Founded in 2006 as a resource for developing country missions, the Washington Embassy Network (WEN) facilitates information sharing and dialogue on strategies to promote innovation-led growth. The WEN provides an informal, collegial environment for discussion of priority issues for economic and social development relating to trade, technology transfer, intellectual property (IP) and the environment.

How WEN Works

The Washington Embassy Network (WEN) provides a different kind of forum. Washington area diplomatic missions host the WEN on a rotating basis and set the agenda for each WEN Luncheon, enabling openness and candor in discussion of issues relating to knowledge-intensive economic development for creation of economic and social value. In many cases, participants find that the answers are literally in the room.

The WEN uses Chatham House Rules -- no media is allowed in the room and nothing that is said can be quoted afterwards without express permission. This contributes to a freshness of the discussion and has led to memorable, ground-breaking sessions.

More information about recent WEN Events is available here.