http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2012-05-21T19:01:06+00:00 hosted the NATO Summit May 20-21, in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama welcomed leaders from NATO member and partner nations to his hometown for the Summit of the world's most successful Alliance. At the NATO Summit, leaders discussed the next major phase of transition in Afghanistan as well as steps to ensure NATO has the capabilities necessary to meet the challenges of the 21st century and further broaden and deepen its relationships with non-NATO partners.

While in Chicago, President Obama held a bilateral meeting with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan to discuss implementation of the Strategic Forces Agreement. The agreement, which the two leaders signed in Kabul earlier this month, lays out the future relationship between the United States and Afghanistan. President Obama also met with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen to discuss goals of the Summit.

In his remarks at the opening session of the North Atlantic Council, President Obama said, "For over 65 years, our alliance has been the bedrock of our common security, of freedom and of prosperity. And though the times may have changed, the fundamental reason for our alliance has not. Our nations are stronger and more prosperous when we stand together. In good times and in bad, our alliance has endured; in fact, it has thrived -- because we share an unbreakable commitment to the freedom and security of our citizens."

President Obama concluded, "...I look forward to our meeting with NATO's neighbors and our partners around the world who have been so critical to NATO operations as in Afghanistan and Libya. It will be another reminder that NATO is truly a hub of a network of global security partners. There is nothing else like it on Earth."

Secretary Clinton addressed the North Atlantic Council on May 21. She said, "The United States remains deeply committed to the open door policy, and it is in that spirit that we welcome our aspirant nations here today. We support their aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration, and we will keep working with each of them, both bilaterally and through NATO, to help them implement finally the reforms needed to meet the standards for membership."

She continued, "...In 1949, we were 12 nations; now we're 28. The result is an alliance that has proven over and over it can meet the threats and overcome the challenges of our time. And here in Chicago, let us reaffirm our commitment to enlargement done right as a core element of our purpose and our community."

You can read more about the NATO Summit in Chicago here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/nato_summit/ 2012-05-21T19:01:06+00:00
In his remarks at the closing of the Summit, President Obama said, "For the past three years, our nations have worked together and with others first to rescue a global economy from freefall, then to wrestle it back to a path of recovery and growth. Our progress has been tested at times by shocks like the disaster in Japan, for example. Today it's threatened once again by the serious situation in the eurozone.

"As all the leaders here today agreed, growth and jobs must be our top priority. A stable, growing European economy is in everybody's best interests -- including America's. Europe is our largest economic partner. Put simply, if a company is forced to cut back in Paris or Madrid, that might mean less business for manufacturers in Pittsburgh or Milwaukee. And that might mean a tougher time for families and communities that depend on that business."

President Obama continued, "This morning, I updated you on the progress we made last night in our discussion of security issues. And today, following our discussion of the economy, we also made progress on a range of other important challenges. We discussed the importance of pursuing an all-of-the-above strategy for energy security in a safe and sustainable way. Leaders agreed to join a new U.S.-led coalition to address climate change, in part by reducing short-lived pollutants. And in the face of increasing disruptions in the supply of oil, we agreed that we must closely monitor global energy markets. Together, we stand ready to call upon the International Energy Agency to take action to ensure that the market remains fully and timely supplied.

"We also announced a new alliance on food security with African leaders and the private sector as part of an effort to lift 50 million people out of poverty over the next decade. We discussed our support for a sustainable Afghan economy as we wind down the war, and we reaffirmed our support for the democratic transitions underway in the Middle East and North Africa."

The leaders released a Camp David Declaration as well as fact sheets on Energy and Climate Change, the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, and the Deauville Partnership with Arab Countries in Transition. You can read more about the Summit here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/g8_summit/ 2012-05-20T23:11:33+00:00
We are committed to learning the lessons of history and avoiding the kind of precipitous pullout that can fuel instability. We are now in the execution phase of our strategy. We expect some continuing challenges along the way, but we are achieving the goals we set in each of these three surges -- fighting, talking and building all at once.

