The Foreign Service Journal, June 2013

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2013 51 AFSA NEWS On March 21 and 22, AFSA launched a partnership with the University of St. Thomas in Houston, aimed at enhanc- ing the efforts of its 40-year- old Center for International Studies to train the next generation of diplomats. The program will focus on key aspects of Foreign Service careers, as well as on Ameri- can diplomacy overall. Under this partnership, AFSA will recruit a well- known, senior U.S. diplomat to address deans, faculty and students on the challenges facing U.S. diplomacy in the 21st century. The speech will take place at the CIS follow- ing each biennial national election. The University of St. Thomas is the first institution chosen for this program and has agreed to bear most of the costs via a newly cre- ated endowment of up to $100,000. Program Kick-Off Former Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte’s inaugural address on March 21 officially kicked-off the new “Distinguished Diplo- mat” lecture series and the partnership between the university and AFSA. Negro- ponte emphasized, “We want to make sure American stu- dents are aware of the oppor- tunities for service to their country abroad; we don’t want them all to be from a handful of universities on the AFSA Launches New Foreign Service Program Partnership BY TOM SWITZER, SPEAKERS BUREAU DIRECTOR East Coast, for example, or the West Coast. We want to have regional diversity. We want the State Department to look like America when it’s representing us abroad.” Ambassador Negro- ponte stressed that those interested in Foreign Ser- vice careers should study languages and cultures through schoolwork, intern- ships and travel. He added that, “Speaking to people in their local tongue makes an incredible impression.” He went on to opine that the U.S., with all the advantages it enjoys, could well remain the leader of the free world for decades to come, but that it is essential that we get our fiscal and economic houses in order, especially in the face of growing competition from many countries. What Diplomats Do AFSA President Susan R. Johnson also addressed the group, commenting that AFSA has expanded its reach to smaller regional schools and emerging international programs by sending diplo- mats and other practitioners to speak and meet with stu- dents to give them a sense of what diplomacy is all about, what diplomats do, why it’s important for our national interests and what roles they can aspire to through diplomatic careers. Negro- ponte and Johnson also spoke to students from three area universities on careers in the Foreign Service. They encouraged the students to read AFSA’s popular book on the topic, “Inside a U.S. Embassy.” Keen Interest The main kickoff lecture, evening reception and dinner were attended by prominent Houstonians from academia, business and government, many of whom expressed keen interest in supporting this new partnership. The following day, Johnson spoke at a breakfast meeting of local Foreign Service retirees to detail AFSA’s persistent efforts in assisting retirees with benefits and other concerns, and explain the challenges U.S. diplomacy and development face with limited budgets. In view of the success of these inaugu- ral programs, going forward, AFSA will also seek opportu- nities to establish similarly endowed partnerships with other regional universities around the nation. Media coverage of these events was heavy, and culmi- nated with the opportunity to meet with the chief editors of the Houston Chronicle , laying the groundwork for future AFSA press placements there. n On March 21, University of St. Thomas Assistant Professor Richard Sindelar introduces “Distinguished Diplomat” lecturer Ambassador John D. Negroponte. PHOTOBYTOMSWITZER