PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER 2016

SPOTLIGHT ON AFSA AWARDS

DIPLOMATIC TRADECRAFT: TIPS & TRENDS

FOREIGN SERVICE September 2016 Volume 93, No. 7

Spotlight on AFSA Awards

24 Features A Foreign Service Trailblazer— Ambassador Ruth A. Davis 51 FSJ Editor Shawn Dorman MED’s Child & Family interviews the recipient of AFSA’s Program, Explained 2016 Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy Award. Created in 2013, the Child and Family Program aims to streamline the 36 clearance process for families and When Prevailing ensure consistency in the support for Practice Fails: children and families. Constructive Dissent By Kathy Gallardo By relying on prevailing practice to set locally employed staff compensation, we are benefiting from the same labor 54 exploitation that we oppose as Creepy Critters a matter of U.S. foreign policy. We Have Known By Jefferson Smith Life in the tropics demands that you make peace with a range of 40 “creepy critters” you are The FSJ’s bound to encounter. “Top Ten” on Dissent By Margaret Sullivan The FSJ keeps a focus on constructive dissent—its history, its value, its practice and its outcome. 24

Focus on Diplomatic Tradecraft

41 Diplomatic Training: New Trends In foreign ministries around the world training is undergoing intensification and expansion. By Kishan Rana 47

44 47 Five Ways to Tackle a Over the Finish Line: New Language Winning Strategies for 54 Combining different language-learning a Successful Visit methods is the best bet for success. Advance planning and sustained By Elijah David Bush and initiative from mid-level officers who Todd Hughes own their ideas are the keys to a fruitful high-level visit. By Ted Osius

4 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Departments

Perspectives 11 Letters 14 Talking Points 6 100 85 In Memory President’s Views Reflections Calling It Like We See It Road Trip to Syria, 2011 90 Books By Barbara Stephenson By L a ura Me rzig Fa br ycky 9 102 Letter from the Editor Local Lens Recognizing Excellence Liberia and Courage By Andrew Pa rks By Shawn Dorman 20 16 Speaking Out Neglecting World’s Fairs Doesn’t Make Them Go Away, Marketplace So Let’s Do It Right By Beatrice Camp 93 Classifieds 96 Real Estate 20 99 Index to Advertisers

AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION 59 Honoring AFSA’s 2016 Award Winners 60 State VP Voice: Taking Performance Management Seriously 61 FCS VP Voice: The Golden Rule— Paradox or Words to Live By? 61 Long Term Care Premium Hikes 62 Retiree VP Voice: In Defense of Dissent 63 Introducing the Labor Management Team 66 To Soar Like a Phoenix 67 67 AFSA Award Winner Profiles 75 Using Diplomacy to Meet the New Threat Set 76 AFSA Governing Board Meetings: June and July 81 LGBT+ in Foreign Affairs 77 Celebrating Strategic Writing 82 2016 Foreign Service Youth Awards 78 DS Begins Recording Interviews 83 AFSA Nat'l High School Essay Contest Winner 79 USAID Honors Fallen Colleagues 83 FEGLI Open Season in September 80 Forging Foreign Service Alliances in the Rockies 84 Editorial Board Hail and Farewell

On the Cover: The 2016 recipients of AFSA’s awards for lifetime contributions, dissent and exemplary performance. At center, Ambassador Ruth A. Davis (photo by Joaquin Sosa). Clockwise from top left, Shawn Akard, teaching a class in Jordan; Jefferson Smith, far right, with members of the Locally Employed Staff Committee; Toni Kula, coordinating the embassy beach cleanup drive; Karn Carlson; John Naland; Sara Locke, far right, at the Embassy Beirut Fourth of July party; Mike Honigstein, center, at the Write to Reconcile conference. All photos courtesy of the named individuals. Cover art design by Gemma Dvorak.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 5 PRESIDENT’S VIEWS

Calling It Like We See It

BY BARBARA STEPHENSON

his month’s Journal covers the robust definition of dissent in time for “The Dissent Channel,” next page). AFSA annual awards ceremony next year’s nomination process. This The same obligations to speak up and spotlights the 2016 award column is meant to contribute to that apply for matters related to the manage- Twinners. This makes for inspir- thought process and invite your input. ment of our own institution, not just for ing reading, as we explore what our col- We in the Foreign Service deploy classic foreign policy issues. We must all leagues are doing to achieve our collective worldwide—to protect and serve, yes, but think of ourselves as stewards of the For- mission. One friend now serving at the also to understand the local context and eign Service and act accordingly, working Foreign Service Institute tells me she call it like we see it. Sometimes Wash- to establish and maintain well-function- scours the AFSA awards write-ups for case ington wants us to deliver something we ing embassy platforms and healthy career studies to highlight best practices in her know is not achievable in that context. paths for the next generation. Because the training classes. Sometimes we know that even trying Dissent Channel is restricted to “substan- The annual awards ceremony is a would cause a backlash and impede tive policy” issues, dissent on manage- great AFSA tradition, one that recognizes achievement of other goals. ment matters must be conducted through excellence and courage. The AFSA awards It is our obligation to point that out, to other channels. program makes our profession stronger. offer our best judgment and, when pos- The AFSA awards program recognizes AFSA gives a variety of awards—one sible, alternatives (see “Foreign Service constructive dissent on management for Lifetime Contributions to American Core Precepts,” below). This is the basis issues as well as foreign policy issues. Diplomacy, several outstanding perfor- for constructive dissent as we have tradi- This year’sRivkin Award winner is a great mance awards and, unique in the U.S. tionally defined it.The State Department’s example of the former. government, four awards for constructive Dissent Channel is one way—the institu- Lest we come across as simply dissent—at the entry level, mid-level, tional vehicle—to deliver that dissent (see nay-sayers (as we might to interagency senior level and by a specialist. This year, after the kind of spirited, principled debate that represents AFSA FOREIGN SERVICE CORE PRECEPTS at its best, only one award for dissent Excerpt from the Core Precepts was granted. Governing Board and Decision Criteria for Tenure and Promotion in the Foreign Service Awards Committee members agreed on Leadership Skills/Openness to Dissent and Differing Views the need for better, clearer guidance on Entry-Level: Exhibits moral courage and intellectual integrity. Publicly supports what constitutes dissent in the Foreign official decisions while using appropriate dissent channels in case of disagreement. Service—beginning with how to distin- Resolves disputes using appropriate mechanisms. guish between dissent and the equally Mid-Level: Encourages frank communication with colleagues and subordinates. important, but Discerns when well-founded constructive dissent is justified; advocates policy distinct, act of tak- alternatives and guides staff to do the same. Recognizes employee dissent through ing initiative and awards programs. finding innovative Senior-Level: Encourages and expects personnel to express opinions and to use ways to approach dissent channels; accords importance to well-founded constructive dissent and challenges. solicits, weighs, and defends its appropriate expression. Recognizes and supports We resolved to moral courage. produce a more

Ambassador Barbara Stephenson is the president of the American Foreign Service Association.

6 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL partners whose leadership principles do The Foreign Service adds tremendous value not embrace dissent as fully as ours), let every time we advise with precision about what me note that we routinely add as much value pointing out what will work as we will work, and what won’t work, in the local do pointing out what won’t work. context at our posts. We who typically understand the local context better than anyone else in the U.S. government are often the first to see that a long-shot goal might just be achievable and it is often the basis for well-founded I am convinced, when we feel insecure in if we frame the arguments a certain way, constructive dissent. our careers. avoid that third rail, garner support from There is something else to consider. When, for example, mid-level officers this key group while not alerting another When AFSA gives only one award for need to worry about there being more too early. dissent, a question naturally arises: Is the bidders than jobs, or when senior officers Delivering on those long-shot goals space for constructive dissent closing? see their career paths blocked by appoin- may show incredible, even unusual, This is both a fair question and a power- tees from outside the Foreign Service, we initiative and innovation. It may be out- ful, foundational one, given our role in the shouldn’t be surprised if dissent declines. standing performance, but it’s not dissent. interagency “ecosystem.” Our dissent awards honor those who The Foreign Service adds tremendous Pointing out that something Washing- stand up and call it like they see it. We all value every time we advise with preci- ton wants just won’t fly requires cour- need to defend the space for constructive sion about what will work and what won’t age and often risks repercussions. The dissent, which is, in my view, inextricably work in the local context at our posts. perceived price for doing the right thing, intertwined with defending a strong, pro- This is a core role of the Foreign Service, for engaging in constructive dissent, rises, fessional career Foreign Service. n

THE DISSENT CHANNEL officials in a manner which protects the author from any Excerpt from 2 FAM 070 Dissent Channel penalty, reprisal, or recrimination. 2 FAM 071 POLICY c. Freedom from reprisal for Dissent Channel users 2 FAM 071.1 Policy Statement is strictly enforced; officers or employees found to have a. It is Department of State policy that all U.S. citizen engaged in retaliation or reprisal against Dissent Channel employees, foreign and domestic, be able to express dis- users, or to have divulged to unauthorized personnel the senting or alternative views on substantive issues of policy, source or contents of Dissent Channel messages, will be in a manner which ensures serious, high-level review and subject to disciplinary action. Dissent Channel messages, response. including the identity of the authors, are a most sensitive b. The State Department has a strong interest in facilitat- element in the internal deliberative process and are to be ing open, creative, and uncensored dialogue on substantive protected accordingly. foreign policy issues within the professional foreign affairs 2 FAM 071.2 Scope community, and a responsibility to foster an atmosphere The Dissent Channel is reserved for consideration of supportive of such dialogue, including the opportunity dissenting or alternative views on substantive foreign policy to offer alternative or dissenting opinions without fear of matters. The Dissent Channel may not be used to address penalty. The Dissent Channel was created to allow its users non-policy issues (e.g., management or personnel issues the opportunity to bring dissenting or alternative views on that are not significantly related to substantive matters substantive foreign policy issues, when such views can- of policy). Complaints relating to violation of law, rules, or not be communicated in a full and timely manner through regulations; mismanagement; or fraud, waste, or abuse may regular operating channels or procedures, to the attention be addressed to OIG/INV. Classification challenges should of the Secretary of State and other senior State Department not be addressed through the Dissent Channel.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 7 FOREIGN SERVICE Editor in Chief, Director of Publications Shawn Dorman: [email protected] Managing Editor www.afsa.org Susan Brady Maitra: [email protected] Associate Editor

Gemma Dvorak: [email protected] CONTACTS Publications Specialist AFSA Headquarters: BUSINESS DEPARTMENT Ken Fanelli: [email protected] (202) 338-4045; Fax (202) 338-6820 Director of Finance State Department AFSA Office: Femi Oshobukola: [email protected] Editorial Assistant (202) 647-8160; Fax (202) 647-0265 Controller Shannon Mizzi: [email protected] USAID AFSA Office: Kalpna Srimal: [email protected] Ad & Circulation Manager (202) 712-1941; Fax (202) 216-3710 Assistant Controller Ed Miltenberger: [email protected] FCS AFSA Office: Cory Nishi: [email protected] (202) 482-9088; Fax (202) 482-9087 Art Director LABOR MANAGEMENT Caryn Suko Smith GOVERNING BOARD General Counsel Contributing Editor President Sharon Papp: [email protected] Steven Alan Honley Hon. Barbara Stephenson: Deputy General Counsel [email protected] Editorial Board Raeka Safai: [email protected] Secretary Beth Payne, Chair Labor Management Specialist William Haugh: [email protected] James Bever James Yorke: [email protected] Angela Bond Treasurer Hon. Charles A. Ford: [email protected] Senior Staff Attorney Hon. Gordon S. Brown State Vice President Neera Parikh: [email protected] Stephen W. Buck Angie Bryan: [email protected] Senior Staff Attorney Lawrence Casselle (Governing Board Liaison) USAID Vice President Zlatana Badrich: [email protected] Eric Green Sharon Wayne: [email protected] Labor Management Counselor Kara McDonald FCS Vice President Colleen Fallon-Lenaghan: John G. Rendeiro Jr. Steve Morrison: [email protected] [email protected] Tracy Whittington FAS Vice President Grievance Counselor Mark Petry: [email protected] Jason Snyder: [email protected] THE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS Retiree Vice President Executive Assistant PROFESSIONALS Hon. Tom Boyatt: [email protected] Lindsey Botts: [email protected] The Foreign Service Journal (ISSN 0146-3543), 2101 E State Representatives Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 is pub- USAID Staff Assistant lished monthly, with combined January-February and Lawrence Casselle Erika Bethmann: [email protected] July-August issues, by the American Foreign Service Susan Danewitz Association (AFSA), a private, nonprofit organization. John Dinkelman MEMBER SERVICES Material appearing herein represents the opinions of the writers and does not necessarily represent the views of Jason Donovan Member Services Director the Journal, the Editorial Board or AFSA. Writer queries Ramón Escobar Janet Hedrick: [email protected] and submissions are invited, preferably by email. The Josh Glazeroff Membership Representative Journal is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, Keith Hanigan Natalie Cheung: [email protected] photos or illustrations. Advertising inquiries are invited. All advertising is subject to the publisher’s approval. Kara McDonald Retiree Counselor AFSA reserves the right to reject advertising that is not Erin O’Connor Todd Thurwachter: [email protected] in keeping with its standards and objectives. The appear- Alison Storsve Administrative Assistant and Office Manager ance of advertisements herein does not imply endorse- ment of goods or services offered. Opinions expressed in Tricia Wingerter Ana Lopez: [email protected] advertisements are the views of the advertisers and do USAID Representatives not necessarily represent AFSA views or policy. Journal Jeffrey Cochrane COMMUNICATIONS subscription: AFSA member–$20, included in annual Lorraine Sherman Director of Communications dues; student–$30; institution–$40; others–$50; Single Ásgeir Sigfússon: [email protected] issue–$4.50. For foreign surface mail, add $18 per year; FCS Representative foreign airmail, $36 per year. Periodical postage paid Suzanne Platt Online Communications Manager at Washington, D.C., and at additional mailing offices. FAS Representative Corey Pickelsimer Jeff Lau: [email protected] Indexed by the Public Affairs Information Services (PAIS). BBG Representative Vacant Outreach and Communications Specialist Email: [email protected] APHIS Representative Mark C. Prescott Allan Saunders: [email protected] Phone: (202) 338-4045 Retiree Representatives Awards Coordinator Fax: (202) 338-8244 Hon. Patricia Butenis Perri Green: [email protected] Web: www.afsa.org/fsj Dean J. Haas Outreach Coordinator Catherine Kannenberg: [email protected] © American Foreign Service Association, 2016 Hon. Al La Porta Hon. John Limbert PROFESSIONAL POLICY ISSUES PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. Director of Professional Policy Issues Postmaster: Send address changes to STAFF Maria Livingston: [email protected] AFSA, Attn: Address Change Executive Director Policy Analyst 2101 E Street NW Ian Houston: [email protected] Geneve Mantri: [email protected] Washington DC 20037-2990 Executive Assistant to the President Jennie Orloff: [email protected] Governance Specialist SCHOLARSHIPS Patrick Bradley: [email protected] Scholarship Director Lori Dec: [email protected] Scholarship Senior Associate Jonathan Crawford: [email protected]

8 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Recognizing Excellence and Courage

BY SHAWN DORMAN

very September, in assembling a (East Pakistan, 1970-1971; Yugoslavia, So in June we published a Speaking Out detailed report on AFSA’s awards 1993) and salutes the recent “Dissent 51” by two FSOs, “Supporting FS Families with program and the year’s recipients, (Syria, 2016). We also highlight a selection Special Needs Children,” that spelled out Ewe have the opportunity to intro- of previous FSJ coverage of dissent. the challenges facing families and offered duce to you, in an in-depth and personal Please see AFSA News for complete suggestions for improving access to the way, some of the stellar individuals who coverage of the June 23 awards ceremony right care. We also published a series of represent the best of the Foreign Service and profiles of all of the winners. comments from FS parents weighing in on community. We turn to diplomatic tradecraft in the mental health support for their children. In June I had the distinct honor of focus section. In “Diplomatic Training: Those comments and others made it clear interviewing Ambassador Ruth A. Davis, New Trends,” Ambassador (ret.) Kishan there is concern and confusion about the 2016 recipient of AFSA’s Lifetime Con- Rana surveys the international landscape access to care, allowances and other tributions to American Diplomacy Award. and finds that foreign ministries from aspects of support. Diplomat, leader, mentor, innovator, London to Kuala Lumpur are expanding The office responsible for managing trailblazer—if you don’t find inspiration and intensifying their emphasis on training these issues as of 2013, the Child and in her remarkable story, you won’t find it in innovative ways. Family Program, is part of the Bureau of anywhere. FSOs Elijah Bush and Todd Hughes are Medical Services Mental Health Services Our spotlight on the AFSA awards, both former foreign language teachers and Office. MED graciously offered to clarify always with particular attention to the recent FSI language students. They present the role of the CFP; we, in turn, provided unique dissent awards, includes another a seriously practical guide to finding your a set of questions to MED, intending to inspiring story, from Jefferson Smith, win- way as a language student in “Five Ways to publish a Q&A that would contribute to the ner of the 2016 Rivkin Award for Construc- Tackle a New Language.” conversation. tive Dissent. Then, with language well in hand, it’s In our lead feature this month, “MED’s Smith is an FSO who challenged time to get out to post and plan the perfect Child and Family Program, Explained,” prevailing practice on locally employed VIP visit. Through the lens of a recent Deputy Medical Director for Mental Health (LE) staff compensation and in the process presidential visit, U.S. Ambassador to Viet- Programs Dr. Kathy Gallardo describes the helped secure a living wage for LE staff at nam Ted Osius recounts what he’s learned CFP—its origins, aims and responsibilities. U.S. Embassy Kuwait and other posts in the about how to plan and manage such a She also provides the link to MED’s new region. visit. Hints: strategy, advance planning, online FAQ in which the bureau responds No other dissent awards were given this teamwork, initiative and ownership. to most of our questions. year, as Ambassador Barbara Stephenson As you may recall, the January-Feb- Moving on to less weighty matters, explains in President’s Views. ruary Journal’s focus on mental health we bring you, “Creepy Critters We Have Further on dissent, Ambassador Tom care for the Foreign Service (beginning Known” by Margaret Sullivan. Nothing like Boyatt’s Retiree VP Voice column, “In with our call for members to share their a few cicaks to lighten things up. Defense of Dissent,” experiences) generated great interest and In Speaking Out, retired FSO and is a must-read. Boyatt brought to light some serious issues and veteran World’s Fair hand Beatrice Camp shares his own dissent deficiencies in this area. Support for FS makes a plea to stop ignoring international story (Cyprus, 1974), children with special needs emerged as an expos and, instead, do them right. And FS reminds us of other area of particular concern that warranted spouse Laura Fabrycky offers a poignant significant examples separate coverage. reflection ona family road trip to Syria in 2011. Last but not least, Andrew Parker’s Shawn Dorman is the editor of The Foreign Service Journal. image from Liberia speaks for itself. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 9

LETTERS

It’s Time to Be a appointees—they are career members of build a grassroots culture of leadership. “State” Person the State Department. Employees at all levels can get involved Domestic politics and career public I was a member of the military dur- with efforts like iLead through FSI service shouldn’t mix. I can now count ing the Clinton-Bush transition. We all and the Office ofanagement M Policy, on two hands how many times someone did our jobs without thinking much Rightsizing and Innovation; they can has said to me: “He/she is a ‘Clinton/ about the outcome of the Bush v. Gore contribute to professional development Trump/Fill-in-the-Blank person,’ so Supreme Court decision. We never portals like Smart Leadership and the they don’t want to make waves before heard of generals who were Bush or Leadership and Management School the election.” Gore people. website; and they can participate in According to those I’ve spoken Any sort of political behavior deemed mentoring programs sponsored by the with, the definition of “waves” can be detrimental to the organization would career development advisor (CDA). anything from personnel and staffing have “rung bells” and spurred the orga- Together we can take ownership of decisions to sticking up for one’s people nization to action. It would have been the profession of diplomacy. or weighing in on possibly contentious exorcised like an evil spirit. John Fer policies. This is not to say that it doesn’t hap- FSO No matter the reason, good lead- pen in the military or other organiza- Washington, D.C. ers—especially career State employees— tions. There is a long list of generals, in should never be afraid to do their jobs fact, who have been ostracized because A Welcome Explication for fear of the political ramifications. of their political behavior. of Hiring Practices The fact that some high-level leaders The point is not that it happens, but Glenn Guimond’s clear explana- in our organization are playing it safe that organizations with strong, internal- tion of the steps required to become should be alarming. Further, it should ized core values can recognize a cancer a Foreign Service officer is a welcome disturb the core of our organization that and have the expertise and the courage explication of hiring practices for new people at the working level know and to cut it out. entry-level officers (“Examining State’s accept that this is happening. Is this behavior necessary to survive Foreign Service Officer Reliance on the outcome of domestic and thrive in the State Depart- Hiring Today,” July- elections weakens the State Department. ment? Do you have to be a August FSJ). As career employees, it is our job to “politician’s person” to help your I appreciated the internalize the core values of the organi- people and your organization? If opportunity to com- zation (character, service, accountabil- so, if those who are playing it safe pare it with the exami- ity, community, diversity and loyalty), to for political reasons are right, then nation process I went represent national, not partisan, inter- fears that we may work in a leader- through in the early ests and to live the core culture of State less institution are justified. 1960s and to update and help political appointees adapt to it. It is not off base to say that we in my understanding of This is my first administration transi- career public service are held to a current requirements. tion as a State employee. I’ve noticed higher standard than are politicians. I would urge that it that at the working level some of us jok- We could never mealy-mouth our way be reprinted as a brochure to be utilized ingly remind one another of the Hatch through a debate on the meaning of the and distributed by recruiters and by Act, or we wonder aloud how we would word “is”; we should never rest on the retired FSOs who have the opportunity draft press guidance should a Trump selective amnesiac’s excuse, “Senator, I to speak to young people who may be presidency become more probable. But have no recollection….”; and we should interested in career opportunities with we don’t base our on-the-job actions on never pin our professional advancement the Department of State. who may be elected. to the careers of elected officials. Perhaps the article that followed on Yet some senior personnel are There’s no better way to counter “Opportunities for Students” could also changing their behavior because they’re this politically motivated behavior be usefully included in such a publica- “politicians’ people.” These are not than through State’s current drive to tion. (I must admit, though, to some

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 11 surprise and disappointment that the American influence (under Ngo Dinh II, because of single-minded pursuit of first program in the listing, the National Diem) merely replaced French domina- intangibles—national unity and rejection Security Language Institute for Youth, tion. Even had the United States adopted of foreign interference—supported by a requires only a 2.5 GPA.) a unified and enduring anti-corruption majority of Vietnamese in most sections Jan Zehner approach, neither Diem nor Nguyen Van of the country. FSO, retired Thieu (or the revolving door of generals As we champion anti-corruption Ogden, Utah between them) could have established efforts in our diplomacy (and ensure bet- strong popular legitimacy for a simple ter stewardship of taxpayer resources in Legitimacy and reason: The ROV fought for its own sepa- future stability operations), it is critical to Corruption in Vietnam rate survival as the de facto successor to identify and learn from the core reasons I enjoyed the June FSJ’s focus on the a colonial administration, with no more for our Vietnam tragedy and not again corrosive impact of corruption, espe- than lip-service paid to Vietnamese fall under an illusion that we can invent cially having witnessed the distorting nationalism and unification. In contrast, a sustainable partner polity irrespective and counterproductive effects of poorly North Vietnam, led by nationalist—albeit of a foreign political culture’s legitimacy managed project funding in Communist—figures credited traditions. Iraq and Afghanistan. for the end of French rule, pur- Neil Hop I similarly continue to sued national unification with FSO appreciate State Depart- ruthless focus that garnered Washington, D.C. ment Historian Stephen support in large swaths of the Randolph’s analyses (and South quite ignorant of Karl Aid to Africa: commentary in the Foreign Marx or Cold War politics. The Policy Context Relations series), including Saigon fell quickly in Permit me to comment on Don Lot- his case study (based in part 1975, not because the Nixon ter’s interesting article regarding aid to on a post-war RAND survey) administration “took its education in Africa in the April issue of on the role of corruption in eye off the ball” on corrup- your excellent journal (“Development undermining U.S. objectives tion or because Army of the Republic of Aid to Africa: Time for Plan B?”). during the Vietnam conflict. Vietnam generals were pocketing ghost The United States and other donors However, it is critical to distinguish soldier salaries, but because the ROV have been funding education programs between root causes and attendant never was a sustainable entity. And in and projects in African countries for symptoms. The Saigon regime’s corrup- 1975 (unlike 1965, 1968 or 1972), Ameri- decades. Many have been quite success- tion was the latter, and South Vietnam’s can forces were not employed to rescue a ful. Others have failed—in most cases not artificial character and lack of political state that had no legitimate claim to birth because they were ill-designed or badly legitimacy from inception to collapse or continued existence. It is, in fact, quite managed, but because political strife and could not have been cured by a bolder or plausible that Diem would have fallen civil conflicts ruined them along with more consistent dose of American anti- earlier had he refused to countenance other aid activities. Unfortunately, this is corruption programming. the corruption that the Saigon elite had likely to continue in many countries. Salvaged as a non-Communist rump mastered during French rule. Mr. Lotter states that “foreign aid entity after Dien Bien Phu, the Republic Also, the historical record is replete has failed to pull sub-Saharan Africa of Vietnam inherited the French colonial with examples of corruption, profiteer- out of poverty,” and refers to “the failure bureaucracy and erstwhile French/ ing and other malfeasance in North of development aid.” Such opinion Vichy/Japanese puppet emperor Bao Vietnam during the war; and corruption deserves comment on several counts. Dai as head of state. The ROV’s rejec- remains a scourge in Vietnam today. Yet First, only a country can advance tion of the Geneva provision for national Hanoi won, despite its own corruption itself. Outside aid can help, but cannot elections (which Ho Chi Minh certainly and enduring bombing well exceeding do the job absent a strong will and con- would have won) solidified the funda- the combined totals for U.S. bombing tinued positive effort from the receiving mental illegitimacy of the regime. of Germany and Japan in World War country.

12 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Second, there are about 50 countries in Africa, with a wide range of differ- ing characteristics, and it is not wise to lump them all together. Some, in fact, have moved ahead nicely—Botswana, Mauritius, Ghana, Senegal and Cape Verde come to mind. Others are disap- pointments. Next, the success or failure of aid should be judged not only on a country basis, but also in terms of benefits cre- ated for large groups of the population even if the country as a whole has not advanced much. A classic example is the virtual eradi- cation of onchocerciasis (river blind- ness) in much of West and East Africa, achieved by governments with the help of foreign aid. Millions of people no lon- ger go blind, and large swathes of land that were not utilized are now farmed and grazed. Other achievements assisted by aid include the creation of potable water systems, the inoculation of millions of children against diseases, increases in literacy, the building of farm-to-market roads and supplying electricity to iso- lated villages. Consider also the numerous victims of conflicts helped with humanitarian aid. Finally, U.S. bilateral aid is partly a tool of diplomacy, supporting our foreign policies. The reason that many aid programs and projects have failed is because the policies they support have failed. Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, the DRC and South Sudan are examples. Blame the policies, not the aid. n Raymond Malley USAID Senior FSO, retired Hanover, New Hampshire and McLean, Virginia

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 13 TALKING POINTS

“Dissent 51” Stirs Debate a careful hearing, adding that the depart- political, industrial, military, economic hrough the summer, media reports ment’s culture of independent thought and service infrastructure. He will divide Tled to commentary from all corners has helped strengthen U.S. foreign policy. his time between the embassy in Nairobi on what is now known as “Dissent 51,” the Somewhat farther afield, in a column and “The Ark,” a windowless bunker at mid-June State Department Dissent Chan- in the Indian daily Asian Age, retired Mogadishu’s airport, but hopes to re- nel message submitted by 51 members Indian Ambassador Skand Tayal discussed establish a U.S. embassy in the capital in of the Foreign Service criticizing the Syria State’s Dissent Channel and the possibility the coming years. policy of the Obama administration and that a similar institution in India’s Ministry Another of his stated goals is to urging a stronger military response to the of External Affairs might lead to a more strengthen ties between Somalia and crisis. serious consideration of options in foreign members of the Somalian diaspora living Though the message was leaked to policy deliberations. in the United States. the press, the names of the signatories —Gemma Dvorak, Associate Editor —Shannon Mizzi, Editorial Assistant have not been published. Coverage has addressed the details of U.S. policy toward First U.S. Ambassador The Rise of Twiplomacy Syria and the dissenters’ critique of it, as to Somalia in 25 Years wiplomacy—or “Twitter-diplo- well as the merits of official dissent. tephen Schwartz, the first U.S. ambas- Tmacy”—has gone from being an Dissent 51 shows that the system Ssador to Somalia in more than 25 afterthought to one of the first thoughts of of checks and balances is working as it years, took his oath on June 27 and headed world leaders and governments, accord- should, Georgetown University law profes- to Mogadishu in late July. ing to a recent study by public relations sor Neal Katyal writes in a July 1 op-ed in A career FSO with 24 years in the firm Burson-Marsteller. The New York Times. It shows that the pres- Foreign Service, Amb. Schwartz has spent Twitter is the social media platform of ident is not surrounded by “yes-people.” the majority of his career in Africa. He choice for most governments—only 20 Katyal argues that inter- and intra- has served in South Africa, Cuba, Kenya, countries do not have a presence. Presi- agency debates allow for second thoughts Burundi, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Zambia and dent Barack Obama, one of the earliest and new perspectives and, ultimately, Washington, D.C., where he was director adopters of Twitter (his @BarackObama make for better decisions. of the Office of West African Affairs from handle went live in March 2007), is the “When the loyal opposition dies, I 2013 to 2015 and director of the Office of most followed world leader, with more think the soul of America dies with it.” Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Island than 137 million followers from his per- Writing for TheHuffington Post on July 5, Affairs from 2015 until being named sonal and institutional accounts. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic ambassador. Twitter is being used to create a virtual and Business Affairs Charles H. Rivkin The last American envoy to Somalia, diplomatic network. The State Depart- quotes journalist and diplomat Edward Ambassador James Keough Bishop, was ment has 3.3 million followers and main- R. Morrow in celebrating dissent in the forced to leave the country in January tains connections with 213 missions and Foreign Service. 1991, just before the final collapse of the heads of missions on Twitter. In fact, the Ambassador Rivkin also congratulated Siad Barre government and the outbreak @StateDept account re-established ties Jefferson Smith, winner of AFSA’s 2016 of the Somali civil war. with its Cuban counterpart two months William R. Rivkin Award for Constructive After two decades of virtual lawless- before official diplomatic relations Dissent by a Mid-Level Officer. Named for ness, a new, internationally recognized resumed in July 2015. the ambassador’s late father, the award government was established in Somalia in Twitter keeps track of the most-talked- was presented at AFSA’s annual awards 2012. The country continues to face grave about or “trending” topics at all times. ceremony on June 23 (see coverage in economic problems and multiple security Examples of “hashtag diplomacy” to draw AFSA News). threats, particularly from the terrorist attention to specific issues are #bringback- Without commenting on the specif- group al-Shabaab. ourgirls (relating to the kidnap of Nigerian ics of Dissent 51, Amb. Rivkin praised Amb. Schwartz has stated that the schoolgirls by Boko Haram) and #END Secretary of State John Kerry’s decision to United States will focus on helping the Violence (a campaign to end violence sit down with the dissenters and give them still-young government build and solidify against children).

14 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL pating in any partisan political activities related to U.S. elections. The only excep- tion is if they are acting in a “nonpartisan official capacity.” Even Secretary of State John Kerry has to be careful. In June he had to deflect a question about the presidential candi- dates when asked by a student at Oxford University. “I’m not allowed under our law to get into, actually full-throatedly, into the middle of the campaign,” Kerry said before moving on to another topic. For detailed information on the Hatch Act and State Department rules on politi- cal activity, see the AFSA website, www. afsa.org/hatchact.