Just two weeks ago, a Strategic Partnership Agreement was signed that provides a comprehensive framework for continued cooperation between the United States and a sovereign Afghanistan. President Karzai just announced this past weekend the third tranche of transition, after which nearly 75 percent of Afghans will be living in areas where Afghan forces are leading.

The Afghan army and police have now repeatedly demonstrated their enhanced capacity to defend the Afghan people with minimal assistance from coalition forces, and by the end of 2014 the Afghans will be fully responsible for security throughout the country. In Chicago this weekend at the NATO Summit, our allies and partners will join us in advancing a sustainable, effective Afghan National Security Force beyond transition.

Key to achieving our security objectives is improved Afghan civilian capacity and economic opportunity, which requires not only sustained support from the international community, but also, critically, Afghan action -- to improve governance, fight corruption, promote private-sector investment, and protect human rights.

In July, the international community and the Afghan government will meet in Tokyo to advance this mutual accountability, building on commitments already made in a series of international conferences, including in Istanbul and Bonn over the past year. While we will continue to face real challenges, we have seen some remarkable results. We have made significant progress in bolstering women's rights and education, expanding health services to the Afghan people, advancing nascent democracy, and improving Afghan capacity.

So, as National Security Advisor Tom Donilon said on May 17, the Chicago NATO Summit is a critical milestone in the next step toward a responsible ending of this war, achieving our goals in Afghanistan, and executing of the strategy that the President laid out in Afghanistan when he signed the Strategic Partnership Agreement.

You can see a video of U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo H. Daalder discussing Afghanistan and the NATO Summit in Chicago on YouTube here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/afghanistan_nato_summit/ 2012-05-18T23:15:00+00:00 TechCamp. TechCamps are the pillar of Secretary Clinton's Civil Society 2.0 initiative and organized and run by the Secretary's Innovation team and the Office of eDiplomacy in close collaboration with local embassies.

Perched cliff-side, bustling Lima crouches over the Pacific teeming with a third of Peru's population. An incredibly diverse country, Peruvians point out its three major regions: coast, sierra, and jungle, each with starkly contrasting histories and culture. The NGOs participating in TechCamp Lima work in many sectors. However, they share the broader goal of bridging Peru's differences and promoting progress based on social inclusion whereby all Peruvians benefit from the growing economy and global openness of this dynamic country.

In a space that ESAN University generously made available May 10-11, 33 representatives from civil society organizations that operate throughout the coastal, Andean and eastern jungle areas of Peru convened with technology experts under the theme Democracia Intercultural, or intercultural democracy. Over the course of two days, participants posed problem statements and worked toward solutions to issues such as, "How can we keep anti-corruption activists connected in the 23 regions of Peru?" and "How can we extend our coverage with the same budget?" As part of the interactive model of TechCamp, technologists shared success stories with NGO representatives during a "Speed-Geeking" session (see a short video example I shot here). Technologists then held training sessions on simple and effective technologies that organizations can easily implement, such as mapping open data, or using SMS to reach a wider audience. Steve Long, a colleague from the Department of State's Information Technology organization taught sessions on quickly producing and editing quality videos on participants' own mobile phones.

My favorite aspect of TechCamp is not that NGOs come and listen to tech experts, but rather that civil society members and technologists engage each other on an equal footing, with representatives of the different organizations "owning" the problems they address every day in their work. The incredible synergy of TechCamp is difficult to describe, perhaps best left to the participants themselves, who do an exceptional job in this series of video interviews I recorded on their experiences.

And there were coffee breaks! These served not only as a venue for fostering connections but were necessary to sustain the energy of the participants who braved the famous Lima traffic to get an early start on solving their organizations' challenges through technology. On day one, participants developed problem statements and on day two they worked in small groups to tackle the problem. Technologists whose expertise ranged from visualizing open data and SMS to geo mapping and social media strategy partnered with Peruvian NGOs that focus on issues of social inclusion, language, land justice, and transparency in government. Together these groups did much more than identify issues that could be better addressed through the use of technology. They initiated measurable progress toward solutions. This is precisely what TechCamp is designed to do.

