The Foreign Service Journal, December 2012

54 DECEMBER 2012 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS More than 200 guests joined AFSA staff and Govern- ing Board members at the Benjamin Franklin Diplomatic Reception Room on Oct. 11 for the official relaunch of the completely redesigned Foreign Service Journal— its first since 1994. Working with local design firm Eason Associates, an advisory committee com- prised members of AFSA’s Governing Board, AFSA staff and the Journal ’s editorial board. After more than a year of collaboration, The Foreign Service Journal , with its new look and top-notch content, was launched. AFSA President Susan Johnson welcomed the guests and acknowledged those whose hard work had contributed to the success of the new design. Johnson also read from a congratulatory note from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in which she wished the Journal another 100 years of suc- cess. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns reminisced about having been a Journal reader for his entire 30-year Foreign Service career. He thanked the magazine for serving as the historical memory of the diplomatic profession throughout its 88-year existence, and for connecting Foreign Service members around the world, reminding them they are indeed more than just a col- lection of professionals but rather a family. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the director general of the For- eign Service, entertained the audience with a recollection of the difficulty she and her tandem FS husband faced when trying to get only one copy, not two, of the Journal . Their attempts were in vain, as two copies of the maga- zine continued to be deliv- ered to post. The lesson here is that there can never be too much of a good thing (for other tandem couples out there, we suggest donating your second copy to a local library, hospital or univer- sity). The final speaker was Ted Wilkinson, the only person to have served as both presi- dent of AFSA (from 1989 to 1991) and as chairman of the Foreign Service Journal editorial board (from 2005 to 2011). Ted spoke of the importance of ensuring that the magazine is more than just an insider’s chronicle and must be relevant to outside audiences such as members of Congress and their staff, academia, think tanks and members of the public. He commended the Journal for doing this well. Attendees enjoyed cham- pagne and hors d’oeuvres as they mingled in the majestic room and took in the view of the National Mall and Potomac River from the 8th- floor terrace. Following the official portion of the event, guests were able to look at a collection of historical covers from throughout the Journal ’s history, including the first American Consular Bulletin cover from 1919, and the first American Foreign Service Journal cover from 1924. Guests received a com- memorative poster depicting 12 historical covers from the magazine’s history—one from each decade. Posters are still available at AFSA’s reception desk. To view the event online, please go to http://alturl. com/jg2ye. n AFSA Celebrates the New Foreign Service Journal Design On Oct. 11, guests mingle in the splendor of the Benjamin Franklin Diplomatic Receiption Room as they listen to speeches and accolades are accorded for the Foreign Service Journal ’s relaunch of the long-running magazine’s new design, the first since 1994. IANHOUSTON BY ÁSGEIR SIGFÚSSON, MANAGER OF MARKETING AND OUTREACH