The American Foreign Service Association, established in 1924, is the professional association of the
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Yesterday, we had the pleasure of hosting Justin Ahn, the winner of AFSA’s 2023 National High School Essay Contest! While in DC, Justin had the the incredible opportunity to meet with Secretary Blinken and also attended a reception held at United States Institute of Peace in his honor.
Read Justin's winning essay on Vietnam reconciliation here: https://hubs.ly/Q01_b60g0
Congratulations Justin -- and to all students who submitted essays!
Today marks the 2-year anniversary of the beginning of the Kabul airlift. Members of the played a pivotal role in evacuating more than 120,000 people from Afghanistan in the largest ever air evacuation.
Read first person accounts of our members who participated in the evacuation, the good, the bad, and the tragic: https://hubs.ly/Q01-M7Ht0.
FS members share their experiences working on various aspects of the Afghanistan evacuation and resettlement efforts, highlighting the successes as well as the adversity and tragedy.
The FSI Transition Center's “Ready Set Travel” webinar on Wednesday, August 30 is a must-attend for those preparing for a domestic to overseas transfer. Register at https://hubs.ly/Q01-K-Gb0. This non-tuition offering will provide Foreign Service employees and family members with tips and resources to prepare for their international move. The information is applicable to community members whose agencies follow Department of State transfer allowances and procedures.
40 survivors of the East Africa bombings shared their experiences with the recalling that terrible day and how they carried on and rebuilt their lives afterward.
Read the essays here, in the : https://hubs.ly/Q01ZQ89C0
25 years ago today, two bombs exploded in front of the U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, leaving more than 200 dead and 5,000 injured. This anniversary serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers the Foreign Service faces daily, working on the front lines of international affairs.
Prudence Bushnell, U.S. ambassador to Kenya in 1998, and John Lange, chargé d’affaires in Tanzania then, reflect on what we should learn from this tragedy in this month’s FSJ piece “East Africa Bombings, 25 Years Later.”
Read it now: https://hubs.ly/Q01ZPYjk0
FS community: we need your support!
CDC has released proposed regulations for importing dogs and cats. We are deeply concerned that these proposed changes will impose even greater challenges for our members.
AFSA intends to provide comments and we encourage you to do the same. Your experiences will help the CDC understand the personal costs of these regulations.
To make comments, go here: https://tinyurl.com/3sn8fkff
The public comment period is open until September 8, 2023. For more information on the proposed rule changes, as well as AFSA's efforts on this issue, visit https://tinyurl.com/2yachrkn
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), proposes to amend its foreign quarantine regulation to provide additional clarity and safeguards to address the public health risk of dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV) associated...
that the State Department moved into its current building in Foggy Bottom in 1947? Before that, it spent 72 years of life in the State, War, and Navy Building (now known as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building).
On this day in 1789, Congress established the U.S. Department of State (then called the Department of Foreign Affairs). Wishing our friends, members & colleagues at the State Department a very happy 234th birthday!
This non-tuition webinar will help eligible family members explore virtual employment as a portable career option. The course covers trends in telework, an overview of key considerations when choosing virtual work options, and where to look for telework opportunities. Register at https://hubs.ly/Q01YP-wc0.
Members! Do you know any former mid-level FSOs interested in rejoining the Foreign Service?
On July 5, 2023, the State Department issued a general solicitation for former mid-level Foreign Service officers who had resigned (but not retired) to consider re-entry into the Service.
Help us spread the word. More info here:
On July 5, 2023, the State Department issued a general solicitation for former mid-level Foreign Service officers who had resigned (but not retired) to consider re-entry into the Service. The notice is part of a broader effort to recruit and retain talent to address significant staffing deficits in....
AFSA is honored to announce that Ambassador John Tefft is the recipient of our 2023 Award for Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy (LCAD) in recognition of his outstanding Foreign Service career, his lifelong commitment to public service, and his exemplary contributions to U.S. foreign policy.
Congratulations and well-deserved!
AFSA's new Governing Board begins its two-year term today.
