On October 14, the Office of International Affairs hosted a delegation from Angola’s embassy in Washington, DC. The purpose of the visit was to build on the State Partnership Program (SPP) between the Ohio National Guard and Angola that was facilitated in part by the Center for African Studies in 2024.

Administered by the National Guard Bureau (NGB), the State Partnership Program is a joint US Department of State and Defense initiative that primarily amplifies US and partner countries’ security cooperation, US foreign policy goals, and civil-military affairs. The SPP draws on the “whole-of-society approach.” The “whole-of-society approach” connects the military, government, academic institutions, economic centers, and society, to broaden synergy between these agencies.

The Angolan delegation, led by H.E. Ambassador Agostinho Van-Dúnem, included Brigadier General Custodio Livulo, the Defense Attaché, Mr. Delcio Nogueira, First Secretary and Counselor for Economic Affairs, and Mr. Fernando Marques, Counsellor for Political Affairs. Accompanying the diplomats were Mrs. Simona Vaclavikova, International Affairs Advisor and SPP administrator for the Ohio National Guard, and Lieutenant Colonel Shelly Brackman, ONG SPP. The discussions were substantive, focused on advancing ideas and cementing areas where Ohio State University and Angola’s universities can mutually benefit each other while enriching their respective societies.

Ohio State hosts Angolan delegation to build on partnerships | Office of International Affairs