THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2024 65 AFSA NEWS Hachigian, the U.S. special representative for city and state diplomacy, to discuss the growing importance of subnational diplomacy, especially set against the backdrop of the 2028 Summer Olympic Games, which Los Angeles will host. Yazdgerdi also visited LA City Hall to meet officials working for the deputy mayor for international affairs, an office that Amb. Hachigian established in 2017—the first of its kind in the United States—to institutionalize the growing importance of contacts with mayors, provincial leaders, and governors in countries across the world. He also visited USC’s Center on Public Diplomacy, where he spoke with students about careers in diplomacy and fielded questions about AFSA President’s Outreach in California On Oct. 6, AFSA President Tom Yazdgerdi embarked on an outreach trip to Southern California, taking advantage of an invitation from the World Affairs Council of Orange County (WACOC) to deliver a keynote address on the Foreign Service Centennial at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum on Oct. 7. His visit aimed to foster connections with local communities, business leaders, students, and AFSA members—both active-duty and retired. Yazdgerdi also participated in a radio interview with Voice of Laguna after addressing an audience of students, business professionals, and community members at the Nixon Library. He remarked on the Foreign Service’s role and current challenges, including the continued importance of diplomacy and the need to appropriately fund what is America’s first line of defense. This event, co-hosted by WACOC, also featured a panel of Foreign Service officers who shared insights into diplomatic life and encouraged the audience, which had a number of students, to consider a career in the Foreign Service. A notable outcome was the extension of the Foreign Service Centennial exhibit at the Nixon Library through the end of 2024. In Los Angeles, Yazdgerdi met with Ambassador Nina Tom Yazdgerdi addresses an audience of USC students. AFSA/NADJA RUZICA AFSA/NADJA RUZICA Tom Yazdgerdi discusses the importance of the Foreign Service during a radio interview with Voice of Laguna. the ability to dissent constructively Throughout the trip, Yazdgerdi connected with AFSA members over discussions ranging from overseas comparability pay to the high cost of living in California, which can influence subnational diplomacy rotational opportunities. This AFSA outreach trip helped raise awareness about the work of the Foreign Service and strengthened partnerships for future collaboration, continuing the commemoration of the Foreign Service’s centennial year. n
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