The Foreign Service Journal, June 2017

54 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS Our Story Is Important—Keep Helping Us Tell It The 50 States Outreach Initia- tive, under the banner of the Fund for Ameri- can Diplomacy, continues to bring the story of the Foreign Service to the public and give our fellow citizens the opportunity to connect with U.S. diplomats and gain an understanding of the work they do to keep America a global leader. AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson speaks to internationally focused businesses and universities at the “Global Nights” event, hosted by the World Affairs Council of Central Florida. AFSA/CATHERINEKANNENBERG Florida: AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Ste- phenson and Outreach Coor- dinator Catherine Kannenberg traveled to central Florida in early April for several outreach events. AFSA, Global Ties U.S. and theWorld Affairs Council of Central Florida organized a strategy session to bring together internationally minded Floridians to explore opportunities to expand outreach, advocacy and programming at the local level in support of U.S. global engagement. All three organizations have strong networks of local leaders in the state. Jennifer Clinton, president of Global Ties U.S., led the delegation of partners. The session produced several proposals and encour- aged AFSA retirees to partici- pate in programs that engage their communities in global affairs—for example, speak- ing to civic groups, mentoring, serving on boards, hosting inter- national visitors or writing op-eds for local newspapers. The meeting was part of a pilot initiative to energize statewide outreach and advocacy. If successful and, if resources permit, AFSAwill consider extending the model to additional states. “Global Nights,” a semian- nual networking event for internationally focused com- munity businesses and univer- sities hosted byWAC-Central Florida, followed the strategy sessions. After giving keynote remarks, Amb. Stephenson had a chance to talk with many of the 150 attendees and exhibitors. Amb. Stephenson wrapped up the visit at a local PBS stu- dio for an interview with John Bersia, a Pulitzer Prize-win- ning journalist and educator. Mr. Bersia hostsWUCFTV’s popular Global Perspectives show, with a viewership of between four and five million people. In the interview, Amb. Ste- phenson used examples from her career to illustrate what diplomats do—for Americans, as well as for citizens of other countries—and the vital role they play in U.S. global leader- ship by making common cause with other nations to advance U.S. foreign policy priorities.We will share the interview with members once it runs. Massachusetts: In mid- April, retired Foreign Service Officer Lawrence Butler met with students at Harvard Uni- versity, where he focused on the challenges posed by the Islamic State group and other militant entities to stability in the Middle East. Later in the month, Mr. Butler participated in the first- ever Skype presentation to an AFSA Road Scholar audience, during which he and retired FSO James Bullock talked about Iraq. Texas: In mid-April, Ambas- sador (ret.) Robin Raphel trav- eled to Austin, Texas, for two speaking engagements. She presented a talk on “Pakistan and Its Trouble- some Neighbors” to students at the University of Texas at Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs; and she was the featured speaker at the bimonthly luncheon of The Foreign Service Group, one of the premier groups of Foreign Service retirees in the country. Wisconsin: In early May Amb. Stephenson accepted an invitation fromGlobal Ties, to give the keynote speech at the International Institute of Wisconsin’s annual World Citizen Awards celebration. She focused on the