BURSON-MARSTELLER —Gemma Dvorak, Associate Editor This depiction of the virtual diplomatic network is color-coded by geographic area, with red indicating Latin America, teal Europe, turquoise North America, yellow Europe/ Asia, white Asia, deep blue Oceania, grey regional, pink Africa and bright green Asia/ Travel Advisories ... Oceania. on the United States hree countries have issued travel Hashtags serve as a rallying cry, help- which limits political activity by govern- Twarnings urging their citizens to stay ing to give recognition to causes and ment workers, especially when they’re on on guard when traveling to the United often bringing them to an international the clock. Not all the rules are obvious, States, The World Post reported on July audience. and they vary widely for different types of 10. So what’s next? The Twiplomacy study employees. Following several shootings by police has found that world leaders who are As election season heats up, agencies officers, protests under the banner of active on Twitter have also embraced from the White House to the U.S. Postal Black Lives Matter and the killing of five Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Now Service are trying to educate workers police officers in Dallas, Bahrain warned governments and foreign ministries are about what they can and can’t do without its citizens to “be cautious of protests or increasingly turning to niche apps, such violating the Hatch Act. crowded areas.” as Snapchat, Vine and Periscope, to reach Under the Hatch Act, government The Bahamas suggested that visitors the next generation of voters. employees in the United States cannot to the United States should be care- —Gemma Dvorak, Associate Editor engage in political activity while they are ful when visiting U.S. cities due to “the on duty or in their office or work vehicle, shooting of young black males by police Work for Uncle Sam? with few exceptions. officers,” telling Bahamian travelers (90 Be Careful About Wading In their private time, federal employees percent of whom identify as being of into the 2016 Election are free to advocate for candidates, donate African heritage) “to exercise extreme mericans have no shortage of strong money, even speak at a rally or fundraiser, caution in affected cities in their interac- Afeelings about this year’s presiden- as long as they don’t mention their official tions with the police.” tial race. But federal government workers titles. But they can’t solicit or collect dona- The United Arab Emirates advised stu- need to be careful about what they say tions from others, even on their own time. dents and visitors in the United States as about the race, says Josh Lederman of the Members of the Foreign Service and follows: “Please be aware of immediate Associated Press. their families posted overseas, who are “on surroundings and avoid crowded places There is a complex web of restrictions duty” 24/7, are prohibited from partici- when possible.”

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 15 50 Years Ago Guidelines for evaluation are to be cre- ated by the president within 18 months, FSJ Editorial: Senior States (and not and the State Department is required to Seminar Grads in the merely of any update foreignassistance.gov to make Rose Garden one organiza- “comprehensive, timely and comparable t was a hot, muggy afternoon tion or agency). information on covered U.S. foreign assis- IThursday, June 9. The Rose The President tance” public. Garden was nearly filled with Senior looked to us for There are some caveats, however: If Seminar graduates, their families, answers to the questions of what we the administrators of a particular program some well-wishers and a few Presi- can do now “which will enlarge the can prove that making a certain piece of dential aides. President Lyndon B. prospects of life” for all peoples a information public would jeopardize the Johnson’s message was pointed yet generation and more from now. He security of Americans, or negatively affect sweeping. … urged us neither to grow impatient U.S. interests, they may not be required to He said: “The … special ties nor to be overawed by the tasks make it public. between the President and the ahead—reminding us that politics or —Shannon Mizzi, Editorial Assistant Foreign Service should always be diplomacy is not magic and recalling close. … The Foreign Service, like that 13 years witnessed the interval Securing Our Secrets the Office of the President, belongs between our Declaration of Inde- Act Introduced to no one department. It serves the pendence and our first President’s n July 13 Senators Johnny Isakson whole of government.” Inauguration. O(R-Ga.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), We agree fully that our relation- We applaud the President’s James Risch (R-Idaho) and Ben Sasse ship with the President must be remarks and join with him in con- (R-Neb.) introduced the Securing Our extraordinary if we are to do well gratulating the graduates of the Secrets Act in the Senate. the jobs facing us in the area of Senior Seminar in Foreign Policy. The act appears to be a response to foreign affairs. Moreover, we fully —From the September 1966 the controversy surrounding Hillary Clin- endorse the concept that ours is Foreign Service Journal ton’s use of a private email server while the Foreign Service of the United serving as Secretary of State. The bill would require State Depart- ment officials to use only government- Though seldom the object of travel publicly shared down to the award level, managed platforms for work activity— advisories itself, the United States fre- improving transparency and allowing unless their private alternative receives a quently issues travel warnings on other the public a window into what’s working national security waiver. countries to its citizens. In July alone, the and what’s not. This is to be done through The legislation would also create Department of State issued warnings for the foreignassistance.gov portal (see the information security training programs Bangladesh, Venezuela, Iraq and Mali. September 2015 Site of the Month). and allow for random scans of depart- —Gemma Dvorak, Associate Editor The stated purpose of the law is to: “(1) ment emails to check for improperly evaluate the performance of covered U.S. transmitted classified information. It Opening a Window foreign assistance and its contribution to would also require a report of any viola- on Foreign Aid the policies, strategies, projects, program tions to Congress every year. n July 15 President Barack Obama goals and priorities undertaken by the The Federal Bureau of Investigation Osigned the Foreign Aid Transparency government; (2) support and promote determined that Mrs. Clinton would not and Accountability Act of 2016 into law. innovative programs to improve effective- face charges relating to possible mishan- The new law requires government agencies ness; and (3) coordinate the monitor- dling of classified data. However, State to closely monitor and evaluate all foreign ing and evaluation processes of federal has reopened its internal review into any aid programs based on their outcomes. departments and agencies that adminis- mishandling of information. It is not clear The legislation also requires data to be ter covered U.S. foreign assistance.” how long the investigation will take.

16 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Contemporary Quote

We are living in a world of crises, mistrust and uncertainty. Here is our Olympic answer: The 10,000 best athletes in the world, competing with each other, at the same time living peacefully together in one Olympic Village, sharing their meals and their emotions. In this Olympic world there is one universal rule for everybody. We are all equal. .... With the greatest respect we welcome the refugee Olympic team. Dear refugee athletes, you are sharing a message of hope to all of the refugees around the world. You had to flee from your homes because of violence, hunger, or just because you were different. ... In this Olympic world we do not just tolerate diversity, we welcome you as an enrichment to our unity and diversity. —International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, speaking at the Opening Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 5.

According to the Federal Records Act of 2014, use of a “non-official electronic messaging account” for official (unclas- sified) business is permissible, provided that messages are forwarded to an “official electronic messaging account” We know that for many members of the within 20 days. Foreign Service, their pet is a family mem- —Gemma Dvorak, Associate Editor ber. We hope that the new APHIS website will be useful to all those looking to take Traveling with Pets their pets to their next overseas post. n July 18, the U.S. Department of —Gemma Dvorak, Associate Editor OAgriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service launched a A Radical Proposal new website intended to help interna- for USAID tional travelers easily determine travel radical redefinition of USAID’s requirements for pets. A core mission has been proposed by APHIS Pet Travel provides informa- Max Boot, a senior national security fel- tion for pets traveling to more than 130 low at the Council on Foreign Relations, countries and territories, as well as and Michael Miklaucic, a career USAID requirements for bringing pets into the employee and now a senior fellow at the United States. National Defense University, in a recent Since other federal agencies may be article featured on ForeignPolicy.com. involved in the importation of pets to the “The U.S. needs a dedicated nation- United States, the new APHIS website building agency—not to undertake links to those agencies’ information, too, military occupations but to avoid them, making it easier to ensure that your pet by helping allied governments to secure has the correct paperwork to travel to and their own territory without need for from the United States. large numbers of American troops,” the

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 17 SITE OF THE MONTH: www.globe.gov authors state. And it should be under civilian control. The perfect agency for LOBE, the Global the job? USAID. G Learning and Obser- As presently defined, however, USAID’s vations to Benefit the development mission is too broad and Environment Program, is undefined to be effective, and because it an international science is “stretched too thin” it fails to provide and education program adequate resources to high-risk places. sponsored by the National “Instead of trying to promote develop- Aeronautics and Space ment for its own sake in every poor coun- Administration and the try in the world, USAID should limit its National Science Founda- efforts to enhancing core state functions tion and supported by the in strategically important countries,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric ings at automated stations to create authors argue. Administration and the Department a worldwide resource for conducting Currently, USAID would typically of State. scientific inquiry. spend only $2.3 billion of a proposed Announced on Earth Day 1994, The GLOBE data and information FY2017 budget of $22.7 billion on activi- the program was launched inter- system has grown to more than 130 ties that may fall under such a “nation- nationally one year later. This year, million measurements from some building” umbrella. GLOBE was expanded beyond a 10 million students in 113 countries Yet gains in USAID’s current core formal school setting to include indi- around the world. activities (e.g., poverty alleviation, global viduals of all ages. GLOBE is one of the many pro- health, biodiversity, women’s empower- GLOBE defines its vision and mis- grams included in CitizenScience. ment, education, sanitation, and eco- sion thus: “A worldwide community gov, an official government portal nomic and agricultural development) are of students, teachers, scientists and launched by the General Services generally temporary and need constant citizens working together to better Administration in April to accelerate maintenance to avoid backsliding. understand, sustain and improve the use of crowdsourcing and citizen Better to leave that work, Boot and Earth’s environment at local, regional science across the U.S. government. Miklaucic say, to international and and global scales.” GSA developed the site in col- nongovernmental organizations that do Participants in this citizen science laboration with the Woodrow Wilson those things equally well. program are encouraged to engage International Center for Scholars in They also urge a focus on governance in local investigations that cover five response to a memo from the White rather than democracy promotion, argu- core fields: atmosphere, biosphere, House Office of Science and Technol- ing that the United States can coexist hydrosphere, soil (pedosphere) and ogy Policy urging federal agencies to and even work with undemocratic states Earth-as-a-system. establish citizen science and crowd- much better than ungoverned states. The program is implemented sourcing projects that contribute Such a transformation of the agency through government-to-government directly to their missions. would exclude more than half of the coun- agreements, with each country Several other USAID and State tries where USAID currently operates, the partner responsible for in-country Department projects are included in authors acknowledge. activities. the portal. With an evolving understanding of the Observations made locally are —Susan B. Maitra, security-development nexus, they say, a submitted to the GLOBE data and Managing Editor transformed USAID could help the U.S. information system, and can be avoid continuous military interventions accessed freely online. These mea- while contributing to the stabilization of surements are combined with read- failing states. —Shannon Mizzi, Editorial Assistant

18 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL American Foreign Service Association/Scholarship afsa.org/scholar

AFSPA–FSBP afspa.org/FSBP U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE OF DEPARTMENT U.S. Two DS special agents accompany Secretary of State John Kerry at the arena in Rio. AFSPA Life afspa.org

DS—Protecting the Brazil to provide training in a variety of Texas A&M/Bush School Bush.TAMU.edu Olympic Team areas, from airport screening procedures hey stand discreetly in the shad- to preventing serious incidents. Clements Worldwide Clements.com “Tows, eyes keenly on the look-out, —Gemma Dvorak, Associate Editor as women’s world number one tennis Collington Life Care Community star Serena Williams perfects her blister- Yelp for Government http://collington.kendal.org/ ing forehand at the Rio Olympics,” says Cafeterias Compass Rose Benefits Group an AFP reporter describing the role of federal employee, Jason Walker, has www.compassrosebenefits.com/ U.S. Diplomatic Security Special Agents Aset up a website reviewing a number unexpected in Rio de Janeiro. of government agencies’ cafeterias, The Hirshorn Company A low-key presence, Diplomatic Secu- reports The Washington Post. Hirshorn.com/USFS rity has joined with local forces in Brazil Fedgrub.com reviews cafeterias from McGrath Real Estate Services to help police the games and protect the the Senate Building to the Department of McGrathRealEstate.com athletes competing. State and targets approximately 313,000 Peake Management, Inc. Security has been a major talking federal workers who work in Washington, peakeinc.com point among athletes, officials, fans D.C., every day. and media from several countries. The “I rely on Yelp pretty heavily when I’m Promax promaxrealtors.com State Department’s advice for visiting looking for new restaurants,” said Walker. Rio makes for alarming reading—car- “I wanted something to take the mystery WJD Management jackings, shootings and muggings are out of government cafeterias.” wjdpm.com all major concerns, and there have been The U.S. Department of Agriculture numerous reports of sexual assaults. café has the best reviews so far. The State Brazilian authorities are responsible Department cafeteria rates 3.5 stars (out for overall security for the Olympics, but of 5) while the Federal Aviation Admin- many countries have added their own istration cafeteria, at 1.5 stars, has a lot of extra layer to ensure that some of the big- catching up to do. gest names in sport are safe. Walker hopes his resource will be DS Special Agents are not only a useful to federal workers in the capital. It reassuring presence in the background may even put some of the lesser known of high-profile Olympic events. At the government agencies on the map. n request of the Brazilian government, they —Gemma Dvorak, Associate Editor have also been liaising with security and law-enforcement officials throughout

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 19 SPEAKING OUT

Neglecting World’s Fairs Doesn’t Make Them Go Away, So Let’s Do It Right

BY BEATRICE CAMP

n the search for effective ways to Our problems at recent expos show the promote the United States abroad, the Department of State has revived some pitfalls of today’s limited engagement and Ionce standard, later abandoned public oversight by the department. diplomacy functions such as English-lan- guage instruction and American Centers (now American Spaces). Meanwhile, participation in world’s fairs, incubated in made the department even less eager from a long-term perspective, drawing the same U. S. Information Agency womb, to sign on for future fairs. A better reac- on the lessons of past expos and planning is treated as an unwanted stepchild by the tion would be a dedication to doing it years ahead. Our problems at recent expos department. right, with a strong partnership between show the pitfalls of today’s limited engage- Successful U.S. pavilions at four recent relevant bureaus and a real commitment ment and oversight by the department. fairs—Milan 2015, Yeosu 2012, Shanghai of resources. For Milan, the small group in EUR 2010 and Aichi 2005—welcomed a total of that handled the 2013-2014 Request for 20 million visitors. This and other achieve- Missing in Milan Proposal process, selection of a private- ments came at minimal cost to the U.S. Both of these were missing for Milan. sector partner, and signing of agreements government, which relies on private-sector The Bureau of Educational and Cultural with the partner organization and the funding to create and manage our official Affairs,which traditionally had the lead Milan Expo authority had rotated out by presence. for world’s fairs, happily bowed out of the time career officer coordinators were By comparison, American Spaces, Milan when the Bureau of European positioned in Washington and Milan, the a current darling of public diplomacy, Affairs (EUR) accepted the baton. Despite pavilion was under construction, and boast smaller visitor numbers and bigger initial enthusiasm, however, EUR limited content was created and staff hired. budgets. The much touted space in Jakarta, its investment to a one-person office in Almost no one thought to object when which explored the Shanghai Expo for EUR/PD and one additional officer in the private-sector partner upped the ideas, has cost roughly $20 million since Milan, while ECA adamantly declined any budget from $45 million to $60 million, opening in 2010, while another $26 million involvement. a little-noticed change that loomed large has gone to the new American Space in Once upon a time, USIA’s Exhibits the following year as fundraising fell short. Rangoon. Office and its expo unit had experienced Reportedly, the Friends of the USA Pavilion Given past world’s fair successes, it staff who knew how to manage the pro- ended up more than $20 million in debt, would be unfortunate if the challenges cesses, anticipate problems and deal with leaving a wide swath of vendors awaiting we faced in Milan—and at earlier expos— the many complex aspects of world’s fairs payment. The budget shortfall was just one result As consul general in Shanghai from 2008 to 2011, Beatrice Camp oversaw U.S. of the department’s failure to designate a participation in China’s 2010 world’s fair; in 2014, she was recruited by the State permanent office to manage the complex Department’s Bureau of European Affairs to coordinate participation in Expo Mi- expo process; more fundamentally, and lano 2015. She recently retired from a Foreign Service career that took her to China, longer-term, it means that decisions about Thailand, Sweden, Hungary, as well as to assignments at the department and at the U.S. participation are dragged out until the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. The opinions and characterizations in this piece are last possible minute, increasing the cost those of the author and do not necessarily represent official positions of the U.S. government. and complexity involved in creating a pres-

20 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL COURTESY OF BEATRICE CAMP BEATRICE OF COURTESY Secretary of State John F. Kerry with student ambassadors at Milan Expo 2015. ence we can be proud of. public diplomacy, economic, energy and Five years before the Milan Expo, we environmental bureaus, at a minimum. had even less time—just 10 months—to A well-supported lead office is needed to build a pavilion at the even larger Shang- integrate programs and interests through- hai Expo 2010. While ultimately racking out the department and other agencies up acclaim on multiple levels in present- into a variety of expo programs that sup- ing American culture and values to more port U.S. interests, policies and business. than seven million Chinese visitors, the It’s worth repeating that we have suc- reputation for being one of the last coun- ceeded at recent world’s fairs far beyond tries to sign on to China’s big party hung the modest U.S. government resources on as a juicy media trope of delinquent invested. Even while private-sector American leadership. fundraising foundered, our U.S. pavilion in Milan attracted more than six million Time for Decisions visitors during the six-month expo, as well Now, with the window narrowing for as garnering positive reviews and interna- a decision on next year’s three-month tional press coverage. expo in Kazakhstan, we run the risk of First Lady Michelle Obama and Secre- snubbing the first world’s fair in a former tary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack led presi- Soviet state, even while 90 other countries dential delegations to the Milan Expo, have signed on. Next on the horizon is the while Secretary of State John Kerry gave larger, six-month Dubai Expo 2020. Given a speech linking food security and global strong U.S. political, military and commer- change during his October visit. cial interests in the United Arab Emirates, it’s a good bet that we will eventually say Why Should We Care? yes to Dubai; the question is when. But why should we care about a Rather than face yet another too-little, presence at world’s fairs? What are the too-late presence, the department should benefits? begin planning now. That means not just • “Part trade show, theater of national- relying on the regional bureau, but also ism and techno-utopian fantasyland,” in requiring the active engagement of the the words of one academic, world’s fairs

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 21 Chambers of Commerce in both Milan and Shanghai were enthusiastic partners of both U.S. pavilions. • World’s fairs inspire and promote innovation. In Milan, the U.S. pavilion created an accelerator program focused on solutions to global food issues and featured smart glass panels that adapted to sunlight. NASA sent its administrator and four other top scientists to inspire audiences with the agency’s contributions

COURTESY OF BEATRICE CAMP BEATRICE OF COURTESY to agriculture and water resources, as well The entrance to the U.S. pavilion, American Food 2.0, at Expo Milan. as space exploration. offer government-to-government, people- the 29 national leaders who paid calls at • Multilingual U.S. student ambassa- to-people, business-to-business and the Milan Expo, including Russian Presi- dors introduce visitors to the U.S. pavilion expert-to-expert opportunities, as well as dent Vladimir Putin. and to American youth and culture; many all the variations this line-up suggests. • U.S. pavilions help American compa- students who served in recent expos have • World’s fairs provide a relaxed setting nies reach customers, foreign businesses gone on to Foreign Service and related for diplomacy, an opportunity seized by and government officials. Local American careers.

22 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Rather than face yet another too-little, minute efforts, it’s past time for a whole- of-department effort that recognizes the too-late presence, the State Department rich possibilities of participating in these should begin planning now. “intellectual Olympics,” global events hosted by countries where we have major interests. • Expos are an international showcase Unfortunately, a number of ambitious As President Barack Obama instructed for architecture and design. The U.K., ideas generated by the U.S. organizers chiefs of mission this spring: “We’ve got to which used British firms chosen by com- withered on the vine due to lack of money keep partnering with nations and people petition, won acclaim and design awards or support from the department. These to seize the incredible opportunities at this in both Shanghai and Milan. included collaboration with the Iowa moment in history. … Some of you have Milan offered a taste of how much Writers Workshop on the theme of food participated in international fora, and you more can be accomplished, with the and an iftar with the neighboring Kuwaiti know that if the United States isn’t right United Nations hosting world leaders pavilion. smack dab in the middle of it, if we’re not and nongovernmental organizations on Stronger U.S. leadership and a willing- helping to set that agenda, it doesn’t hap- World Food Day, chefs demonstrating ness to take risks would stimulate new pen. People look to us for leadership.” how wasted food can be utilized, and the approaches to working with other cultures We have much to gain from our role in U.S. pavilion’s vertical farm illustrating in tackling world problems. world expos. It’s time to stop dithering and agricultural innovation. After years of half-hearted and last- do it right. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 23 SPOTLIGHT ON AFSA AWARDS

A FOREIGN SERVICE TRAILBLAZER The recipient of AFSA’s 2016 Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy Award talks about her Foreign Service career and her pioneering work to advance diversity and promote professional excellence at the State Department.

mbassador Ruth A. Davis received Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University(2003- the American Foreign Service Asso- 2005) and senior adviser in the Bureau of African Affairs(2005- ciation’s Lifetime Contributions 2009). Amb. Davis retired from the Foreign Service in 2009. to American Diplomacy Award in She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the State recognition of her distinguished Department’s Superior Honor Award (1999), and its Arnold L. Foreign Service career and lifelong Raphel Memorial Award for mentoring other, especially junior, devotion to diplomacy at a June 23 officers (1999). She also received two Presidential Distinguished ceremony in the State Department’s Service Awards (1999 and 2002), the Secretary of State’s Distin- Benjamin Franklin Room (for her guished Award (2003), the State Department’s Equal Employ- speech and coverage of the ceremony, see AFSA News). ment Opportunity Award (2005), the Director General’s Foreign ABorn in 1943, Amb. Davis received a bachelor’s degree from Service Cup and honorary doctorates from Middlebury and Spelman College and a master’s degree from the University of Spelman Colleges. California, Berkeley’s School of Social Work in 1968. She joined A lover of opera, Amb. Davis has remained engaged and the U.S. Foreign Service in 1969. active in retirement. She holds leadership positions in and works A trailblazer throughout her 40-year career, Amb. Davis was with a variety of organizations to promote women’s economic the first female senior watch officer (SWO) in the Operations empowerment, recruitment and retention of minority members Center (1982-1984), the first African-American director of the of the Foreign Service, and the expansion of career-long training Foreign Service Institute (1997-2001) and the first African-Amer- in the Foreign Service. ican female Director General of the Foreign Service (2001-2003). Foreign Service Journal Editor Shawn Dorman interviewed She was also the first and only African-American woman to be Amb. Davis on June 9. named Career Ambassador, the longest-serving officer at that E level and, upon retirement, the highest-ranking Foreign Service officer. She is also the first African American to be awarded Foreign Service Journal: Congratulations! I can’t think of a AFSA’s Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy Award. more deserving person for the Lifetime Contributions to American Amb. Davis’ early overseas postings were as a consular officer Diplomacy Award. in Kinshasa, Nairobi, Tokyo and Naples. She went on to hold Ruth A. Davis: Thank you. many senior positions besides those in which she was the “first.” She served as consul general in Barcelona (1987-1991), ambassa- FSJ: You grew up in the South during the last years of legal dor to Benin (1992-1995), principal deputy assistant secretary for segregation. What impact did this have on you and your decision consular affairs (1995-1997), distinguished adviser to the Ralph to go into public service?

24 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AMBASSADOR RUTH A. DAVIS

AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA RAD: Growing up in the South at that time was the determin- FSJ: What brought you to a career in diplomacy? ing factor in my interest in public service. As a proud child of the RAD: When I was a junior at Spelman College, I was awarded South, I bear the scars of segregation and discrimination, but the Charles E. Merrill Scholarship, which gave me the opportu- these scars ignited in me a passionate desire to make the world a nity to study and travel abroad for 15 months. I chose to study in better place. Dijon, France, and while there, I met a number of African stu- You know the legend of the phoenix—the bird that rose from dents who were preparing to return to their respective, recently its own ashes and was more beautiful and magnificent than ever. independent countries to assume active roles in dealing with the Well, I was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and raised in Atlanta, whose political, economic and social problems of post-colonial Africa. I symbol is that bird. Consequently, I always believed that from found it an exciting prospect and wanted to be on the ground in ashes you could make beautiful things, from chaos you could Africa as the nation-building process began and as the U.S. gov- make peace, and from despair you could bring happiness—but ernment worked to partner with and help support the develop- only with hard work, dedication and determination. I knew I ment of these newly independent countries. What better way to wanted to make a difference, and knew that I had to find my niche. do this than as a U.S. diplomat?

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 25 efficient services provided by our local and federal government. “It was like being in the In developing countries, the challenge is to create or improve the managerial and administrative structures necessary to provide United States with basic public services. A background in social work gave me a leg Mr. Washington and up in helping the Beninese create the basic structures necessary Mr. Jefferson, when they to build and sustain their democracy. were building our country.” FSJ: Who were your role models coming in? RAD: My most important role models besides my parents, who taught me the value of hard work, integrity and spirituality, were my college and university professors. Dr. Lois Moreland of Spelman, a promoter of overseas experiences for students, supported my selection as a Merrill Scholar. Also, noted sociolo- FSJ: You joined the Foreign Service after getting a B.A. from gist and author Dr. Andrew Billingsley—who I worked for as Spelman College and an M.A. from the U.C., Berkeley School of a research assistant while he was writing his acclaimed work, Social Work. Did you see Black Families in White a connection then, and do America—taught me a you see one now, between good deal about writing social work and diplomacy? and research that served RAD: Yes, there is a me well in the Foreign strong connection between Service. social work and diplomacy. Social work is about help- FSJ: You joined the ing and protecting people; Foreign Service in 1969. it promotes change, devel- What was it like taking the opment and the empower- Foreign Service exam then? ment of people to address Were there other African life’s challenges—it’s Americans in your A-100 about social change at the class? Did you feel wel- individual and community come? level. RAD: Yes, I entered the I entered the Foreign Service in January 1969. Service as a consular officer, Much like the Pickering

and one of my mandates COURTESY OF RUTH A. DAVIS and Rangel Fellows, I was was the welfare and Following a meeting on revamping and strengthening State’s visa a Foreign Affairs Scholar— protection of American anti-fraud procedures in 1996, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for a program supported by Consular Affairs Ruth Davis meets with her mentor, Assistant Secretary citizens abroad. That cov- for Consular Affairs Mary Ryan. the Ford Foundation that ers a lot of ground—from was designed to increase registering American citizens’ births to handling estate issues the number of minorities in the Service. I had just finished my and many overseas life issues in between, such as ensuring that studies at the University of California at Berkeley and found American citizens in trouble abroad receive equal treatment Washington and the Foreign Service to have a much more formal under local laws. atmosphere. At the more senior level of the Service I served as U.S. ambas- I received a warm welcome from my fellow Georgian and sador to the Republic of Benin, where I dealt with development future Director General of the Foreign Service, Edward “Skip” issues and encouraged the empowerment of civil society, espe- Gnehm. In fact, Skip and I drove down to Georgia on a couple of cially women. Here in America, we automatically depend on long weekends and had the occasion to do a sit-in—against my

26 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL

On May 23, Ambassador Ruth Davis re-enacted the photo that appeared in the January 1970 edition of Ebony magazine, shortly after she joined the Foreign Service. Says Davis: “I am always drawn to the statue of Atlas because I believe that it is a great symbol of the importance of diplomacy in holding the world together in peace, prosperity and hope.”

FSJ: When did you join AFSA? RAD: I can’t be precise, but I believe it was in the latter part of my service as a mid-level officer. Early on, I was disappointed with AFSA. In 1971 Alison Palmer filed a suit against the department on account of discrimination against women in the hiring, promotion and assignment process. In 1976 she re-filed the suit as a class action suit, which was eventually decided in her favor. AFSA did not join or sup- port this class action suit. But as I advanced in the Service, I observed and appreciated AFSA’s efforts to protect the professional interests of its members and to press for important reforms. Now, since I am retired, I appreciate AFSA more then ever for its advocacy concerning pensions and ben- efits, especially those related to health.

January 1970 AFSA/ALLAN SAUNDERS AFSA/ALLAN

wishes, but Skip insisted that we would not leave a restaurant below the Mason-Dixon line until I was served. After a while the owners acquiesced, and we were on our merry way. What I remember most about my A-100 class was the implied expectations. One speaker told us that only about three of our 30-odd classmates would become ambassadors. It was clear to me that my classmates believed those three EBONY would come from among the white males.

28 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FSJ: Can you tell us how you came to be featured in Ebony FSJ: What posting stands out the most in your memory, and magazine in 1970? why? RAD: Ebony is a monthly magazine primarily for the African- RAD: Cotonou, Benin—where I had the privilege of serving as American market, and at that time it had a regular column, chief of mission—stands out most. It was a heady time in Benin; “Speaking of People,” that featured African Americans in unusual the country was struggling to move from a disastrous Marxist- positions as role models to encourage others to pursue similar Leninist state to a fledgling democracy in 1991 when it held elec- careers. In my case, it worked. Years after the photo appeared, tions. Subsequently, our mission was instrumental in helping to I was serving in Naples when I had the occasion to phone the build the basic structures required to support Benin’s developing consul in Nice, Eleanor Hicks. Eleanor informed me that she was democracy. in the Service because she had seen my photo in Ebony and had My very able USAID director, Thomas Cornell, and I chose immediately declared, “I want to be like her.” helping to restore the devastated Beninese education system as our principal aid project, with the caveat that Beninese girls, who Your Career were previously excluded, should be included in the education FSJ: You have been a trailblazer—as an African-American equation. This, of course, had a profound impact on the lives woman in the Foreign Service of the 1970s, as the first African- and prospects of girls and an impact on the social fabric of the American career ambassador and other accomplishments. What country. Among many other important undertakings, we assisted lessons can you share from these “firsts”? in the creation of Benin’s Constitutional Court and the country’s RAD: I do have many “firsts” to be proud of, such as first equivalent of our Federal Communications Commission, in female SWO in the Operations Center, first African-American addition to supporting Benin’s restructuring to a free and open director of the Foreign Service Institute and first African-Ameri- market economy. can female Director General. I was not, however, the first African What an exciting, extraordinary time it was for me! It was like American to achieve the rank of Career Ambassador; that honor being in the United States with Mr. Washington and Mr. Jefferson, belongs to the late six-time ambassador Terence Todman. It when they were building our country and defining American val- is true, I am the first and only African-American woman to be ues. Where else, except the Foreign Service, could I have had an named Career Ambassador—it’s a lonely group of only six other impact on the evolution of democracy in a developing country? women: Frances Willis, Mary A. Ryan, Anne Patterson, Elizabeth And if that’s not enough, serving in Benin put me in touch Jones, Nancy Powell and Kristie A. Kenney. And, of course, I am with my ancestry. In West Africa, I visited ports from which mil- very pleased and proud to be the first African American to be lions of slaves were shipped to the Americas. In Ouidah, Benin, I awarded AFSA’s Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy visited the Tree of Forgetfulness, around which slaves were forced Award. to march in a symbolic severing of ties between themselves, fam- But to answer your question, it is not enough to be the ily and Africa. I marched around the tree, but I did it backwards first. That achievement must be followed by a concerted effort because I never want to forget. to ensure that I am not the last. I was very proud to be honored by the Thursday Luncheon Groupin 2009 with its Pioneer FSJ: What was your favorite posting and why? Award, which symbolized my blazing a path for others to RAD: I loved all my postings, but Barcelona deserves a special follow. mention for several reasons. First, I am proud to say, I left the Two important lessons I learned are: First, it is incumbent on post in a far better condition than I found it. Shortly after arriv- me as a leader to promote diversity. If I don’t promote diversity, ing, I began a search for better accommodations and stepped up probably no one else around me will, and the status quo, which the effort after my consulate was bombed by a group called the does not generally include a representative number of women Red Army for the Liberation of Catalonia. Fortunately, although and minorities, will remain acceptable. Second, although I have the bomb wreaked havoc, no one was killed. It was difficult to always been cognizant of my racial identity as a determining fac- find property that met the department’s security and financial tor in who I am, it is more important for me to be defined by my specifications. Nonetheless, I was able to locate and purchase professional accomplishments and my service to humanity, espe- what is undoubtedly one of the most impressive consulate build- cially to young Foreign and Civil Service personnel in or aspiring ing and grounds in Europe. to be a part of the foreign affairs community. Second, I faced a significant challenge being the first

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 29 tion for the work of our LE staff. In fact, it is consular work that “It is not enough to be the piqued my ongoing interest in leadership and management. Working daily with the public, both foreigners and American first. That achievement must citizens, gave me the opportunity to hone my customer service be followed by a concerted skills; and starting out in African countries where there were significant numbers of American missionaries, I also learned effort to ensure that I am the relevance of religion to U.S. diplomacy and development not the last.” objectives. Having studied social welfare, I was especially attracted to American Citizen Services. I was most frustrated by work- ing with officers who refused to see the value in serving in a African-American U.S. consul general. I am told that my assign- consular tour. I believe consular work offers a unique learning ment prompted some Catalans to ask, “What have we done? experience, but that it is problematic to assign non-consular- Have we angered the U.S. government?” In the best of circum- coned officers to a second consular tour—as has been the stances, Barcelona was a very closed society, but I was deter- case for far too many FSOs who want to get experience in their mined to gain entry and respect—and I did just that. When chosen career track as soon as possible. This is why I am a I departed three years later, the Catalans hosted a farewell proponent of the Consular Fellows Program, which should be dinner for about 300 guests for me at the king’s palace, got a expanded to free up personnel to pursue their assigned cones. taped message from President Ronald Reagan complimenting my work and brought my parents over to attend the festivities FSJ: You were very involved in planning for U.S. participa- as a surprise. tion in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and in helping Atlanta win Lastly, I remain in touch with Catalan friends and contacts. the bid to host the 1996 Olympics. Do you have any lessons on I still work with the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce on “Olympics diplomacy” to share? women’s empowerment issues and joined with them and the RAD: While serving as CG in Barcelona, I was the consular Manhattan and New Delhi Chambers of Commerce as a found- corps’ liaison to the Barcelona Olympic Organizing Commit- ing member of the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Chal- tee. That positioned me to not only work on the 1992 Olympic lenge, an organization I chair that is designed to create a global concerns of the countries represented in Barcelona, but to be network of successful international businesswomen. an informal liaison for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, which was bidding on the 1996 games. It was a special FSJ: What was your least favorite posting and why? privilege to travel to Tokyo with the ACOG for the announce- RAD: On account of language difficulties, Tokyo was my ment awarding my hometown the 1996 games, knowing that I most challenging post. I did not occupy one of the few language- had an active role in making the bid process successful. designated positions in the embassy and, consequently, arrived Working with the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, the latter as without language training. I had to rely on our locally employed principal deputy assistant secretary for consular affairs, gave me (LE) staff to translate in visa interviews and other business that a fine appreciation of the value of sports diplomacy in strength- required local contacts, which was frustrating. Later, as director ening relations between the United States and other nations, of the Office of Training and Liaison, as director of FSI and as and of the important role the United States plays in making the DG, I pressed for more language-designated positions and more Olympic Games successful—the Bureau of Consular Affairs for and improved language training. its information sharing and protection of American citizens, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and, most signifi- FSJ: What life lessons did you learn as a consular officer? What cantly, the Bureau of Diplomatic Security that works with host- did you like most and least about consular work? country counterparts to help ensure safe and secure games. RAD: The nature and volume of consular work gave me the opportunity, from the beginning of my career, to manage FSJ: During your tenure as director of the Foreign Service resources and people, especially LE staff. So early on I learned Institute from 1997 to 2001, you focused on moving the institu- to manage a diverse workforce, while developing an apprecia- tional culture from being training-averse to training-committed.

