“It is a great honor to be in a country of immigrants, that was built among immigrants, and also a country that’s been an example of peaceful people…that’s been leading the human and civil rights movements and convictions,” Guatemalan First Lady Dr. Lucrecia Peinado told guests at the Washington Educational and Cultural Attaché Association’s (WECAA) annual Spring Meeting last month.
She was one of several distinguished speakers at the March 27 event, which was designed to commemorate America’s 250th birthday this year, held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.
WECAA, which just celebrated its fifth anniversary as Washington’s hub for cultural engagement between the diplomatic community and other institutions, brought together more than 30 DC-based embassies, cultural representatives and social sector leaders to speak on strengthening bilateral relations, soft diplomacy and upcoming events to mark the USA milestone.
Following opening remarks from WECAA Chair and Trade Center Executive Director Allyson Browne McKithen, Peinado gave a brief presentation on US-Guatemala relations and her role in soft power.
“First ladies and first gentlemen offer a distinct form of leadership,” said Peinado, who serves as the president of the Alliance of Spouses of Heads of State and Representatives of Latin America (ALMA).
“We do hold the ability to connect agendas, elevate causes and build trust across sectors and borders… [using] soft diplomacy to expand cultural visibility, encourage exchange and support initiative with tangible public impact,” she added, having been in town with dozens of first spouses from around the world for a summit organized by First Lady Melania Trump earlier in the week.
Further championing female leadership in Latin America and the Caribbean, Ambassador Ivonne A-Baki joined the speakers stage. She served as Ecuadorian envoy to the US from 1998-2002 and again from 2020-2024, and is seeking to be the next secretary-general of the UN.
“We need women more in leadership positions so they can make a difference for the world to be peaceful, to be included, to have dignity for everyone, and that’s why I’m running as a candidate for the secretary-general of the United Nations,” she said, just before a roar of applause erupted from the audience.
At the time of this article, A-Baki is waiting for official nomination. If elected, she would be the first woman in history to hold this position.
WECAA’s meeting also awarded its 2026 Ambassador of the Year award to Moroccan envoy Youssef Amrani. He has been his country’s top leader in Washington since late 2023 and has over four decades of experience in diplomacy.
This distinction is not merely personal, it is a reflection of a relationship unlike any other, Amrani said when accepting the honor.
The bilateral relationship between the US and Morocco is unique, as Morocco was one of the first countries to recognize America’s independence, an achievement the ambassador takes pride in.
“This year, we are celebrating 250 years of this relationship…and it stands as a testament not only to durability, but to mutual understanding and deep sense of friendship and respect,” said Amrani, noting the US and Morocco have had a free trade agreement since 2006. “We need this kind of trust in this very difficult world.”
Amrani succeeds WECAA’s previous diplomatic awardees: Catalina Crespo-Sancho, of Costa Rica, who held the title in 2025, and Hanène Tajouri Bessassi, of Tunisia, who received it in 2024.
Continuing on with the US anniversary celebration, Jeremy Goldstein, vice president of programs at the Trust for the National Mall, outlined the Mall’s historical legacy and link to diplomatic relations.
“We’re in a once in a generation moment. Americans and everybody from everywhere are going to gather to celebrate, commemorate, learn for this milestone,” said Goldstein, noting the last major commemoration was in 1976 for the country’s bicentennial.
“And if we want to talk a little bit about international presence, countries offered symbolic gifts in 1976 to the National Mall. The mall was the center of much of the activity, and that includes Japan’s gift of the cherry trees.”
Goldstein highlighted some upcoming events, including America’s Ball for the Mall on May 7, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix around the Capitol Aug 21-23, Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day programs, and a special Independence Day celebration on July 4.
Jennifer Kaye, senior advisor of the Adams Memorial Foundation, also spoke on historical legacy, advocating for a national memorial honoring second president John Adams and his family who “helped shape not only the American republic, but the very foundation of modern diplomacy.”
Rounding out WECAA’s program, six embassy representatives shared brief highlights about their country’s bilateral relationship with the US and upcoming programming to celebrate the anniversary, including Djibouti, Malaysia, Malawi, Denmark, Lebanon and Costa Rica.
Leading cultural and educational organizations in the District pitched in too, outlining several upcoming time-honored events in Washington, many of which will have a special theme for America’s birthday. The festivities include:
- Fashioning Power Fashioning Peace Exhibition and Gala on April 27 at the Woodrow Wilson House
- Interfaith Council of Washington’s Honoring Visionary Leaders Gala on April 30
- Passport DC’s Around the World Embassy Tour, May 2, hosted by Events DC
- EU Open House, organized by the European Union Delegation, on May 9
- Fiesta Asia Street Fair, organized by Wuiping Yap, on May 16
- Helen Hayes Awards on May 18, hosted by Theatre Washington
- Global Couture US, presented by Raysa González Garcia on Nov. 14.
Following the meeting, guests were invited for a group photo and networking opportunity with the speakers.
WECAA’s meetings are hosted semi-annually, with the next one scheduled for Sept. 25. WECAA’s annual Diplomatic Day of Kindness to honor a nonprofit for its acts of service and commitment to strengthening international ties in Washington will be held Nov. 13.
All photos by Patricia McDougall.
