC/Newsweek World Challenge Competition and a Clinton Global Initiative Featured Commitment. The project empowers women in the most remote and isolated areas of Northern Pakistan by expanding employment opportunities and generating a stable source of income through the sale of high-quality honey. Girls from the families must also attend non-extremist schools as a condition.

This former Miss Venezuela is an international social activist. Cristal works in defense of Venezuelan human, political, and civil rights, and has been distinguished as one of Latin American’s most prominent humanitarians.

Our annual holiday program kicked off the season of giving in a proper way for a foreign affairs organization: recognizing outstanding individuals overseeing the U.S. economy, and by extension the global economy, and someone on the frontlines of foreign policy.  Cristal’s work impacts family’s lifetime opportunities, helps deter extremism in a practical way, and makes strides toward peace.

We also say a sad farewell to four directors that have tirelessly served DCFR: Patrick Jenevein, Ed Blessing, Lynne Novack and Tim Powers.

Geo Edge | Exploring the frontlines of global affairs

 

Words of Introduction of Cristal Montañéz by Jennifer Warren, President Dallas Committee in Foreign Relations (DCFR).

At DCFR, we come from diverse backgrounds with varied interests related to global affairs. But as connoisseurs of global matters, we can all recognize with our sharp intellects, outstanding individuals making significant contributions. Tonight we would like to recognize someone who we consider being “on the frontlines of foreign policy” — impacting people’s lifetime opportunities; deterring extremism in a practical way; and making strides toward peace.

This individual is Cristal Montañéz Baylor, Executive Director of Hashoo Foundation USA.

In January 2011, TEDx Talks released her video on her work in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. (This is where I first became aware of Cristal’s work. Later, I recognized her at a Bush Institute program on women and Afghanistan, and I introduced myself. She asked me, ‘How did I know her and know what she looked like?’ To me, this was the sign of a true international resistance movement leader, which she is as well.)

Cristal leads initiatives to promote women's empowerment, particularly through a farming project, known as Plan Bee. This initiative was the winner of the prestigious BBC/Newsweek World Challenge Competition and a Clinton Global Initiative Featured Commitment. The project empowers women in the most remote and isolated areas of Northern Pakistan by expanding employment opportunities and generating a stable source of income through the sale of high-quality honey. Girls from the families must also attend non-extremist schools as a condition.

This former Miss Venezuela is an international social activist. Cristal also works in defense of Venezuelan human, political, and civil rights, and has been distinguished as one of Latin American’s most prominent humanitarians.

Cristal please accept this recognition on behalf of the Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations. 

This is a first time for the Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations (DCFR) to recognize someone making such an impact on the world stage.