As an entry-level officer in the Foreign Service, I felt privileged to contribute both by supporting the Embassy's social media outreach and stepping into the role of "tech trainer." On both days of the conference I worked with several participants on how to set up a Ustream account as a simple way to broadcast to an audience, or connect with team members in disparate areas. I never imagined that I would have something to teach veteran organizers in my first tour as a diplomat, but I saw two participants take the lesson to heart and create an impromptu interview moments after creating their own Ustream channel.

During TechCamp Lima I had the privilege of experiencing first hand Peruvian hospitality and to savor Peru's world-famous cuisine. I survived the daredevil taxi driving, and even managed to enjoy these sometimes wild rides through the city. On my first trip south of the Equator I'm happy to have had the chance to meet and work with people dedicated to improving the lives of Peruvians, including an incredible team from the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Peru as well as their local partner Escuelab. The excitement from TechCamp Lima continues online as participants use social media to collaborate. I invite you visit our storify page to get a sense of how TechCamp Lima unfolded in real time via social media, and watch this short video which effectively summarizes the experience.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/techcamp_lima/ 2012-05-18T18:36:16+00:00 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, we believe that arts and culture have the ability to go beyond language barriers to open new channels of communication and bridge differences.

A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to travel to our country's largest yearly conference for museum professionals. Organized by the American Association of Museums (AAM), this year's theme was "Creative Community." The conference focused on ways for museums to not only reach out to their local community, but to explore ways they can engage community members in the activities of the museum. The President of the Association, Ford W. Bell, remarked that for museums, creativity is their tool, and community is what they build. This is why it's so fitting that we, at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, partner with AAM on a special initiative called Museums Connect. Museums Connect links U.S. communities with communities abroad through innovative, museum-based exchanges. The program supports projects that involve community members as active participants in shaping their own collaborative experience and in implementing activities that reach beyond museum walls.

In addition to attending fascinating panels focused on how to build community and how to connect communities internationally, I heard about the impact that Museums Connect has had on its alumni. A museum team from The Apartheid Museum in South Africa was so impressed by the Birmingham Institute of Civil Rights' inclusion of high school volunteers in its activities and operations that they decided to launch their very first volunteer program, with the Museums Connect participants as its first cohort, upon their return. Almost a year after this exchange took place, I learned that the South African students not only continue to volunteer, but were so inspired by their trip to Alabama that they are now focused on actively pursuing scholarships to study in the United States.

Stories about the positive outcomes continued: the "Identities: Understanding Islam in a Cross-Cultural Context" project between the Ben M'Sik Community Museum in Morocco and the Museums of History and Holocaust Education at Kennesaw State University developed an online media platform that exhibits their extensive work and collaboration. The Ministry of Education in Morocco has been following the activities of this project and due to its success, has invited the team at Kennesaw State University to help establish a College of the Arts.

There's more exciting collaboration on the horizon. After the conference, I met with a group of high school students from Latvia and Philadelphia, who are working together to collect oral histories from community leaders and encourage volunteerism and civic engagement from their peers. In just a few weeks, a group of museum professionals from El Salvador will be in Washington, D.C. to celebrate an exhibition of art works created by Salvadoran and Salvadoran-American students in both communities, in response to topics like tradition, identity, and community.

From empowering youth to preserving cultural heritage to fostering civic engagement, Museums Connect projects represent the diverse and transformative work being pursued by museums today. Clearly, from the individual to the institutional, these projects have long-term impact.

This summer, another round of exciting projects will launch. To watch for the announcement and to learn more about the program, please visit http://www.aam-us.org/museumsconnect or www.exchanges.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/museums_connect/ 2012-05-18T17:21:30+00:00 Tara Sonenshine hosting a Global Town Hall with Civil Society Representatives on May 16, 2012. Present in the audience were civil society representatives from more than 40 countries and senior leaders from the State Department and throughout the U.S. Government. Individuals also participated online through embassy viewing parties held around the world.