30 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Would you say that shift has occurred? FSJ: FSI’s School of Leadership and Management, which you RAD: The State Department has come a long way on the established in 1999, is a significant legacy. What has that school training front since the establishment of the School of Leader- accomplished and what remains to be done? ship and Management. I will never forget how astonished Secre- RAD: While the School of Leadership and Management has tary of State Colin Powell was when he learned of the negligible brought about a cultural shift in the expectations of the depart- amount of time that Foreign and Civil Service personnel in ment’s workforce and in the value accorded leadership training the department spent on training compared to their military among department personnel, challenges remain—namely, colleagues. The value that Powell placed on training was key to to rebuild a personnel float to assist with vacancies caused by instituting basic, intermediate and advanced mandatory leader- training-related absences, and to have supervisors give the same ship and management training. priority to leadership skills as is given to analytical, operational Consequently, now multiple generations of both Foreign and and programmatic skills. Civil Service personnel have received leadership training, and others expect to be properly trained and given the tradecraft Being Director General skills they need to be successful in new jobs. So I would say that FSJ: You closed your first State magazine column as DG (Sep- there has been a cultural shift in the expectations of the depart- tember 2001, “Seizing the Moment”) with this very optimistic line: ment’s workforce and in the value accorded training. However, “While I don’t expect to see you doing handsprings of joy in our the personnel gaps incurred, especially during lengthy language long hallways, I hope I will soon see a bounce in your step and a training, frequently cause pushback from supervisors and gleam of excitement in your eyes, because it’s such a great time to receiving posts. be serving the people of the United States of America.” The Diplo-

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 31 FSJ: What is the legacy of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on “We completely the Foreign Service and diplomacy? RAD: Regretfully, most of the increased hiring during the re-engineered the FSO hiring Diplomatic Readiness Initiative was absorbed by the demand process, reducing the time for personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq. The State Department now faces increased demand to staff hardship posts and those to hire from more than two that qualify for danger pay. State has created a wide range of years to less than one.” measures and incentives to encourage officers to bid on these difficult assignments, with mixed results. The mere existence of this demand reinforces the need for a stronger State Department, better prepared to practice smart diplomacy.

FSJ: How would you describe your level of optimism about the matic Readiness Initiative was extremely successful, increasing FS state of the Foreign Service today? ranks by more than 40 percent after years of shortages. What was RAD: There are numerous problems undermining the strength it like being Director General at that time, essentially in charge of of today’s Foreign Service, but I am optimistic as long as orga- the biggest hiring surge in decades? nizations such as the American Academy of Diplomacy, which RAD: It was a very exciting time. The era of resource depriva- recently produced the report “American Diplomacy at Risk,” and tion was replaced by a new set of challenges related to hiring, AFSA take an active role in supporting and working to improve the training and assigning the new recruits. We completely re- quality and professionalism of the Foreign Service. engineered the FSO hiring process, reducing the time to hire from more than two years to less than one. It required intense Diversity and Mentoring coordination with Diplomatic Security and MED to speed up FSJ: You’ve done so much to help increase diversity in the clearances, with FSI to provide orientation and training, and Foreign Service. What is your response to those who say that after with the offices of Career Development and Assignments and years of effort to diversify the Foreign Service, it still has “a diversity Resource Management to ensure that adequate assignments problem”? (An example is the May 22 Nick Kralev Foreign Policy and positions were available for the people we hired. We finally magazine article, which cites State Department figures showing that had sufficient personnel to create a training float, and from a 82 percent of career diplomats are white and 60 percent are male.) human resource standpoint the picture was very positive. RAD: Section 101 (a) (4) of The Foreign Service Act of 1980 says that the Service should reflect the American population. Con- FSJ: Right after you became Director General, the events of 9/11 sequently, we must continue to strive to ensure that it becomes occurred. Can you describe what significant changes resulted in the representative of the mosaic that is America. It has been my aftermath of the attack, and the impact the “war on terrorism” has experience that unless there is clear and visible support from the had on diplomacy? highest levels of the department, very little effective action is taken RAD: With the war on terrorism, the world has become much to advance diversity interests. more unsettled, placing more demands for professional, smart diplomacy and requiring diplomats capable of dealing with com- FSJ: What strategies do you recommend for increasing diver- plex, tumultuous, rapidly changing circumstances. sity in the Foreign Service both in recruitment and retention and The international challenges today are much more varied and promotion? seemingly more intense than when I joined the Foreign Service RAD: Among the strategies I recommend are the following: at the end of the 1960s. International terrorism, nuclear prolifera- ■ The State Department should continue its strong support for tion, cybersecurity, regional conflicts and public health crises are the Pickering, Rangel and Payne Fellowships. These are a critical among the issues that diplomats grapple with on a daily basis. The source of diversity and are bringing really outstanding candidates challenge for the State Department is to recruit, train and assign into the Service. the right people to carry out the changing demands of today’s ■ In terms of recruitment, Diplomats in Residence should step diplomacy. up their efforts to identify minority candidates, referring them to

32 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL THE WHITE HOUSE Ambassador Ruth A. Davis discusses the empowerment of women and education of girls in Benin with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton on July 13, 1995. While serving as ambassador to Benin, Amb. Davis accompanied Mrs. Rosine Soglo, wife of the president of Benin, to the White House meeting. the fellowship programs, internships, language programs such as encourage a significant role for African Americans in the formula- the Boren Fellowship and other opportunities that spark interest tion and implementation of U.S. foreign policy. in careers in the Foreign Service. TLG has since grown to about 300 members and actively men- ■ Reach out more effectively to minority audiences, increas- tors, recruits and sponsors activities designed to help its members ing the number of minority takers of the Foreign Service Written navigate the system, such as career development and EER prepa- Examination. ration sessions. TLG joins with the Association of Black American ■ Pay attention to the assignment and retention of minorities Ambassadors to hold an annual reception welcoming the new in the Service. With the mid-level gap closing and promotions cohorts of Pickering, Rangel and Payne Fellows and coordinates slowing down, special attention needs to be given to assignments with AFSA annually to sponsor an intern in the department. and training. I was disappointed to learn of the negligible number of African Americans, Hispanics and other minorities assigned as FSJ: You’ve been a champion for mentorship. How is the State deputy chiefs of mission, principal officers and office directors. If Department doing in terms of encouraging mentorship and estab- minority officers cannot aspire to positions of responsibility, they lishing official mechanisms for mentoring? will not remain in the Service. RAD: The State Department has a range of formal mentor- ■ I am also concerned about the paucity of minority Civil Ser- ing programs available to every employee—Foreign Service, vants in the Senior Executive Service, more of them at the GS-15 Civil Service and LE staff—and the Rangel, Pickering and Payne level should be groomed for SES positions in the department. programs seek mentors for their participants. While I applaud The SES Career Development Program should be offered more the department’s efforts, I believe that the most effective mentors frequently, and HR must ensure that those receiving the training are those who are developed through situational connections are representative of the department’s diverse work force. without a formal structure. Such mentors can be found in a variety of settings in or out of the workplace, in professional associations, FSJ: You’ve been president and adviser to the Thursday Lun- such as AFSA, or in numerous other places. The major point is to cheon Group. How did that group get started, and can you tell us a identify and select a mentor who is thoughtful, articulate and able bit about its work? to offer useful career advice. RAD: The Thursday Luncheon Group is one of the leading affinity groups in the department. It was formed in 1973, at a time FSJ: You chair the selection committee for the Rangel Interna- when African-American participation in the foreign affairs agen- tional Affairs Fellowship. How successful has the program been in cies was increasing. Two senior U.S. Information Agency officers increasing diversity? How can the foreign affairs agencies retain brought together colleagues to consider what could be done to minority talent once in the Foreign Service?

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 33 As vice chair of the Association of Black American Ambassa- “Successful diplomats must dors, I mentor aspiring and professional Foreign and Civil Service personnel and lobby the State Department on diversity issues. have integrity, courage and As a member of the Defense Language Institute Board of Visi- self-confidence, preferably tors of Monterey, California, I contribute to the enhancement of language training for members of the U.S. Armed Services. And as laced with humility.” senior adviser for the International Career Advancement Program, I provide leadership training to mid-level, underrepresented pro- fessionals in international affairs. Finally, I serve on several boards of directors, including the Senior Seminar Alumni Association, American Academy of Diplo- RAD: The Rangel Fellowship program was established in 2002, macy and the Washington Institute of Foreign Affairs, where I am and it is having an impact on the Foreign Service. The program has also vice president. selected 243 fellows; and, as of September 2016, there will be 170 in the Foreign Service and 60 in graduate school. While this is an FSJ: What do you see as the essential ingredients for a successful admirable start, there is still quite a bit of work to do. Once these diplomat? fellows are in the Service every effort must be made to retain their RAD: A successful diplomat must have a combination of talents. Hence, the department must focus on career develop- strong professional and interpersonal skills. I place leadership and ment, including training, promotion opportunities, good assign- management at the top of the diplomatic skills pyramid. Today’s ments and employee incentives. diplomat must be prepared to practice not just diplomacy, but mega-diplomacy. To do so requires a broad knowledge of the Retirement and Reflection world and current issues viewed through a historical lens; vision; FSJ: Can you give us some highlights of the work you’ve done good negotiating, verbal and written communications skills; since retiring from the Foreign Service in 2009? and adept use of information technology. On the interpersonal RAD: I don’t often share this, but I’m going to say it here, hop- front it requires the ability to navigate, understand and interpret ing that it might inspire others. Here goes: In 1999, I was diag- foreign cultures—language ability being extremely important. nosed with multiple myeloma and told I had a maximum of three Also needed is the ability to work effectively with and inspire both years to live. American personnel and FSNs to give their best in accomplishing However, thanks to breakthrough clinical treatments, two bone U.S. goals and objectives. Successful diplomats must have integ- marrow transplants and continued excellent medical care here at rity, courage and self-confidence, preferably laced with humility. the Washington Hospital Center and at the Myeloma Institute of the University of Arkansas, I am surviving multiple myeloma plus FSJ: Who were some of the people you especially admired or a number of other health issues and have been determined not to were inspired by during your Foreign Service career? let them deter me from making a difference in this world. RAD: There have been many people I have admired and I am busily involved in building a global network of success- sought to emulate during my Foreign Service career. In fact, it is ful international businesswomen as chair and founding member the quality of the people I had occasion to observe and work and of the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Foun- interact with that proved to be the most stimulating aspect of my dation, which will celebrate its tenth year of growth and success Foreign Service experience. I would, however, cite three mentors in 2017. who stand out because they embody the essential ingredients of a My other activities include chairing the International Mission successful diplomat. of Mercy, USA, which provided aid for orphans following Nepal’s I will always be indebted to the late Assistant Secretary for April 2015 devastating earthquake and, more recently, sent Consular Affairs Mary A. Ryan, who shared her advice, her medical supplies to Ecuador following the April 2016 earth- counsel and her insights more generously than any other person I quake. I also chair the annual Selection Panel for the Charles B. know. As a consular officer, she cared about the security and wel- Rangel Fellowship program, which has assisted the department’s fare of Americans living, traveling and studying abroad. She also diversity efforts since 2002. cared about sharing America’s message and America’s freedoms,

34 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL while at the same time protecting America’s borders and essential good beginning would be to dedicate additional resources to sup- security. But most of all, she loved the Foreign Service, the work port our domestic and overseas operations. of the Department of State and the people who represent America But there’s more to be dealt with, such as questions about staff- overseas, and she looked after all three. ing, including the encroachment of Schedule Cs; the lack of under- In terms of career achievement, Ambassador Terence A. Tod- standing of the department’s role by the White House—witness the man was always my polestar. He taught me to strive for the best exponential growth of the National Security Council, which seems and to be conscious of my responsibility to make the Foreign to me a duplication of State’s function; the lack of appreciation by Service more inclusive of the American population. He came to Congress of the role of the Foreign Service, which is further marred the Department of State when segregated dining facilities were by partisanship—a low point being the Benghazi hearings that in vogue and when no career African-American Foreign Service ignored Congresses’ responsibility to provide the resources required officer was considered for worldwide assignments. It was next to keep our people safe overseas; and, finally, a lack of understand- to miraculous that Todman broke the assignment color barrier, ing by the American public of what the Foreign Service does. always excelling, both overseas and domestically, to become only Moreover, as retired Ambassador Charles Ray is known for the 33rd officer in the history of the Foreign Service to be named saying: FSOs need to exercise more courage in stepping up to the Career Ambassador. plate on issues like pushing for a career-long ‘education and train- And finally, in terms of institutional impact, there is Ambassa- ing’ system to complement the training they currently get. And dor Edward J. Perkins, the first African-American Director General they need to adopt a formal code of ethical conduct for the Service of the Foreign Service, who played a pivotal role in pressing South as a means to inculcate professionalism in entry-level officers and Africa to end apartheid and who, as DG, instituted the Pickering reinforce it throughout a career. Fellowship program that is essential to the department’s diversity I do not believe the fundamental role of the Foreign Service efforts. He taught me, above all, that one person can have a lasting has changed, but the exigencies of today’s world demand more institutional impact. of modern diplomats. With the proliferation of terrorist groups, physical security is a major concern, especially overseas; more- FSJ: How would you describe Civil Service–Foreign Service rela- over, protection of the homeland is the uppermost thought of all tions, and what changes have you seen over time? visa officers. Diplomats must now pay serious attention to infor- RAD: Civil Service and Foreign Service relations continue to mation technology, especially cybersecurity—not to mention the be a work in progress, complicated by two different personnel prominence of environmental issues, transnational health issues, systems with different benefits, protections, rights, and appoint- refugee flows, and issues of war and peacekeeping. The list goes ment and promotion policies. I am in agreement with Secretary on, all calling for diplomacy at the highest level. John F. Kerry that each component of State’s workforce must work together as one cohesive and vibrant team, which to me means a FSJ: Are you optimistic about the future of professional diplo- strong Foreign Service and a strong Civil Service working in uni- macy? son to achieve U. S. foreign policy goals and objectives. RAD: Yes. I believe that in this global world of increasing com- As Director General, I made every effort to strengthen both plexity, crisis and challenges, professional diplomacy becomes systems, especially through the Diplomatic Readiness Initiative, ever more indispensable. However, the methods and means of by increasing Civil Service hiring, training and assignment possi- practicing diplomacy must evolve to enable it to remain a leading bilities and re-engineering the Foreign Service hiring process. It is force in sync with the demands of our changing world. essential for the department to continue developing the potential of employees in both systems. I am particularly pleased with FSJ: How do you advise young people considering a Foreign Director General Arnold Chacón’s new Civil Service Reform Initia- Service career? tive, which is designed to develop and enhance the career paths of RAD: I relish recruiting for the Foreign Service and tell prom- entry- and mid-level Civil Service employees. ising young people that our country desperately needs people with their values, intelligence and education. I do not sugarcoat FSJ: Is the Foreign Service as an institution strong today? How the many challenges of a career in the Foreign Service, but tell has the role of the Foreign Service changed? them honestly that it offers a unique opportunity for public ser- RAD: The Foreign Service as an institution could be stronger. A vice that makes a difference in issues with global impact. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 35 SPOTLIGHT ON AFSA AWARDS

WHEN PREVAILING PRACTICE FAILS By relying on prevailing practice to set locally employed staff compensation, we are benefiting from the same labor exploitation that we oppose as a matter of U.S. foreign policy.

BY JEFFERSON SMITH

ost Foreign Service mem- markets, this model ensures that posts are able to attract, hire bers have a keen under- and retain quality employees. standing of the intricacies But many of the economies in which U.S. diplomatic missions of our pay scales and operate are far from free or fair; instead, they are characterized benefits, but we don’t often by exploitative labor practices and human rights violations. In give much thought to how such places, following prevailing practice fails to meet the need locally employed (LE) of the State Department to maintain a corps of professional local staff (formerly known as employees. Moreover, it puts the department at risk of following Foreign Service Nationals, the very practices that are condemned in our own reports on still the preferred term for many) at our overseas missions are human rights, trafficking in persons (TIP) and labor conditions. Mcompensated. How does the State Department account for local Embassy Kuwait, where I am management counselor, and conditions at more than 200 posts to ensure that LE staff are paid other U.S. diplomatic missions in Gulf Cooperation Council adequately? member-states on the Arabian Peninsula have begun to advance The short answer is “prevailing practice.” Local labor markets the argument that the U.S. government must do better when are surveyed at each post to determine appropriate compensa- prevailing practice fails. While we have had success in gaining tion for our LE staff colleagues. In economies where prevailing policy exceptions, the department still needs to do more to lead labor practices are driven by free, fair and competitive labor (rather than follow) prevailing labor practices in exploitative labor markets, even if it requires an act of Congress to do so. Jefferson Smith has served as the management counselor at U.S. Embassy Kuwait since 2014. A management- Determining Prevailing Practice coned Foreign Service officer since 2000, he has previously The Foreign Service Act of 1980 requires that the State served in Kingston, Dar es Salaam (twice), Yaoundé, Department base compensation for LE staff on prevailing wage Dublin, Kuwait and Washington, D.C. Mr. Smith is the 2016 winner of rates and compensation practices in the host country, but the AFSA Award for Constructive Dissent by a Mid-Level Officer. qualifies this requirement with the clause “to the extent consis-

36 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL tent with the public interest.” In practice, the Bureau of Human Resources’ Office of Overseas Employment has used surveys of Many of the economies data from comparators—comparable organizations and com- panies operating in the host country—to determine prevailing in which U.S. diplomatic practice at each post. missions operate are LE staff compensation targets at each post are then set at a specified percentile of the prevailing rates. During sequestra- characterized by exploitative tion, the target was reduced to the 50th percentile, but it has now labor practices and human been raised to at least the 60th percentile or higher, ensuring that LE staff compensation is at least a bit better than average. rights violations. In countries with competitive labor markets, such as in the European Union, prevailing practice gives post management and HR/OE the justification needed to fund salaries that in some cases exceed U.S. salaries for similar positions. (I saw this first- hand in Dublin, where some LE staff who reported to me had a work or invest in the residing country. While details vary by higher base salary than I did.) jurisdiction, the sponsor often exercises complete control over This happens because the goal of prevailing practice, as the expatriate’s living situation and access to financial assets, explicitly expressed in the Foreign Service Act, is to “provide retains their official documents and can single-handedly prevent a resource of qualified personnel … characterized by excel- them from leaving the country. This leverage can easily be used lence and professionalism” and to “strengthen and improve the to pressure expatriate workers to accept unfavorable terms, Foreign Service of the United States by … providing salaries, and perpetuates trafficking in persons and other human rights allowances and benefits that will permit the Foreign Service to abuses. attract and retain qualified personnel.” Posts can only achieve Under kafala, the free market does not function prop- that goal by offering competitive compensation packages to erly. Employees are not fully free to change jobs or negotiate local staff. contract terms, and wages can be held artificially low even as In cases where the situation in the host country warrants the rest of the economy faces significant inflationary pressure. an exception, the under secretary for management may make In addition, the expatriate-dominated labor market is fully con- a Public Interest Determination. PIDs have been approved in trolled by the citizen-dominated employers—and only citizens cases of rampant inflation, violent conflict or other extreme have any influence on local labor laws. conditions that may result in unique difficulties and poten- Current State Department policy already allows for excep- tially high attrition. In posts with weak or authoritarian labor tions to prevailing practice in cases of high attrition. However, regimes (often characterized by human rights and labor attrition is an ineffective metric for measuring wages in tightly abuses), extreme conditions are, sadly, an everyday reality. controlled labor markets, as in the GCC. In many cases, third- Following prevailing practice in such environments fails country nationals (TCNs) are not free to change jobs, or can do to achieve the goal of “excellence and professionalism.” This so only at great risk. became painfully clear at our posts on the Arabian Peninsula. In Saudi Arabia, for example, expatriates are allowed to transfer sponsorship from a commercial entity to a diplomatic The Kafala System mission, but not vice versa. This means that the mission’s The countries that comprise the Gulf Cooperation Council— TCN employees are not able to take other jobs even if a better Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar offer becomes available. In the UAE, some nationalities are and Oman—share similar labor conditions that are unlike restricted from transferring sponsorship, and if they leave their those in the rest of the world. They depend extensively on job they must return to their home country, or are considered imported labor; in many of these countries, the population of to be in illegal status after just 30 days. expatriate workers far outnumbers the country’s own citizens. In most GCC countries, the losing employer must volun- The kafala (sponsorship) system these societies use requires tarily issue a “no objection certificate” before an expatriate each expatriate to have a local citizen employer or sponsor to employee can transfer to a new sponsor. In Oman, the losing

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 37 In 2015, after four years with no wage increases and the high State should establish inflation common in the GCC, many members of our LE staff were in dire financial circumstances. Unable to afford living in minimum standards, these places, some staff resorted to illegally sharing housing with based on the cost of living multiple families. Others chose to split their families, sending spouses and children back to their home countries. Some have and poverty guidelines, moved to distant towns, adding hours to their daily commute. for compensating LE staff In Kuwait, 91 LE staff members (almost 30 percent of all embassy staff) had been forced to send their spouse and chil- members—regardless of dren back to their home country in order to move into cheaper, prevailing practice. shared accommodation and save on living expenses. Not only was their standard of living dropping, but they found themselves alone, increasingly unhappy and, ultimately, less productive. At the beginning of 2015, 70 percent of LE staff members in Kuwait were living below the poverty level as defined by the employer forfeits a labor certificate and the ability to hire a government of Kuwait; 58 percent were making less than the U.S. replacement employee, creating a bonded labor situation. poverty level, even though the cost of living is much higher here than in the United States. Yet despite our best efforts, prevailing You Can’t Go Home Again practice—not the cost of living—continued to drive LE staff com- For many TCN employees, returning home is not a viable pensation policy for the department. And since the data showed option. Some Palestinians have never even been to what they we were already paying our staff “above average,” no raise was consider their home country, while those from Somalia or Syria authorized. must watch from afar as their countries are caught in the night- mare of a civil war. Others have accumulated significant debts Embassy Kuwait Speaks Out and are not allowed to leave their GCC host country until they Under the leadership of Ambassador Douglas Silliman and have paid them. Deputy Chief of Mission Joey Hood, Embassy Kuwait coordi- These employees are effectively trapped: unhappy with nated an effort among posts in GCC countries to request Public their jobs, unable to make ends meet or reduce their debt, and Interest Determinations that would create or enhance allow- separated from family for long periods. It is not uncommon for ances for LE staff, beyond prevailing practice. We issued a joint LE staff to comment that life in these places is not what they had cable in January 2015, cleared by six ambassadors, outlining the bargained for, and now they are stuck. Low attrition rates in GCC failure of prevailing practice at GCC posts. posts reflect the restrictive kafala system, not job satisfaction. To support that effort, each mission collected data on rising For all these reasons, prevailing practice in GCC countries is housing, education and transportation costs, and documented equivalent to labor exploitation, and has led to serious TIP con- host-government policies that disadvantage TCN employees. cerns and negative findings in official State Department reports. Political and economic sections also drafted cables outlining (In 2015, Kuwait was a Tier III country in the Trafficking in Per- the failures of the kafala system, its disproportionate impact on sons report, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar are ranked on the Tier expatriate workers and the rising cost of living overall. The Near II Watchlist, and Bahrain, the UAE and Oman are Tier II.) Eastern Affairs Bureau’s executive office engaged with HR/OE, Even if the department uses only organizations that do not the Foreign Service Director General and the under secretary for engage in trafficking abuses for comparison—e.g., other Western management to make the case. diplomatic missions, the United Nations and reputable multi- Ultimately, the department approved PIDs and implemented national corporations—prevailing wages are still influenced by additional allowances. At Embassy Kuwait, the result was an the artificial wage depression created by kafala. So by relying on average increase of 22 percent in total compensation for local prevailing practice to set LE staff compensation, we are benefit- employees, plus education allowances for employees with ing from the same labor exploitation that we oppose as a matter school-aged children. Thanks to the new allowances, families of U.S. foreign policy. of LE staff have begun to return to Kuwait. Employee morale,

38 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Low attrition rates in GCC posts reflect the restrictive kafala system, not job satisfaction.

productivity and dedication to the mission have all noticeably improved as a result.

Leading the Way While the recent improvement in compensation was a des- perately needed and much-appreciated remedy, it is still only a Band-Aid for what remains a chronic illness. GCC posts have struggled with these issues for many years and have each found ad-hoc short-term solutions within the constraints of the LE staff compensation system. But these one-off solutions depend too much on the interest and efforts of individual human resources and management officers, and the support of their front offices. There is a better way. Because GCC countries are far from being the only exploit- ative labor markets in the world, the department needs a policy to address failures of prevailing practice wherever they occur. In a concrete demonstration of U.S. policy support for human rights, labor rights and combating trafficking in persons, our missions should lead by example, rather than simply following local practices. Toward that end, State should establish minimum standards, based on the cost of living and poverty guidelines, for compen- sating LE staff members—regardless of prevailing practice. Not only would this ensure that no U.S. government employee over- seas lives in poverty, but it would give U.S. missions the moral authority to press for labor reforms in our host countries. Through such steps, we can lead the way to lift prevailing practice to minimally acceptable standards rather than using it to justify unacceptable wages. Developing procedures to evaluate and establish minimum standards will require effort. Implementing them may even require an act of Congress. But it is the right thing to do, and the only way to guarantee that we achieve the goals of the Foreign Service. We owe it to our Foreign Service colleagues around the world to lead the way on fair labor practices. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 39 SPOTLIGHT ON AFSA AWARDS

A SELECTION OF ARTICLES ON CONSTRUCTIVE DISSENT

As a professional association and labor union, AFSA seeks to try rather than a certain administration. To fulfill that oath, they highlight achievement, outstanding performance and courage and must be able and encouraged to “tell it like it is.” sacrifice within the Foreign Service community. AFSA’s construc- “Advise and Dissent: The Diplomat As Protester,” by tive dissent awards honor and spotlight those who work within the David T. Jones, The Foreign Service Journal, April 2000. system to change policy and performance for the better. Protests by Foreign Service officers may not have ended the Vietnam AFSA has sponsored a constructive dissent awards program, War, but they did lead to the creation of the Open Forum and the Dis- unique within the U.S. government, for almost half a century. sent Channel. David T. Jones explains how the State Department was The awards serve as a reminder of the important role of dissent. forced to learn that it had to listen to widespread policy dissent if it Each year, AFSA calls for nominations for four dissent awards and wanted to maintain a strong diplomatic corps (266, mostly junior, presents them during a formal celebration in the Benjamin Franklin officers resigned from the Foreign Service in 1968 alone). Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the State Department. For more information, please visit the AFSA website at www.afsa.org/ “AFSA Constructive Dissent Award Winners: constructive-dissent-awards. Where Are They Now?” by Shawn Dorman, The Foreign Service Journal continues to focus each year on The Foreign Service Journal, September 2013. the role of dissent in democracy and, in particular, in the Foreign Eight Foreign Service members honored for dissent over the past 20 Service. Here we call your attention to a selection of articles we have years discuss the impact of their decision to voice their opinion on published on this topic. their careers and on U.S. policy. “Some Thoughts on Dissent,” by John H. Brown, “Deconstructing Dissent,” by Amelia Shaw, The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2013. The Foreign Service Journal, September 2015. John H. Brown argues that all government employees should Amelia Shaw, the 2015 W. Averell Harriman Award recipient, argues be free to speak their minds as openly as possible, but the term that dissent is about integrity and speaking up about the things that “national security” is being wielded by many senior officials to pre- matter, regardless of what you think about the possibility for change. vent them from doing so. Brown resigned from the Foreign Service Ms. Shaw received the award for her initiative and intellectual cour- in 2003, after 22 years of service, in protest of the Iraq War. age in fighting for equal legal rights and protections for unmarried “Integrity and Openness: Requirements for an women living along the U.S.-Mexico border, who face many obstacles Effective Foreign Service,” by Kenneth M. Quinn, in transmitting their American citizenship to children born in Mexico. The Foreign Service Journal, September 2014. “Cleaning the Air in New Delhi,” by Samuel Kotis, Kenneth Quinn, three-time AFSA dissent award recipient, describes The Foreign Service Journal, September 2015. how his honesty and candor were often met with resistance and may Samuel Kotis, recipient of the 2015 William R. Rivkin Award for Con- have cost him some jobs during his 32-year Foreign Service career. structive Dissent, writes about using dissent as a tool to advance But it ultimately allowed him to be proud of his role in our diplomatic a sensible, health-conscious approach to combating air pollution corps. He considers constructive dissent not just an option but a in India. Despite initial resistance from superiors, Mr. Kotis com- responsibility, and encourages senior officials to treasure different mitted himself to giving the Indian public access to data from air viewpoints rather than silence them. quality monitors installed in U.S. mission facilities in the country. “The Role of Dissent: In National Security, Law and This inspired new bilateral cooperation between the U.S. and Indian Conscience,” by Ann Wright, The Foreign Service Journal, governments. July-August 2013. “What If I Disagree? Dissent in the Foreign Service,” Ann Wright, who resigned from the Foreign Service in protest of the by Ambassador Thomas Boyatt, excerpted from the book Iraq War, revisits her decision and reflects on its ethical implications. Inside a U.S. Embassy, 2011. She wrestles with questions such as, “How should public servants Ambassador Thomas Boyatt writes about the history and go about challenging ill-considered policies?” and “Can one continue significance of dissent in the Foreign Service. Foreign policy is working for a government carrying out policies one believes consti- constantly evolving, never settled; FSOs take an oath to “uphold tute moral, ethical or legal failures?” and defend the Constitution,” swearing allegiance to their coun- –Compiled by Shannon Mizzi, Editorial Assistant

40 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FOCUS ON DIPLOMATIC TRADECRAFT

Diplomatic Training: New Trends

In foreign ministries around the world, training is undergoing intensification and expansion.

