The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2021

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JULY-AUGUST 2021 19 network of mentors, champions and resources within the agency to ensure the program’s success. For more information, contact Payne FellowshipNetworkBoard@usaid.gov . Video Game Diplomacy Initiative T he State Department is joining forces with the Stevens Initiative and Games for Change to launch a virtual exchange program for 2,700 students from grades 6 to 12 in the United States, Israel, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Students will work together to develop social impact video games. Students will work together in teams on projects based on United Nations sus- tainable development goals. At the end of each school year, teams will submit their games for judging in a competition. The program runs until June 2023. Students from Atlanta, Detroit and New York City will join forces with students selected by Israel’s Beit Berl College and Shenkar College of Engineer- ing, Design and Art, the UAE’s twofour54 Abu Dhabi, and the Bahrain Ministry of Youth and Sports. “People-to-people exchanges are critical to advancing global peace and understanding,” said Matthew Lussen- hop, acting assistant secretary of State for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. “Through early adoption of virtual exchanges, the Stevens Initiative has ele- vated technology to foster collaboration between students in the United States and counterparts in the Middle East and North Africa.” The Stevens Initiative is named for the late Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, who was killed in Libya in 2012. n This edition of Talking Points was compiled by Cameron Woodworth, Steve Honley and Dom DiPasquale (for “PDAA Honors Initiatives”). A Vital Step Today, the House passed a bill authorizing the @StateDept’s work—including my legislation for paid internships and to support Foreign Service families with disabilities. I voted for this vital step to rebuild America’s infrastructure for diplomacy. —U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) tweet, May 18. Improve Reporting, Expand Training We must ensure our State Department person- nel are prepared to meet 21st-century global challenges. That’s why I’m proud that my bill to improve State Department reporting requirements and an initiative to expand Foreign Service officer training programs passed the House today as part of the State Department Authorization Act. I thank my colleagues for coming together to support a streamlined, more efficient State Department. —U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.) Facebook post, May 18. HEARD ON THE HILL JOSH