The Foreign Service Journal, September 2017

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2017 63 AFSA NEWS CALENDAR September 4 Labor Day: AFSA Offices Closed September 7 12-1:30 p.m. A Moderated Conversation with FSO Oni Blair September 8 7:05 p.m. The Second Annual Foreign Service Night at Nationals Park: Nationals vs. Phillies September 10-14 AFSA Road Scholar Program: “The Middle East: Conflict and Controversy” Washington, D.C. September 11 12-1 p.m. Public Diplomacy Council: “9/11 Sixteen Years Later” September 14 12-1:30 p.m. AFSA Book Notes: Career Diplomacy by Harry W. Kopp and John K. Naland September 20 12-1:30 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting September 20 4:30-6:30 p.m. AFSA Networking Happy Hour October 2 12:00-1:00 p.m. Public Diplomacy Council: “How Finland Is Using Public Diplomacy to Celebrate Its Centennial” October 9 Columbus Day: AFSA Offices Closed nings as a school teacher in Dayton, Iowa—population 900—she retired as one of the most admired members of the career Foreign Service, with postings as ambassa- dor to five countries, service as Director General of the Foreign Service, the personal rank of Career Ambas- sador and a reputation as an outstanding mentor to countless individuals from entry-level officers to senior ambassadors. In her remarks, Amb. Pow- ell expressed her gratitude to the many mentors and collaborators who guided, advised and supported her during her career, a theme which was later echoed by many of the other award recipients. She specifically high- lighted Ambassadors Peter Burleigh, Howard Schaffer, the late Arnold Raphel and A. Elizabeth Jones. “While we all know them for their regional expertise and policy-making skills,” Powell said “I had the additional joy of knowing them for their encourage- ment, their empathy and their exemplification of Foreign Service leadership at its finest.” In closing, Amb. Pow- ell pledged that from her “bench on the beach,” she would “continue to work as a private citizen to help secure the resources you need to conduct your essential roles in designing and implement- ing America’s foreign policy, in ensuring the security and smooth functioning of our missions that serve the American people and the interagency community, in guaranteeing that you have the training you need to suc- ceed, and in building on the progress made in mitigating poverty, disease and disas- ters around the globe.” See page 31 for FSJ Editor Shawn Dorman’s interview with Amb. Powell. CONSTRUCTIVE DISSENT AWARDS Turning to the awards for constructive dissent, Amb. Stephenson made the case that in the Foreign Service, “we strongly believe that it is our duty to call things as we see them, because that’s in the best interest of our country. In many cases, we may provide input that calls into question the wisdom of a policy direction or challenges the validity of a procedure. Doing so is a core element of leadership in the Foreign Service context, a duty that is required of us. The six members of the For- eign Service we honor today 2017 Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy winner Ambassador (ret.) Nancy Powell, with four previous recipients of AFSA’s most prestigious award. From left, Senator Richard Lugar, Ambassador (ret.) Bill Harrop, Amb. Powell, Stu Kennedy and Ambassador (ret.) Ruth Davis. Good ideas withstand scrutiny. Our country is stronger for this Foreign Service community that encourages integrity and intellectual honesty to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. —Cecilia S. Choi AFSA/TOYASARNOJORDAN