Secretary Clinton said, "...As we see the explosion of civil society groups around the world, we want to support you. I think that in the United States, civil society does the work that touches on every part of our life. It really reflects what Alexis de Tocqueville called the habits of the heart that America has been forming and practicing from our very founding, because we early on understood that there had to be a role for government and a role for the economy, but everything else was a role for us-- individuals charting our own course, making our own contributions.

"And we turn to you to help us support civil society around the world. Now this initiative is a striking example of how government and civil society, often supported by the private sector, can work together."

Secretary Clinton launched the Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society in February 2011 to elevate U.S. engagement with civil society and underscore our commitment to supporting and protecting civil society around the world. The Dialogue fulfills a promise in the Department's Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR) to create a framework for involving civil society in policymaking. At the town hall, Secretary Clinton announced action on the policy recommendations from the working groups of the Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society, demonstrating how the SDCS has resulted in concrete action. You can learn more here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/potw_civil_society/ 2012-05-18T15:40:40+00:00 decent work for working women around the world -- especially for women in the informal sector.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton commented on this in 2010 at the United Nations in New York: "I remember once driving through Africa with a group of distinguished experts. And I saw women working in the fields and I saw women working in the markets and I saw women with wood on their heads and water on their heads and children on their backs. And I remarked that women just seem to be working all the time. And one of the economists said, 'But it doesn't count.' I said, 'How can you say that?' He said, 'Well, it's not part of the formal economy.' I said, 'Well, if every woman who did all that work stopped tomorrow, the formal economy would collapse.'"

But what is the informal sector and what is "decent work"? According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), the informal sector is the activities "of the working poor, working very hard that are unrecognized, unrecorded, unprotected or unregulated by public authorities." It includes both marginal activities and profitable enterprises. According to a forthcoming statistical analysis of informal employment in 50 countries, informal employment comprises more than half of non-agricultural employment in most developing regions and is as high as 82 per cent of non-agricultural employment in South Asia, and over 80 per cent in some countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

For women in the developing world, informal work is a common type of employment. Women in the informal sector work as farmers, wage laborers, and entrepreneurs. Home-based workers, domestic workers, and waste pickers are also part of the informal economy. Work in the informal economy has risen rapidly all over the world in the last three decades, and is significant in many regions; including North and sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) notes a growing number of informal sector workers are "self-employed." Due to the subcontracting links of the global economy, for example, home-based work is a recent growing phenomenon, and there are estimated to be 100 million home-based workers worldwide.

In almost all parts of the world, women are over represented in the precarious informal sector. Women also take on the majority of domestic responsibility -- caring for children, the sick, and the elderly -- resulting in long days of both paid and unpaid work. Why is this significant? Evidence shows that investments in women are positively correlated to growth, prosperity, stability, democracy, health -- and are vital to our national security.

The Department of State therefore supports activists and NGOs around the world who advocate for decent work and equality of opportunity for everyone. Promoting a decent work approach means promoting "productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity [that] delivers a fair income; provides security in the workplace and social protection for workers and their families gives people the freedom to express their concerns, to organize and to participate in decisions that affect their lives; and guarantees equal opportunities and equal treatment for all."

Promoting a decent work approach empowers women to live in dignity, and it is a pathway to sustainable development that benefits us all.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/informal_sector_workers/ 2012-05-17T18:48:42+00:00 Susan E. Rice and New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof as they break ground on the frontier of social media and U.S. foreign policy. In a live Google+ Hangout, Ambassador Rice and Mr. Kristof will discuss the world's most pressing challenges and America's role in an increasingly interconnected world. They will be joined live by a selection of citizens who will ask questions from the U.S. and overseas.

Watch the conversation live at 2:30 p.m. EST on The Times's homepage or on the New York Times Google+ page, and join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #NYTHangout. For more work on U.S. work at the United Nations, follow @AmbassadorRice and @USUN on Twitter and ‘Like' Ambassador Rice on Facebook.

Editor's Note: This entry first appeared on the White House Blog.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/rice_googleplus_hangout/ 2012-05-17T15:30:49+00:00 Chicago Summit than ever before. This Sunday and Monday, almost 60 nations, including over 30 NATO partners, will come together in Chicago. With the help of many of these partners, the Alliance will define an important milestone in its operation in Afghanistan, and consider how to address future security challenges together.

