Hugh Neighbour

This destination expert will only deliver lectures in English. 

Hugh Neighbour brings deep experience as a diplomat and a naval officer. Specialized in political and economic affairs, he links history, trade, and culture to explain the reality of peoples and places you'll visit. What’s the guy behind that beguiling smile really thinking? What actually drives events around you? Hugh often explains what local people can’t or won’t say.
 
His final diplomatic post was responsible in Vienna for conventional arms control across Europe, Central Asia, and North America. Other diplomatic assignments of 2-4 years were in Germany when the Berlin Wall fell and Germany unified, Bolivia when an uprising cut off food, and Panama, Australia, London, Stockholm. From Fiji, Hugh directed US relations with 8 proud island countries. He was awarded the US Secretary of State's Career Achievement Award for distinguished leadership.
 
Before diplomacy, Hugh was an officer in the US Navy, including at sea in the Far East and ashore in the Middle East. He is a graduate of the US Naval Academy (Annapolis), the University of Southern California (USC), and the National War College.
 
Since leaving diplomatic service, Hugh has traveled widely, worked as a consultant, been an official election observer in several countries, taught courses linking history/culture to today, and lectured. He’s been to 170+ countries.
 
Hugh never tires of meeting people. He'll offer a fresh perspective on the history, culture, and current affairs of people and places you'll visit.

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

 

Photo credit: ARR