Global Vision Award recipient Ambassador Robert V. Royall Jr. (l) with Licia and Grant Jackson This year’s recipients of the Global Vision Awards were Ambassador Robert V. Royall Jr. and Ambassador David H. Wilkins. The Columbia World Affairs Council hosted the 16th Annual Global Vision Award Gala at the Columbia Marriot Hotel October 27, 2009.

Beginning in 1991 Ambassador Robert V. Royall Jr. served as the chairman and chief executive officer of the National Bank of South Carolina. He was appointed secretary of commerce for the State of South Carolina by Governor David Beasley from 1995 to 1999. Until 2001, he served as chairman of the South Carolina State Ports Authority. These ports in Charleston, S.C., and Georgetown, S.C., serve as critical points of international trade for our state and our nation. In 2001, Royall was confirmed as United States Ambassador to the Republic of Tanzania by President George Bush. He served in Tanzania until 2003.

Global Vision Award recipient Ambassador David H. Wilkins and Susan Wilkins Ambassador David H. Wilkins was elected to the House of Representatives in 1980 and served for 25 years. He served six years as the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and two years as speaker pro tem before being elected speaker, a position he held for 11 years. He retired from the South Carolina General Assembly as one of the longest serving speakers in the country. He was appointed ambassador to Canada, one of the United States largest trading partners, in 2005 by President George Bush. He served in Canada until 2009. Ambassador Wilkins is currently a partner with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP and chairs the public policy and international law practice group.

The Global Vision Award is a prestigious annual award presented by the Columbia World Affairs Council to the individual, organization, or business that has demonstrated a vision toward the advancement of international affairs in South Carolina. Previous recipients are Governor Carroll Campbell, Astronaut Charles Bolden, Governor Robert McNair, Dr. Andrew Sorenson, and Mayor Robert Coble, among others. The award itself, entitled “Intertwined” was created by artist Heidi Darr–Hope. “Intertwined” is a 12 inch embroidered square containing over 200,000 stitches. It is an abstract interpretation based on the image of the planet earth from an aerial point of view. Each year, an original interpretation of “Intertwined” is awarded that “represents the worldly wise journey and contributions” of the Global Vision Award recipients.

Artist Heidi Darr–Hope, creator of “Entertwined” and Stuart Hope The World Affairs Council is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that was created at the end of the First World War as the League of Nations Council. After World War II the organization was formed as the World Affairs Council. The World Affairs Council is dedicated to increasing international awareness in the regions of its local chapters and engaging all citi- zens in the global community. The council provides a regular forum for the discussion of timely world issues from foreign policy to global culture and international business.

The Columbia World Affairs Council, located at 2218 Devine St., was formed in 1993. It currently has 450 members. Some of the programs offered are the “Taste of the World” Series, “Global Connections Reception” Series, Conversation/Interest Groups, “International Book Club” and the Young Professionals Group. To learn more about the extensive opportunities available for the study of and involvement in international issues and our community, visit their website at www.columbiawac.org.