The Foreign Service Journal, March 2021

52 MARCH 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Russian destabilization efforts in Eastern Europe and even throughout the European Union area, consultations with allies should precede public statements of policy. Most important, the United States must lead from the front, in consultations with its allies, but clearly as the leading power among a group of like-minded states. That is the natural position for the United States for this moment in history, as former Prime Minister Tony Blair put it in an address to Congress in 2003. As Shakespeare noted in “Twelfth Night” (Act 3, Scene 4), “Some have greatness thrust upon them.” Edward Stafford is a retired FSO in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Improve Fluency in Africa’s Indigenous Languages Throughout sub-Saharan Africa we seek to counter malign influences and increase trade. All indications are that Africa will be the epicenter of growth and development over the next cen- tury. Yet we come to African posts linguistically hobbled, while China’s diplomatic language school is steadily increasing the number of indigenous African languages taught. To be serious partners there, we must become more dexterous linguistically. For historical reasons, we require FSO fluency in languages such as French and Portuguese. But we cannot conduct diplo- macy today in the language and culture of the educated elites and marginalize or ignore the voices and concerns of the masses for whom colonial languages are not those of their dreams. Currently a few of our officers receive instruction in Kiswahili, Hausa and Amharic, but an insufficient number are conversant in indigenous languages. Too many Africa posts rely on local staff to interpret media, be present at interview windows and make the deeper connections that are only possible when one engages in a person’s mother tongue. Our local staff are excellent, but there is no substitute for our diplomats doing this work directly. We need to have greater familiarity and fluency in major languages spoken across Africa’s national boundaries, such as Swahili, Somali, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Fula and Oromo. And we should acquire skill in important country-specific languages such as Wolof, Zulu, Shona, Amharic and Lingala. Sustainable exploitation of Africa’s immense natural resources in land, forests and sea is key to addressing climate change and in countering other threats to economic and environmental security. For this, skill with indigenous languages is essential, especially outside the capitals. With even basic vocabulary, our diplomats can convey the respect required to build strong relationships, which con- tinue even after the conversation has switched to the com- mon Romance language. Becoming conversant in indigenous languages at post (in addition to FSI fluency) is also a great way to bring together the embassy community between and among FSOs and our local colleagues. Posts sponsor events with local food or crafts, and there people learn what everything is called. Such events also help address some of the class prejudice among locally employed staff of different backgrounds. FSO Sherry Zalika Sykes is a senior-level career development officer in the Bureau of Global Talent Management at the State Department. Engage American Audiences in Foreign Policy The State Department needs a targeted, well-resourced stra- tegic outreach plan for engaging domestic audiences on those issues of foreign policy that most affect American security, our economic well-being, and our ability to travel and engage success- fully in the world. As each election year reminds us, a large part of the American electorate is either unaware of, or may not under- stand, the daily positive impact of U.S. diplomacy on their lives. The State Department should invest in a data-driven, multiyear and targeted campaign to engage local and state communities across the United States on key foreign policy issues. It must be adequately resourced and separate from the department’s public diplomacy funding used to engage foreign audiences. Polling should play a major role in identifying the areas for outreach and in measuring success. The outreach should focus on the issues that most matter to those particular voters, and how the work of the State Department supports their economic livelihood and security. Managed fromWashington, this campaign should enlist the support of retired colleagues around the country to visit local and state government officials, community town halls, and local uni- versities and schools to make the case for American diplomacy. Other possible partners could be AFSA, the National Museum of American Diplomacy, local and international American Cham- bers of Commerce, Diplomats in Residence, universities with diplomacy programs, and the Senate Foreign Relations Commit- tee and House Committee on Foreign Affairs. We could also ask the hundreds of young people who apply for virtual or in-person internships to be part of the effort, designing social media campaigns and serving as youth ambassadors for the State Department.