Meet (and welcome!) our new leadership:
Thomas Yazdgerdi, President A member of the Senior Foreign Service, Tom Yazdgerdi served from 2019 to 2023 as the AFSA State VP and is proud of the many wins that AFSA has gotten for our members. Before that, he was special envoy for Holocaust issues in the European and Eurasian Bureau at the Depart...
This week, we said our final staff farewells to our President Eric Rubin, who is leaving AFSA after four productive, challenging, and fulfilling years.
The presidential transition is officially underway, with Tom Yazdgerdi taking the AFSA helm next week.
Thank you, Amb. Rubin, for your service and dedication, and we look forward to working with you, Tom!
An expert in cross-cultural communication will lead employees and family members from the foreign affairs community through interactive sessions on how to effectively adjust to overseas variations in cultural values and communication. Participants will identify key cultural values, identify personal reactions to cultural differences, and explore effective strategies for living in a culturally diverse community. Learn more about this offering at https://hubs.ly/Q01XvH6Z0.
In his final column as AFSA President, Ambassador Eric Rubin bids “A Fond but Cautionary Farewell.”
This is my last FSJ column as president of AFSA. In June, I reflected on the accomplishments of the past two AFSA boards and my hopes for future progress in the near term. Here, I’d like to share some thoughts about where we, the Foreign Service of the United States of America, find ourselves in 2...
The July/August is out! In this issue: progress and challenges of advancing DEIA in the foreign affairs agencies, marking 25 Years since the East Africa embassy bombings, the real heroes in getting out of Saigon: U.S. FSOs, remembering Judith Heumann, boomerang diplomats, and more! https://hubs.ly/Q01Wz64w0
Happy ! Thinking of our members serving and celebrating in embassies and consulates around the world.
in 1924, the Foreign Service Act of 1924 (aka Rogers Act), which created the US as we know it, came into effect. Read how it all went down: https://hubs.ly/Q01VGw090
The Foreign Service Act of 1924, known as the Rogers Act, created the U.S. Foreign Service as we know it today. Here is how it happened.
The July-August will be out next week and will focus on DEIA: Foundations for Progress.
Tom Gallagher was the first U.S. to come out as gay. He left the service in 1976 as he would not have been unable to obtain a security clearance. In 2012, then-Secretary Clinton honored his legacy as the first openly gay officer.
Yesterday, we bid farewell to the 2021-2023 AFSA Governing Board. Thank you for your service and for two excellent, productive years!
And a special thank you to Ambassador Eric Rubin who devoted four years to supporting the people and profession of the Foreign Service -- and served as an inspiring, thoughtful leader for the AFSA staff.
Members: We hope to see many of you TONIGHT for our Show Your Pride happy hour at AFSA HQ as we celebrate the start of summer and Pride Month!
Today, AFSA celebrates , also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day and Emancipation Day, a holiday celebrated since 1866 commemorating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. On this important day, AFSA reflects on our nation's history and recommits to full support for intensified efforts to diversify our Foreign Service, with the goal of a Service that is truly representative of our country and its people.
And now for the official essay contest reveal!
Along with partners United States Institute of Peace and Semester at Sea, we are happy to announce that Justin Ahn from Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, MA, is the winner of AFSA's 2023 National High School Essay Contest. His essay essay won first place out of over 400 impressive submissions.
Justin will travel to Washington, D.C., this summer to meet with a member of Department of State leadership and receive a full scholarship for an educational voyage with Semester at Sea.
A well-deserved congratulations!
Read more:
Sponsored by the American Foreign Service Association in partnership with the U.S. Institute of Peace, Semester at Sea and the National Student Leadership Conference.
Our diplomats work in more than 170 countries around the world but around 70 countries still deny visas for same-sex spouses, making it harder, sometimes impossible, for our + to serve there.
AFSA at Chautauqua.
One of our favorite weeks of the year is traveling to Chautauqua, NY, to team up with Road Scholar and the Chautauqua Institution on a program called "US foreign policy for the 21st century."
This program is part of AFSA's public outreach programs to educate about the work and impact of the US Foreign Service on America -- and the world.
