AFSA-FSI Town Hall on Modernization AFSA President Tom Yazdgerdi was joined by Foreign Service Institute Director Joan Polaschik and FSI leadership on June 13 for a discussion of FSI governance innovations, new course offerings, and expanded student resources being made available to bolster the Foreign Service. Yazdgerdi pointed to AFSA’s support for Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s modernization agenda, highlighting the importance of continuous training and the challenges posed by a constrained budget. He emphasized the need for hiring above attrition to avoid past issues of feast- or-famine hiring cycles, which directly impact training effectiveness. Polaschik provided an indepth update on FSI’s efforts to transform its programs and build a culture of continuous learning. Inspired by Secretary Blinken’s modernization agenda, FSI has initiated the development of new training programs in critical mission areas such as climate, global health, emerging technology, and economic statecraft. To further this transformation, FSI has launched newsletters and a new learning policy aimed at encouraging up to 40 hours of annual learning, incorporating nontraditional methods like coaching and attending think-tank events. Additionally, said Polaschik, significant investments are being made in new buildings and digital systems, along with a comprehensive reorganization to ensure FSI programs are aligned with departmental strategic objectives. Dean of the Language School Eliza Al-Laham discussed efforts to address unconscious bias in language testing and the development of a new rubric emphasizing fluency over accuracy. She also highlighted the ongoing curriculum alignment initiative aimed at tailoring language training to specific tradecraft needs. FSI has combined orientation programs for generalists and specialists into a unified six-week program. This change addresses a longstanding equity issue and fosters a better understanding of different roles from the start. During the Q&A session, one audience member asked whether FSI has considered dropping European language instruction in countries where English is widely spoken. Al-Laham noted the periodic review process and ongoing discussions with regional bureaus on this matter. Another audience member asked about AFSA’s collaboration with the retention unit. Yazdgerdi and State VP Tina Wong highlighted efforts to improve exit interviews and make rehiring more attractive. Finally, a question was posed on how FSI plans to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into its training programs. Polaschik and her colleagues detailed the integration of AI into various curricula and the establishment of an FSI-wide working group to facilitate this process. n The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) hosted its annual Global Impact Forum on June 3 and 4, bringing together a broad network of leaders from the private and public sectors. USGLC is a coalition of 500 businesses and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), national security and foreign policy experts, and community leaders from all 50 states. They advocate for strategic investments in development and diplomacy to build a safer and better world. AFSA works closely with USGLC and is a member organization under the USGLC umbrella. The event culminated in the Global Impact Expo on the evening of June 4, where members of the AFSA and FSJ team participated. At the AFSA info table, AFSA staff provided forum attendees information about advocacy efforts, educational resources, and the evolving role of the Foreign Service in global affairs. Highlights included a raffle for AFSA’s bestselling book, Inside a U.S. Embassy. The forum attracted hundreds of attendees, including prominent figures such as National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety. n NEWS BRIEF USGLC’s Annual Global Impact Forum AFSA NEWS 76 SEPTEMBER 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL
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