UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE October 2002 StateStateMagazine A Different View of Independence StateState Magazine October 2002 Contents No. 461 Department of State • United States of America 8Post of the Month: Manila 11 COLUMNS This mission is forging an exciting new relationship with an old family friend. 2 From the Secretary 11 Office of the Month: 7 Direct from the D.G. Center for Administrative Innovation An administrative brain trust suggests imaginative solutions to vexing problems. DEPARTMENTS 13 A Different View of Independence 3 Letters to the Editor Ablind employee hasn’t let his disability define him. 4 In the News 17 On Being a ‘Hubster’ These officers grapple with transborder challenges. 28 Safety Scene 20 Kampala Adds Antiretroviral 29 People Like You Drugs to Its Medical Plan 30 State of the Arts One post’s compassionate program for HIV-positive FSNs. 31 Obituaries Photo by Matthew Ryan Photo by 22 EUR’s Executive FSN Corps: Bright Idea Stephen Williams, program ana- A new program draws on a rich bank of FSN talent. lyst, appreciates the opportunity 32 Personnel Actions to think freely about big issues. 24 The Secret Is Out: This J.O. Can Cook! A junior officer gives a tense post a culinary lift. 26 ‘Our Town’ Aretired couple finds happiness near a university town. 27 Will They Come? UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE October 2002 A pilot program discovers a strong desire for mentors. StateMagazine 8 A Different View of Independence On the Cover Participating in a Mission Habitat for Humanity project to build houses David Konkel and son Brandon, 15, for Manila’s poor are FSN Nonie canoe on Assateague Inlet in Trinidad and Tom Skipper, former Chincoteague, Va. Public Affairs information officer. Photo by Joan Konkel FROM THE SECRETARY SECRETARY COLIN L. POWELL We Have a Stake in Sustainable Development ast month, at the World Summit on Sustainable I look to the men and women of the State Department, Development in Johannesburg, I reaffirmed here in Washington and especially those serving in our President Bush’s commitment to expanding the overseas posts, to take President Bush’s commitment to circle of freedom and opportunity. development seriously and to do your utmost to put the LEmphasizing that good governance, wise stewardship Johannesburg Plan into practice. of the environment and freer trade are the only ways to Sustainable development isn’t just a matter for our achieve lasting economic progress, I pledged United USAID or economics officers or our functional bureaus. States support to developing countries that adopt such Questions of development shape the overall quality of farsighted policies. And I spoke of the critical role that our bilateral relationships, and they hold far-reaching public-private partnerships must play in helping them consequences for regional stability and security. All of us escape poverty and achieve prosperity. need to promote development as part and parcel of our Governments from developing countries and entrepre- larger mission of advancing core American values and neurs from the private sector welcomed America’s interests worldwide. approach—and so, by the way, did most representatives Helping lift countless millions out of misery is an from civil society and international organizations. expression of our nation’s deep humanitarian impulse. It Johannesburg was only the latest—and not the last— also reflects the fact that our own well being depends on stop on a long road toward creating a brighter future for the well being of our fellow inhabitants of this planet. the world’s peoples. Last November, in Doha, Qatar, the An international consensus now exists on how best to United States successfully worked to put the needs of move development forward. The men and women of the developing countries at the heart of global trade negotia- State Department can make important contributions to tions to ensure they will get the benefits of freer trade. this worldwide effort. And last March, in Monterrey, Mexico, President Bush I am counting on all of you to become familiar with the announced his Millennium Challenge Initiative to work Johannesburg Plan. Let governments in developing coun- with Congress to increase our development assistance by tries know about the resources the United States is willing $5 billion per year within three years. As an incentive and to commit if they undertake political and economic a reward, this aid will go only to those nations that are reforms. Encourage NGOs and businesses to form innova- governed wisely and fairly, are investing in health and tive partnerships. education and are following sound economic policies. One of the challenges that draws so many of you to a The poor of the world don’t need more inflated rhetoric. career in the State Department is the chance to make a They need