BY KISHAN RANA

n interesting new criterion has emerged approaches that deserve attention. (See “The Diplomatic Acad- to assess foreign ministry performance. emy: A First for Britain’s Foreign Office” by Jon Davies, Foreign Some analysts believe that the serious- Service Journal, July-August 2015.) ness and care with which a foreign With the FCO abandoning its earlier stand that all needed skills ministry handles diplomatic training is will come “on the job,” a holdout against professional training a powerful proxy indicator of the effi- has fallen. Some years earlier, the Quai d’Orsay had established cacy of that ministry. Several elements its training institution. The U.S. National Foreign Affairs Train- lie behind this. ing Center (still referred to as FSI, the Foreign Service Institute), Training represents an investment in established in 1947, was an important resource for the FCO in the future; like all investments, it should be examined in terms of developing the Diplomatic Academy. Like the United States and Athe value delivered. Besides financial resources, there is also the France, the U.K. will not conduct lengthy induction courses for investment of time by officials, trainees and training organizers new entrants. Instead, they have opted for what I call a “focused to be considered. After all, a foreign ministry’s most valuable selective training” model, which is practiced by Australia, France, assets are the people it employs, not its fine embassy buildings the United States and others. In this model new entrants receive and the outward diplomacy spectacle. an orientation and then get to work at the ministry; newly A diplomat would do well to ask: How does the system in my appointed officials also attend short courses on specific themes. country reflect these facts in its training programs? One might The alternate model—“full-time entry training”—is practiced add another key query: Given that half or more of the diplomats by Germany, India and almost all of the Latin American coun- are stationed abroad at any point of time, do we use the distance tries. Courses run for 12 to 24 months. During this time, new learning option? And if not, why not? entrants are also exposed to work at the ministry and embassies abroad, but for short sessions. This means that even after joining The U.K. Model’s Novel Features the diplomatic service, trainees do not get to do full-time work In January 2015, the British Foreign and Commonwealth until they graduate a year or two later. Malaysia’s hybrid model Office established the Diplomatic Academy with features and is interesting—after initial orientation, new entrants get to work at the foreign ministry, going to a full-time, four- to six-month Kishan Rana is an author, teacher and former ambas- training course at the end of about two years, before their first sador for India. He is currently an honorary fellow at the overseas assignment. It is an excellent combination of both Institute of Chinese Studies in Delhi. methods. Four aspects of the U.K.’s Diplomatic Academy are striking.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 41 its remarkable Assessment and Development Centers for rigor- In essence, [at Britain’s ous, objective promotion selection, even at the junior rank of second secretary, also treating that exposure as a form of train- Diplomatic Academy] ing. The ADC method is expensive to operate and has undergone officials are entrusted with some simplification since its inception a decade ago; and it may, their own training discipline. perhaps, be due for further modification. This experiment will be World Trends Training in foreign ministries around the world is undergo- watched with interest. ing intensification and expansion. Most countries are setting up their own corps of trainers, sourcing them from both academia and the ranks of retired envoys. Whether it is in Kenya, Thai- land or Uganda, new training programs and courses are being First, it divides training into three levels: Foundation, Practitioner added and efforts are being made to include officials from other and Expert. This is simple, logical and, in hindsight, obvious— ministries. In China, efforts by the foreign ministry to establish and it is curious that no one thought of it earlier. Programs and its diplomatic academy at a new campus alongside the China courses are pegged to the different levels while at the same time Foreign Affairs University have been postponed, perhaps in a retaining a larger training vision for professional diplomats, as cost-saving move. But the country’s 7,000-strong diplomatic well as for officials from other agencies. The Diplomatic Acad- service maintains its robust commitment to mid-career train- emy’s staff is lean—just 15—and, presumably, part-time trainers ing. Each year, 140 Chinese diplomats are selected through an from the FCO and elsewhere will be used. intense competition to attend one-year courses at some of the Second, for the first time “locally employed staff” overseas best universities around the world—a unique effort to groom are included in the training. Many countries give expanded high flyers for senior positions. responsibility to locally engaged employees, entrusting to them Not many foreign ministry training institutions include cor- tasks that go beyond past routine. They carry out not only public porate managers and representatives of business and industry outreach and basic investment and trade work, but also what in their programs, and this is an error. Non-state representa- one might call executive tasks: media report analysis, aid man- tives play an active role in external affairs and are vital in today’s agement and even some basic political work. This was unthink- public-private partnership model of diplomacy. Their involve- able in the past. ment in diplomatic training programs has mutual benefits: they Third, in place of classroom teaching, the FCO will use dis- bring perspectives that are useful for diplomats to understand, tance teaching and “learning groups.” As Davies has explained: and diplomats offer them insight into the working of official “The modules are designed so that individuals can work through agencies. them alone. … We are putting the responsibility on individuals The International Forum on Diplomatic Training—run by to make sure that they get involved in a group and work through the directors of the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, Austria, and the curriculum with fellow members.” This means that the indi- Georgetown University’s Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Ser- vidual official is responsible for the pace of learning, presumably vice in Washington, D.C.—holds annual meetings of the acad- forming and joining groups for collective studies and discussion. emies and the institutes that exist now in perhaps more than 80 In essence, officials are entrusted with their own training disci- foreign ministries (see forum.diplomacy.edu). But I am not sure pline. I am sure this experiment will be watched with interest. that enough attention is being given to helping the smaller train- Finally, there is another novel feature. In Davies’ words: “We ing institutes. Regional-level gatherings of diplomatic academies will also, where appropriate, be hard-wiring some academy also take place in Europe, Latin America and Southeast Asia. It learning into our evolving promotion model. Successful comple- is also noteworthy that some academic institutions are adding tion of the Foundation level, for example, will become essential “practice of diplomacy” to the nomenclature of a few of their at one particular step up the ladder. And for entry to our senior professorships. Working diplomats are now found in teaching management structure, colleagues will have to have reached the positions at some institutions. Perhaps the theory-practice gap is Practitioner level in a number of faculties.” The FCO already uses now, finally, shrinking.

42 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL In Asia, the only foreign service training group that meets annually does so under the “ASEAN-plus-three” formula, which Each year, 140 Chinese brings together diplomatic training agencies from ASEAN’s 10 members and China, Japan and South Korea. Attending one of diplomats are selected these sessions as an invitee about a decade ago, I had suggested through an intense competition that it would be worthwhile holding the meeting under the rubric of a wider group, to ensure that countries such as Aus- to attend one-year courses at tralia, India and New Zealand, and some others could be added some of the best universities to this dialogue. It seems logical to extend the footprint of such regional consultation. around the world. In India, the Manmohan Singh government decided in 2009 that all Indian civil servants in the different senior executive services (there are a score of these, all recruited through the Union Public Services Commission) must undergo several ers in intense dialogue with class participants, with class size weeks of training before promotions at three key levels take limited to about 20 to 25. The British FCO method appears to be effect, broadly between 12 to 28 years of service. At one stroke, different, with what seems to be a light touch of faculty inter- “lifelong training” went into operation. The Indian Ministry of vention; it is innovative, presuming that trainees are sufficiently External Affairs, which has run its own Foreign Service Institute motivated to manage learning by themselves. This bears close since 1986, complied with this mandate, partly by outsourcing a observation and assessment. large part of the training to a major management training insti- Balancing resources, both material and human, against tute in Hyderabad. In my view, this is not the wisest method: It evolving needs is a constant challenge, particularly for small is better to build up one’s own training capacity. countries. Many of them rely largely on free training courses The requirements of diplomatic training are different from offered by other countries, often with free air travel thrown in. A the requirements of the domestic civil service. The latter is pre- problem is that some of these courses are heavy on “selling” the occupied with project management and national development, host country, and offer rather less by way of professional train- subjects that are well-researched by the management institutes. ing. An exception is a two-week course that Malaysia’s Institute Yet such institutes seldom study diplomatic training. It is far for Diplomatic Training offers in Kuala Lumpur on negotiation, better for foreign service academies to look to the experience of a subject that small foreign ministries cannot easily access. At counterparts in other countries. the same time, even small states can develop their own pro- grams. They can find trainers from among their own diplomatic E-Learning Trends corps, former ambassadors and university academics. Consid- While e-learning remains significantly underutilized by erable teaching material is available under “creative commons” many foreign ministries, Canada was a pioneer in applying licenses, such as the lecture texts developed by the teaching information technology. I saw this firsthand during a visit to faculty of DiploFoundation. Ottawa in 2003, when I was persuaded to produce two “self- Does training get the attention it merits from the senior level learning courses” for the Canadian Foreign Service Institute, of the foreign ministry? As a diplomatic studies teacher, I have overcoming my doubts on the quality and method of self-paced wondered about this. The answer lies within each ministry of delivery. In a way, those self-learning modules resemble mas- foreign affairs. My overall impression is that though the situ- sive open online courses (MOOCs) that major U.S. universities ation has been improving in recent years, it remains far from and others have subsequently developed for the benefit of hun- ideal. dreds of thousands of users, mostly on a gratis basis. The foreign What is worth reasserting to the top management of foreign ministries in Mexico and the United States are among the other ministries is that the training function is at the core of human major users of distance learning. resource development. As with any knowledge-driven organiza- Our experience at DiploFoundation (I have been on its tion, developing and managing this resource is a vital respon- part-time faculty for 15 years) has been that to work well, sibility, on which the performance of the entire diplomatic distance teaching in diplomatic studies should involve teach- system hinges. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 43 FOCUS ON DIPLOMATIC TRADECRAFT

Five Ways to Tackle a New Language

Combining different language-learning methods is the best bet for success, say two FSOs with experience as language teachers and students.

BY ELIJAH DAVID BUSH AND TODD HUGHES

he State Department offers excellent There is so much information available at FSI that students opportunities to learn languages and are sometimes challenged to find and implement an elusive explore different cultures. Drawing on our ideal approach. We propose that optimal learning will happen experiences both as language teachers when multiple approaches are deliberately combined. and as students, we offer the following Our descriptions of the five learning styles below, based on strategies for tackling new languages. In research by British anthropologist Mary Douglas, discuss the addition to applying one or more of them, strengths and limitations of each approach, and include some learners may find other useful reference practical applications. Many readers will likely recognize the points during conversations with instruc- primary style of past teachers. Being aware of your preferred tors and learning consultants. learning style—as it applies to language learning—can be very T helpful. Elijah David Bush and Todd Hughes are both FSOs and proud mem- There is always a gap between what we know and what we bers of the 177th A-100 class of 2014 who recently studied languages do. After enjoying full-time language study at FSI, we each came at the Foreign Service Institute (and lived to tell about it). away recognizing our own shortcomings—and wished we could Elijah Bush completed 44 weeks of Turkish in 2015 and go back to our former students and apologize to them, and then now serves in Ankara with his wife and four children. do a better job. We are fortunate that most of the instructors at Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he had earned a FSI are ready and willing to struggle with us to find just the right master’s degree in teaching second languages from mix of effective learning techniques. Utah State University, where he taught entry-level German. He has Here are some of the broad learning (and teaching) prin- taught English as a second language as a volunteer overseas and ciples we have gleaned, along with practical applications. earned a Ph.D. in political science from Jacobs University in Bremen, Germany. 1. Repeat after Me… Todd Hughes completed 31 weeks of Russian language Hierarchical learning relies on top-down, lecture-based study in 2015 and now serves in Yekaterinburg with his instruction. Its experts and instructors come from traditions wife, who also studied Russian at FSI. Prior to joining where learners are viewed as “empty vessels” that need to be the Foreign Service, he taught French to high school stu- filled. Common tactics include drills, workbooks and repetition dents in Jacksonville, Florida, and later earned a Ph.D. in linguistics exercises. from the University of Florida. The prevalence of this rule-based, traditional approach is not

44 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL surprising, given the requirements for standardized curriculum research, as well as our own experience, bears out the observa- and final testing across all languages. Its strengths include effi- tion that people remember (learn) better when there is an emo- ciency and uniformity; but downsides include over-reliance on tional response associated with the experience. Anxiety and fear authoritative experts and the possibility of students blaming “the are often part of learning, and missing items on a quiz can create system” instead of their own lack of effort. an emotional response that aids memory. So embrace classroom This approach can also prevent students from engaging with quizzes. If your classmates are willing, ask for more of them. the language in a meaningful way. Just as writing an essay, rather To counter the risk of over-doing testing, students and teach- than copying one, improves writing skills, creating your own ers should use humor to laugh off major and minor mistakes. utterances is more effective than repeating someone else’s. Running lists of funny errors can lighten the pressure: indeed, In practice: Incorporate more “expert” samples or native they are often some of the most memorable parts of learning. speaker-based listening activities with specific, level-appropriate tasks. For example, listen to short news reports (not lightning- 3. We’re All in This Together… fast hourly updates) with the task of picking out key verbs or a Egalitarianism rejects the first two paradigms above, tak- specific set of nouns. Or read children’s books aloud in the target ing a more harmonious, collective approach toward learning. language to train your mouth muscles to make new sounds and Diplomatic rank and experience are not relevant when collab- sound patterns. orative learning prevails. Instructors facilitate discussions but do Achieving a series of bite-sized tasks is much more produc- not dominate them, allowing students to discover and express tive than slogging away at high-level exercises that only demor- grammar principles on their own. Each person also has equal alize us. A more realistic approach to applying our developing opportunity to speak and ask questions. language skills helps us recognize our current level and appreci- One advantage of this approach is the force-multiplier effect ate our progress. that comes through peer correction. Downsides include frustra- tion when classmates learn and process information at different 2. I Did It My Way… speeds. A mitigation strategy for this inherent weakness is to Individualism focuses on personal responsibility and prefer- rotate groups regularly, so that stronger students can work with a ences. Learners are encouraged to experiment, build their own variety of weaker students over time. network(s) and find what works best for them. One-on-one In a classroom that seems to be stagnating, a tactful request instruction or learning consultations can help identify unique for a new rotation can help an ambitious student get more out of learning styles and adapt learning activities for each person, the training experience. Alternatively, try viewing your class- knowing that each student’s strengths might not overlap with mates as equal partners in learning, and use your diplomatic traditional (hierarchical) methods. skills to get them more involved. This is consistent with Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple In practice: Incorporate more group activities and play time Intelligences, in which he argues that most people have different into study sessions. Adults and children alike often learn better learning strengths. For example, they may be particularly strong when drills are in groups and paired with activity—whether or relatively weak in each of the learning modes: visual, auditory, moving electronic labels onto pictures on a smart board or phys- kinesthetic and tactile. Unfortunately, traditional classrooms ically manipulating strips of paper for Q&As with other students. tend to emphasize auditory learning. Some FSI Arabic-language classes engage in light physical Solo time and effort outside of class are key ingredients in exercise on the lawn during warmer months, such as throwing this free marketplace of ideas, where the best will compete or kicking a ball while reciting terms, or counting in unison dur- to rise to the top. Bonus pay and other incentives can also be ing movements. As a result, participants are less likely to forget used to motivate in this paradigm. Downsides include the risk Arabic numerals and other linguistic building blocks. of becoming overly competitive or viewing the curriculum as a race, trying to stay ahead of the pack rather than cooperating to 4. It’s a Family Affair… help each other master the content through more collaborative Familism emphasizes kinship over other social structures peer learning. and sometimes rebels against the aforementioned more formal In practice: More verbal and written spot quizzes, includ- approaches. Tactics may take the form of rapid progress through ing self-quizzing, can help motivate learners. Twenty years of increased home study, such as labeling household items and

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 45 practicing together with family members. memory” or reinforcing common phrases from daily scenarios Most of us have encountered lucky colleagues who won the to build up automaticity that flows almost involuntarily like a linguistic lottery by coming from a multilingual home. The ben- physical reflex. efits of such an environment can also come from finding ways to Hearing your own pronunciation (and errors) can be both enroll one’s spouse, partner or kids in full- or part-time language mortifying and motivating. Car commuting provides an excel- training, so the whole family can learn the target language lent opportunity for judgment-free verbal practice. Doing this on together. non-FSI bus rides, though, might entertain or annoy your fellow In addition, sometimes it is useful for students to focus on passengers. Regardless of your setting, be ready for the funny real-world scenarios and practical situations that facilitate their looks that will come your way! learning, even if it occasionally takes the place of the prescribed homework. The Value of Syncretic Solutions In practice: Language learning can be very stressful for some What should learners do with this awareness of competing students. Home study time, familiar environments and comfort- language-learning approaches? See them as possible solutions. able routines can help. Adults often appreciate consistent struc- Syncretism has been defined as “the attempted reconciliation or tures, such as beginning every class with small group discussions union of different or opposing principles, practices or philoso- or building each week toward a predictable Friday vocabulary phies.” Syncretic solutions are ideal in the classroom, creating quiz on new terms learned that week. When our teachers did flexible combinations of the competing methods outlined above. this, we found the routine comforting. Reconciling multiple learning approaches in the classroom can create opportunities for students to benefit from their class- 5. I Don’t Hate People, I Just Feel Better When mates’ differences and strengths. They Aren’t Around... There will always be many ways to approach a new language. Autonomy. Introverts and solitary learners subscribe to this Each instructor and learner brings their own bias to the task and sentiment, and prefer the “hermit option.” (You can also think to the classroom. Awareness of this fact can empower learners to of it as the “Walden Pond” approach to learning.) Withdrawing make deliberate decisions about how to use collective and indi- from social interactions can free up time, energy and brain cells. vidual resources (chiefly time) most effectively. By consciously Loads of language learning happens when we retreat from soci- embracing and balancing the full range of tactics, learners will ety and digest in isolation what we have been taught in class. have access to more tools. Each of the methods we have outlined The first four paradigms described here rely on social set- can be applied individually as a lens for learning, but blending tings, but some learners thrive in the muffled, silent solace of and overlaying multiple lenses is possible and preferable. the language lab. They instinctively gravitate toward minimalist While some gifted learners intuitively latch onto approaches settings, such as quiet corners, with just notes and flashcards for that draw on all of the above philosophies, most of us need to autonomous practice. make a deliberate effort to incorporate different methods and to The strength of this approach includes the flexibility to learn close the gap between what we know and what we actually do. when, where and however possible. Talking to oneself is widely Be aware of your classmates’ successful strategies so that you recognized as a great learning tactic for language production can work with them more effectively to create a harmonious skills, though it can get a little awkward in public and is probably classroom culture. best done in isolation. Deliberately blending these tactics and strategies may be less Practice time free from pressure and judgment is a great way elegant than sticking with a single approach, but it can be much to grow. But autonomous learning is insufficient to master a lan- more effective. guage because the lack of corrective feedback can solidify errors In short, when we can recognize and combine learning styles, through repetition. It also will not prepare learners for authentic we will see greater success in our language learning. n conversation or the rapid exchanges expected during oral exams. In practice: Incorporate more tech-based (e.g., recorded) speaking activities into your language study to encourage independent, judgment-free practice. This can involve reading pre-written texts, activities that develop pronunciation “muscle

46 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FOCUS ON DIPLOMATIC TRADECRAFT

Over the Finish Line: Winning Strategies for a Successful Visit Advance planning and sustained initiative from mid-level officers who own their ideas are the keys to a fruitful high-level visit.

BY TED OSIUS

ne of my men- tors, Ambassador (ret.) Cameron Hume, said it was crucial to develop strategies far in advance in order to bring concrete accomplishments over the finish line during a senior-level visit. OAnything worth doing takes time, serious effort and an investment of intellectual capi-

tal, he said. Mission Vietnam began hearing COURTESY OF U.S. EMBASSY HANOI of a possible presidential visit a year before U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius, center, with Scott Kofmehl, left, and Alex Titolo at the Hanoi airport to receive President Barack Obama on May 24. it actually took place, so we decided to put Ambassador Hume’s theory to a test. At a country team workshop precisely a year before the visit, both partners—would truly move U.S.-Vietnam relations to we began to envision what actions —I like to call them “joint the next level. Communist Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong has endeavors” as opposed to “deliverables,” because they involve noted that when our two countries engage in practical activi- ties together, we build trust, so at least at the top-most level of Ted Osius is U.S. ambassador to the Socialist Republic Vietnam’s hierarchy there was support for a “joint” approach. We of Vietnam. During a 28-year Foreign Service career, he concluded internally that a visit would allow us to deepen rela- has served in the Philippines, the Holy See, U.S. Mission tions in five areas of engagement: joint prosperity; educational to the United Nations, Vietnam (twice), Thailand, India, collaboration; environment, science, technology and health; Indonesia and Washington, D.C. security; and governance.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 47 private-sector partners and continually reviewed and revised his strategy. We contributed to and were guided by Joe’s vision. In the security realm, mid-level FSO Adam Davis pursued three courses of action: a maritime security assistance package, an enhanced humanitarian assistance and disaster relief access arrangement for the Pacific Command, and training for Vietnamese peace-

COURTESY OF U.S. EMBASSY HANOI keepers. As most of Vietnam’s military Crowds wave as President Barack Obama’s motorcade passes through Hanoi. leaders fought us during what they call The party chief’s visit to the United States and Oval Office the “American War,” we had to overcome meeting with President Barack Obama in July 2015 greatly deep suspicions. The pol-mil cluster led by our defense attaché boosted our chances of success, because it gave our partners in served as a weekly forum for debate and refinement of strategies, Vietnam’s leadership much more room for collaboration with us. and Adam also updated the country team regularly. At another workshop in October 2015, we decided to be ambi- tious, and settled on 12 concrete “joint endeavors” to pursue as a mission. We assigned action officers to each, challenging them to develop strategies that would bring their actions over the fin- ish line in time for a possible presidential visit.

Action Officers Take Ownership In most cases, other U.S. agencies had a leading role provid- ing budget or policy guidance, and their role in these endeavors was invaluable. Throughout the mission, our action officers had the responsibility to take ownership of their issues, keep the country team updated and be constantly on the lookout for opportunities to further the initiative, as well as for bureau- cratic obstacles that could sink it. They were responsible to the country team for ensuring success. They became our experts and my chief advisers on how to achieve our goals. When State and another agency don’t agree on an aspect of the visit—especially if it’s a presidential visit—the National Security Council plays ref- eree. In this case, all agencies involved were on the same page. In the field of joint prosperity, second-tour Foreign Service Officer Joe Narus took the lead on demonstrating U.S. readiness to assist Vietnam in implementing its commitments under the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, particularly regard- ing workers’ rights, environmental protection and intellectual property rights. Working closely with the U.S. Agency for Interna- tional Development, he pulled colleagues together to brain- COURTESY OF U.S. EMBASSY HANOI storm, drafted a strategy linked to a timeline and reported to Amb. Ted Osius and Consul General Rena Bitter of U.S. Consulate Ho Chi Minh City at the Trieu To Temple on April 29. Support from the country team each week on progress achieved. He deployed the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation helped senior officials regularly to engage counterparts, host events with restore part of the temple complex in Ho Chi Minh City.

48 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL

White House took our ambitious agenda for the visit and made it more ambitious, pursuing strategies to address the toughest remaining war legacy issues: dioxin clean-up and fully remov- ing a ban on arms sales that had been imposed in the mid-1960s. Joe, Adam, Jillian, Alex, Scott and many others saw their hard work bear fruit when Pres. Obama made his historic visit to Vietnam in May 2016, accompanied by the Secretary of State, U.S. trade representative, national security advisor, three members of Congress and a thou- sand others. Our teams brought an astonishing 20 joint endeavors over the finish line—from all five areas of engagement identified a year earlier—during the action-packed visit. Many agreements were concluded at the 11th hour; COURTESY OF U.S. EMBASSY HANOI President Obama speaks at a town hall meeting of the Young Southeast Asian in fact, three cited in the two presidents’ joint Leaders Initiative in Hanoi. statement as completed were actually signed the day after the official meetings. In the field of education, our intrepid desk officer, Jillian -Bon Pres. Obama spoke to Vietnam’s citizens in an address whose nardeaux, dusted off a Peace Corps agreement that many people impact will be felt for many years. He engaged young people had tried to complete during the past decade or so. Working with and entrepreneurs in ways that inspired and empowered the Vietnam’s embassy in Washington, Bureau of East Asian and Vietnamese. Because we had laid the groundwork, our team—in Pacific Affairs leadership and our embassy team, she corralled Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Washington—provided substan- lawyers and kept the negotiations moving. Simultaneously, we tive accomplishments to strengthen the president’s words and worked to support the launch of Fulbright University Vietnam, interactions during his three-day visit. the country’s first private, nonprofit, independent university, Mid-level officers designed and implemented strategies based in Ho Chi Minh City. While an independent team con- that involved an accurate diagnosis of the challenge, including ducted negotiations with Vietnamese authorities, our consulate a realistic assessment of the obstacles to success; clear policy general team, led by Public Affairs Officer Alex Titolo, provided goals that helped keep both governments moving in the same critical support. direction; and a set of coherent actions linked to a timeline. They conducted “SWOT” (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Bringing It Home Threats) analyses on each strategy. Teachers and practitioners By the beginning of 2016, we had developed 12 complete of strategy recommend this approach, and our officers and their strategies for our joint endeavors, and our mission action officers teams showed that it works. backed up by teams owned each one fully. Deputy Chief of These officers also learned to be opportunistic, to seize Mission Susan Sutton, Consul General Rena Bitter and I helped moments to engage higher-ups to advance their strategies. coordinate efforts, but each joint endeavor team implemented They did not wait for instructions, but rather owned their ideas its strategy with minimal guidance from above. We received and took the initiative to turn them into concrete accomplish- generous support from colleagues and leaders at State and the ments that were fueled by, and in turn enhanced, a visit from the White House, and that support grew over time, bolstered by a president of the United States. Amb. Hume predicted—and we series of high-level visits preceding the “Big Visit.” have shown it to be true—that officers who taste what it’s like to From January onward, former Vietnam Desk Officer Scott design and implement a strategy are changed by the experience. Kofmehl helped orchestrate our efforts from his new perch at They will never again settle for less than taking their ideas over the National Security Council. With NSC Asia in the lead, the the finish line. n

50 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FEATURE

MED’S CHILD & FAMILY PROGRAM, EXPLAINED

Here is an authoritative account of the aims of the CFP, presented as part of the Journal’s ongoing discussion of concerns regarding support for children and families overseas.

BY KATHY GALLARDO

aising children has never been easy, behavioral health conditions and educational disabilities have and this is especially true in the For- access to important services they require. eign Service, where both unique chal- MED’s Mental Health Services division has a primary role in the lenges and exceptional rewards come many clinical and administrative processes involved in support of with the territory. The Department this goal, a responsibility that dates back many years. However, the of State’s Bureau of Medical Services State Department’s emphasis on hiring over the previous decade (MED) knows that our parents, like all and deliberate efforts to support significantly increased numbers parents, worry that the decisions they of employees and dependents overseas have resulted in new chal- make about their children may have lenges and opportunities for MHS. long-term impact. Yet the Foreign Service lifestyle just seems to Rincrease the stakes. Origins of the Child and Family Program Would my child be better off in the United States? Isn’t expo- The MED/MHS Child and Family Program was created in 2013 sure to other cultures and languages good for children? What do to address the increasingly complex issues faced by many U.S. I do if a teacher raises concerns about my child’s learning style Foreign Service personnel with dependent children who require or social skills? Who do I talk to? What are the options? Caring specialized educational and behavioral health services. CFP staff for Foreign Service employees and their dependents overseas member core duties include: takes many forms for MED, including making sure children with 1) Case review for educational clearance recommendations to the Office of MED Clearances for school-age children of U.S. Kathy Gallardo, M.D., Ph.D., is the deputy medical government personnel assigned overseas; director for mental health programs for the Department 2) Case review for mental health clearance recommendations of State. She attended medical school and graduate for child and youth dependents of government employees school at the University of California, Irvine. She went assigned overseas; on to complete her post-graduate medical training at Yale Uni- 3) Intensive case management of the Special Needs Education versity, followed by sub-specialty fellowship training in child and Allowance program, involving eligibility determinations, adolescent psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health in annual renewals and verification of allowable expenses for Bethesda, Maryland, and Children’s National Medical Center in qualified dependents; Washington, D.C. Dr. Gallardo joined the State Department medical 4) Consultation for pediatric and adolescent behavioral health team in 2011 and has served in Southern Africa and the Middle East. medical evacuations for urgent assessment and treatment; She assumed her current position in the Bureau of Medical Services and in August 2016. She has three children and calls Southern California 5) C linical and administrative support to MED personnel home. overseas.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 51 Both MED and MHS leadership recognized the need to move toward a more uniform code of practice in supporting children and families.

CFP is made up of a multidisciplinary team of child psycholo- employee submits a medical clearance update request for a child gists, social workers and child psychiatrists with experience in to the Office of MED Clearances, the office reviews the documen- both clinical and educational systems to closely replicate the tation for any behavioral health or educational needs and, where functions performed by members of a Child Study Team in a U.S. present, sends a request for a clearance consultation to MHS/CFP. public school. MHS/CFP staff then perform a case review as part of the medi- Prior to the creation of CFP, the programmatic functions of cal clearance process and make a recommendation on what level educational clearance recommendations and special needs of need a child has and to what extent the need or needs can be funding and case management were performed by MED/MHS met overseas. Factors that are considered include the condition Employee Consultation Services clinical social workers; and men- or disability, level and length of stability, the required treatment tal health clearance consultations and medevac support were per- or intervention and whether adequate services can reasonably be formed by MED/MHS clearance psychologists and psychiatrists. accessed overseas, among other things. In 2013, a combination of factors contributed to the impe- “Post Approvals” are considered when a child has been catego- tus for reimagining MHS structure for supporting children and rized as needing a “post-specific” clearance and the employee’s families. These included resource concerns due to an increased Human Resources career development officer (CDO) submits emphasis on traditional Employee Assistance Program work potential postings to MED for review. Factors that may speed up provided by ECS; a desire to streamline the clearance process for the clearance process include submission of up-to-date medi- families; and a need to ensure consistent application of the SNEA- cal and educational documentation, full disclosure of behavioral related Department of State Standard Regulations. Both MED health and educational needs, and thorough research by parents and MHS leadership recognized the need to move toward a more into the adequacy of resources at posts of interest. uniform code of practice in supporting children and families. Educational clearances for children may be performed by the As with any new program, there have been growing pains. After CFP with tentative school acceptances received by parents in a reasonable start-up period, an internal assessment was under- order to assist an employee in the bidding process. However, an taken to gauge the progress of the office in standardizing SNEA official school acceptance is required for children with special case management and servicing the special needs client popula- needs before they may travel to post. If official school acceptance tion. In that vein, a number of endeavors by CFP stakeholders— is not received, it is the employee’s responsibility to notify their including MED, the Office of Allowances, the Office of Overseas CDO and MED Clearances immediately. Schools, the Family Liaison Office and others—have been under- Special Needs Education Allowance. Children. Education. way over the past year that are aimed at improving oversight, Health care. Money. Individually, these topics often spark rich consistency and accountability of the educational allowance. debate and emotion-laden discussion; in aggregate, the reac- The Office of Allowances has been particularly instrumental in tion can be incendiary. The Special Needs Education Allowance efforts to draft an updated informational SNEA ALDAC cable, to process pulls all of these together and has traditionally been the clarify Department of State Standardized Regulations and shep- most confusing of the CFP responsibilities for parents, providers herd a number of other SNEA initiatives to assist all involved. and post management. Notwithstanding these challenges, the State Department Two Key Processes is committed to assisting employees in meeting the necessary MED Clearances. The current MED clearance process for expenses incurred when deployed overseas in providing adequate children and youth encompasses three domains: general medical, education for their school-age children. behavioral health and education. MED/MHS/CFP is responsible The education allowances are designed to assist in defray- for providing clearance recommendations to the Office of MED ing those costs necessary to obtain educational services that are Clearances for behavioral health and educational needs. When an ordinarily provided free of charge by public schools in the United

52 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL States. The goal is to replicate, as closely as possible for those posted overseas, the support that would be available to parents of children in a U.S. public school district using the best Washington, D.C., metropolitan school districts (e.g., Arlington, Falls Church, Fairfax and Montgomery counties) for guidance. Under the DSSR, a child receiving SNEA must have written evidence that they meet the definition of a child with a disability under the Individuals with Disability Education Improvement Act, and there must be a formal Individualized Education Program (an “IEP”) or its equivalent, prepared by a professional medical or educational expert, that delineates which educational services are required to provide for the child’s special needs. All documenta- tion should be provided to MED by the employee and is reviewed by CFP. Finally, appreciating how the MED clearance process inter- faces with SNEA is crucial to understanding the benefits and limi- tations of this educational allowance. The MED clearance process is the first step toward meeting a child’s needs overseas. A child is medically cleared for a post if the required services are available at that post, and the SNEA may then be used to offset extra costs for the required services which are not provided free by the school or covered by the employee’s medical insurance. If, on medical clearance review, an employee or spouse has needs which cannot be met at certain overseas posts, MED will inform HR/CDA that the relevant clearance status is “post not approved.” Likewise, if a child’s medical, psychiatric or educa- tional needs cannot be met at certain posts under consideration, the child will not be medically cleared for the post.

