Thai UN Ambassador addresses BIOCEP

I just got this email from the director of the program:

Dear BIOCEP participants,

We have just received confirmation that the Ambassador of Thailand to the United Nations will be coming to speak to the 2008 BIOCEP participants. He will be at the Medical School on Thursday May 8th from 4:00pm until 5:30. We anticipate that the Dean of the Medical and other dignitaries will greet him. It is (to my knowledge) the first time an Ambassador has officially visited the Medical Center. Unfortunately we have limited space to accommodate everyone. If you are available- please e mail me as soon as possible so Ruth and I can select representatives. This is a very important event.

Good luck on finals,
John

How exciting is this?! Of course, I'll be down here in sunny DC cramming madly for my second qualifying exam on the 8th, so sadly I won't be able to attend. Even though I'd really like to be one of the "representatives" -- whatever that means -- I'm still really thrilled about this announcement because it's good news for BIOCEP that the program is growing so quickly and garnering respect from VIPs on both sides of the Pacific. Yay!

Here's a bit about the Ambassador, Anand Panyarachun, from this UN link:

In the international arena, Anand is a member of the Advisory Group of Anti-Corruption Issues for the East Asia and Pacific Region, World Bank, Group of International Advisors of International Committee of the Red Cross and of the Advisory Council of Transparency International (TI). He has also served as UNICEF Ambassador for Thailand since 1996.

Anand was in 2001 elected Chairman of the National Economic and Social Advisory Council.

During the course of five decades of his working life, Anand has been recognized both internationally and nationally for his dedication and work for the advancement of Thai society. He is the recipient of twenty honorary degrees from universities in Thailand, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan.

Anand has also been awarded a number of decorations, both Thai and foreign, including The Royal Cypher Medal (Third Class) ; Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand ; Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant; Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao; Order of Diplomatic Service Merit (First Class), Republic of Korea; Ringtang Jasa (First Class), Indonesia; Grand Officier de L'order de la Couronne (Second Class), Belgium; Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, Japan; Honorary Knight Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), United Kingdom.

Yeah UNICEF! That is my favorite UN organization by far, the only one I donate to, and the sole campus community service group to which I belong on any consistent basis (UNICEF - Georgetown). So bummed I don't get to meet this guy... but I look forward to pictures at least.