Former Ambassador to Portugal to Speak at Event

03/16/2021

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu and Christine Gillette, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

LOWELL, Mass. – A former ambassador to Portugal who served under President Barack Obama will present a free UMass Lowell program for the public that will examine U.S.-Portuguese relations.

“Portugal and the United States: Past Present and Future – A Conversation with Ambassador Robert A. Sherman” will tackle domestic and foreign policy issues including the reform of the Portuguese criminal-justice system, advances in cybersecurity, the role of NATO and the road ahead for the post-pandemic international economy. Sherman, who served as U.S. ambassador to Portugal from 2014 to 2017, will share his insights on his role and answer questions.

The free online program on Thursday, March 25 at 5 p.m. will be presented by the Saab Center for Portuguese Studies at UMass Lowell.

UMass Lowell Chancellor Jacquie Moloney is scheduled to welcome participants to the session. The program will be moderated by Neil Shortland, assistant professor of criminal justice and director of UMass Lowell’s Center for Terrorism and Security Studies, which is partnering with the Saab Center and UMass Lowell’s International Relations Club to present the event. Members of the public who would like to attend should register online.

Shortland anticipates an engaging session that will explore many topics.

“Years of leading study-abroad trips to Portugal have allowed me to realize the immense importance of both the collaborations between the U.S. and Portugal and the immense opportunities to learn from how Portugal approaches many of the societal challenges both countries face, from the drug epidemic to security, incarceration and rehabilitation,” Shortland said.

As U.S. ambassador to Portugal, Sherman led diplomatic efforts focusing on international security issues and economic development. One of his central goals was to promote bilateral investment. He created expanded opportunities for American businesses by bringing executives and investors to Portugal to understand the high quality of Portuguese innovation and entrepreneurship. He also launched Connect to Success, a novel and award-winning U.S. State Department women’s entrepreneurship and empowerment initiative. For his distinguished work, President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa awarded him the Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator.

Today, Sherman serves as senior counsel at Greenberg Traurig, one of the largest international law firms in the U.S.

“Ambassador Sherman’s talk will provide an opportunity for students, faculty and the larger community to better understand Portugal and U.S.-Portugal relations,” said Frank Sousa, director of UMass Lowell’s Saab Center for Portuguese Studies and professor of Portuguese in the Department of World languages and Cultures.

Established in 2013, the Saab Center is a resource for the public and the campus. It regularly presents events and programs that promote an understanding of and appreciation for the cultures, literature and language of the Portuguese-speaking world – comprised of more than 250 million people, including a vibrant Portuguese-American community throughout the Merrimack Valley.

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