Collaboration All CFP processes work best when there is a true partnership between parents, Foreign Service medical officers overseas and the various administrative components in the department posi- tioned domestically and abroad. Employees from the Office of Allowances, the Office of -Over seas Schools and the Family Liaison Office work closely with MHS leadership and CFP personnel to assist families in understanding how educational opportunities, educational allowances (includ- ing SNEA) and local resources enable children with special needs to be posted successfully overseas. Given the individualized requirements of IEPs and the IDIEA, CFP strongly encourages parents to contact its staff members and discuss germane elements of the processes for their child. I encourage readers to visit http://med.m.state.sbu/mhs/cfp or www.state.gov/m/med/family/index.htm, where you will find a set of frequently asked questions with CFP’s responses. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 53 FEATURE Creepy Critters We Have Known Life in the tropics demands that you make peace with a range of “creepy critters” you are bound to encounter.

BY MARGARET SULLIVAN

ou can’t live in the tropics without around to snap up insects. They bring good luck to your house, intimate contact with creepy critters. the locals tell us. We old hands delight in swapping I first met geckos (and their bigger, louder, more dragon- sagas about these encounters and like cousins, toktu) in 1951 when Dad took an assignment in regaling new arrivals with our tales Rangoon with a precursor of the U.S. Agency for International (the more unnerving, the better) to Development. My parents, siblings and I moved into a barn-like watch them squirm. Imagine a three- prewar house where geckos roamed the nearly 20-foot-high ceil- inch flying cockroach that crawls up a ings with impunity, ultimately playing a leading role in a favorite loose dress during a posh diplomatic bit of family lore. reception—more about that later. Sometime during our second year there, two American ladies YFor starters, little house lizards are ubiquitous. Their gentle of a certain age, friends of friends of friends of Mother’s, came “tik tik tik” conversation inspired different onomatopoeic names to town as part of an ambitious trip having something to do with in each place we lived. Gecko, a Malay word, is the most com- doing good works. They had prepared to encounter a vast wilder- mon. They are known as tjitjak in Indonesia (in the new spelling, ness. Wearing stout shoes and sensible dresses, they brought cicak) and tiki in the Philippines’ Visayas. along their own primus stove, dry food, pith helmets and water With sensuously sprawled, clay-pink bodies, huge round purification pills. We kids thought they were weird, to put it eyes, and four velcro-padded toes splayed out at the end of each bluntly. widespread leg, they cling to the walls and ceilings or scuttle Mother took them up to the Shwedagon, Rangoon’s huge gold Buddhist pagoda built on a sacred hilltop to house eight of the Margaret Sullivan has spent much of her life within Lord Buddha’s hairs. Like thousands of other people, they climbed 15 degrees of the equator, beginning with 18 months steep flights of cool stairs lined with stalls selling all sorts of reli- in Rangoon as a teenager in the 1950s. She later lived gious accoutrements—flowers, incense and candles as offerings— in Kuala Lumpur, Kaduna, Jakarta, Cebu, Freetown and other crafts. (I still serve dinner with a pair of brass spoons and Singapore with her FSO husband Daniel Sul- Mother bought there and gave us when we married.) livan and their four children. A longtime blogger for The Huffington At the top, all visitors remove their shoes to show respect Post, as well as an artist, Ms. Sullivan has two books and numerous before stepping out onto the sizzling white marble plaza. The magazine articles to her credit. A Foreign Service Journal article, main stupa is ringed with small ones, some gold, some white- “Remembering Another Unforgettable Day,” and this piece are washed, each dedicated to a particular day of the week and seg- among the essays that will appear in a forthcoming book, Fragments ment of that day. Each worshiper kneels at the appropriate small of a Mobile Life. stupa, puts the candle in a holder, lights it and, bowing several

54 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL COURTESY OF MARGARET SULLIVAN MARGARET OF COURTESY times, offers the flowers and incense, and prays. At dinner, the ladies bubbled on and on about their day, and particularly about their visit to what they called the “exotic gold temple.” “How nice,” one opined firmly. “They must have gotten light- ing candles from Catholicism.” With exquisite timing, a pinky-sized gecko let go of the ceil- ing. Plop. It landed in one woman’s soup bowl, splashing dollops of the liquid onto the tablecloth.

The Art of Geckos Years later, as my husband, Dan, our children and I moved from tropical post to tropical post, geckos became our house familiars. And grist for my artist’s mill: Exagger- ated, three or four feet long, their brightly painted bodies and bulging eyes, widely splayed toes, curled tails and big bellies sprawled across the ceiling, down a wall, around a corner. The high ceiling of the downstairs reception room in the American consul’s residence in Cebu, the second-largest city in the Philippines, was the best “canvas.” Soon after we moved in, I climbed a ladder, used crayons to draw the outlines, chose several colors and painted in the shapes. Blue, orange-brown, deep rose? Or was there An artist's a red in there? Five geckos graced one corner of the representation of an ceiling, twisted together on different planes. Indonesian Several nights later, we hosted our first official party. “Le gecko. tout Cebu” came, curious about the new consul and his wife. The guests arrived, enjoyed drinks and pika-pika (nibbles), and greeted each other as they continued the day’s gossip and began hard way, soon after we arrived in Rangoon. When I got up in looking around to see how we had changed the house. In time, the middle of the night to do the needful, I started to sit down the creatures on the ceiling caught a guest’s eye. Then another without looking. Whoosh! Something ran out from under me. I snuck a puzzled look. Others suppressed a smile. jumped, having met my first toktu, up close and far too personal. No one ever said anything to me about the ceiling—then. But when I returned to Cebu years later to visit friends, the first thing Snakes Alive everyone always said was: “You had those great geckos on your Snakes, of course, don’t make a distinctive sound. They just ceiling.” slither. Some spit. As the daughter of a doctor of worms and The big toktu, on the other hand, were more likely to live on parasites, not to mention bugs, I never thought I would teach the outside wall by a security light. They were not nearly as cute my kids to be afraid of such critters. After all, I grew up watching as their indoor cousins, but they had loud voices! Their distinc- snails leave slime trails up my arms and being shown my own tive call started with a rumbling “tok tok tok” until it built up to a intestinal worms in glass tubes. distinctive “toktuuuuu.” Repeat and keep repeating. But in northern Nigeria, with a 5-year-old, a 3-year-old and a In the Philippines, we were told: “Count the repeats. Seven toddler who were all much too curious for their own good, Dan and 13 are good luck.” Just three calls were bad luck. Once you and I realized we had to scare the bejeezus out of them about know, you always count. snakes. After six months in a second floor walk-up on the main Toktu don’t just live by the lights outside. Some of them street of Kaduna (with stuck kitchen drawers we couldn’t open must be amphibious and love toilet diving. I discovered that the until the dry season, only to then find them so overflowing with

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 55 cockroaches that my stomach still churns at the memory), we gerous for small children. moved into a brand-new house on the edge of the bush. There we I first encountered them as a teenager in Rangoon. Without had a garden. Or what would become a garden when the doka warning, one or more would appear on our living room’s red- (deep-rooted scrub bush) was finally dug out. concrete floor, tail up and waving. Once one even materialized With that yard came maciji—snakes. The name of one species, in the middle of the floor between two lines of dancers doing the translated from Hausa, was the “there is no tomorrow” snake. Virginia reel! We drummed into the kids that when they saw any snake, they In fact, scorpions appeared so frequently that we developed must turn and run, shrieking “Maciji!” We instructed the staff, a foolproof disposal system. Take a newspaper and plop it on particularly the gardener, to kill every snake they found and top of the intruder; then drop one or two copies of Fortune show it to me. I lost count of how many. magazine (best because they were big, thick and heavy) on top One Sunday morning in the dry season we invited another of the paper. Jump up and down on the magazines to smash the American family with children to lunch after church. Peter, the invader to bits. houseboy, appeared around the corner telling us they had a After removing the magazines for next time, carefully wrap snake for us to see. He certainly did. A python at least 12 feet the squished scorpion in the paper and trash it. Repeat as long, and maybe 18 inches in diameter was stretched out, head- needed. (We got so blasé that even my 6-year-old brother dis- less, behind the servants’ quarters. patched scorpions with great aplomb.) A few weeks into the dry season, northern Nigerians burn the When my own family moved to northern Nigeria, we faced bush to force a second growth of grass to feed cattle. The smoke the same threat. The good news was that African scorpions stuns various critters, making it a good time to hunt. The night tended to stay out in the yard. But the bad news was that they before, we had seen fires across the river and into the distance. were bigger than the Burmese variety, and more dangerous. Peter and a friend had found the python’s hole. Peter had stuck When our gardener got stung while clearing a flowerbed, his his leg down the hole, let the smoke-drugged python coil around badly swollen hand and arm were an object lesson for the kids. his leg several times and pulled it out. They had whacked off its They quickly developed a healthy skittishness about turning head with a machete and carried it back to the compound. over rocks, and learned how to do it without putting their fingers “What will you do with it?” we asked. underneath. “Good to eat,” Peter responded. We did have one or two scorpions turn up in the house. But Peter and his friend carefully removed the skin, scraped it our experience paled in comparison with that of some Peace and staked it out on the ground to dry. They then hacked the Corps Volunteers who were teachers in a much smaller town fur- body into cross sections about eight inches long and smoked ther north. They were playing bridge one evening in the walled them slowly over a smoldering fire behind the quarters. courtyard of their house. A scorpion climbed over the wall We bought the skin, which went to innumerable “show and and down toward the ground. The person who was “dummy” tells” in our kids’ classes back in the States before we finally whacked it. Soon another came over the wall. And another. Over trashed it. the course of the evening perhaps 50 appeared. Whoever was We also bought two pieces of the smoked meat and ate one, dummy was the designated scorpion whacker for that hand. tastefully prepared by the cook (I never asked how). The meat tasted like and had about the same texture as smoked pork chop. An Unwelcome Souvenir The other piece remained in the freezer so that when inspec- When our two-year tour in Kaduna ended, I supervised the tors came from Washington, I could serve it to them for dinner: packout myself (there were no moving companies then). A local “We live on the local economy. Do enjoy the python.” Alas, we team loaded most of our worldly goods into a lift van that would were reassigned before that opportunity came along. Last seen, travel by sea and eventually catch up with us. I packed a separate that piece was still in the freezer. air freight shipment that would be delivered once we were in our new house in Virginia. Stinging Visitors Weeks later, as I was unpacking that box, I discovered a scor- Scorpions look like miniature lobsters except that their tails, pion flopped on top of the stack of dinner plates. I don’t even which end in a nasty stinger, usually curl up over their backs touch dead scorpions, so I reached for the interloper with a pair ready to strike. The stings can be extremely painful, and are dan- of tongs. Up popped the tail. Away it skittered across the plate

56 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL and down into the box. Uh oh! Watching the box from a safe distance until Dan returned, all aplomb lost, I kept trying to think of where in the Washington area you called to treat scorpion stings. Walter Reed? Did we have a phone book yet? Did the phone even work? “Oh, Dan,” I called, relieved he was back. “There’s a live scor- pion in the dish box. Let’s get the box into the carport to finish unpacking it. Here are tongs. Get the plates out. Carefully.” Dan lifted the plates piece by piece, looking under each one cautiously till the scorpion appeared, nestling itself under the last one. “You could sell something like that to the zoo,” suggested the van driver who was delivering the goods left in storage. “No, we need to kill it,” I declared. Which Dan did by squash- ing the box over it, firmly. “And burn the box. Now. Who knows how many eggs might be in there? We don’t need scorpions in our Virginia garden.” So he burned it at the bottom of the driveway. That took care of that.

Bravery Above and Beyond Oh, yes, the giant cockroach up the loose dress? The time: 1960. The place: a reception at the home of the British deputy high commissioner in Kuala Lumpur, then-Malaya. I had worked closely with his wife in a well-baby clinic sponsored by the women of St. Mary’s Anglican Church, so she and her husband were kind enough to invite us. Dan was the first third secretary the U.S. embassy had ever seen, and that night we were far and away the most junior of the diplomats and government officials at the reception. I could sense the disapproval emanating from the by-the-book, rank- conscious U.S. ambassador’s wife when we greeted her. We then went to find our ambassador. He was talking with the jovial Brit who was still head of the Malayan navy. Several months pregnant, I was wearing an elegant, loose- fitting party dress. As we stood in the middle of the crowded reception talking to the two men, I felt something crawling up what I assumed was the outside of the back of my dress. “Dan,” I whispered. “Please brush off the back of my dress.” He did so unobtrusively, but fruitlessly, so I said, “Please reach just inside the neckline and find whatever it is.” “It” was a huge cockroach. While Dan rushed to the open veranda door to evict the hitch- hiker, I carried on chatting as calmly as I could. The ambassador was clearly not amused. The head of the Malayan navy smiled broadly. Fishing a coin out of his pocket, he presented it to me as a “Royal Medal for Not Screaming: Bravery Above and Beyond.” n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 57

AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION

Honoring AFSA’s 2016 Award Winners CALENDAR

September 1-30 FEGLI Open Season

September 5 Labor Day: AFSA Offices Closed September 7 12-1:30 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting

September 11-15 AFSA Road Scholar Program Washington, D.C.

September 30 7:05 p.m. Foreign Service Night at Nationals Park

October 5 12-1:30 p.m. AFSA Governing

AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA AFSA/JOAQUIN Board Meeting Counselor of the U.S. Department of State Ambassador Kristie Kenney presents the 2016 Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy award at the AFSA annual awards ceremony. October 6 2–4:30 p.m. On June 23, the American Counselor of the U.S. friend to all of the rest of us.” Everything You Need to Know about the TSP Foreign Service Associa- Department of State Accepting the award, tion held its annual awards Ambassador Kristie Kenney Amb. Davis acknowledged October 9-14 ceremony. This year AFSA presented this year’s LCAD some of the many mentors AFSA Road Scholar Program honored Ambassador Ruth A. award to Amb. Davis, citing and role models who helped Chautauqua, N.Y. her 40-year career in the to shape her career. Born in Davis with its premier honor, October 10 the Lifetime Contributions to Foreign Service, her devotion Phoenix, Arizona, in 1943, her Columbus Day: American Diplomacy Award, to diplomacy and her dedica- experience of segregation AFSA Offices Closed in recognition of her long and tion in fostering the rising and discrimination ignited a October 12 distinguished career as a generation of Foreign Service passionate desire to make 2-3:30 p.m. diplomat. officers. the world a better place. She What Is the Purpose? AFSA President Ambas- Amb. Kenney highlighted recognized that diplomacy 360 Feedback in the sador Barbara Stephenson the importance of developing would be the best possible Foreign Service opened the ceremony, par- people and talent in the For- career to allow her to do that, October 23-27 ticularly welcoming the more eign Service. The true assets she said. AFSA Road Scholar Program than 100 friends and family of the Foreign Service are the Stressing the importance Washington, D.C. members of Amb. Davis from people. of continuous education and across the United States who Describing Amb. Davis as training, Amb. Davis said she October 28 Job Search Program an example of the best of the remains particularly proud were in attendance. Amb. Graduation Reception at FSI Stephenson also recognized Foreign Service, Amb. Kenney of establishing the Foreign previous LCAD award win- said, “Ruth has never once, no Service Institute’s School ners, former Senator Richard matter how big her job or how of Leadership and Manage- Lugar and Ambassador (ret.) busy she was, been too busy ment, which is helping to Thomas Boyatt. to coach, mentor and be a Continued on p. 64

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 59 STATE VP VOICE | BY ANGIE BRYAN AFSA NEWS

Views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the AFSA State VP. Contact: [email protected] | (202) 647-8160

Taking Performance Management Seriously

One of my favorite things Unaddressed poor performance threatens about the Foreign Service is the people. Most of our col- both employee morale and institutional reputation, leagues are smart, dedicated and it’s high time we acknowledge that. and compassionate, but every now and then a poor performer makes one ques- But I’d also like to outline a conversations. The Foreign performance which led to the tion how that individual has few things here that supervi- Service Grievance Board changed responsibilities. Talk been “allowed” to remain. sors should do when they takes into account proactive to the people you supervise AFSA President Ambas- encounter a poor performer: and positive efforts (or lack early, clearly and often. And sador Barbara Stephenson (1) Do the detailed Work thereof) by the supervisor did I mention the need to and I (along with several Requirements Statement to improve the employee’s document all this in writing? Governing Board members) (not just the work respon- performance when consider- (6) Don’t go it alone or ran for office under the ban- sibilities portion of the ing a grievance. you risk making it look like ner of “Strong Diplomacy,” Employee Evaluation Review) (4) Be as specific as a personal vendetta. Keep vowing that we would use our within the 45-day timeframe. possible when counseling. your supervisor(s) informed time in office to strengthen The earlier you establish in Outline in writing (ideally on about not only the poor the Foreign Service both writing your goals and expec- the Professional Develop- performance, but also what internally and in terms of its tations, the earlier you can ment Form) steps you expect you’re doing about it. Ensure public image. Unaddressed begin addressing anyone who the employee to take to that your supervisor agrees poor performance threatens is veering off course. demonstrate improvement. with your approach and both employee morale and (2) Ask the employee Schedule a follow-up meeting will support your decisions. institutional reputation, and what’s behind the poor to assess how the employee Encourage your supervisor it’s high time we acknowl- performance. Is something is doing, and document the to counsel the employee. No edge that. personal going on, is he or results of that meeting. If reviewing officer wants to Here’s the bottom line: if she overworked, or does the examples of poor perfor- learn of problems for the first supervisors of poor per- employee need training? mance or conduct as well as time when they see a draft formers do not fulfill their What can you do to help over- your efforts to improve the EER. responsibilities by counseling come such obstacles? situation are clearly docu- Yes, we are all busy, and and documenting as many (3) Address the first mented, the FSGB will find good performance man- examples as possible, then instance of poor perfor- it much easier to assess a agement takes time and the employees’ chances mance instead of waiting grievance fairly. energy—but I guarantee you of successfully grieving until they pile up. If the (5) Whenever you need that you will be glad to have evaluations are exponentially employee turns things to reallocate work, such as all that documentation at higher. A large percentage of around and works to correct shifting reporting portfo- hand if a grievance is filed. If grievances won by poor per- the deficiency, you aren’t lios, meet with the affected we want the Foreign Service formers would likely not have obligated to mention in the employees, discuss your to maintain its reputation succeeded had the relevant EER that you counseled thinking and expectations, for excellence, we need to supervisors taken decisive him or her. Counseling is and adjust work require- ensure the professional steps earlier in the process. designed to help people ments. If the change is the development of our people In recent years, the Foreign improve, not to punish them. result of poor performance, and, just as importantly, Service Institute has added The goal should be to fuel document it. Far too often we retain the ability to separate modules to supervisory and excellence and build on see cases where employees (through proper procedures) leadership courses, on man- people’s strengths, along are removed from projects those who fail to uphold our aging poor performers and with correcting any defi- or duties, only to be penal- standards of performance or having difficult conversations. ciencies via frequent, rich ized in their EERs for sub-par conduct. n

60 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FCS VP VOICE | BY STEVE MORRISON AFSA NEWS

Views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the AFSA FCS VP. Contact: [email protected] or (202) 482-9088

The Golden Rule: Paradox or Words to Live By?

Which is the real Golden A key concern for AFSA was to ensure the —have gone up 167 percent Rule—“Do unto others as Commercial Service’s ability to effectively (from $18.9 million in 2006 you would have them do unto to $50 million today). you” or “Whoever has the train its existing, on-board FSOs. Again, is it any wonder gold makes the rules”? that we are seeing such an In the case of the Com- increased concentration of mercial Service–Global Mar- spending—and travel—here kets and our parent agency, at the Commerce Depart- the International Trade contacts in the host country, in the newly consolidated ITA, ment while the field suffers Administration, it would engage with the culture and “the meeting is the metric”? and declines? seem the latter is much connect with host govern- One thing we have learned So, when management or closer to the truth. ment officials, all of which are is that while the budget for leadership implores the field As you may know, AFSA crucial to our mission. the CS–GM has gone up 25 to tighten their belt, do more wrote to FCS manage- What else did AFSA’s percent overall in the past with less or dare to be differ- ment on May 20, objecting protestations produce? A lot 10 years ($261 million to ent, remember the Golden to wasteful spending and of worried faces, but no end roughly $325 million today), Rule. If there is little or no egregious cuts to mandatory to questionable and duplica- ITA Centralized Services desire to reduce—or hold officer training. tive headquarters travel. Is it charges—the cost for CS– the line on—headquarters Of particular concern was any wonder that officers are GM to be a part of ITA and spending or travel, why not questionable headquarters beginning to question whether the Commerce Department cut the field? n travel; who travels where, why, and who they get to bring with them (for example, LONG TERM CARE PREMIUM HIKES does an under or assistant secretary really need three Recent news about large rate increases for Federal Long Term Care Insurance or four assistants when Program has our members, and employees and retirees across the U.S. government, traveling—without firms— very concerned. overseas?). This wasteful AFSA has sent a letter to the relevant House and Senate Committees, urging spending continued even as them to hold hearings on this issue and is also working with other unions that repre- management was cutting sent federal workers to coordinate advocacy at the agency and congressional levels. NEWS BRIEF post payroll, as well as train- Meanwhile, FLTCIP enrollees should receive a 2016 Enrollee Decision Period ing and local travel budgets. packet of personalized options: (1) maintaining current coverage with premium A key concern for AFSA increase (default if no action taken); (2) reducing coverage to maintain current pre- was to ensure the Commercial mium; and, (3) various mixes of the first two. A fourth option (offered to some) caps Service’s ability to effectively benefits at the policy’s value while stopping premiums. train its existing, on-board The deadline to decide is Sept. 30. Enrollees should contact LTC Partners (www. FSOs. Thankfully, funds for LTCFEDS.com, or call 1-800-582-3337) to explore options. Members should note that officer language training were these increases parallel what has been happening in private markets. restored, thus avoiding a The industry is experiencing real turbulence; many companies have stopped LTC situation in which CS officers coverage, and John Hancock is the only carrier still bidding on the FLTCIP business. cannot compete against their That business will remain fragile until insurers get the actuarial realities right and peers and our effectiveness interest rates increase. overseas is limited. See the August AFSA Newsletter (www.afsa.org/retiree-newsletters) for more Language training, in information, and look for Retiree VP Tom Boyatt’s special report in the October FSJ. n particular, is essential to —Janet Hedrick, Member Services Director help FSOs build rapport with

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 61 RETIREE VP VOICE | BY TOM BOYATT AFSA NEWS

Views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the AFSA Retiree VP. Contact: [email protected] | (202) 338-4045

In Defense of Dissent

Recently 51 Foreign Service of having used the Dis- Roger Davies to raise his In the mid-1990s, more officers serving in the State sent Channel to attempt to children. The decision on than a dozen FSOs dealing Department and abroad change our Cyprus policy “outing the dissent” is nei- with the disintegration of signed a dissent memoran- in 1974, over 25 years as a ther easy to make, nor easy Yugoslavia sent a dissent dum criticizing the Obama judge on the panel select- to live with. memorandum arguing for administration’s Syria policy ing winners of the William R. The claim that the Dis- a robust military response and calling for a more robust Rivkin Award for “construc- sent Channel never matters to Serbian ethnic cleansing. military response for both tive dissent,” and on the is historically inaccurate and Secretary of State Warren strategic and humanitar- study incident to lecturing shallow. The six major dis- Christopher met with the ian reasons. The dissenters entering FSOs on “Advocacy sents since establishment dissidents and within a short and their views are already and Dissent” since 1988. of the Dissent Channel con- period U.S, policy changed referred to as “Dissent 51.” On the issue of making tradict the cynicism. In the dramatically. President Clin- The public reaction has dissenting views public, the late 1960s and early 1970s, ton ordered action against been generally favorable. choice is neither easy nor dissent against the policy in the Serbs, including the Even those strongly dis- clear. If career diplomats Vietnam was wide-spread bombing of Belgrade for 79 agreeing with the dissent- take their dissenting views among career officers. straight days. Their return ers reluctantly lauded their to the media and Congress, Without a Dissent Channel, to the negotiating table gave courage. They were right it is “leaking,” bordering on several resigned. Within a the entire region a second to do so. Since 1970 some disloyalty. If the adminis- decade the views of the dis- chance. (The talks leading dissenters have prospered; tration argues its views to senters had been vindicated to the Dayton Accords were others have seen their the media and Congress on by events on the ground. led on the U.S. side by the careers wither. All have done background, it is “strategic In 1970-1971 more than late Ambassador Richard their duty. communications.” I chose to 20 FSOs at the consulate Holbrooke, an FSO who had Dissent as a duty flows keep my dissent in house, general in East Pakistan resigned over Vietnam.) from the Foreign Service and have been haunted by (now Bangladesh) and in the Iraq and Afghanistan officer’s oath of office. We that decision since. department sent a Dissent have witnessed much dis- swear “to support and My dissent failed to Channel message criticizing sent, formal and informal, defend the Constitution change policy. As a result, U.S. inaction in the face of involving serving FSOs and of the United States.” Our the Greek military junta a murderous onslaught by their retired colleagues. loyalty must be first and staged a coup on Cyprus the West Pakistan Army. The These debates continue, foremost to the national that overthrew President Blood Telegram (Knopf Dou- to the great benefit of the interest, and that means we Makarios, which led to the bleday, 2013) gives an excel- national interest. must give political leader- Turkish invasion of Cyprus, lent account of this perhaps Dissent at the State ships our best analysis and which led to an attack on unavoidable tragedy; Archer Department has a long and advice, whether such is our embassy in Nicosia in Blood was consul general in honorable record, which is welcome or not. which my friend and col- Dhaka at the time. why Secretary John F. Kerry With respect to Syria, league, Ambassador Roger In 1974 dissent over is respectful of the process. some commentators Davies (among others), was Cyprus policy failed. Histori- Many among the political criticized the fact that the murdered. cal articles and books have leaderships, the media, dissent was made public. If I had “gone public,” it since made it clear that historians and informed citi- Others were dismissive, might well have generated the responsible FSOs cor- zens are equally respectful. claiming that the State a policy change blocking rectly analyzed the situa- It is for us to honor our Department’s “Dissent the Greek colonels’ coup on tion and proposed specific past, and the brave and loyal Channel” never makes a dif- Cyprus, which would have actions that might well have colleagues who have joined ference to foreign policy. erased the Turkish pretext forestalled the crisis and the honor roll over Syria. We Here is my take based for invading the Island, avoided the subsequent salute you, “Dissent 51.” n on the personal experience which would have allowed policy and human disasters.

62 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

Meet the AFSA Labor Management Team

Who We Are responsibility, to act for and Why We Do It AFSA is both a professional negotiate collective bargain- Everyone is association and a labor ing agreements covering all entitled to due union. While members tend employees in the bargaining process. One of the to be familiar with the activi- unit, regardless of whether objectives of the ties of the professional side they pay dues to AFSA. Foreign Service Act of AFSA (i.e., the Foreign The vast majority of is to ensure a “fair Service Journal, the annual Foreign Service employees and effective system awards ceremony and out- are members of the AFSA for the resolution of reach to raise awareness and bargaining unit. Those who individual grievances appreciation for the Foreign are not (for example ambas- that will ensure the Service), they may not be sadors or deputy chiefs of fullest measure of as familiar with the work of mission) still benefit from the due process for the AFSA’s labor management agreements AFSA has made members of the For- AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA. AFSA/JOAQUIN (LM) staff. with the various Foreign Ser- eign Service (empha- Sharon L. Papp The LM staff carries out vice agencies; most agree- sis added).” AFSA’s union activities under ments apply equally to all According to the direction of the elected employees. AFSA’s bylaws, the most of “similar penalty for like agency vice presidents (AFSA For example, LM has nego- important purposes and offense” and to take mitigat- has elected VPs for State, tiated procedural precepts objectives of AFSA are: “To ing factors into account when USAID, Foreign Agricultural for the selection boards, further the interests and well- determining an appropriate Service and Foreign Com- grievance and discipline being of the members of the penalty. mercial Service) or elected regulations, and open assign- association” and “to repre- If you have a grievance agency representatives ment rules, which apply to sent members of the Foreign or other concern, AFSA’s LM (with a current vacancy for all members of the Foreign Service of the United States, staff may be able to assist the Broadcasting Board of Service. in accordance with Chapter you or contact the relevant Governors). In addition to negotiating 10 (Labor-Management Rela- agency on your behalf. Before The staff consists of five on behalf of all of the mem- tions) and 11 (Grievances) contacting AFSA, we recom- attorneys, two labor man- bers of the Foreign Service, of the Foreign Service Act of mend that you attempt to agement advisers and two AFSA also assists individual 1980.” resolve the problem infor- support staff. Collectively, we members with a number In its role as a labor union, mally. have more than 100 years of of issues, including griev- AFSA negotiated the rules If you have been unable experience at AFSA. ances; security clearance relating to how employees to do so, contact AFSA’s issues (including assignment are counseled and how their LM team to see how we can What We Do restrictions); Diplomatic performance is evaluated. It assist you (www.afsa.org/ The Foreign Service Act Security, Office of Inspector is the LM staff’s responsibility member-guidance). created a unique bargaining General and Office of Civil to “police” these agreements, This is the first in a new unit that includes supervisors Rights investigations; dis- ensuring they are honored for series from the LM team. If and employees performing cipline cases; and Account- everyone, including employ- there is any LM-related topic many different functions ability Review Board proceed- ees who did not meet perfor- you would like more informa- (e.g., political officers, doc- ings, to name a few. mance requirements or who tion about, please contact tors, information manage- Because employees may have engaged in misconduct. Associate Editor Gemma ment specialists, diplomatic hire a private attorney or Similarly, the discipline Dvorak ([email protected]). security agents and consular represent themselves in such regulations, which AFSA We will try to address your officers). issues, only AFSA dues-pay- negotiated with the foreign questions in a later column. n As a union, AFSA has the ing members are eligible for affairs agencies, require the —Sharon L. Papp, legal right, as well as the legal these types of LM services. agencies to follow the precept General Counsel

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 63 AFSA NEWS

Awards Ceremony his career to the promotion Continued from page 59 of democracy. change the culture of the In his remarks, Mr. Honig- Foreign Service and Civil stein recalled the uphill battle Service. he and his colleagues led in AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA AFSA/JOAQUIN She also called on the Sri Lanka. “It seemed like State Department to step honor Foreign Service per- sador for whom the award is every three months we moved up efforts to promote equal sonnel who demonstrate the named, presented the award the ball forward on human opportunities for all races, courage to speak out on an to Jefferson Smith of U.S. rights and democracy in ways ethnicities, ages, genders unjust or inefficient policy or Embassy Kuwait. This award, everyone said was impossible and traditionally under- practice and offer construc- made possible by the Rivkin until we actually did it.” Always represented minority groups. tive alternatives. family, supports constructive optimistic, he insisted that Amb. Davis underlined the This year only one award, dissent by mid-level FSOs. with “patience a good plan, critical importance of good the William R. Rivkin Award While in Kuwait, Mr. Smith and hard work, we can make leadership. “In order to for Constructive Dissent wrote a thoughtful cable the world a better place.” have world-class diplomacy, by a Mid-Level Officer, was to the State Department Dr. Palmer also congratu- we must have world-class presented. Introducing the requesting reconsideration lated runner-up USAID FSO diplomats—diplomats who award, Amb. Stephenson of compensation standards Steven Hendrix, currently understand that our success reaffirmed AFSA’s support for posts where prevailing posted in Ghana. hinges on good leadership for “principled constructive practice is unfair to locally Former AFSA President and that leadership is a privi- dissent as a core value of the employed (LE) staff. John K. Naland received the lege, not a right.” Foreign Service” and noted Although unable to effect Achievements and Contri- See page 24 for FSJ Editor that, with the recent—highly a worldwide policy change at butions to the Association Shawn Dorman’s interview publicized—use of the State this time, Mr. Smith’s efforts Award, presented by AFSA with Amb. Davis and page 66 Department’s Dissent Chan- did secure a 22-percent sal- President Ambassador Bar- for her acceptance speech. nel, it does not seem that the ary increase, as well as hous- bara Stephenson. Mr. Naland Foreign Service is backing ing and education allowances served two terms as AFSA CONSTRUCTIVE away from dissent when for LE staff in Kuwait. president and one as State DISSENT AWARD necessary. In accepting the award, vice president; his leadership Each year, AFSA’s unique The Honorable Robert S. Mr. Smith paid tribute to LE was crucial when AFSA was constructive dissent awards Rivkin, son of the late ambas- staff around the world, add- able to overcome legislative ing: “Rather than following resistance to Overseas Com- an unfair labor market, we parability Pay. felt that the embassy should Mr. Naland’s support lead the way to better labor continued after his AFSA practices.” See page 36 for presidency, as he drew atten- Mr. Smith’s article on dissent. tion to matters of importance to our members in his role EXEMPLARY as director of the Office of PERFORMANCE Retirement. AWARDS Toni Kula of U.S. Embassy Dr. Sushma Palmer Santo Domingo received presented the Mark Palmer the Nelson B. Delavan Award Award for the Advance- for an Office Management ment of Democracy to Mike Specialist, presented by Honigstein, currently of U.S. Amb. Thomas Boyatt. Made Embassy Kabul. The award possible by the Nelson B.

AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA AFSA/JOAQUIN was created in honor of her Delavan Foundation, this Ambassador Kristie Kenney (left) and AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson (right) congratulate Ambassador Ruth Davis (center) on her late husband, Ambassador award recognizes the work achievement. Mark Palmer, who devoted of a Foreign Service OMS

64 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA AFSA/JOAQUIN Ambassador Ruth Davis with two former recipients of the Lifetime Contributions Award; former Senator Richard Lugar (left) and Ambassador (ret.) Thomas Boyatt (right).

colleague Joseph Carnes accepted the award on his behalf from AFSA Secretary AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA AFSA/JOAQUIN Top row (l-r)–Amy Clutter, Mike Honigstein, AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, Jefferson Smith, William Haugh. John Naland and Joseph Carnes (representing Karn Carlson). Bottom row (l-r)–Shawn Akard, Ambassador Kristie Mr. Carlson sent his Kenney, Ambassador Ruth Davis, Sara Locke and Toni Kula. thanks to AFSA. Highlight- gratulated runner-up Berna ing the theme Amb. Davis Keen of U.S. Embassy Dhaka. presented in her opening Ambassador (ret.) Avis speech, Carlson urged the T. Bohlen presented the Avis Foreign Service to “continu- Bohlen Award for a Foreign ally work to take care of our Service Family Member, most important resource— named for her mother, to the people.” Shawn Akard of U.S. Embassy The hundreds of guests Amman. This award, made then enjoyed a champagne possible by the Una Chapman reception, where they could AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA AFSA/JOAQUIN AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA AFSA/JOAQUIN Sara Locke receives the M. Juanita Avis Bohlen Award recipient Shawn Cox Foundation, honors a mingle and congratulate this Guess Award from Jon Clements. Akard with her daughter Claire. Foreign Service family mem- year’s winners. ber who has advanced U.S. AFSA looks forward to who has made a significant award, created and sponsored interests with American and continuing the tradition of contribution to post or office by Clements Worldwide, cel- foreign communities at post. honoring the best of the For- effectiveness and morale ebrates a Community Liaison While working in Jordan, eign Service, and we encour- beyond the framework of Officer whose commitment Ms. Akard helped to triple age our members to think their job responsibilities. substantially aided the fami- family member employ- ahead to November, when we Accepting the award, lies of Americans serving at ment in the country, as well will start accepting nomina- Ms. Kula said: “Becoming posts overseas. as running more than 100 tions for the 2017 awards. involved with the embassy In receiving the award, workshops on professional Learn more at www.afsa. community is the best way to Ms. Locke noted that, in an skills for Jordanian university org/awards. You may watch not only integrate into life at embassy environment that graduates. The runner-up for the entire awards ceremony post, but to also get to know is highly restricted, the role this award was Amy Clutter, at www.afsa.org/video, and the locals and their country.” of the CLO is deeply impor- of U.S. Embassy Accra. see photos at www.flickr.com/ Jon Clements, CEO and tant for maintaining morale. The final award was americanforeignservice. n chairman of Clements World- Acknowledging her Beirut presented to the Post Rep- —Gemma Dvorak, wide, presented the M. Juanita colleagues, she also thanked resentative of the Year, Karn Associate Editor, with Awards Guess Award for a Community AFSA for recognizing the Carlson of U.S. Consulate Intern Eunice Ajayi and Liaison Officer to Sara Locke work of CLOs across the Nuevo Laredo. Although he Communications Intern of U.S. Embassy Beirut. This world. Mr. Clements also con- was unable to attend, his Martin Vasev

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 65 AFSA NEWS AFSA LIFETIME CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICAN DIPLOMACY AWARD

To Soar Like A Phoenix BY AMBASSADOR RUTH A. DAVIS

The following is excerpted regation and discrimination, that formula just won’t work from Amb. Davis’ acceptance but these scars ignited in me a in this complex, tumultu- speech. For a video of the passionate desire to make the ous, rapidly changing world. event, visit www.afsa.org/ world a better place. The international challenges video. And so it came to pass, today are much more varied

about half a century ago, and seemingly more intense COMMONS CREATIVE Counselor Kenney, President when I was a student at the than when I joined the Foreign will be done to strengthen a of AFSA Ambassador Barbara University of California at Service at the end of the culture of learning, so that Stephenson, colleagues, rela- Berkeley, early one morning 1960s … Today’s diplomat training is deeply valued, not tives and friends who have I was out on the picket line must be prepared to practice just by individuals but by the traveled from throughout the protesting for a Black Studies not just diplomacy, but mega- department’s principals and in United States to be with us… program. At mid-day, I put diplomacy. its operational policies. I am particularly pleased to my sign down, rushed to the It is not enough to recruit Good leadership recog- have been selected to receive airport, boarded a plane to the best and the brightest. nizes that diversity is essen- AFSA’s Lifetime Contribu- Washington and entered the The department must do tial in utilizing the best of tions to American Diplomacy U.S. Foreign Service. everything possible to culti- America’s intellectual capital. Award because, AFSA and I The first thing I was vate the talents and grow the It is incumbent upon the State have always been on the same required to do was sign an capacity of its people. That Department, and those of you wave length. Even in instances oath that I would not strike means continuous education who are in leadership posi- when I was Director General against the U.S. government. and training sustained across tions, to continue and step and we didn’t agree on the Oh my! I’ve been co-opted, I an entire career. up efforts to promote equal means of achieving our goals, said, and never looked back! Nancy McEldowney, direc- opportunity and inclusion for we agreed on the fundamen- Everybody who knows me, tor of the Foreign Service all American employees of tal principal that the key to knows that I love the State Institute, told me: “We often the Foreign and Civil Service. enhancing the effectiveness of Department, that I believe it say our people are our most I enjoy my continued “volun- the Foreign Service is through is a wonderful institution, and important asset. But far too tary” work with department a focus on its people and the that the greatest honor of often we fail to put reality officials on this issue. I hope resources needed to achieve my life has been to serve this behind the rhetoric. We still they enjoy my help ... U.S. foreign policy goals and organization and the people push people out to post and I thank AFSA for the objectives. Thank you AFSA! in it … into new jobs without giving singular honor of the Lifetime You all know the legend I learned early on what a them the benefit of full train- Contributions to American of the phoenix—the bird valuable resource the people ing and preparation. We still Diplomacy Award. I will value that rose from its own ashes of the department are and have a culture that minimizes it and this day forever. I close and was more beautiful and fully agree with my former the value of study and reflec- by saying of my amazing magnificent than ever. Well, I boss, Secretary Colin Pow- tion. And we still do not put career in the Foreign Service was born in Phoenix, Arizona, ell, who said: “Organization the necessary resources into and my love for the Depart- and was raised in Atlanta, doesn’t really accomplish training and education.” ment of State that, short of whose symbol is the phoe- anything. Plans don’t accom- When AFSA President being a multimillionaire, there nix. So I always believed that plish anything, either. Theories Ambassador Barbara Ste- is nothing that I would rather from ashes you could make of management don’t much phenson was dean of FSI’s have done than to be a U.S. beautiful things, from chaos matter, since endeavors suc- Leadership School, she drove Foreign Service officer and you could make peace and ceed or fail because of the an effort to build a culture of an ambassador extraordinary from despair you could bring people involved.” leadership throughout the and plenipotentiary of the happiness. Someone once said that department. I applaud that United States of America—in As a proud child of the diplomats must think twice effort and hope it continues. a career where I could soar South, I bear the scars of seg- before saying nothing. Well, I also hope that more work like a phoenix. n

66 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA CONSTRUCTIVE DISSENT AWARDS AFSA NEWS

Profiles of award recipients compiled by Gemma Dvorak.

THE WILLIAM R. RIVKIN AWARD FOR A MID-LEVEL FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER JEFFERSON SMITH Compensating Local Staff in Unfair Labor Markets

Presenting the William R. exploitation and of LE staff families Rivkin Award for Constructive support traffick- have been reunited, Dissent by a Mid-Level FSO, ing in persons and while productivity the Honorable Robert Rivkin other human rights and morale have pointed out that “dissent abuses. greatly improved. doesn’t have to be successful Mr. Smith In his acceptance to be important—but it sure listened to his LE remarks, Mr. Smith is nice when it does succeed.” staff’s stories of suggested that the Recipient Jefferson Smith, “getting by” despite department should he said, is exactly the kind of a four-year wage establish minimum

Foreign Service officer the freeze and sky- SMITH JEFFERSON OF COURTESY standards below Rivkin family had in mind rocketing cost of Jefferson Smith (second from right) meets with the local staff which they simply committee members at U.S. Embassy Kuwait. when establishing this award; living. He found that won’t go, regardless an exemplar of his profession. some 40 percent of the TCN of the prevailing practice in Early in his tenure as man- employees had sent their any country. agement counselor at U.S. spouses and children home “Our Foreign Service Embassy Kuwait, Jefferson because of steeply rising depends on LE staff all around Smith noted that there were housing and education costs. the world,” Smith explained. more than 200 third-country Other LE staff hailed from “We owe it to them, to the nationals (TCNs) from 27 conflict zones, so they did not Foreign Service, and to the countries working for the have that option. American people for whom embassy as locally employed Working with other posts they work and sacrifice to (LE) staff (formerly known as in the Gulf region, Mr. Smith ensure that the most vulner- Foreign Service Nationals, or took the data he gathered to SOSA AFSA/JOAQUIN able of our employees are paid Jefferson Smith receives his award FSNs). the Bureau of Near Eastern from the Honorable Robert Rivkin, at least a living wage.” He also saw that there Affairs, to the Director General son of the late Ambassador William Mr. Smith’s success in Rivkin. were no Kuwaiti nationals and to the under secretary for Kuwait will serve as a model working at the embassy. The management, proposing that as he and others continue to reason for this soon became the State Department define a account for labor abuses. fight for a more equitable way clear—the embassy did not new standard for compensat- Mr. Smith’s preparation to compensate employees pay enough to attract them. ing LE staff at posts employ- and encouragement to action under these conditions. In line with department ing TCNs in an unfair labor had an effect. The under Jefferson Smith has served policy of following local prac- market. secretary for management in Kuwait since 2014. As a tice when setting compen- Mr. Smith’s commitment approved a Public Inter- management-coned FSO, he sation, many of the TCN LE to this issue motivated other est Determination (a policy has had opportunities to serve staff were earning wages and sections at U.S. Embassy exception) to create housing in consular, economic, political benefits too low to support Kuwait to research and and education allowances for and management functions in their families. produce data about the dif- LE staff, and moved Kuwait to six overseas assignments and In countries with free ficulties faced by their TCNs, the top of the list for the next four regional bureaus, includ- and fair labor markets, local including the problems faced tranche of wage increases. ing Kingston, Dar es Salaam practice guidelines work well. by all expatriates (includ- The result was a 22-per- (twice), Yaoundé and Dublin, But in some countries labor ing Americans employed in cent increase in salary, on as well as Washington, D.C. He markets are simply abysmal the local market) in holding average, in addition to the new and his wife, Stacey, have five and at times foster labor Kuwaiti citizen employers to allowances. With this, dozens children. n

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THE MARK PALMER AWARD FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF DEMOCRACY MICHAEL HONIGSTEIN

Accepting the award, Mr. Transformational Diplomacy Honigstein said that Ameri- can diplomats should “shine As head of the political section a light” in countries where at U.S. Embassy Colombo, citizens cannot do so them- which covers both Sri Lanka selves. The way to do that is and Maldives, Michael by “sticking to our values—as Honigstein worked to assist we are always stronger when Sri Lanka with reconciliation we stick by our values—and efforts following its 30-year making statements, pushing civil war, supported work U.N. resolutions and mak- toward a democratic transi- ing clear what is right. The tion in Maldives, and pro- other way to put pressure moted human rights in both on is to find brave people in countries. that culture who are willing to In Sri Lanka, the govern- stand up for what is right and ment led by then-President support them.” COURTESY OF MICHAEL HONIGSTEIN MICHAEL OF COURTESY Percy Mahendra Rajapaksa Michael Honigstein, second from right, attends a conference with the In a subsequent assign- was becoming increasingly National Peace Council of Sri Lanka in Colombo. ment, as head of the human authoritarian—using the rights unit in the State Depart- security forces to repress ment’s Bureau of International dissent and tightly control- Organizations, Mr. Honigstein ling free speech. It was widely helped transform the United accepted at that time that Nations Human Rights Rajapaksa would be president Council into a body that more for life; indeed, he had already effectively supported human amended the constitution to rights and democracy world- remove term limits. wide. He worked to promote Knowing that any Sri Lank- democracy in Iran, North ans who spoke out against Korea and Côte d’Ivoire, and the regime in power were also ensured a special session threatened, killed or simply on the Syrian crisis. AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA AFSA/JOAQUIN “disappeared,” Mr. Honigstein Michael Honigstein receives the Mark Palmer Award from Dr. Sushma Mr. Honigstein served worked closely with the other Palmer. The award, which is named for Dr. Palmer’s late husband, is being earlier as the peace process sections and agencies at the given for the second time this year. officer in Israel, worked on embassy to develop a strategy the crisis in Darfur in both to promote and protect a particular threat. He also used In January 2015, President Washington and Khartoum, dialogue on democracy and embassy statements to create Rajapaksa unexpectedly lost and helped open the consul- to support human rights advo- space for discussion in the his bid for re-election. His ate general—now embassy— cates willing to speak out at media. opponent ran on a platform of in Juba, South Sudan. Other great personal risk. This approach was not good governance, promoting postings include Gabon, São Aware that the Sri Lankan without risk; Mr. Honigstein democracy and protecting Tomé and Príncipe, and the authorities were hesitant to was directly warned by the human rights. AFSA applauds Bahamas. Currently he is kill embassy contacts, Mr. Sri Lankan Secretary of Mr. Honigstein for his actions developing and implementing Honigstein ensured that they Defense—himself a suspected in defending these values and strategies to reform the elec- knew that embassy staff were war criminal—to cease his enabling the free dialogue of toral process in Afghanistan at meeting with those under “regime-change” activities. the Sri Lankan people. U.S. Embassy Kabul. n

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ASSOCIATION AWARD JOHN NALAND Promoting the AFSA Brand

“John’s first term as AFSA president coincided with Secretary of State Colin Powell coming into office,” said AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, intro- ducing John Naland, recipient of AFSA’s Achievements and Contributions to the Associa- tion Award. “John was a strong advo- cate of the need to grow and properly invest in training the Foreign Service. He was also a superb defender of the career and profession. His quiet dip- lomatic ability to boldly and clearly express on behalf of

AFSA the needs of the Foreign SOSA AFSA/JOAQUIN Service was powerful and influential,” she added. was on the front lines of reports from the American as director of the Office of Mr. Naland served as the debate about war-zone Academy of Diplomacy and Retirement at the Department AFSA president from 2001 to service, consistently stand- the Foreign Affairs Council of State, he found ways to 2003 and again from 2007 ing up for the Foreign Service and was a strong advocate for address issues he knew were to 2009. During his second when some in Congress and assisting other organizations of direct importance to AFSA term, he focused on Overseas the media questioned their that serve the larger Foreign members nearing retirement Comparability Pay or the “pay willingness to serve in Iraq. Service community. and in transition. equity gap” for members of Leading by example, Mr. He supported the Associa- Always accessible and the Foreign Service that had Naland announced that he tion for Diplomatic Studies extremely well-informed, Mr. continued to grow. would leave the AFSA presi- and Training and the Foreign Naland’s unassuming style His consistent focus on dency three months early to Service Youth Foundation, as and quiet demeanor are this issue made an enormous be a team leader for one of the well as the Associates of the his strengths. They are, in difference, and it was at the many Provincial Reconstruc- American Foreign Service fact, personal qualities that end of his term in 2009 that tion Teams in Iraq. By volun- Worldwide and the Senior Liv- deserve public acknowledge- the first tranche of funds teering to serve in Basrah, ing Foundation of the Ameri- ment. needed to begin to close away from his young family, can Foreign Service. Each of Currently president of the gap was appropriated, a he showed great integrity. these organizations received the Foreign Service Youth significant and historic victory Under Mr. Naland’s stew- a special mention in Mr. Foundation, Mr. Naland served for the AFSA membership. ardship, AFSA membership Naland’s remarks on accept- as a Foreign Service officer in During that same time grew significantly, and the ing the award. Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico frame, the situation in Iraq association’s resources were Mr. Naland’s support for and Nicaragua, as well as in was at its most difficult for the protected. He was directly the FS community and AFSA Washington, D.C. n Foreign Service. Mr. Naland involved in developing seminal has continued. While serving

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THE NELSON B. DELAVAN AWARD FOR A FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST TONI KULA

Domingo to deliver toys and Coordination and Community: Enhancing supplies to an orphanage and Relations in the Dominican Republic to donate shovels, garbage bags, hand sanitizer and their free time to clean up one of Toni Kula is an ideal recipi- the dirtiest beaches in the ent of the Nelson B. Delavan Dominican Republic. Award, according to her Following a spate of high- colleagues. As the ambas- level visitors and generator sador’s office management outages that had shut down specialist (OMS), she has operations for days and made exceptional contribu- brought down mission tions to U.S. Embassy Santo morale, Ms. Kula organized Domingo, both in her official an afternoon ice cream role and in her extensive vol- social at which the ambas- untary work supporting the sador and deputy chief of embassy community. mission scooped ice cream Ms. Kula has built excellent and served cake to express relationships with colleagues appreciation to embassy COURTESY OF TONI KULA TONI OF COURTESY across agencies, as dem- Toni Kula coordinates embassy volunteers cleaning up Guibia Beach, employees. onstrated by the number of Dominican Republic. Not forget- people who supported her As the embassy’s Federal ting the embassy nomination for this award. Woman’s Program Coordi- community’s four- She has consistently dis- nator, Ms. Kula organized a legged friends, she played high-quality perfor- widely praised film screening also established mance in a challenging office. that highlighted the serious Patitas Unidas When the embassy hosted problem of sex trafficking in (United Paws), an a VIP visitor in 2015, Ms. the Dominican Republic. The embassy group Kula’s planning and coordina- film was shown to a broad focused on animal tion between U.S. Citizenship cross-section of Dominican care and rights. and Immigration Services, the students, entrepreneurs and Ms. Kula’s flex- consular section’s Immigrant government officials. ibility and cheer- Visa Unit, public affairs and Ms. Kula has enhanced ful willingness to the front office enabled the mission morale and the do any task has visit to go without a hitch. welfare of all of its employees helped advance The visitor and his staff were and family members by plan- mission goals and highly complimentary of the ning activities ranging from the well-being of professionalism and effi- the holiday children’s party to the embassy com- ciency of the process. organizing yoga classes. munity. Ms. Kula In presenting the award, When accepting the joined the Foreign AFSA Retiree Vice President Nelson B. Delavan Award, Service in 2002 Ambassador Thomas Boyatt Ms. Kula, a self-described and has served in acknowledged the tremen- Foreign Service brat, spoke KULA TONI OF COURTESY San Jose, Paris, dous contributions OMSs of the importance of building Toni Kula visits an orphanage Panama City and Washington, outside Santo Domingo, where the make to U.S. missions world- a community while overseas. embassy community delivered toys D.C. She is currently posted in wide, as well as recognizing She encouraged the staff and and much-needed supplies for the Santo Domingo. n Ms. Kula personally. families of Embassy Santo children.

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THE M. JUANITA GUESS AWARD FOR A COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICE COORDINATOR SARA LOCKE Embracing Life in Lebanon

Presenting the M. Juanita Guess Award for a Com- tions from participants. As munity Liaison Office a result, many policies and Coordinator to Sara Locke, practices were changed, Jon Clements noted that it with new ideas brought takes a very special CLO to forward and implemented. be nominated twice for this In particular, she has worked award. Ms. Locke, the CLO to include spouses in all at U.S. Embassy Beirut and aspects of embassy life, last year’s runner-up for the from social events to emer- Guess Award, is one such gency preparations, and COURTESY OF SARA LOCKE SARA OF COURTESY person. lobbied on behalf of spouses Sara Locke (right) attends the Embassy Beirut 4th of July party. Quoting from her and family members to find nomination, Mr. Clements rewarding jobs in the mis- with plenty to see said: “There is probably no sion. and do, the terror- other person in the mis- With many tourist spots ist threats are real, sion who receives as much considered too dangerous to and the security unanimous, universal praise visit, Ms. Locke sought out restrictions have as Sara for her efforts in new entertainment venues a serious impact turning around the rapidly and cultural events, such as on our lives, deteriorating morale at U.S. concerts, museums, restau- and thereby our Embassy Beirut.” rants and food festivals. morale.”

As a high-threat post Following a suicide bomb- LOCKE SARA OF COURTESY Ms. Locke also Sara Locke conducts emergency training for where employees live and ing just a few miles from staff and families at U.S. Embassy Beirut. thanked the mem- work with serious secu- the embassy in November bers of the Beirut rity restrictions, morale 2015, Ms. Locke reached out change alone significantly community for always being among staff was low and to the embassy community improved morale and gave willing to participate in curtailments were increas- to ensure accountability embassy employees a whole events, even if they involve ing at an alarming rate and reassure colleagues. new perspective on life in silly costumes and decorat- when Ms. Locke arrived at Once it was safe to do so, Lebanon; previously, only ing all day. post in 2014. She recom- she developed a variety of one trip off compound per Sara Locke’s tireless mended that they conduct programs, trips and activi- week was permitted. efforts on behalf of employ- a morale survey, and then ties in conjunction with the Ms. Locke has continued ees and family members coordinated closely with regional security office, to conducting surveys, and are impressive and have the ambassador and the allow employees to experi- they show that morale is resulted in re-establishing regional psychiatrist to fig- ence Beirut, albeit within the increasing and community U.S. Embassy Beirut as a ure out how the downward necessarily strict security members feel that they are post actively sought by For- spiral could be reversed. parameters. being heard. eign Service bidders. n On receiving the results Ms. Locke also helped Accepting the award, she of the first survey, Ms. increase the number of trips said: “Beirut is an interest- Locke created an action off the compound, includ- ing post—though Lebanon is committee to respond to ing a very popular weekend a beautiful and cosmopoli- the complaints and sugges- shopping shuttle. This tan and enchanting place

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THE AVIS BOHLEN AWARD FOR A FOREIGN SERVICE FAMILY MEMBER SHAWN AKARD

volunteer, she wrote grants to Tangible Results for EFMs and Mission Jordan fund non-formal education for Iraqi and Syrian refugees. She has worked as a preschool Jordan is a key strategic teacher, an addiction coun- partner of the United States selor for the Department of and the embassy in Amman is the Army and as a substance one of the few family-friendly abuse counselor for adoles- posts in the region. Shawn cents. Akard’s work through the In a male-dominated State Department’s Global culture where approval ratings Employment Initiative has of America often hover near 12 helped to build a community percent, Ms. Akard has made for families at post, a tough inroads and delivered tangible ask in an increasingly chaotic results not just for EFMs, but and radicalized region. For SOSA. AFSA/JOAQUIN also for Jordanian youth and Award winner Shawn Akard (center) stands with Ambassador (ret.) Avis the last four years, she has Bohlen, left, and AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson. The the larger society. been invaluable in efforts to award for a Foreign Service family member is named for Amb. Bohlen’s In accepting the award, improve morale and youth mother. she thanked her colleagues outreach there. In the face of alarm- remain open. and the embassy community Ms. Akard created and ing youth unemployment She has also volunteered in Amman, saying: “I couldn’t implemented an Appointment figures in the country, Ms. with the Anzeh Aziza Cleanup have done a fraction of the Eligible Family Member hiring Akard has run more than effort, addressing sanitation work without being a part of mechanism at the USAID 100 workshops for Jordanian issues due to overcrowding one of the most exciting and Mission in Amman, saving the university graduates on such by developing anti-littering dynamic posts in the world. I Bureau of Human Resources soft skills as interviewing and and environmental awareness was surrounded by hardwork- time and money and decreas- résumé writing. Students’ let- campaigns aimed at school ing, intelligent people who val- ing competition for family ters to the embassy thanking children. ued my skill, trusted my ability member employment at her for her help are a testa- Ms. Akard is global employ- and worked collaboratively to post. The approach has been ment to the change a single ment adviser for the Near East benefit the mission and the so successful that the State volunteer can make. She also Asia region, currently based country.” n Department plans to replicate works with nongovernmental in Amman. Previously, as a it at other posts. organizations across Amman, As co-founder of the raising money for groups that implementation team for are deeply needed but strug- the United Nations Local gling to survive. Expatriate Spouses Associa- One example is Nour Al tion, as well as a professional Bakara, Amman’s first com- development group at the munity garden project. For embassy, Ms. Akard has two years Ms. Akard led fund helped to triple EFM employ- raising efforts and advised ment in Amman. In addition to members on proper planting identifying employment and procedures, ultimately ensur- volunteer opportunities, she ing that the garden, one of has conducted 35 workshops the few safe spaces in Jordan COURTESY SHAWN AKARD SHAWN COURTESY for EFMs, serving almost 700 for people with mental and Shawn Akard teaches a class about LinkedIn to students at the American attendees. physical disabilities, could Corner at the University of Jordan.