a workable strategy to help them succeed. And difference in this world—in the lives of your fellow that is what ultimately came out of the World Summit on human beings. In the years ahead, we can help put Sustainable Development—in no small measure because of clean water in the mouths of thirsty girls and boys, pre- the dedication, skill and expertise of our American delega- vent the transmission of HIV/AIDS from mother to tion and our diplomatic team in South Africa. The Johannes- child, and preserve fragile ecosystems on which the burg Plan of Implementation the conference adopted pulls futures of whole societies depend. In short, our work together our ideas and those of others into one document can bring new hope to men, women and children on that reflects the best thinking on sustainable development. every continent. ■ 2 State Magazine LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CORPORATE PLACEMENT PROGRAM: A Cable Car Named Opportunity Exchanges Are By Patty Hayes cuss the findings of a recent survey on Silicon Valley immigrant entrepreneurs and professionals who are key s the State Department looks to the private sec- drivers of the Bay Area’s high-tech industry. I have also tor for ways to manage change, its Corporate been updating the content of several programs on the Placement Program is a wonderful opportuni- forum’s web site and organizing public outreach events ty for Foreign Service officers to learn first- on subjects as varied as biotechnology, aging and genetic Beneficial hand about their corporate colleagues. diseases—a testament to the scientific research that is a AAs the first human resources officer from State selected cornerstone of the Bay Area economy. to participate in the program, I have worked for the past The assignment has had its personal benefits as well. When I wrote about these vehicles year with the San Francisco Bay Area Economic Forum, a San Francisco is my hometown. I have always kept close public-private partnership of business, government, uni- ties with my family and friends in the Bay Area during versity, labor and commu- my Foreign Service career, nity leaders working to but there’s no substitute support the economic for being back home. vitality and quality of life There are no downsides in the May issue, I failed to mention in the Bay Area. to these opportunities. The area is rich in inno- They recharge the batter- I was pleased to vation—innovation re- ies, provide excellent flecting a highly skilled, training and renew one’s diverse work force, a commitment to public strong culture of entrepre- service. They also put a neurship that rewards face on the Foreign the importance of using seat belts. risk-taking and collabora- Service and encourage see Patty Hayes’s tion between academia participants to tell their and private industry. communities about the Research shows that com- important work of the panies succeed in the Bay Department. en credit where credit is due. Area because they main- For more information tain a flexible manage- about the Corporate Place- Having written extensively about ment system that takes ment Program, contact June article in your July– change in stride. As a O’Connell in the Bureau of result, the region is an Human Resources at (202) economic powerhouse 647-4523. ■ nationally and globally. n a During my tour with n The author, a Foreign s Jaques Reinstein deserves credit o the forum, I have sur- r Service officer, returns to B n the subject, I considered their use so veyed area business lead- h In the author’s Washington, D.C., in o ers about their innovative J hometown,a cable September to join the Office August issue about by is a cable car. o employment practices and t of Recruitment, Exam- o h organized a forum to dis- P ination and Employment. for making the program, now in its 30 State Magazine her experience with obvious that I thought repeating it would be “beating a dead horse.” 36th year, a success. Through the San Franciscothe and private to learn sector that in concept of a rigorous economics pro- those opportunities have returned. Thank you, Mr. Hubler, for keep- ing me honest. gram, he raised the economic com- In 1971, I participated in the petency of Foreign Service officers President’s Executive Interchange Wortham D. Davenport and of others in foreign affairs. Mr. Program, the first person in the Engineer Reinstein used the bureaucracy Department to do so. Happily, my Office of Safety/Health and effectively to establish the program private sector experience, too, was in Environmental Management and to obtain a generous budget. San Francisco. Several of my PEIP When selecting faculty, he set high colleagues and successors went on to standards and consulted with col- distinguished careers. The person Credit Where lege deans and presidents before for whom I was exchanged at the approaching a faculty member.