In 1950, on the second anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, students at the U.N. International Nursery School in New York viewed a poster of the historic document. U.N. Photo

Department highlights human rights

By Amanda J. Richard December 10 marked the 71st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which identified common rights and freedoms for all people. The Department of State released a press statement...
Santa and Mrs. Claus board his “sleigh” as the Kringle Detail prepares to spread holiday cheer and deliver presents to young and old alike in Washington, D.C., and the nearby Virginia suburbs, Dec. 7. State Department photo

DSS’ “Kringle Detail” brings gifts and holiday cheer

By Barbara Gleason In early December, the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) provided an unusual protective detail for a visiting foreign dignitary, Kriss Kringle (a.k.a. Santa Claus). The annual visit, the 21st anniversary...
From left: Ambassador John J. Sullivan, FSI Director Daniel B. Smith, and FSI Deputy Director Julieta Valls Noyes attend the placement of a plaque commemorating Sullivan’s ambassadorial training at FSI. Photo by Michael Morrison

Department leader lauds ambassadorial training at FSI

By Mark C. Storella “I am convinced more than ever that all career and non-career ambassadors must take ambassadorial training before heading out to post as the president’s personal representative,” said Ambassador John J. Sullivan,...
Sports Visitor Program participants from Mexico play sitting volleyball while at the Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, Ala. Photo courtesy of Cooperative Partner FHI 360

Sports Diplomacy focuses on inclusive initiatives

By Jay Aprea Through its annual slate of people-to-people exchanges, the Sports Diplomacy Division in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) manages programs that promote access and inclusion for people with disabilities through...
Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources Carol Z. Perez listens as Ambassador John J. Sullivan shares personal stories from throughout his career that highlighted diversity and inclusion, Jan. 6. Photo by Luis A. Jimenez Jr.

Department leaders discuss diversity and inclusion in the workforce

By Amanda J. Richard  The Office of Civil Rights and the Bureau of Human Resources’ Diversity and Inclusion Program hosted an insightful discussion on diversity and inclusion in the George Marshall Auditorium, Jan. 6. The...
A group of exchange visitors from Keene State College in New Hampshire volunteer at the NYC Marathon on behalf of the Department’s Exchange Volunteer Program, Nov. 3. Photo by Steven Spiegel

Exchange Visitor Program marathon series expands

By Christian Caudill  For the fifth year in a row, the Department of State’s Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) comprised the largest group of volunteers for the TCS New York City Marathon. More than 1,600 volunteers...
Center, back row: Navin Khemlani from the International Business Council Spain meets with AWE Spain women entrepreneurs at their sixth and final workshop in the program, Nov. 9. Photo courtesy of Embassy Madrid

ECA helps women entrepreneurs turn dreams into reality

By Manuel Pereira Colocci Knowing how to make a product does not necessarily mean that you know how to sell it or how to make a successful business of it. That is the thought behind...
Director of the Collaboratory Office in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and host of 22.33, Christoper Wurst (center in blue jacket) poses with the band Humming House after an interview for a 22.33 podcast. Humming House members (from left) Joshua Wolak, Quentin Flowers, Bobby Chase, Justin Wade Tam, and Nathan Wahlman are ECA exchange alumni from the American Music Abroad program. Photo courtesy of ECA

ECA podcast shares exchange participants’ stories

By Edward Stewart One year ago, the Collaboratory—the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) innovation unit—set out to prove two concepts with a new podcast project called 22.33. The concepts that the team wanted...
Staff and their families at Mission Timor-Leste enjoyed speeches, food, and traditional dancing at their LE Staff/FSN Recognition Day celebration, Nov. 21. Photo courtesy of Mission Timor-Leste

Posts celebrate inaugural Global LE Staff/FSN Recognition Day

By Daniele Schoenauer and Debra Higgins Locally Employed (LE) staff/Foreign Service Nationals (FSN) around the world dedicate their careers to helping the Department of State fulfill its U.S. foreign policy goals. Every day, posts rely...
Third from left: Ryan Guirlinger of Embassy Rabat is presented with the Hayden G. Brown Award for Outstanding Leadership in Energy Security and Access. Members of Brown’s family and ENR Assistant Secretary Francis R. Fannon (far right) joined Guirlinger at the inaugural award ceremony. Photo by Matt McManus

Inaugural memorial award honors work in energy security and access

By Adrian Howe This year marked the inaugural Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) Hayden G. Brown Award for Outstanding Leadership in Energy Security and Access, which honors the outstanding energy-policy work of the late Hayden...

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