The Foreign Service Journal, September 2003

lar issue is rather straightforward. In the United States, by contrast, an issue may involve the federal government; or it may be a state, county, or municipal matter. IROs pro- vide training to IRC staff on this aspect of U.S. law. IROs also hold training seminars on U.S. statistical information, another difficult terrain. In the Service of Public Diplomacy IROs are part of the Bureau of International Information Programs. IIP produces the Washington File , regional and thematic Web pages, electronic journals, and print publications, and also arranges speaker programs. As the most regular IIP visitors to posts, IROs are able to pro- vide feedback from the posts’ use of IIP products, and proffer suggestions for newmaterials or services. Because IRCs provide cutting-edge information services to foreign publics as well as to U.S. mission personnel, professional development is essential for IROs. IIP supports profes- sional training through courses at FSI, individual training programs, and attendance at professional conferences. New initiatives are bringing further evolution to the IRO position. Many are now involved with posts to devel- op “American Corners” in areas of host countries geo- graphically distant from embassies and consulates. Under the American Corners project, posts can purchase and donate to local universities and other institutions small col- lections of books and other information resources that highlight the United States. In return, the recipient insti- tution agrees to serve as a host venue for speakers and other post programs. Although the formmay be different, the involvement of the IROs in the American Corners efforts is simply another manifestation of the furtherance of public diplomacy through information. ■ F O C U S 48 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 3 Ruth Mara served as IRO in Africa, the NIS, Canada and the Caribbean; she now collaborates with IIP in producing electronic information resources. Cynthia Borys is director of the Bureau of International Information Programs’ Office of Information Resources. She has served as a regional officer in Abidjan, Bangkok, Rome, and Vienna.