Six AFSA members and AFSA President Eric Rubin spoke just steps away from where the likes of Yo Yo Ma, Duke Ellington, and Ella Fitzgerald have performed.
It is always a pleasure to engage with the broader public about the importance and complexities of diplomacy, and to share stories - the good, the bad, and the funny - of work and life in the Foreign Service.
This morning, AFSA hosted a breakfast for State Department Chiefs of Mission and CDAs in town for the 2023 Chiefs of Mission Conference. The group spoke with us about their experiences in the field from Ukraine to Sudan. It is always an honor to host them, and we look forward to continuing to support their work in the future!
EVENT | Andrew Byrley will be joining us on Diplomats@Work to chat about his time as consular officer at the US Embassy in Belize, assisting Americans in crisis, as well as his interesting journey into the Foreign Service.
Whether you're an aspiring diplomat, curious about the world of diplomacy, or simply here for a good story -- this event is for you.
Register now! 👉 https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7116862494280/WN_QECc1QlbQCaY80_X4ATWNg
Our retiree membership recruitment campaign is underway💌.
This serves as our PSA -- make sure you haven't let your membership lapse when you retired from the Foreign Service.Your support makes AFSA stronger and retiree members retain top member benefits with dues rates at almost half the price.
Look for a letter in the mail or email AFSA to renew your membership.
in 2001 Michael Guest, a career officer, became the first publicly gay man to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate and serve as a U.S. ambassador. Amb. Guest served as Ambassador to Romania from 2001-2004.
...and we have a winner!
Yesterday, AFSA President Eric Rubin made the official call to the winner of AFSA's 2022 High School Essay Contest! The winner has received $2500, a trip to Washington, D.C., and a full scholarship for a Semester at Sea educational voyage.
Stay tuned for the big reveal, coming soon.
Members! Join us June 22nd at AFSA HQ for a Happy Hour celebrating the start of summer and Pride Month.
Don't miss out on the special themed cocktail, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and the ever wonderful company of your friends and colleagues in the FS community.
Details below. No RSVP necessary -- see you there!
Resurfacing this great episode from our partner American Diplomat podcast featuring FSO Austin Richey-Allen who recounts his story of gender transition in the .
Listen now👉: https://hubs.ly/Q01S7BTj0
Academy of Diplomacy
For Pride Month (belatedly posted due to events in Afghanistan and our coverage of those), Austin Richey-Allen recounts his story of gender transition in the Foreign Service. A trans kid, he discovered in adulthood that there is a term for his experience: gender dysphoria. From transition to lea...
Ambassador Eric Rubin reflects on “Accomplishments and Challenges” during four years at the AFSA helm.
This is my penultimate President’s Views column for the FSJ. I will finish my second term and four years in office on July 15. In my final column next month, I will share my views on what needs to happen to make the U.S. Foreign Service healthy, happy, and relevant after a very trying two decades.
that in 1992, employees formed to challenge a security clearance process that persecuted staff? 30 years later, glifaa has official recognition as the voice of LGBTQIA+ personnel in U.S. foreign affairs agencies.
The June is out! In this issue: the promise of partnerships following the U.S.- Leaders Summit, a frank discussion on and U.S. foreign policy, applies to college, standing with , and more! https://hubs.ly/Q01Rnqq10
On this first day of , AFSA celebrates and recognizes the achievements of the + members of the . We are committed to continuing to promote diversity, equality & equity in the Foreign Service and beyond.
The June will be out soon and will focus on the U.S. and Africa: toward partnerships.
It is with heartfelt gratitude that AFSA remembers the sacrifice of so many in the United States armed services on this Memorial Day.
from 1789-1924, the Diplomatic Service staffed U.S. legations & embassies while the Consular Service was responsible for promoting U.S. commerce & assisting distressed American sailors? Rogers Act combined the services into what we know as the .
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ICYMI Fantastic and inspiring discussion about working as an agricultural diplomat at USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Watch full recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQPkRYrh2zk #DiplomatsAtWork
Vice President Joe Biden's speech during the Foreign Affairs Day Memorial Plaque Ceremony.
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