In March, U.S. Ambassador to India Kenneth I. Juster visited Kerala, a state on the southwestern Malabar Coast of India where severe flooding claimed 483 lives last August. Juster toured the impressive Kochi-Muziris Biennale, India’s largest contemporary art exhibition, and interacted with artists and volunteers. The ambassador reflected on the themes of recovery and resilience expressed through the artwork and encouraged continued U.S.-India collaboration in the arts and education.

Kerala art exhibition depicts resilience

In March, U.S. Ambassador to India Kenneth I. Juster visited Kerala, a state on the southwestern Malabar Coast of India where severe flooding claimed 483 lives last August. Juster toured the impressive Kochi-Muziris Biennale,...
U.S. Ambassador to Namibia Lisa Johnson presents certificates, in Windhoek, Namibia, March 29, to health care providers who completed a cervical cancer screening training program led by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with support from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. HIV-postitive women are five times more likely to develop and die of cervical cancer than HIV-negative women. However, cervical cancer is detectable, preventable and treatable. This approach—which utilizes something as simple and accessible as table vinegar—will offer Namibian women across the country a cost effective, timely and nurse-empowered option to screen women and immediately treat them for cervical cancer in the same clinical visit. Photo courtesy of Embassy Namibia

Empowering health care providers in Namibia

U.S. Ambassador to Namibia Lisa Johnson presents certificates, in Windhoek, Namibia, March 29, to health care providers who completed a cervical cancer screening training program led by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and...

Secretary Pompeo unveils Ethos initiative

At the One Team, One Mission: Introducing our Ethos announcement, April 26, in the C Street lobby of HST, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo unveiled an inspirational, aspirational and unifying statement that is made...
Be part of the future of work! Submit your projects May 1- June 10. Virtual Student Federal Service VSFS. "VSFS is one of the most ingenious and valuable things I've seen in the federal government." Chang Suh, DOD

VSFS Program delivers talent and expertise

Photo Illustration by Amanda J. Richard | For the past 10 years, eDiplomacy’s Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) program has invited U.S. university students to work with colleagues at the Department and across the...
Secretary Pompeo hosted his second town hall for Department employees on Feb. 8. This meeting followed the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, something the Secretary mentioned while expressing gratitude for the Department’s ongoing dedication even in tough times. “We continued to have a mission,” said the Secretary. “We didn’t have our full team at work. And you all did great work. Some of you came in early. Some of you were at home wishing you could be back here, and I respect the work that you did during this difficult time in the Department’s history.” The Secretary went on to discuss the chiefs of the mission conference and employing Department family members. He took questions from the audience and above all reiterated his consistent message that Department employees are “One team, one mission.” Photo by Luis A. Jimenez Jr.

Town hall meeting with Secretary Pompeo

Photo by Luis A. Jimenez Jr. | Secretary Pompeo hosted his second town hall for Department employees on Feb. 8. This meeting followed the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, something the Secretary mentioned...
The Book Tuk, one of nine American Spaces in Nepal, brings America to the neighborhoods of Kathmandu. American Spaces exemplifies the U.S. commitment to citizens’ right to free access to information. Launched in 2016, the Book Tuk, an electric tuk-tuk adapted from a decommissioned embassy vehicle, continues to expand its outreach to enhance U.S. and Nepal people-to-people connections. During outreach visits, the Book Tuk team not only introduces amazing books to hundreds of children, but also organizes interesting and creative activities. Furthermore, the Book Tuk conducts strategic and thematic programs to advance U.S. foreign policy goals, including enhancing entrepreneurship, encouraging democracy and ensuring inclusivity. Photo courtesy of Embassy Nepal

Book Tuk makes big impact in Kathmandu communities

Photo courtesy of Embassy Nepal | The Book Tuk, one of nine American Spaces in Nepal, brings America to the neighborhoods of Kathmandu. American Spaces exemplifies the U.S. commitment to citizens’ right to free...
From the HR Portal, click on GEMS Self Service. How to add your personal email address: 1. Click on the Employee Self Service tab then scroll down to the Personal Information section which includes Email Addresses. 2. Click the Update My Email Addresses which will open the General Profile Information page. 3. Click the plus sign in the third column to add a new row. 4. Choose Email type (Personal), enter the Email Address, and click Save.

GEMS provides employees with additional contact options

During the recent government shutdown, thousands of employees, many of whom sought to file unemployment compensation claims, were unable to retrieve furlough letters that were sent to state.gov email addresses only. The Department has...
Department employee affinity groups, the Disability Action Group (DAG) and Veterans@State, co-hosted a roundtable conversation with representatives from the organization Hope for the Warriors. This organization provides comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans and military families that are focused on health and wellness, peer engagement, transitions and connections to community resources. Specifically, the guest speakers highlighted their art therapy program, a widely practiced activity that aims to improve or restore a client’s functioning and sense of personal well-being. All services provided by Hope for the Warriors can be found on their website at www.hopeforthewarriors.org.

Empowering people living with disabilities

Department employee affinity groups, the Disability Action Group (DAG) and Veterans@State, co-hosted a roundtable conversation with representatives from the organization Hope for the Warriors. This organization provides comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans...
On Feb. 15, the U.S. Embassy in Singapore’s Foreign Service National Association (FSNA) and American Employee Association (AEA) summoned two playful lions to the Embassy to usher in the Year of the Pig. The traditional lion dance, performed to clanging cymbals and booming drums, is believed to bring prosperity and good luck for the year ahead. In keeping with local Lunar New Year traditions, Chargé d’Affaires Stephanie Syptak-Ramnath and the Embassy community wore red and tossed prosperity salad while offering wishes of good fortune to one another. FSNA and AEA organize various holiday celebrations throughout the year to share cultural traditions between Singaporean and American staff. Gong Xi Fa Cai! Photo courtesy of Embassy Singapore

Embassy Singapore celebrates Lunar New Year

On Feb. 15, the U.S. Embassy in Singapore’s Foreign Service National Association (FSNA) and American Employee Association (AEA) summoned two playful lions to the Embassy to usher in the Year of the Pig. The...
Ambassador Maria Brewer is shown next to the unveiled plaque on Local Staff Appreciation Day at the U.S. Embassy in Freetown, Nov. 16, 2018. Photo by John Terry

Embassy Freetown salutes dedication of its LE staff

Ambassador Maria Brewer unveiled a plaque on Local Staff Appreciation Day at the U.S. Embassy in Freetown last November. Embassy office staff found a dust-covered plaque from 1997 that praised the Sierra Leonean staff...

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Office Spotlight

Making a Statement

The image is split down the middle with the "Making a Statement" logo in white on a blue background on the left, followed by the name Josué Barrera. Barrera smiles on the right.