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POST REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD KARN CARLSON Breathing Life into the AFSA Post Rep Program

Karn “KC” Carlson assumed employees, but also of correct procedure, Mr. Carl- his duties as the AFSA eligible family members; and son has taken steps to pub- post representative at U.S. he made a compelling argu- licize the role and method of Consulate General Nuevo ment as to why AFSA should selection. Laredo in February 2015. He advocate for a change to the Mr. Carlson is exactly engaged post management entry-level officer (ELO) bid- what AFSA hopes for in a on a variety of issues affect- ding equity program. post rep—someone who is ing mission staff, including Mr. Carlson also drafts active, in touch not only with overtime policies and travel a periodic AFSA column for his fellow AFSA members, issues. the CLO newsletter at post, but also with post manage- In particular, he was a duty he shares with other ment and AFSA HQ and extremely proactive and post representatives in doing his best to share infor- helpful in providing member Mexico. This is an excellent mation and improve working

input from several posts in KARN CARLSON OF COURTESY demonstration of how post conditions for his colleagues. Mexico on the changes to the Karn “KC” Carlson, reps can best use their posi- Although unable to attend Post Representative of the Year danger pay policies intro- tion to promote the “AFSA the awards ceremony, he duced by the Department of in discussions with State brand.” sent this message: “I want State in September 2015. Department management. Not only did he get the to express my gratitude to Mr. Carlson’s thoughtful He compiled definitions column going; he is also AFSA for their tenacity and and articulate observations of terrorism in the U.S. Code providing the CLO with a perseverance in protecting on the proposed danger and linked them to specific regular supply of articles, to our rights and benefits. In pay changes were among incidents in Nuevo Laredo; keep our members informed spite of the non-stop drive the strongest contributions he outlined in quantitative even after he departs post. to reduce expenses, we need AFSA received from post terms how the changes Recognizing the need for his to continually work to take reps at affected posts, and would affect the income replacement to be selected care of our most important this input was important not only of Foreign Service quickly and according to the resource—our people.” n

Volunteer to be an AFSA Post Representative

Many of AFSA’s Post Rep- To determine if there is a opments affecting their career Posts preparing to hold resentatives have relocated vacancy at your post, visit opportunities and conditions elections may visit the AFSA during the summer transfer the post rep page on the of employment; (3) Forward- website, www.afsa.org/ season, thus some posts AFSA website: www.afsa.org/ ing to AFSA any proposals, electing-post-rep to review are temporarily without an post-rep-listing. complaints or criticisms origi- the guidelines for holding AFSA rep. The role of a post For an AFSA post rep, there nating with the AFSA mem- elections. Be sure to advise rep is crucial due to the are four important areas of bers at post and (4) Expand- AFSA Washington when a issues now confronting the responsibility involved: (1) ing AFSA’s membership. Post Rep is elected so that he Foreign Service. All posts Representing collective and The only employees or she can be properly certi- without an AFSA rep should individual interests of Foreign excluded from serving fied. For further information hold elections as soon as Service Personnel at post;(2) as official AFSA Reps are contact the Member Services possible, and smaller posts Transmitting to colleagues management officials and/or Department at member@ should designate a volunteer. AFSA’s advisories on all devel- confidential employees. afsa.org. n

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AFSA Award Runners-Up

THE AVIS BOHLEN AWARD RUNNER-UP to the Global Address List, ensuring that everyone in the mis- AMY CLUTTER sion received security messages simultaneously. When a series of terrorist murders changed life at the Amy Clutter has twice been embassy dramatically, personnel were restricted to a two- elected president of the North square-mile area and had a 10 p.m. curfew. With outside American Women’s Associa- entertainment unavailable, Ms. Keen planned a staggering tion, an all-volunteer organiza- number of events—nearly 90 in 150 days—despite the fact tion based in Accra, Ghana, that her office was understaffed. and serving 400 people from From wine and cheese parties to pet playdates, and from 50 countries. antique markets to discos in the atrium, she successfully When Ms. Clutter took over brought the community together during a difficult time. in 2014, membership in NAWA was stagnant. She recruited

AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA AFSA/JOAQUIN MARK PALMER AWARD RUNNER-UP a new board, formalized STEVEN HENDRIX responsibilities and developed a strategy for the organization’s future. During 25 years with USAID NAWA has participated in dozens of grass-roots projects, Steven Hendrix has served including constructing an information technology wing in a as democracy team leader in secondary school, providing latrines for elementary schools, Nicaragua, justice program digging wells in two rural villages and purchasing sewing manager in Guatemala and machines for women across Ghana. director for national capacity Ms. Clutter helped NAWA raise an unprecedented $25,000 development for Iraq, among for humanitarian projects—all of which enhance U.S. rela- many assignments in which tions with Ghanaian communities. She continues to generate he achieved concrete goals COURTESY OF STEVEN HENDRIX HENDRIX STEVEN OF COURTESY inspiring new fundraising ideas, such as the international advancing democracy. NAWA cookbook and the NAWA craft fair, and is the “go-to” In Peru, his recommendations led to undercutting local person for countless individuals in the diplomatic community guerillas’ coca production; in Bolivia, he helped provide legal in Ghana. employment opportunities for poor Bolivians in the coca- growing regions. In El Salvador, he helped former combatants M. JUANITA GUESS AWARD RUNNER-UP transition to peacetime employment and secured compensa- BERNA KEEN tion for victims of the conflict. In Guatemala, Mr. Hendrix led a program to train justices of Berna Keen is recognized as an the peace for 188 unserved communities, facilitating creation exemplary CLO by her colleagues of the Public Defense Institute and improving legal services at U.S. Embassy Dhaka for her for poor Guatemalans. His approach became a model for pro- conscientious approach to every grams in El Salvador, Mexico, Colombia and Panama. member of the mission, ensuring In 2005, Mr. Hendrix directed the first comprehensive that Dhaka remained a family post national electoral observation in Nicaragua and facilitated the during a challenging time. approval of new criminal procedures codes. In Iraq, he stood In 2015, a rash of violent political up 18 national ministries and oversaw programs to modernize demonstrations crippled embassy public procurement and expenditure. operations. Ms. Keen was a victim As his colleagues attest, Mr. Hendrix’s career has been one COURTESY OF BERNA KEEN BERNA OF COURTESY of this violence when a vehicle in of dedication to the advancement of democracy, freedom which she was riding was hit by an explosive device. Incredibly, and governance. He is currently deputy director for USAID in this only strengthened her commitment to her work. Ghana. n A key voice on the Emergency Action Committee, Ms. Keen facilitated creation of an EFM email list, subsequently added

74 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

Using Diplomacy to Meet the New Threat Set

On June 2, AFSA welcomed former Canadian Foreign Service Officer Daryl Cope- land to engage with AFSA members in a wide-ranging discussion about the foreign policy challenges ahead. Mr. Copeland opened the conversation by stating that the greatest threats to safety and security today are climate change, diminishing biodiversity, environmental collapse, pandemic disease and water shortages. Unlike more “traditional” threats, which can be specific to a group or region, he said, these new threats affect the DVORAK AFSA/GEMMA Daryl Copeland answers questions from the audience during his discussion of the new threat set. entire world. Solving them will require diplomacy that is focused on human centered created it.” Diplomacy has to because scientists and diplo- has a full-time science and security and development— change; the modern diplomat mats have different training technology adviser (currently something best achieved needs to make use of new and ways of thinking, which Dr. Vaughan Turekian) and, through dialogue, negotiation tools to be effective. can lead to difficulty commu- while the advice is not always and compromise. One of those tools, he nicating. taken, at least it is there to be But a world system is now suggested, is science diplo- The real difficulty, said heard. emerging, Mr. Copeland said, macy—specifically, diplomats Copeland, is achieving During a Q&A session in which states, groups and coming together to advance engagement. Science is a following his talk, Cope- even individuals derive power scientific objectives. complex, esoteric subject, land discussed the need to and influence from dissimilar It is important to make the practiced by people who provide science and technol- sources—social, economic, distinction between scientific almost speak a different ogy courses within interna- political, military or cultural. cooperation—which takes language. tional relations programs, This makes diplomatic place within the scientific use American Spaces to processes more difficult, community—and science Science Diplomacy promote science diplomacy since each state or non- diplomacy, which is backed By helping scientists and re-establish science and state actor (for example, the by the state. to speak in terms of ”sci- technology as a priority at United Nations or Médecins State-backed science ence policy” rather than the the Department of State. Sans Frontières) has its own diplomacy is necessary language of the lab, diplo- Visit http://afsa.org/ power bases, priorities and to solve the world’s worst mats can explain how they videos to see a video of the aims. crises. For the best solu- can benefit each other and, event. n tions, Copeland feels that it together, benefit the world. —Gemma Dvorak, New Tools is important to have scien- Copeland singled out the Associate Editor Quoting Einstein, Mr. tific advisers involved in the United States as a leader Copeland explained: “No diplomatic process from the in integrating politics and problem can be solved by the outset. science. He noted that Sec- same kind of thinking that This will be a challenge retary of State John Kerry

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 75 AFSA NEWS

AFSA Governing Board Meeting, June 1, 2016

Hail and Farewell: AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Governance Committee: Retiree Representative Ambassa- Stephenson welcomed Ambassador (ret.) Earl Anthony dor (ret.) Al La Porta prepared a memo regarding information Wayne as the new treasurer of the AFSA PAC. She also offered handling and requested that it be submitted to the Gover- the board’s thanks to outgoing members Peter Neisuler, Eric nance Committee for consideration. On a motion from USAID Geelan and Youqing Ma. Representative Jeffrey Cochrane, the board approved the Consent Agenda: On a motion from State Representative request. Erin O’Connor, the board approved the consent agenda items. iLead: State Representative Jason Donovan briefed the board These included (1) the May 4 Governing Board minutes and on the iLead initiative, which looks at the dissemination of (2) the appointment of Suzanne Platt as the new FCS repre- leadership and management tenets throughout the State sentative. Department. iLead would like to collaborate with the AFSA Robert’s Rules of Order: On a motion from State Represen- Governing Board and AFSA staff to identify how to address tative John Dinkelman, the board confirmed that the AFSA challenges and implement best practices. Governing Board will follow Robert’s Rules of Order with PEC Draft Code of Conduct: The Committee on the Foreign respect to the confidentiality of executive sessions. Service Profession and Ethics representative Eva Groening Washington Nationals Foreign Service Day: On a motion briefed the board on the committee’s work on a draft Code of from State Representative Josh Glazeroff, the board unani- Conduct. Following discussion of the committee’s presenta- mously approved a plan to work with the Washington Nation- tion, a motion was put forward by State Vice President Angie als Major League Baseball team to honor the Foreign Service Bryan to look at other ways to get messaging on conduct and during a Nationals game. ethics out, citing examples such as social media, cables and the FSJ. The motion was approved. n

AFSA Governing Board Meeting, July 6, 2016

these decisions and reaffirmed the editorial indepen- Hail and Farewell: AFSA President Ambassador Barbara dence of the Editorial Board to select focus topics and Stephenson welcomed new State Representative Kara articles for the Journal (excluding the President’s column McDonald and new FCS Representative Suzanne Platt. She and AFSA News) as provided for in the AFSA bylaws. The also thanked outgoing State Representative Leah Pease for motion passed. her work on the AFSA Governing Board. AFSA Position on USAID Hiring: On a motion from Consent Agenda: On a motion from State Representa- USAID Representative Jeffrey Cochrane, a draft policy on tive Leah Pease, the board approved the June 1 Governing agency hiring was referred to the USAID Standing Com- Board meeting minutes. On a motion from USAID Vice mittee for review and development. The motion passed President Sharon Wayne, the board unanimously approved unanimously. the appointment of Eleanor Tan Piengco to the USAID FSJ Editorial Board Appointment: On a motion from Standing Committee. State Vice President Angie Bryan, Lawrence Casselle was FSJ Editorial Board: The Governing Board reviewed a unanimously approved to replace Tricia Wingerter as the memo from Chair of the FSJ Editorial Board Beth Payne Governing Board liaison to the Editorial Board. requesting that they rescind two decisions made by the Committee on Elections Vacancies: On a motion from 2011-2013 Governing Board mandating specific coverage in USAID Vice President Sharon Wayne, the board approved the Foreign Service Journal. On a motion from State Repre- the appointment of William Hansen to the AFSA Commit- sentative John Dinkelman, the Governing Board rescinded tee on Elections.

76 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

AFSA Celebrates Strategic Writing: 2016 Kennan Award

‘Invitation to Struggle.’” learn and grow” are all impor- Ms. Davis’ winning essay tant attributes for an FSO. focuses on the significance Ms. Davis expressed her of the executive and leg- gratitude to her colleagues islative branches working for choosing her essay for together when dealing with the George Kennan award. foreign affairs. Ms. Davis not “I was surprised,” she says. only argues that the Found- “To be given an award by my ing Fathers intended this colleagues for something I’ve cooperation, but expresses a written is thrilling.” desire for more Foreign Ser- Joining the Foreign vice members to establish Service in 2003 following a relationships with Congress career as a corporate attor- to better explain the impor- ney, Ms. Davis has served in tance of their work. Mexico City, Brussels and Ms. Davis chose to write Bogota, as well as in Wash- about the cooperation ington, D.C. She is married between the president and to FSO Nick Harris and is the : AFSA/PERRI GREEN : AFSA/PERRI Congress after working with proud mother of two boys. 2016 Kennan Award recipient Jennifer L. Davis (center) with AFSA State Vice President Angie Bryan and Brig. Gen. Darren Hartford. Secretary of State John For her thoughtful and Kerry and former Under Sec- well-written paper, Ms. Davis retary of State for Political received an award of $1,000 Every year, AFSA attends the President Angie Bryan and Affairs Wendy Sherman. Both for the purchase of scholarly graduation ceremonies of the Brigadier General Darren emphasize the importance of books. For more informa- National War College at Fort Hartford, the 29th Com- connecting with Congress to tion on the George F. Kennan McNair in Washington, D.C., mandant of the National War improve foreign relations. Strategic Writing Award, to present the George F. Ken- College, presented the award Thanks to these wonder- please visit the AFSA website, nan Strategic Writing Award to AFSA member and Foreign ful mentors, Davis says, www.afsa.org/kennan. n to a distinguished Foreign Service Officer Jennifer Davis she learned throughout her —Eunice Ajayi, Service graduate. for her paper “Congress, the career that collaboration, Awards Intern At this year’s ceremony Executive, and the Iran Deal: communication, flexibility on June 6, AFSA State Vice A Modern Example of the and “a heart that wants to

AFSA Governing Board Meeting, July 6, 2016

Reaffirmation of AFSA Committee Membership: On a motion from AFSA Secretary Bill Haugh, the board On a motion from AFSA Secretary Bill Haugh, the board confirmed the membership and mandate of the Gov- unanimously accepted the membership and reaffirmed ernance Committee, the Executive Committee and the the mandate of the four standing committees listed in the Finance, Audit and Management Committee. AFSA bylaws, namely (1) the Elections Committee, (2) the On a motion from AFSA Secretary Bill Haugh, the board FSJ Editorial Board, (3) the Scholarship Committee and agreed to consider the requirements and membership of (4) the Constituency Standing Committees. the AFSA Political Action Committee at a later date. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 77 AFSA NEWS

Diplomatic Security Begins Recording Interviews

As of June 27, following department policy prevent- request representation. your questions or provide negotiations between the ing the recording of employ- The investigating office guidance. State Department, AFSA and ees without permission, is not required to remind We clarify the investiga- the American Federation AFSA’s 2013-2015 Governing employees of their right to tor’s questions, when it of Government Employees, Board fought to have the representation at the begin- appears there is a misunder- Diplomatic Security’s Office authorization rescinded. ning of the investigation. standing. We take notes dur- of Special Investigations However, in 2015, the Deputy We therefore urge all AFSA ing the interview and review initiated automatic audiovi- Secretary for Management members to reach out to any sworn statements. sual recording of employee and Resources upheld it. AFSA immediately on being If DS, the Regional Security interviews conducted in the Though AFSA was not contacted for an interview. Office, the OIG or Office of United States. legally able to prevent DS/ Furthermore, if you have Civil Rights contacts you This is a major shift from OSI from recording inter- agreed to be interviewed requesting an interview, call past practice, in which DS/ views without permission, and subsequently decide AFSA immediately at (202) OSI had to obtain permission we did have the authority that you would like an AFSA 647-8160 or email us at afsa@ from the employee to record to negotiate the impact and representative present, it is state.gov or member@afsa. their interview. implementation of such not too late to invoke your org. This change applies to recordings. Weingarten Rights. We also encourage you both Foreign Service and Civil to review our guidance on Service employees who are Your Right to What Can AFSA Do for investigations on the AFSA the subject of criminal and Representation You? website at www.afsa.org/ig- non-criminal investigations. Under the Foreign Service The presence of AFSA and-ds-investigation-guid Act of 1980, as amended, during interviews serves ance. You can find the full The Background Foreign Service employees several useful purposes. We text of the agreement signed In 2013, the department have the right (known as the ensure that the investigator at the conclusion of the authorized DS/OSI to begin “Weingarten Right”) to be affords you all of your rights recent negotiations at www. recording interviews of FS represented by AFSA in an and conducts the interview afsa.org/vancememo. n and CS employees under interview if they reasonably in an appropriate fashion. —Angie Bryan, investigation. As this was believe that it could result in We can confer privately with AFSA State Vice President against the long-standing disciplinary action and they you, if necessary, to answer

Overseas Voting – Plan Ahead for November

As the November election season approaches, overseas mitting a voted ballot! Information is also available at the Foreign Service members may need to make arrangements AFSA website: http://afsa.org/afsa-voter-registration-guide for voting. With a presidential election, Senate and congres- and from the Overseas Vote Foundation—www.overseas- sional races, as well as state-specific contests, there will be votefoundation.org—a nonpartisan organization. plenty of ballots to be cast this year. The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers information Don’t forget the Hatch Act! and instructions for registering and voting while living over- All active Foreign Service employees are prohibited from seas under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee engaging in partisan political activities while “on duty.” For Voting Act, which covers FS employees and their families. information about the rules and regulations regarding politi- At www.FVAP.gov, you can check the requirements for cal actions while representing the U.S. government, check your state of residence, register to vote and request a ballot. out our Labor Management guidance page at www.afsa. Each state has different regulations on registration and sub- org/rules-political-activites-federal-employees. n

78 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

USAID Honors Fallen Colleagues at Memorial Event

On June 8, USAID Admin- istrator Gayle E. Smith led a ceremony to honor the memory of fallen colleague Xulhaz Mannan, a locally employed (LE) staff member with USAID’s Democracy and Governance Office in Dhaka and a human rights activist. Mr. Mannan was killed on April 25 in his Dhaka apartment. At the same event, Admin- istrator Smith unveiled a new memorial plaque honoring fallen colleagues from USAID implementing partners. The family of Anita Datar, who was killed in the 2015 hotel siege in Bamako, was in attendance VANHOUTTE USAID/ELLISSA USAID Administrator Gayle Smith speaks at a ceremony to honor Xulhaz Mannan and Anita Datar. for the unveiling. USAID Deputy Administra- “In a country where sex and thanking them for tor Ambassador Alfonso Len- sexuality are taboo, work for welcoming her in hardt opened the ceremony, love,” he said, referring to his the wake of such a welcoming Mr. Mannan’s fam- brother’s magazine Roopbaan tragedy. She also ily—who had traveled from (named for a Bengali folk announced that Bangladesh for the event— representation of love). the USAID Mission and Ms. Datar’s family, among Placing a tile bearing Xul- Diversity Award other honored guests. haz’ name on the memorial would be renamed

Deputy Secretary of wall, Mr. Mannan Emon said in Xulhaz’ honor. VANHOUTTE USAID/ELLISSA State for Management and that his brother “is still alive in She then turned Unveiled at the memorial ceremony, a plaque honoring fallen colleagues from USAID’s Resources Heather Hig- the rivers and green fields of to the family of implementing partners. ginbottom, AFSA President Bangladesh, and here on the Anita Datar, the Ambassador Barbara Ste- walls of USAID.” only American vic- young son, Rohan, who was phenson, AFSA USAID Vice Representing all LE staff at tim of an attack on the Radis- present at the unveiling of the President Sharon Wayne and USAID Mission Bangladesh, son Hotel in Bamako last year. memorial plaque. the U.S. ambassador to Mali Muhammad Moinuddin, a Ms. Datar worked there for Dedicated to those who also attended the ceremony. colleague of Mr. Mannan’s, Palladium, an international have died while working with Xulhaz Mannan’s brother, thanked the agency for hon- development firm working USAID, the plaque features a Minhaz Mannan Emon, told oring his best friend. Mr. Moi- with USAID in Mali. quote from George Marshall, the gathering “[Xulhaz] nuddin had been impressed, Announcing the formation, winner of the 1953 Nobel wanted to speak for those he said, by his friend’s energy, in partnership with Palla- Peace Prize: “I have done my whose souls are caged.” He enthusiasm and ability to dium, of a legacy fellowship best, and I hope I have sown urged USAID to continue the stand up for his beliefs. program in honor of Ms. some seeds which may bring work they have been doing In her remarks, Admin- Datar, Administrator Smith forth good fruit.” n in Bangladesh, and encour- istrator Smith recalled her described her as “one of us, —Gemma Dvorak, aged the LGBT community recent trip to Bangladesh and the best of us.” She spoke Associate Editor to continue to speak out. to visit the Mannan family, particularly to Ms. Datar’s

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 79 AFSA NEWS

Forging Foreign Service Alliances in the Rocky Mountains

fielded ques- and head of the FS Retirees tions related of Colorado group. to participants’ Amb. Stephenson and unique situa- DG Chacón discussed tions. their visions for a stronger AFSA also Foreign Service in 2025 hosted a and beyond, as well as the breakfast at the critical role retirees can play University of in improving the American Denver’s Josef public’s awareness and Korbel School appreciation of the Service. of International The tour concluded with Studies that meetings with Colorado featured Direc- Lt. Governor Donna Lynne tor General and Denver Mayor Michael of the Foreign Hancock, both of whom Service Arnold expressed gratitude for the Chacón. support U.S. embassies Ambassa- and consulates have given dor (ret.) Gary to Colorado trade missions AFSA/MARIA LIVINGSTON AFSA/MARIA AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson meets with Denver Mayor Michael Grappo, speak- abroad. Hancock during her recent trip to Colorado to promote the Foreign Service and meet ing on behalf of AFSA looks forward to with policymakers and business leaders. the university in working in the future with AFSA President Ambas- association of World Affairs his role as a distinguished the advocates of diplomacy sador Barbara Stephenson Councils of America and fellow, welcomed the group and development in Colo- and Director of Professional Global Ties U.S., WorldDen- and introduced Michael rado and other states. n Policy Issues Maria Livings- ver administers the Depart- Keaveny, a retired Foreign —Orianne Gonzalez, ton traveled to Denver in ment of State’s International Commercial Service officer Communications Intern June to meet with policy- Visitor Leadership Program. makers, civic organizations There Amb. Stephenson and business leaders. spoke on the subject of Part of AFSA’s outreach “Women in Foreign Policy” efforts, the trip aimed to to an impressive group of increase public understand- more than 40 WorldDenver ing of the critical role of the members from all profes- Foreign Service in advancing sional walks of life. America’s national security The Denver Metro Cham- and economic prosperity. ber of Commerce hosted Amb. Stephenson met Amb. Stephenson for a busi- with the board of World- ness roundtable discussion Denver—a nonprofit orga- with representatives from nization whose mission is many Colorado industries. to strengthen and expand Amb. Stephenson explained the community of engaged how the Foreign Service can global citizens and organiza- help them in their pursuits AFSA/MARIA LIVINGSTON AFSA/MARIA tions in Colorado. to invest in and export AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson speaks to Foreign A member of the national to overseas markets and Service retirees at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies.

80 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

LGBT+ in Foreign Affairs AFSA/GEMMA DVORAK AFSA/GEMMA AFSA Director of Member Services Janet Hedrick, left, meets with members of the State Department’s LGBT community at the LGBT+ in Foreign Affairs event held on June 1. The event, which included remarks from Foreign Service Institute Deputy Director Marc Ostfield and Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security Gregory Starr, brought together a number of organizations to provide information and answer questions from attendees. AFSA/GEMMA DVORAK AFSA/GEMMA Labor Management Executive Assistant Lindsey Botts, left, introduced AFSA to the event participants and answered questions on AFSA’s role at the Resource Fair afterwards. The event—now in its 8th year—is presented by FSI in coordination with GLIFAA.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 81 AFSA NEWS

2016 Foreign Service Youth Awards Ceremony

Welcome Home Video Challenge Ingrid Bayer, Falls Church, Virginia Cole Blackman, Vienna, Virginia Gregor Deininger, Arlington, Virginia Hannah Feeken, Stafford, Virginia U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE/MARK STEWART STATE/MARK OF DEPARTMENT U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Carol Perez (second from left), FSYF President John Naland (second from right) and FLO Director Susan Frost (far right) with the 2016 Foreign Service Youth Award winners. Community Service Awards On July 8, the Foreign Service nized awardees of the Associ- Essay Contest Brendan Boyd, Niamey, Youth Foundation hosted the ates of the American Foreign Middle School Niger 2016 Youth Awards Ceremony Service Worldwide Merit First Place: Stephen Harvey, Wiley Skaret, Bogota, at the Department of State. Scholarship Award program. Nogales, Mexico Colombia Foreign Service children Second Place: Penelope received awards for their art, FSYF Awards Duran, Cairo, Egypt Academic Merit Awards essay writing, video produc- Third Place: Hanako Ricci, First Place: Riena Harker, tion, community service and Art Contest Ankara, Turkey Beijing, China scholarly achievements. Ages 5-8 Second Place: Alessandra FSYF President John First Place: Akeela Valdes, High School Youth, Managua, Nicaragua Naland read a letter from Havana, Cuba First Place: Kai Davis, Buda- Secretary of State John Kerry, Second Place: Ohlsson pest, Hungary Foreign Service Youth in which he discussed his own Skaret, Bogota, Colombia Second Place: Lara Welch, Advocacy Award experiences as the child of a Third Place: Lydia Bitner, Antananarivo, Madagascar Kay Branaman Eakin, U.S. diplomat and the chal- Athens, Greece Third Place: Maria Connors, Mesa, Arizona lenges faced by diplomats’ Dar es Salaam, Tanzania children today. Secretary Ages 9-12 AAFSW Merit Kerry commended the FSYF First Place: Jacob Newman, KidVid Contest Scholarship Awards for helping to foster camara- Mbabane, Swaziland First Place: Abigail Blaser and College Merit Scholarship: derie and resilience among Second Place: Francie Silva, Vivienne Phemister, Dar es Miranda Walls Foreign Service youth. Montevideo, Uruguay Salaam, Tanzania Best Essay Award: This year a Foreign Service Third Place: Sophia Bitner, Second Place (tie): Magdalena Travis Youth Advocacy Award honor- Athens, Greece Patrick Hamilton, Addis Judy Felt Memorial Volun- ing an adult who has demon- Ababa, Ethiopia teerism Scholarship: Sofia strated long-term commit- Ages 13-18 Molly Bailey and Daisy Bailey, Tipton ment to Foreign Service youth First Place: Helen Reynolds, Nairobi, Kenya was given for the first time. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Third Place (tie): To learn more about the FSYF The ceremony, at which Second Place: Cora Deininger, Tristan Phemister and and AAFSW awards, visit their Principal Deputy Assistant Arlington, Virginia Sebastian Phemister, Dar es websites at www.fsyf.org and Secretary for the Director Third Place (tie): Divine Salaam, Tanzania www.aafsw.org. n General of the Foreign Ser- Grimes, Fredericksburg, Abigail Williams, Bangkok, —Ramona Sandoval, vice and Director of Human Virginia Thailand State Department Family Resources Carol Perez was the Camryn Carswell, Liaison Office keynote speaker, also recog- Kaiserslautern, Germany

82 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

ANNOUNCING THE AFSA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST WINNER Dylan Borne 11th grade Benjamin Franklin Charter High School New Orleans, Louisiana NEWS BRIEF

Dylan will receive a $2,500 prize, an all-expenses- paid, two-day trip to Washington, D.C., to meet the Secretary of State and tour the U.S. Institute for Peace, and a full-tuition-paid voyage with Semester at Sea on his enrollment at an accredited university. Coverage of Dylan’s trip to Washington, D.C., will appear in a future issue of AFSA News.

RUNNER-UP Whitney Zhang 11th grade Dr. T.J. Ownes Gilroy Early College Academy Gilroy, California

Whitney will receive a $1,250 prize and a full schol- arship to participate in the International Diplomacy Program of the National Student Leadership Confer- ence held in Washington, D.C. annually. n

FEGLI OPEN SEASON IN SEPTEMBER

The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program is having an Open Season from Sept. 1, through Sept. 30. This is the first FEGLI Open Season since 2004. Additional information on the open season can be found at: www.opm.gov/ healthcare-insurance/life-insurance/open-sea- son. A video about the Open Season can be found

ANNOUNCEMENT at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfO2x1Xc5uE&l. Additional information on FEGLI can be found at: www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/life- insurance/ n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 83 AFSA NEWS

Editorial Board Hail and Farewell

The staff of The Foreign Outgoing Editorial Board Service Journal would like member to extend heartfelt thanks Duncan Walker, to outgoing Editorial Board center, receives an AFSA coin member Duncan Walker and from Chair Beth Governing Board Liaison Payne, right and Tricia Wingerter for their Foreign Service Journal Editor- service to the FSJ and AFSA. in-Chief Shawn Both left the Editorial Board Dorman. in July.

The FSJ Editorial Board DVORAK AFSA/GEMMA works with Journal staff to draw up the editorial cal- We are pleased to Governing Board liaison and member starting in October. endar each year and meets announce that AFSA State that Randy Berry, currently We look forward to work- monthly to review all articles Representative Lawrence special envoy for the human ing with them both. n submitted for publication, Casselle has joined the rights of LGBTI persons, will —Susan B. Maitra, accepting or rejecting each. Editorial Board as the new join the board as a regular Managing Editor

CALL FOR PHOTO SUBMISSIONS

Have you ever made a snowman on the beach? Or left the presents under the…cactus? Many of our readers are or have been stationed around the globe and have experienced a variety of winter holiday and New Year celebrations. We invite you to submit photos of unusual ways to celebrate ANNOUNCEMENT the winter holidays, wherever they may be. The best photos will be published in a future issue of The Foreign Service Journal. Please send your high res- olution photos to FSJ Associ- ate Editor Gemma Dvorak at SNOWY THE SANDMAN VIA FORSAKEN FOTOS ON WWW.FLICKR.COM ON FOTOS FORSAKEN VIA THE SANDMAN SNOWY TLAQEPAQUE-SEDONA-CACTUS-CHRISTMAS-TREE VIA WWW.ARIZTRAVEL.COM WWW.ARIZTRAVEL.COM VIA TLAQEPAQUE-SEDONA-CACTUS-CHRISTMAS-TREE [email protected]. n

84 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL IN MEMORY

n Arminta Delle McNeilan Burns, nitaries and foreign nationals. Following graduation, Mr. Caldwell 78, widow of the late FSO John Burns, Mrs. Burns is remembered as a kind joined the Foreign Service. Fluent in of Lantana, Fla., died on Feb. 7 from and nonjudgmental friend who was Spanish, his first postings were to Mexico complications arising from chemotherapy culturally astute and cosmopolitan. She and Spain. During his tour in Spain treatments for lung cancer. maintained deep friendships and intel- (1976-1980), he worked diligently to help Arminta Delle McNeilan was born on lectual interests in U.S. foreign affairs and stabilize a volatile political environment Sept. 26, 1937, in Columbus, Ohio, the southern Africa, where she lived and vis- in the Basque region, where he served as younger daughter of Steen McNeilan and ited regularly over the course of 30 years. acting principal officer at the U.S. consul- Mary Cameron McNeilan. After a child- In semi-retirement, Mrs. Burns was ate in Bilbao. hood spent in nearby Groveport, Ohio, her involved with the Lantana Public Library In 1979, Mr. Caldwell received AFSA’s family moved to West Palm Beach, Fla., in Lantana, Fla., supporting its mission William R. Rivkin Award for Constructive in 1947. She graduated from Palm Beach financially and through volunteer work. Dissent by a Mid-Level Foreign Service High School in 1954, where she excelled at She was preceded in death by her Officer for his work in Spain to accommo- academics and music, playing first flute in husband, John Burns, and their eldest date and incorporate the left into regular the Florida Schools’ State Orchestra. daughter, Nancy A. Burns. She is survived political life and deal with regional resis- In 1958 she earned a B.S. degree from by a daughter, Catherine Burns; a son, tance to the central government. Florida State University and went on to John Cameron Burns (and his wife, Tibitha While staying engaged in Spanish complete postgraduate work in cancer Miles Burns); a grandson, Jonathan Steen developments, Mr. Caldwell went on to research at the University of Cincinnati’s Burns; as well as a sister-in-law, Ann expand his expertise to the field of Euro- Christ Hospital. She earned a master’s Burns; a nephew, Lt. Col. Brian R. Whalen pean security and political affairs during degree in political science at U.C. in 1962, (U.S. Air Force, retired); Elizabeth Eagan the final decade of the Cold War. He served writing her thesis on Sino-Soviet relations. Whalen; and a niece, Anne-Marie Burns. as the U.S. representative to NATO’s High- After her marriage, Mrs. Burns studied In lieu of flowers, mourners may make Level Task Force on Conventional Arms Thai politics and language at American donations to the Christ Hospital Foun- Control and also played a leading role University. dation in Cincinnati, Ohio. To express in U.S. nuclear policy during the Ronald Mrs. Burns accompanied her husband, condolences or make donations, visit Reagan and George H.W. Bush adminis- who was one of the U.S. Information PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries. trations. Agency’s most prominent Africanists, to Mr. Caldwell served twice as director of many parts of the world during his 31-year n Ray Lee Caldwell, 74, a retired the Office of European Political and Secu- career (1964-1995) in the U.S. Foreign Senior Foreign Service officer and former rity Affairs, as deputy assistant secretary of Service. Their postings included Thailand, State Department deputy assistant secre- State for European Affairs, as deputy assis- South Africa (for two tours), Zambia, Zim- tary (DAS) with the rank of ambassador, tant secretary of State for political-military babwe and Ethiopia. died on June 12 of complications related to affairs, and as State’s deputy associate During the couple’s diplomatic career, Alzheimer’s disease. comptroller for management policy. Mr. she completed two book manucripts, Mr. Caldwell was born on Oct. 6, 1942, Caldwell also served as director of foreign including one on the challenges the Afri- and raised in the former Canal Zone, Pan- diplomat training at the Foreign Service can National Congress faced in transform- ama. He served as a commissioned officer Institute. ing its guerilla resistance movement into in the U.S. Navy from 1964 until 1969, with Ray Lee Caldwell rose to the level of a political party that could negotiate for tours of duty in the Antarctic, Vietnam and Career Member of the Senior Foreign Ser- majority rule with the apartheid-support- with the U.S. military mission to Spain. vice, Class of Minister-Counselor, and was ing Nationalist Party then governing South In 1971, Mr. Caldwell earned a gradu- confirmed by the Senate in 1995 as DAS Africa. ate degree in political science from the for Burdensharing. In addition to devoting time to aca- University of New Mexico. While pursuing The unusual title of Mr. Caldwell’s demic research and administrative work, his graduate studies, he met Sally MacKin- position caught the eye of grammarian Arminta Burns raised three children and non Hisamoto, to whom he was married William Safire of The New York Times, who opened her home to friends, visitors, dig- for 43 years. wrote a column that year about whether

