The Foreign Service Journal, November 2011

AmbassadorWillardDePree servedas the primemoveruntil 2010,whenheorganized his final Chautauqua program. Well over a hundred Foreign Service employees — active-duty and retired—havemade pre- sentations, sharing their insights andbring- ing to life the role diplomats and develop- ment professionals play. Formanyintheaudience,itmaybetheir firstexposuretotheForeignServiceandhow U.S.foreignpolicyanddevelopmentisman- aged. Anestimated2,500peoplehavepar- ticipated sinceAFSAbeganoffering cours- es there. Located in southwestern New York, about 15miles fromthe shoresof LakeErie, Chautauquahas a richand fascinatinghis- tory. Lewis Miller and JohnHeyl Vincent founded the Institution— then called the ChautauquaLakeSundaySchoolAssembly —as anexperimental, out-of-school learn- ing environment in1874. Four years later, theChautauquaLiteraryandScientificCircle was founded with the mission of providing the basics of a col- lege education to those who could not afford traditional schooling; itwas oneof the very first correspondence course opportunities in the U.S. Its success gave rise to the “Chautauqua Movement,” whichsawthecreationof small- er versions of the Institution across the country. Eventually, these “circuits,” as they were known, gave rise to important national fora, wherepeo- ple could discuss literature, international relations, science and other issues. Chautauqua eventually developed its own cultural institutions, and now has a symphonyorchestra, anopera company, a conservatory theater andaballet company. Each year, thousands of people enjoy the educational and cultural programs offered from June through September. Unique Experience Visiting Chautauqua is a unique expe- rience. Uponarrival, youare informed that cartrafficisrestrictedtomaintaintheintegri- ty and tranquility of the area, which close- ly resembles a Victorian village. Amajor- ityof thehouses are cottages datingback to the 1890s, most of which are beautifully restored and meticulously maintained. The architectural crown jewel is the AthenaeumHotel—where allAFSARoad Scholar participants stay — that was opened in1881and isnowon the National Register of Historic Places. As the first U.S. hotel to have a working elevator and to be electrified, the Athenaeum is practically alive with history. AFSA’sRoadScholar pro- grams are offered in the “shoulder seasons”—imme- diately prior to and following the official Chautauqua sum- mer season. Our first program generally takes place in early June, followed by one or twoprograms inmid-October. The sub- ject of each program focuses on U.S. for- eign policy in the 21st century. Six U.S. diplomats lectureduring theweeklongpro- gramand provide opportunities for infor- mal discussion with participants. Recent topicshave included India,U.S. energypol- icy, theKoreanPeninsula and internation- al war crimes. This year’s Oct. 2-7 program included Ambassadors Herman J. Cohen, Linda Jewell andAl La Porta, MollyWilliamson, and James Pierce. The diplomats spent six days not only lecturing, but enjoying meals and other activities with the partici- pants, providing themwithan in-depthand personal introduction to the world of the Foreign Service. Sense of Community “These programs are thematically sim- ilartotheprogramsweofferinWashington, D.C., and Florida, but there is no denying that being at Chautauqua is a marvelous experience,” explains Bernie Alter, the administratorofAFSA’sRoadScholarpro- gram. “As a former Foreign Service officer, I am convinced that the Chautauqua pro- grams are one of the most successful out- reachandconstituency-creatingvehicleswe have for the Foreign Service,” says Alter. “They tell our story in a very personal and comprehensive way in a very special loca- tion. “The fact that AFSA offers these pro- grams and continues to nurture the col- laboration deserves high praise and speaks to the association’s approach in educating the public about the important role the ForeignService anddiplomacyplay inpro- tecting our national security.” AFSA looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Chautauqua, and we encourage our members to plan a visit to theInstitution. InformationonChautauqua —itshistory, courses andevents—is avail- able online at www.ciweb.org. T o learn moreaboutAFSA’sRoadScholarprograms and course offerings, please visit www. afsa.org/roadscholar. A F S A N E W S 72 F OR E I GN S E R V I C E J OU R N A L / NOV EMB E R 2 0 1 1 Chautauqua • Continued from page 65 October program speakers and their spouses. Left to right: John Walsh, Amb. Linda Jewell, Amb. Hank Cohen, Suzanne Cohen, Amb. Al La Porta, Molly Williamson and James Pierce. Festive fall décor greets visitors at the Athenaeum Hotel. ASGEIR SIGFUSSON