Values-based Leadership at Home and on the Global Stage
U.S. diplomats are inherently champions of American values, such as democracy, rule of law, an independent judiciary, freedom of press, and fair and transparent elections. Likewise, Americans engaged in global affairs outside of government are often proud to convey and protect these same beliefs and cultural norms. At a time when democracy is coming under fire within our own borders, what is our moral authority to promote and defend these democratic values abroad? In a world with diminishing differences between domestic and foreign policies, how do we stand with democratic movements without infringing on state sovereignty.
Featuring: His Excellency Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Samar Ali
A State Department for Everyone
Featuring: Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX)
Intersection of National Security and Foreign Policy
While the United States’ defense apparatus remains the most powerful in the world, America’s diplomatic presence overseas has been largely diminished through underfunded budgets, vacant posts, and the militarization of foreign policy. President Biden’s appointment of former diplomats to top national security posts may signal an increased emphasis on soft power approaches to national security issues. This discussion will explore how the Biden administration will handle this defense and diplomacy dichotomy to achieve foreign policy priorities, tackle new global crises, and maintain the safety and security of the country.
Featuring: The Honorable Michele Flournoy and Vivian Salama
Green Light on Climate Diplomacy
President Biden immediately signaled the fight against climate change as a fundamental aspect of his foreign policy agenda by rejoining the Paris Agreement, appointing Secretary John Kerry as the Special President Envoy for Climate, and announcing the April 22nd summit of world leaders to advance anti-global warming efforts. While Biden and Kerry will lead this transformation, the U.S. Department of State and American diplomats will be tasked with carrying out the new charge. This session will highlight methods to infuse climate action in the Department’s mission and operations, including learning from other foreign governments who have successfully implemented climate mitigation measures, as well as looking to state, local and nongovernmental actors for inspiration and partnerships as America builds a broader network of allies to combat climate change.
Featuring: Erin Koepke, Scott Tong, Ambassdor Nina Hachigan, Her Excellency Katja Nordgaard and Ambassador Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat
Diagnosing the Chronic Effects of Global Health in Diplomacy
From repatriation efforts and pandemic prevention plans to PPE and vaccine procurement assignments, nearly all U.S. and international diplomats practiced global health diplomacy in one way or another this past year. This elevation of global health security on both the domestic and international policy agendas of all nations will remain long after the world has reached herd immunity. Exploring practices and lessons learned from the COVID-19 outbreak and previous pandemics, this conversation will detail how the State Department and foreign ministries should recalibrate their global health security practices to infuse greater scientific acumen into their policies and personnel, augment multilateral and cross-governmental coordination, and embrace a One Health approach. It will also examine what role diplomats play in mitigating vaccine nationalism and health equity issues.
Featuring: Elise Labott, Dr. Angeli Achrekar, Ambassador Mark Dybul, Ambassador Tamaki Tsukada, Krishna Udayakumar, Helene D. Gayle
Fighting with Facts: Overcoming Disinformation
American public diplomacy efforts face increasing threats from technologically-enabled disinformation campaigns, weakening state credibility and perpetuating destabilizing narratives. While Foreign Service officers have wide-ranging competency with, and employment of, social media and cyber security, the State Department will need continuous training and technological platform enhancements to keep up in a field moving ever more rapidly as most business and engagement takes place online due to the pandemic. This session will highlight how effective public diplomacy digital media campaigns and practices, valuable machine learning, forecasting, and artificial intelligence tools, and strategic partnerships with the information and communication sector can limit the growing spread of disinformation and reestablish international trust in the United States.
Featuring: Bay Fang, Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX), Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan, Vivian Walker and Harry Wingo
Dividends of Economic Statecraft
Through trade and building strong economic partnerships with other countries, commercial diplomacy has the potential to create new American jobs, boost economic opportunities overseas, and empower U.S. businesses. Likewise, American enterprises play a powerful role in establishing soft power and helping the government achieve foreign policy priorities. This conversation will examine how Secretary Blinken’s State Department should elevate economic diplomacy by empowering ambassadors to prioritize commercial participation and anticorruption; better coordinating directly with domestic and economic policy officials in the White House, Commerce and other agencies; increasing collaboration with U.S. businesses; and implementing the American Foreign Service Association’s call for three hundred economic officers to be deployed overseas.
Featuring: The Honorable Catherine Novelli and Rana Foroohar
Strengthening American Diplomatic Human Capital
Restoring the American public’s trust in our foreign policy institution is crucial. Taking an honest look at who is represented in our diplomatic corps overseas is a start. The State Department’s 14,000 Foreign Service employees each play a role in shoring up the values of American diplomacy. It is not enough to only look at the external footprint of the U.S. in global arenas, but also to recognize the continued work to ensure our nation’s diversity is reflected in who officially represents the U.S. government overseas. This segment will examine how diversity can build a more innovative foreign policy and serves as the U.S.’ greatest competitive advantage. The internal discussions and efforts underway to foster a more diverse and inclusive Department of State are strategically aimed at building and nurturing a workforce best-equipped to tackle global challenges and achieve foreign policy goals.
The Biden-Harris administration has made clear that diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility are top priorities and diplomacy is back at the core of our foreign policy. This session will explore how to attract, retain, and promote colleagues from underrepresented minorities to further strengthen our diplomatic corps. This includes by reimagining career paths, expanding professional development and training opportunities, and promoting fairness and transparency in hiring and assignments.
Featuring: Ambassador Carol Z. Perez, Marjorie A. Ames and Lee Satterfield