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 85 “Burdensharing” should be hyphenated: where he sang in the Glee Club and where he served as the economic coun- “Ambassador Caldwell is groaning under managed the squash and track teams. He selor. quite a load, and I’d like to help him,” Mr. graduated with a degree in history in 1954 In 1981 the Hirshorns returned to the Safire concluded. “But in my personal and returned to his hometown to work at United States, and Mr. Hirshorn worked at stylebook he is Deputy Assistant Secretary his father’s insurance brokerage, Harry R. the State Department until his retirement of State for Burden-Sharing.” Hirshorn and Company (now Hirshorn in 1985. He returned to school to earn an After retiring from the Foreign Service Boothby). The following year, he married LLM in taxation from the Georgetown in July 1999, Mr. Caldwell began a second his first wife, Anne Sue Friedberg. University Law Center in 1986 and was career in international affairs as a trainer It was at this time that he discovered then hired as a partner at Boring & Pilger. in conflict analysis and resolution for the his passion for the law. He first took night Mr. Hirshorn continued his service to U.S. Institute of Peace, a position that took classes at Temple University Law School his country as a lecturer at the Foreign him to Colombia, Serbia and Kosovo and but transferred to the University of Penn- Service Institute and the Foreign Agricul- put him into contact with leaders from sylvania Law School, where he graduated tural Service. He served on the Governing Africa and Asia. in 1960. Board of the American Foreign Service Mr. Caldwell shared with his children a At Penn he was a member of the Lewis Association from 1993 to 1995, and for passion for music, politics and sports. For Law Club and the Moot Court Board. After many years (through 2015) he helped 10 years, while his children were growing receiving the third-highest bar exam score the FSJ with the annual tax guide. He up, he was a licensed U.S. Youth Soccer in Pennsylvania, he practiced law in Phila- also served as a long-time member of his Association coach and a youth-soccer delphia for the next two years. condominium’s board of directors. referee. In 1962, inspired by John F. Kennedy’s Bruce Hirshorn will be remembered In addition to his wife, Sally, of call to public service and encouraged for his decency and compassion, his Annandale, Va., Mr. Caldwell is survived by his wife, Bruce Hirshorn joined the tremendous work ethic, his commitment by his son, Ian (and his wife, Meredith) of Foreign Service. The State Department first to his clients, his devotion to family, his Vienna, Va.; by his daughter, Rachel (and sent him and his family to Izmir, where he enormous reserves of energy and his dry her partner, Michael Landusky) of Colum- served as a consular officer. For the rest wit. bus, Ohio; by three grandsons, Ethan, Jude of his life he enjoyed surprising waiters He enjoyed challenging his children at and Luke Caldwell of Vienna, Va.; and by in Turkish restaurants by conversing with squash, table tennis and the occasional two granddaughters, Chloe Harris and Ella them in their native language. footrace. He was an avid filmgoer, enjoyed Landusky of Columbus, Ohio. His next posting was Brussels, where dancing and winemaking, and loved clas- Donations in Ray Lee Caldwell’s name Mr. Hirshorn worked at the United States sical music, New Orleans jazz, klezmer may be made to Capital Caring Hospice. Mission to the European Economic Com- music and opera. munity. One of his primary duties involved Mr. Hirshorn is survived by his wife of n Maxwell (Bruce) Hirshorn, 85, a persuading the United Kingdom to join 42 years, Willene (née Drake); his former retired Foreign Service officer with the the Common Market. wife Anne Sue (née Friedberg); and chil- State Department, died suddenly in his In 1970, Mr. Hirshorn was sent to study dren Barry (and his wife, Linda Sjogren) sleep on July 7 in Arlington, Va. at the London School of Economics, where of Kapolei, Hawaii; Harriet (Marie de Mr. Hirshorn was born on Oct. 18, 1931, he earned an M.S. degree in economics. Cenival) and Hal of New York, N.Y.; and in Camden, N.J., the oldest son of Harry When the Hirshorns returned to Wash- Dalton of New Orleans, La. He is also sur- and Estelle (née Spector) Hirshorn. He ington, he and his wife, Anne, divorced. vived by his brother, Ralph Steven (and grew up in northwest Philadelphia, Pa., He met his second wife, Willene Drake, at his wife, Natalie) of Philadelphia, Pa.; and and graduated from the William Penn the Foreign Service Club, where she was a sisters-in-law Edith Brooks of Foley, Ala., Charter School in 1949, which instilled hostess. They married in 1974. and Melinda Drake of Lawrenceville, Ga. in him the Quaker qualities of tolerance, The following year, Mr. Hirshorn was In lieu of flowers, donations may be charity and compassion that remained assigned to the American consulate in made in Bruce Hirshorn’s name to the with him for the rest of his life. Hong Kong as an economic officer. In American Friends Service Committee or Mr. Hirshorn attended Yale College, 1977, he was posted to Kuala Lumpur, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

86 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL n Marilyn Janet Holmes, 82, the son Office. In that job, Mrs. Holmes was storyteller with endless curiosity about the spouse of retired FSO Allen Holmes, responsible for helping families confront a world, he was a convivial traveler; and his passed away on May 17 at Georgetown range of problems, including cultural and warmth and humor easily drew others to University Hospital in Washington, D.C. educational assimilation and long periods him. Mrs. Holmes was born in Paris, France, of separation. Mr. LaSalle majored in English at in 1934. When German troops invaded the After two years she was recognized for Loyola University in New Orleans, received country in 1940, she and her mother fled. her “extraordinary and invaluable con- a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylva- In a 2009 interview with her daughter- tributions to the Foreign Service and the nia and taught for several years at Bryn in-law, Jennifer Ludden of NPR News, Mrs. entire foreign affairs community.” One of Mawr College, Fordham University and Holmes recalled German planes strafing her major achievements was negotiating Northwestern University. and bombing those who were fleeing: reciprocal work agreements with foreign In the late 1960s, he accepted consecu- “You get out of your car, and you roll into governments to allow Foreign Service tive Fulbright Fellowships to teach in then- the ditch, and you hope for the best. And spouses to work abroad. Czechoslovakia and in Romania. There he the miracle really is that my mother man- In 1997 Marilyn Holmes received the encountered U.S. diplomats and decided aged to always make it so that it wasn’t ter- Secretary of State’s Distinguished Public that a career in the Foreign Service would rifying, and always answered my questions Service Award for her work as executive allow him to engage with the world in a about everything. And, as a result, I have producer of the State Department’s Video way that wasn’t possible in academia. never had a nightmare in my life about the Production Unit. Mr. LaSalle served as a cultural officer war.” Eventually, they made it to Lisbon, She was recognized for her innova- in Romania, India and Indonesia. Later, finding safe passage on one of the last tive television news programs designed as a Senior Foreign Service officer, he ships leaving for the United States. to keep employees informed on the latest directed public affairs programs in the In America, she devoted herself to edu- diplomatic developments. In addition, she Netherlands and Zaire (now the Demo- cation and cultural exchange, working for produced a series of educational training cratic Republic of the Congo), and held the U.S. Information Service in Cambodia films on sensitive issues involving security several positions in Washington, D.C. He and producing documentaries for newly and health. was honored several times for his contri- emerging African nations in the late 1950s. Marilyn Janet Holmes is survived by butions to U.S. diplomacy. In 1959, she married a newly com- her husband of 56 years, Allen Holmes; her In retirement, Mr. LaSalle continued his missioned Foreign Service officer, Allen two children, Katherine Holmes-Chuba voracious reading and pursued his love of Holmes, and accompanied him to his first and Gerry Holmes; and four grandchil- travel, food, wine and new experiences. He posting, Yaoundé. There she was able to dren, Nick, Olivia, Alexander and Aidan. also was active in several philanthropies. complete her documentary projects and Mr. LaSalle is survived by several begin her adventure in the Foreign Service. n Claude William (Bill) LaSalle II, 82, relatives, among them Sidney “Buddy” Mrs. Holmes embraced each new post a retired Foreign Service officer, died at his LaSalle; a cousin, Yvette Romero; and a with insatiable curiosity and an aptitude home in Washington, D.C., on June 11. goddaughter, Olivia Wills. for languages, making lifelong friends in Mr. LaSalle was the only child of a sugar In lieu of flowers, the family asks that the process. cane plantation manager and his wife in donations be made in Bill LaSalle’s name Her reputation for helping American Louisiana. Educated in demanding Catho- to the International Book Project; The diplomatic families adjust to life overseas, lic schools and steeped in the colorful LaSalle Academy (Development Depart- and her experience bridging American culture of his native Cajun country, he rev- ment) in New York City; or College Bound. and international communities in assign- eled in books and stories of the intriguing ments from sub-Saharan Africa to postings politics of his area. n Emily Claire Leonard, 71, a retired in France and Italy, brought Mrs. Holmes Precocious for his age, Bill LaSalle Foreign Service officer with the U.S. to the attention of higher-ups in the State grew to be a sophisticated adult who read Agency for International Development, Department. cultures like novels and saw the irony and died of respiratory failure on April 22 in In 1980 she was appointed director humor surrounding events of the day and Tegucigalpa, Honduras, the city of her last of the State Department’s Family Liai- the personalities of the times. A natural posting.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 87 Born during World War II in her USAID colleagues remember Emily with the U.S. International Communica- mother’s hometown of Morgantown, Leonard as a dazzling woman who tion Agency in Perth, Western Australia W. Va., Emily Claire Leonard moved with windsurfed in the Mediterranean, went (1978-1980). her family to Alexandria, Va., when her scuba diving in the Red Sea, and enliv- Between postings, Mr. McGinley attorney father was appointed to a senior ened embassy parties. An accomplished worked for USIA as a career counselor, post in the Eisenhower administration’s linguist, she conversed easily in French, chief of the agency’s training division and Department of Justice. Arabic and Spanish. In retirement, Ms. deputy chief of the bibliographic division. Ms. Leonard worked summers for the Leonard studied law and enjoyed garden- The McGinleys retired to Tucson, Ariz., federal government during high school. ing, reading and collecting Central Ameri- in 1980 and enjoyed more than three After earning a B.A. in economics from can art. She loved the people of Honduras decades of life together with frequent Wellesley College and an M.S. in manage- and quietly provided regular financial visits from family members. ment from the Massachusetts Institute help to needy students and families with Mr. McGinley was a committed walker of Technology, Ms. Leonard worked for a disabled children. and an avid reader. He enjoyed classical business gaming venture in Cambridge, Emily Claire Leonard is survived by music, gardening and keeping up with Mass., before returning to Washington her sister Jennifer Leonard (and her hus- current events. and beginning her career in the Foreign band David Cay Johnston) of Rochester, In November 2010, the couple pub- Service. N.Y., and their children Molly and Kate lished interesting and humorous anec- Ms. Leonard served the U.S. govern- Leonard; by her brother George Stephen dotes from their years abroad under the ment’s overseas programs for nearly a Leonard (and his wife Kathy) of Monroe title Before Noon: Personal Stories from quarter century, initially as a budget Township, N.J., and their children George the Lighter Side of Diplomacy. examiner for USAID at the Office of Man- and Valerie Leonard. Charles McGinley is survived by his agement and Budget (1971-1976). wife of 62 years, Teresita; three daugh- She then joined USAID, serving as a n Charles A. McGinley, 96, a retired ters, Nancy Ostrovsky, Cynthia McGinley health economist in the Near East Bureau Foreign Service officer with the U.S. Infor- Rosen, and Sharon Shaw Reeder; six (1976-1979), as an assistant health officer mation Agency and the U.S. International grandchildren and four great-grandchil- in Cairo (1979-1982), a regional coordi- Communication Agency, died peacefully dren. nator for the Middle East in the Bureau at home in Tucson, Ariz., on May 24. of Planning and Program Coordination Mr. McGinley was born on Jan. 29, n Diana Jill Moxhay, 74, a retired (1982-1985), and as an assistant director 1920, in Orange, N.J. He served for four Foreign Service officer, died on May 21 at and program officer in Tunisia (1985). years in the U.S. Army and Army Air Force her home on Peaks Island, Maine, follow- After returning to Washington as during World War II, and earned B.A. ing a brave battle with cancer. a desk officer for the Office of Central and MLS degrees from the University of Ms. Moxhay was born on March 17, American Affairs (1986-1989), Ms. Leon- Southern California. 1942, in Rye, N.Y., to Jack and Dorothea ard concluded her career as the senior Mr. McGinley’s Foreign Service career Moxhay. She graduated from Rye High career officer in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. included assignments as a USIA public School and attended Smith College in There she helped reform the jus- affairs officer in Cebu, Philippines (1951- Northampton, Mass., graduating in 1964. tice system, enduring death threats to 1953) and in Benghazi, Libya (1954-1956). She had a competitive spirit and par- establish a district attorney’s office with In Cebu, he met Teresita Lopez, and they ticipated in sports, particularly lacrosse, nationwide jurisdiction. Her “valiant married on Dec. 6, 1954, in Benghazi. throughout her school years. In her pro- actions” were honored by the Honduran He worked as a regional public affairs fessional life, she worked to open doors Bar Association, the Supreme Court of officer in Bangkok (1956-1957), as an previously closed to women. Following Honduras and the Public Ministry. assistant cultural affairs officer in Taipei college, she worked for Radio Liberty She retired from USAID in November (1958-1963), as a book officer in Saigon Munich and Voice of America, and was 1994, although she returned as a contract (1966-1968) and as a cultural affairs offi- subsequently recruited as a Foreign Ser- manager in Haiti for five months during cer in Dacca (1968-1971). Mr. McGinley’s vice officer by the State Department. 1995. final posting was as a public affairs officer Ms. Moxhay had a great facility for

88 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL languages, speaking half a dozen comfort- Chase, Md., on Oct. 13, 2015. She was a ably. Her greatest passion, however, was co-founder and the first president of the for Russian, which she began learning Associates of the American Foreign Ser- while at Smith College so she could better vice Worldwide (originally “Association of understand and enjoy the works of Dosto- American Foreign Service Women”). evsky and other Russian authors. Born and raised in Bay City, Texas, In 1971, Diana Moxhay became the June Beakes came to Washington to first female Foreign Service officer posted attend Arlington Hall School. She worked to U.S. Embassy Moscow. Her mis- for the federal government during the sion there focused on creating a deeper New Deal years and was posted to cultural understanding between the two Madrid during World War II as a member superpowers, long before official relations of the State Department’s Foreign Service began to thaw. Auxiliary.

During the next three decades, she In 1946, June Beakes married FSO Moving? was posted in Chile, Cameroon, Sierra James MacGregor Byrne. She accompa- Leone, Somalia, Russia again, Belarus and nied her husband on overseas postings in Austria, reaching the most senior levels of Berne, Addis Ababa, Tunis and Brus- the Foreign Service. sels. On his retirement from the Foreign A lifelong champion of democracy and Service in 1964, the couple settled in the free speech, Ms. Moxhay took particu- Washington, D.C., area. Mr. Byrne died lar delight in having incurred the ire of in 1979. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Mrs. Byrne married Samuel Spencer, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, a former president of the Washington, both of whom barred her from entering D.C., Board of Commissioners, in 1982. their countries, resentful of her work to He died in 1997. empower a free press. June Byrne co-founded AAFSW in Diana Moxhay is remembered as 1960 and served as its first president. a woman of refined taste, with a deep Foreign Service spouses formed the orga- appreciation for and encyclopedic knowl- nization to make their needs and those edge of classical music, opera, ballet and of their families understood by State the fine arts; and she was personal friends Department officials. Take AFSA with numerous prominent Russian danc- As Mrs. Spencer later recounted in her ers, artists and musicians. oral history interview with the Associa- With You! Prior to retiring, Ms. Moxhay designed tion for Diplomatic Studies and Training, a beautiful home overlooking the sea on when she first made the suggestion that Change your address online, Peaks Island, where she could be close to such an organization with elected officers family and friends. be formed: “Jaws dropped; there was visit us at www.afsa.org/ She is survived by her brothers David silence—it was heretical.” address (and his wife, Judy) and Peter (and his AAFSW advocacy led to creation of Or wife, Kathryn, and their children Olwyn, the Family Liaison Office, the Overseas Send changes to: Imogen and Nikolai); and her nephew Briefing Center and the Foreign Service AFSA Membership Christopher (and his wife, Bonnie). Youth Foundation. Mrs. Spencer was honored at AAFSW’s Millennium Cel- Department n June Beakes Byrne Spencer, 98, ebration in 2000. 2101 E Street NW widow of the late FSO James MacGregor June Beakes Byrne Spencer is survived Washington, DC 20037 Byrne, died peacefully at home in Chevy by four children and one grandson. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 89 BOOKS

An Education in Time tively, leaned right to a founding mythol- Kaplan’s skill lies in his ability not just and Place ogy rooted in the land that easily turned to sketch with words, but to paint portraits toward the 20th century’s more destruc- that evoke eras and locales and nostalgia. In Europe’s Shadow: Two Cold Wars tive ideologies of anti-Semitism His narrative isn’t linear; and a Thirty-Year Journey Through and fascism. he skips backward and Romania and Beyond Kaplan also paints a picture of forward in time. Starting Robert D. Kaplan, Random House, 2016, Russian malevolence in the Bal- in 1981 with a journal- $28/hardcover, $18/paperback, $13.99/ kans, slowly taking over economi- istic lark from Tel Aviv Kindle, 287 pages. cally what it can’t, or chooses not to Bucharest, he jumps Reviewed By Tracy Whittington to, militarily, by creating massive in a mere 250 pages to energy dependence throughout the present-day interviews Robert Kaplan’s latest volume, In Europe’s old southern satellites. with former Romanian Shadow: Two Cold Wars and a Thirty-Year Indeed, though only one of presidents and a prime Journey Through Romania and Beyond, two enormous influences over the minister, to a retelling of indulges his love of this enigmatic country. Part travel writing, part political sci- In Europe’s Shadow leaves us far more educated about the ence, his eclectic writing style can initially country’s past sufferings and present prospects than anticipated. frustrate the reader. Whenever he seems on the verge of providing concrete, factual historical information, he veers into lyri- historical lands of present-day Romania the horrors perpetrated by World War II- cism again, musing about a restaurant he (the other being the Ottoman Empire, or era ruler Ion Antonescu, to the aforemen- visited 20 years earlier. Turkey), Russia looms large in the nar- tioned lives of pre–nation state heroes, to Halfway through the book, he’s still rative as an ominous cloud the West has bustling Belle Epoque Bucharest. not told the story of Nicolae Ceausescu’s failed to notice over the Romanian, and He also transcends location, as he fall (he never does), nor elaborated on his Balkan, horizons. retreats farther afield—from the capital, to assertion that Romania under the dictator More than once, Kaplan refers to his modern-day Moldova, to the Romanian resembled a North Korean personality cult almost guilty concern that his Balkan heartland, the Transylvanian countryside (he eventually will). What he has done is Ghosts, in describing the eternal conflicts and, finally, nearby Hungary. Through offer a digressive chapter on the battles of of the region, led President Bill Clinton it all, he repeatedly stops to learn from medieval voivodes and more than a few and NATO not to intervene early in the armchair and actual philosophers, the lat- blow-by-blow analyses of the writings of former Yugoslavia out of a belief the ter mostly through a close reading of their Romanian intellectuals in the early 20th problems there were intractable. Whether books and biographies. century. he overestimates his influence or not, In Europe’s Shadow captures the imagi- Early on, it’s difficult to discern his Kaplan is clearly scarred (and scared) by nation and gives readers a visceral sense, intent. Readers should persist, however, the notion that his words could be taken perhaps Kaplan’s visceral sense, of Roma- for the book proves far more complex and to mean something he didn’t intend. nia. It also leaves us far more educated engaging than its geographically narrow He wants us to understand his dictum about the country’s past sufferings and subject would suggest. Kaplan’s central that only after knowing a country—its present prospects than anticipated. thesis is that Romania has always served philosophical heritage, its underbelly When so much news about interna- as a sort of crossroads, protecting the West of oppression, its people at their most tional affairs is immediate, condensed and from the depredations of Eastern invaders elevated and at their most base—should resolutely analytical, it can be difficult to while being left mostly to defend itself. intervention, when necessary, be con- release ourselves to the flow of a volume Romania, according to Kaplan, has sidered. But, equally crucial, a country’s like this, to let it carry us through time always looked West and considered itself history—however complicated, however and place with no clear destination. But part of the West. But its intellectuals and messy, however cyclical—should never be Kaplan has an objective in mind, and revolutionaries have often, counterintui- used to justify leaving it to its unhappy fate. when we reach the end, a bit soaked with

90 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL images and words, we realize he was building as a tool of foreign policy emerg- with a search for successful nation-build- firmly at the oars, guiding us to his ulti- ing from the end of the Cold War has ing? The author would have been better mate conclusions all along. been an unmitigated failure. The pursuit off with a tighter focus. has yielded little, and cost the United There is also an unforced error in Tracy Whittington is a Foreign Service of- States dearly. Mandelbaum’s analysis: he implies that ficer currently working in the Office of the There is much to commend here. the United States has an endless array of Historian. She has previously served in the Mandelbaum is a serious scholar, and options, choices and tools at its disposal. Director General’s Policy Coordination Of- his work deserves serious discussion In discussing the Middle East, for example, fice, the Operations Center, La Paz, Montreal and examination. One of his former he implies that the whole multiyear peace and Kinshasa. She is a member of the FSJ collaborators, Thomas L. Friedman, the process enterprise is a Washington, D.C., Editorial Board. éminence grise of globalization, ranks it policy fixation. He presents the drivers as one of the most important books for of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its Mission Impossible? foreign policy intellectuals and policy- linkage to stability in the region as a matter makers to read. of fundamental U.S. interest, but then talks Mission Failure: America and the That said, much of this work, espe- about U.S. engagement as an elective. World in the Post–Cold War Era cially the research on Iraq and Afghani- And there is a recurring theme that Michael Mandelbaum, Oxford University stan, has been done elsewhere in more U.S. policy failures result from a lack of Press, 2016, $29.95/hardcover; $16.49/ detail. But if one were looking for a single understanding within the foreign policy Kindle, 504 pages. volume to take in all the post–Cold War establishment, Reviewed By Geneve Mantri lessons from the fall of the wall to the presumably Obama doctrine, they could do worse including the Dean Acheson once said that “Britain than pick up this one. At its best, it sum- Foreign Service. had lost an empire and not yet found marizes very complex issues succinctly. While there may a role.” U.K. Prime Minister Harold McMillan, when asked what the hardest thing about being prime minister was, There is an unforced error in Mandelbaum’s quipped: “Events.” Michael Mandel- analysis: he implies that the United States has baum’s Mission Failure: America and an endless array of options, choices and tools the World in the Post–Cold War Era rests at its disposal. between these two competing images of international relations: Is the U.S. post– Cold War history a matter of a choice, or But there are a few nagging concerns. be faults with the U.S. diplomatic corps, a of choices thrust upon us? For starters, the sweep is far too broad lack of analytical, cultural and linguistic Mandelbaum’s book is a much- to reassure the reader that one set of abilities is not among them. Some prob- needed and well-documented attempt to conclusions can apply. Did the author lems suffer from a lack of options, policy review and possibly revise the history of really have to include the Iran nuclear relevance, tools, resources or political the post–Cold War world. The book has deal, the Middle East peace process and attention. But usually a Foreign Service an epic sweep, but is still readable at 381 NATO expansion in this one volume? officer is advocating for all of these. pages of text, seeking to encompass a vast Much of this material is tangential to the The heart of the book offers a critique array of recent U.S. history from the fall core argument of the book and disturbs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and of the Berlin Wall to the Iran nuclear deal. its coherence. Mandelbaum offers key counter-argu- The core premise addresses a pivotal In nation-building interventions, are ments to two of the most controversial question: What has the U.S. penchant we trying to turn these countries into decisions of the war: disbanding the Iraqi for nation-building in states far from our Denmark, or are we merely trying to stop Army and undertaking de-Baathification, shores done for us, or accomplished for them from becoming another Somalia? thus precipitating the insurgency. He them? The author posits that nation- What does the Iran deal really have to do argues—albeit unconvincingly—that the

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 91 Iraqi Army had already disintegrated, and delbaum seems to have disregarded that interconnected world, can we afford to bringing it back would have alienated the advice in this recent work. sit the game out, despite the crudeness people Saddam had oppressed, as would The United States tried very hard of our tools, and what are the long-term reinstating his party members. to ignore Bosnia and Kosovo, until the costs and consequences of doing so? n There is a case to be made, as Mandel- problems threatened NATO and Euro- baum does, that the United States could pean Union stability. The United States Geneve Mantri served as the nonprolifera- have avoided Somalia, as it did Rwanda, did ignore the 1994 Rwanda genocide, tion manager at U.S. Embassy Chisinau on the grounds that these are far-away and has been apologizing ever since. And from 2013 to 2015, where he dealt with countries of which we really know very there is an argument to be made that the trafficking, nonproliferation and WMD little on a continent the United States United States ignored Afghanistan after issues. Prior to that, he directed Amnesty has largely ignored for much of modern the Soviet invasion and paved the way for International’s counterterrorism program, history. the Taliban, if not 9/11 and our current and served on former Senator Richard But there also seems to be some terrorism concerns. The fact is that there Lugar’s staff as a national security fellow. inconsistency in his published views on are some problems Washington can’t He has served as a consultant to the United this point. His earlier book, That Used ignore, even if it would like to. Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations To Be Us (Picador, 2012), written with Mission Failure makes an important Development Program and the Carnegie Thomas L. Friedman, made the case that contribution, but the core question is not Corporation. In August, he joined AFSA’s the United States ignores the impact of simply: How do we do nation-building Professional Policy Issues team. He is mar- the globalized world at its peril. Yet Man- and get it right? Rather, it is this: In an ried to a Foreign Service officer.

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THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 95 REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

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THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 99 REFLECTIONS

Road Trip to Syria, 2011

BY LAURA MERZIG FABRYCKY

e had no idea then just Five years on, our memories are in a how slender a needle’s eye we were threading kind of interpretive ruin, and we have Wwhen we set off as a fam- no place to fix them. ily to explore Syria over a long (Ameri- can) Presidents Day weekend in 2011. Traveling with our 4- and 2-year-old ity throughout major parts of the country. away to torture chambers. daughters, we planned an ambitious As we drove up to the border, we read Children’s songs from France, Russia, itinerary, secured visas and headed Little House in the Big Woods aloud in Australia and China blared from the car. north from our apartment on the the car, eating Goldfish crackers. On the Just outside of Daraa, Hannah said she western edge of Amman, to the border Syrian side of the border, we piled out of had to go to the bathroom, so we pulled crossing at Daraa. the car for passport control. The guards over. I hopped out of the car, but just as I The Arab Spring was still in its heady laboriously scrutinized our passports for lifted the hatchback to retrieve the plastic early days. Egypt’s youth had electrified signs of travel missteps into enemy terri- potty, Dora’s unmistakable voice belted the region a month earlier by toppling tory, a familiar, delicate dance of Levan- out: “Shalom! From Israel!” Hardly the a dictator. We wondered if Syria, too, tine travel. tones of a delicate dance. We jumped would soon taste freedom, but couldn’t Eventually, after much waiting, the back in the car and zoomed off. have anticipated just how hard and with kids and I returned to the car. Yet the We ventured on to the still-inhabited what hell-fury the window that had scrutiny dragged on. My husband, David, Roman ruins at Bosra—taking in its basalt been cracked open would be slammed attempted to speed up the process with amphitheatre, climbing up to a perch to down upon a people and a place. polite chitchat while I continued to read gaze down on the stage, where in March Our happy memories of this trip now Little House aloud in the parked car. 2015 rebel forces would battle with regime seem strange and incongruous alongside The Goldfish bag was now empty. troops. Winding through its ancient, accounts of the civil uprisings and the Frustrated but not quite defeated, David cobbled streets, we stopped to let our girls regime’s brutal retaliation in places like returned to the car. “I need Hannah” (our play amidst the grassy, time-softened Daraa, Damascus and Bosra—not to men- youngest). Ten minutes later, he emerged remains of a basalt Byzantine cathedral. tion the growth of ISIS and ensuing brutal- from the building beaming, with pass- They played “house” and “farm” around ports in hand and Hannah in his arms. the toppled structures. Laura Merzig Fabrycky, Apparently, seeing her energetic David and I sat on upturned column whose husband is a State blonde pigtails and enormous brown eyes segments watching them, happy that we Department FSO, is a once more helped the guards regain their had ventured here and not to a cloistered freelance writer and editor, perspective, and they gave up looking for tourist resort for the holiday. Residents poet and essayist. Her writing signs of enmity. We drove off. waved and smiled at us. We waved and has been published in Books & Culture, the Listening to a Dora the Explorer smiled back. Review of Faith & International Affairs and “World Friendship” CD, we made our way Later we headed into the mountains elsewhere. Her first collection of poetry, Give through Daraa—where, in a few weeks’ north of Damascus, to Ma’loula—one Me the Word, was published in 2015. She and time, children who had scribbled anti- of the few towns where Aramaic (the her family are currently posted to Berlin. regime graffiti on a wall would be dragged language of Jesus) is still spoken. We ran

100 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL come back, no problem. The lanterns have by now even survived a transoceanic voyage. But five years on, our memo- ries are in a kind of inter- pretive ruin, and we have no place to fix them. It was a good trip. We still say, as we did then, how lovely a place Syria was, even in the shadow of its DAVID FABRYCKY DAVID Laura Fabrycky and her daughters look down at the stage from high up in the amphitheater at Bosra. ruthless dictator and his apparatus of fear. Yet Bosra’s basalt structures have been pocked by bullets, its mosaics punctured, many of its residences demolished. The destruction of sites like these, there and elsewhere, makes us weep, but that pales before the abject suffering and displace- ment endured by the Syrian people. How many times have I thought of Thecla’s rock and said a prayer for miraculous safe passages for the countless refugees who have suffered unrelentingly in the years since? The diplomatic life comes with enormous privilege—which, at its best, is twined with a responsibility to venture far

DAVID FABRYCKY DAVID beyond the safety of Disney-like surreal- Walking through the basalt ruins in Bosra. ity; to take real and complicated places into one’s own life, as best one can; to inside a smoky, modest café to escape a Syrian army here, taking lives and kidnap- meet people, encounter cultures and torrential afternoon rain and had a satisfy- ping a dozen nuns. make memories in places that many will ing meal just below the cliffs where the Back in Damascus, the sights, smells, never see. Orthodox monastery of St. Thecla perches. tastes and faces of the ancient streets While some among the American After visiting the shrine, we hiked left lasting impressions. We purchased public harbor fear about the unknown through a famous crack in the rock, bun- a set of glass-paneled copper lanterns and the “other,” we think back to the faces dled against the rainy cold. The apocryphal from a shopkeeper who, in his doting, we saw—including little ones with bright story tells of a rock that opened to allow an fatherly way, gave our daughters little pigtails and brown, doe-like eyes, just like elderly St. Thecla, a contemporary of the fabric-framed mirrors for their purses. our Hannah; eyes that should have been Apostle Paul, to flee her persecutors after Mash’allah! Mash’allah! compelling enough for a taste of liberty, having faced torture and death sentences He had the lanterns wound tightly in for an end to the violence, for a livable, many times over in her life. bubble-wrap for our trip back to Amman, human peace—smiling, waving, as our Two years later, the al-Qaida-linked assuring us that if any of the panels broke, daughters played farm in the gentle ruins al-Nusra Front would wage battle with the he would be honored to repair them. Just of Bosra. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 101 LOCAL LENS

BY ANDREW PARKS n LIBERIA

ff the coast of Liberia, small-scale fishermen return from a laborious day of fishing. Each vessel Please submit your favorite, recent photograph to displays flags representing the diverse nationalities of the boat owner and the workers on board. be considered for Local The fish trade generates livelihoods for millions of people in Liberia and West Africa generally, Lens. Images must be high resolution (at least 300 dpi and represents a critical source of nutrition. Until recently, the fish population had been deci- O at 8” x 10”, or 1 MB or larger) mated by large-scale industrial trawling. However, thanks to a partnership among the Liberian Ministry and must not be in print of Fisheries, the World Bank and the West Africa Regional Fisheries Program, conservation zones where elsewhere. Please include a short description of the trawlers are not allowed to fish have been established and dedicated to local fishing communities. These scene/event, as well as your efforts have enabled small-scale fishermen to reclaim their livelihoods and improve the quality of life for name, brief biodata and the type of camera used, to their families and communities. n [email protected].

Andrew Parks is a Foreign Service officer posted in Monrovia. As an engineering officer with USAID, he works on economic growth, health and education programs as they pertain to the development of infrastructure—including power production; farm-to-market roads; health clinics; community water distribution and treatment systems; and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs for rural schools.

102 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL