The Foreign Service Journal, April 2014

56 APRIL 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS Earlier this year, AFSA formalized a new partner- ship with the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area, the largest chapter under the national U.N. Association umbrella. The partnership calls for col- laboration on programs and events, as well as any other project that members of both organizations might find of interest. The first joint UNA-NCA/ AFSA event took place at AFSA headquarters on Feb. 19. The discussion, titled, “The United Nations Human Rights Council in 2014: What’s New, What’s Old and What to Expect in the Year AFSA Partners with United Nations Association of the National Capital Area BY JULIAN STEINER, AFSA STAFF Ahead,” offered insights into ongoing human rights crises around the globe, and the important role that the U.N. Human Rights Council might play in tempering and allevi- ating them. Moderated by UNA-NCA President Ambassador Venerable FSJ Editor-in-Chief Steve Honley Steps Down Donald T. Bliss, the panel comprised Wesley Reisser, the human rights officer for the State Department’s International Organization Affairs Bureau, and A. Edward Elmendorf, a former human rights officer at the U.S. Mis- sion to the United Nations who is also a past UNA-NCA president. The panel discussed how effective the United Nations Human Rights Council was— and can be—in addressing human rights violations. The forum also focused on the council’s activities and challenges in the upcoming year. A wide-ranging Q&A discussion on some pressing issues and their implica- tions for U.S. foreign policy followed. The event kicked-off AFSA’s partnership with the UNA-NCA and paved the way for further collaboration. You may view the event online at www.afsa.org/video. n AFSA Vice President Matthew Asada introduces the speakers during a panel discussion on the United Nations Human Rights Council on Feb. 19. Also shown are panel members State’s Wesley Reisser (left) and UNA-NCA President Amb. Donald T. Bliss. (Above, from left) FSJ Editorial Board Chair Jim DeHart, incoming FSJ Editor-in-Chief Shawn Dorman, Steve Honley, FSJ Managing Editor Susan Maitra, Executive Director Ian Houston, Advertising Manager Ed Miltenberger and AFSA President Bob Silverman. What can you say about a guy who never missed a comma, always knew which note to play and practiced the art of diplomacy in every FSJ Editorial Board meeting? In Janu- ary, after more than 12 years at the helm, Steven Alan Honley stepped down from his role as editor-in-chief of The Foreign Service Journal. On Feb. 18, a special “Steve Celebration” took place at the Editorial Board meeting, with AFSA staff joining the party. Steve was honored with a plaque, a brilliant caricature and a faux front cover of the Journal . Never at a loss for words, Steve enter- tained the gathering with a few of his memo- ries of life at AFSA. AFSA President Bob Sil- verman, Executive Director Ian Houston and Editorial Board Chair Jim DeHart all praised Steve’s outstanding performance as editor. PHOTOBYÁSGEIRSIGFÚSSON PHOTOSBYÁSGEIRSIGFÚSSON PHOTOBYDONNAAYERST