You probably know that NATO has 28 Allies who are bound to collective defense. What you might not know is that over 40 other countries work with NATO on a broad array of issues from counter-piracy, to energy security, counter-terrorism, promoting the role of women in peace and security, and more. These countries are not members of the Alliance, but have decided to work with NATO to promote international peace and security, including by working side by side in operations in Afghanistan, Kosovo, and last year, in Libya. We create and operate Trust Funds together, we share information, and do much more. NATO cooperates with partners who share our common goals and a common understanding of 21st century security requirements. Some of these countries -- Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, and Georgia -- aspire to become members.

NATO partners truly span the globe. From Bahrain to Australia and Jordan to Japan, NATO has become a global hub for security cooperation. Partners help us face the reality of a changing world that is more interlinked than ever and address new threats. With our partners, NATO is stronger and better able to of contribute to peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic region and beyond.

For more information on the Summit, please see the Department of State's 2012 NATO Summit website.

Related Content: Why NATO Matters to U.S. Security | NATO -- Chicago and Beyond | LiveAtState -- Upcoming NATO Summit in Chicago | The Chicago Summit and U.S. Policy
]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/nato_partners/ 2012-05-16T18:44:45+00:00 2012 Summit of our Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society, and we want you involved.

"Civil society" is the term we use to describe activists, organizations, congregations, and journalists who work through peaceful means to make our countries better. In one way or another, you're probably a part of civil society already. Over the last year, we've watched as civil society has changed our world. Courageous young men and women have brought dignity and democracy to North Africa. Citizens have pushed scores of governments to be more accountable. And technology has made it easier than ever before for people to come together around common goals to advance the common good.

Against that backdrop, Secretary Clinton launched the Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society as the State Department's flagship effort to engage partners beyond government. This marked a big change for us. We've had a lot of practice conducting diplomacy with other countries. But diplomacy with those outside of government is relatively new, even if it's rapidly becoming an integral part of our work. There have been excellent efforts at embassies and in bureaus where our diplomats have built strong relationships with civil society, but we've realized that we need to expand that cooperation to every issue and country where we're active.

For the last year, representatives from the State Department and leading activists have come together and worked to turn ideas from civil society into concrete policy proposals. Tomorrow -- for the first time -- Secretary Clinton will announce action on the recommendations that have emerged from this process. Secretary Clinton will also answer questions from civil society representatives with us in Washington and participating at embassy and consulate viewing parties around the world.

The Dialogue fulfills a promise in the Department's Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR) to create a framework for involving civil society in policymaking. And we want the next round to be powered by your ideas. So, join us! Watch the Global Town Hall live at 10:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 16. Follow along on Twitter (@usmariaotero, @State_DRL, @EconEngage, and @S_GWI will all be tweeting live from the Town Hall using the hashtag #CivilSociety or #CivSoc), and tell us your ideas on how government and civil society can work together as catalysts for change.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/join_strategic_dialogue_with_civil_society_2012/ 2012-05-15T21:24:19+00:00 More: White House Blog | International Trade Administration Blog | U.S.-Colombia Trade Agreement

One and a half million Colombian flowers were sent to the United States on May 14 as the first shipment under the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, which goes into force today. The United States is the largest market for Colombia's exports, representing nearly 40 percent of the Colombian export market. The United States remains the largest supplier to the Colombian market, with Colombian imports from the United States in 2011 totaling $13.7 billion, or one-quarter of Colombia's imports.

Under the new agreement, 80 percent of all industrial and manufactured products exported from the United States to Colombia will be duty free, effective immediately. This includes agricultural and construction equipment, building products, aircraft and parts, fertilizers, information technology equipment, medical scientific equipment and wood. Also, more than half of U.S. exports of agricultural commodities to Colombia become duty-free, including wheat, barley, soybeans, high-quality beef, bacon, and almost all fruit and vegetable products. The agreement also provides significant new access to Colombia's $180 billion services market, supporting increased opportunities for U.S. service providers. According to the International Trade Commission, the agreement will lead to an increase in U.S. GDP of $2.5 billion.

"Today, the historic U.S.-Colombia trade agreement is in effect. It brings benefits to businesses of every size in both of our countries," United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk said. "This is good news for U.S. entrepreneurs, workers, farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and service providers who are ready to export more U.S. goods and services to Colombia's growing market. Similarly, it's good news for Colombia, which stands to gain in terms of economic growth, jobs, and permanent access to the world's largest market here in the United States."

"This historic trade agreement also affirms the strong and deep relationship between the United States and Colombia, one of our closest friends and allies in the hemisphere," Ambassador Kirk continued.

Colombia is a steadfast strategic partner of the United States and a leader in the region. The agreement is a historic development in the strong relationship between our two countries, and it reflects our commitment to support democracy and economic growth in Colombia.

Go to U.S. Embassy Bogota's website for more information on opportunities for U.S. business in Colombia.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/colombia_trade_agreement_enters_into_force/ 2012-05-15T20:20:38+00:00
When we talk about capabilities in a military alliance like NATO, we are talking about the "hardware" that make up a military: the fighter jets, helicopters, ships, and other systems that are the true "pointy end of the sphere" in a modern military. Capabilities also include some less obvious things that allow our soldiers and sailors to do what we need them to do, like reconnaissance technology, secure computer networks, and the heavy-lifting ships and cargo aircraft that let us not only do what we need to do, but also where we need to do it.

The United States and our 27 NATO Allies make up the most effective alliance in human history. If the men and women of its armed forces are its heart, mind, and soul, then think of "capabilities" as the muscle. At the NATO Summit in Chicago, you will see discussion of the Alliance Ground Surveillance system, an Alliance Missile Defense capability, and others. The United States and our Allies are working together to put the most modern tools to use in our collective defense, and in some cases sharing the burdens of buying and operating them just as we all enjoy the benefits of the security they provide.

Stay tuned to DipNote this week for more posts on the Chicago Summit. On Twitter, follow @USNATO and #Chicago2012 for Summit updates. All week, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder (@USAmbNATO) is answering your questions. Send your questions to him using #AskIvo.

For more information on the Summit, please see the Department of State's 2012 NATO Summit website.

Related Content: Why NATO Matters to U.S. Security | NATO -- Chicago and Beyond | LiveAtState -- Upcoming NATO Summit in Chicago | The Chicago Summit and U.S. Policy]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/nato_defense_capabilities/ 2012-05-15T18:03:21+00:00 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This Chicago Summit will be the first NATO summit on American soil in 13 years, and the first ever outside of Washington.

In addition to the opportunity to showcase one of our nation's great cities, our hosting of the summit in Chicago is a tangible symbol of the importance of NATO to the United States. It is also an opportunity to underscore to the American people the continued value of this alliance to security challenges we face today.

Indeed, NATO is vital to U.S. security. More than ever, the Alliance is the mechanism through which the United States confronts diverse and difficult threats to our security together with like-minded states who share our fundamental values of democracy, human rights and rule of law. Our experiences in the Cold War, in the Balkans and now in Afghanistan prove that our core interests are better protected by working together than by seeking to respond to threats alone as individual nations.

At NATO's last summit in Lisbon, Portugal, nearly 18 months ago, the allies unveiled a new Strategic Concept that defines NATO's focus in the 21st century. Building on the decisions taken in Lisbon, the allies have three objectives for the Chicago summit: Afghanistan, capabilities, and partnerships.

On Afghanistan, the ISAF coalition has made significant progress in preventing that country from serving as a safe haven for terrorists and ensuring that Afghans are able to provide for their own security. These are both necessary conditions to fulfill the president's goal to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaida.

At Chicago, where Afghanistan is concerned, the United States anticipates three outcomes in particular: an agreement on an interim milestone in 2013 when ISAF's mission will shift from combat to support for the Afghan National Security Forces, the NSF; secondly, an agreement on the size, cost and sustainment of the ANSF beyond 2013; and, finally, a roadmap for NATO's post-2014 role in Afghanistan.

Regarding capabilities, NATO's ability to deploy an effective fighting force in the field makes the alliance unique. However, its capacity to deter and respond to security challenges will only be as successful as its forces are able, effective, interoperable and modern. In the current era of fiscal austerity, NATO can still maintain a strong defense, but doing so requires innovation, creativity and effectiveness. The United States is modernizing its presence in Europe at the same time that our NATO allies, and NATO as an institution, are engaged in similar steps. This is a clear opportunity for our European allies to take on greater responsibilities.

The United States continues to strongly urge those allies to meet the two percent benchmark for defense spending and to contribute politically, financially and operationally to the strength of the alliance. In addition to the total level of defense spending, we should also focus on how these limited resources are allocated and for what priorities. NATO has made progress towards pooling more national resources, which is exemplified through the capabilities package that the United States anticipates that leaders will endorse in Chicago. This package for Chicago includes missile defense, the Alliance Ground Surveillance program, and Baltic air policing.

Allies are, furthermore, expected to endorse the Deterrence and Defense Posture Review, the DDPR. The DDPR will identify the appropriate mix of nuclear, conventional and missile defense capabilities that NATO needs to meet 21st century security challenges, as well as reaffirm NATO's commitment to making consensus decisions on alliance posture issues.

Finally, the Chicago summit will highlight NATO's success in working with a growing number of partners around the world. Effective partnerships allow the alliance to extend its reach, act with greater legitimacy, share burdens, and benefit from the capabilities of others.

Allies will not make decisions on further enlargement of NATO in Chicago, but they will nonetheless send a clear, positive message to aspirant countries in support of their membership goals. The United States has been clear that NATO's door remains open to European democracies that are willing and able to assume their responsibilities and obligations of membership. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Georgia are all working closely with allies to meet NATO membership criteria.

In conclusion, the three summit priorities -- Afghanistan, capabilities, and partnerships " demonstrate how far NATO has evolved since its founding six decades ago. The reasons for its continued success are clear. The alliance has over the last 63 years proven to be an adaptable, durable and cost-effective provider of security.

When President Obama welcomes his counterparts to Chicago in just over a week, the United States will be prepared to work with our allies and partners to ensure that the alliance remains vibrant and capable for many more years to come.

Stay tuned to DipNote this week for more posts on the Chicago Summit. On Twitter, follow @USNATO and #Chicago2012 for Summit updates. All week, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder (@USAmbNATO) is answering your questions. Ask him using #AskIvo. You can watch a video preview with Ambassador Daalder of what President Obama and other leaders will be discussing in Chicago here.

For more information on the Summit, please see the Department of State's 2012 NATO Summit website.

Related Content: NATO -- Chicago and Beyond | LiveAtState -- Upcoming NATO Summit in Chicago | The Chicago Summit and U.S. Policy]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/nato_matters_security/ 2012-05-14T23:40:38+00:00 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program. The parents and siblings were members of their Chinese host families and the teachers are from their international high school, Beijing 80, known for its excellent academics and offering a unique cultural experience for its 3,000 students. The American students, who represent all corners of the United States, are perfecting their Mandarin skills, taking advantage of after school activities, living with host families, and learning about China's rich culture.

I was in Beijing to participate in the U.S.-China Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE), where education, culture, and youth were of particular focus, so it was especially meaningful for me to see this dynamic student-to-student exchange in action between the United States and China. The NSLI-Y students serve as American youth ambassadors, showcasing our values and culture to individuals who are often meeting Americans for the first time.

The students were eager to share their experiences and newfound perspectives with me on the past year. While enhancing their language skills, all of the students gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture and traditions. One student commented that she felt more patriotic as a result of this experience, noting that it gave her an opportunity to reflect on the United States' diversity. Another student noted that it offered her the chance to see the United States through an international lens, gaining a better understanding of our strengths and also where we can follow the example of other countries. Having spent time with each of these students, it is apparent that this experience has had a tremendous impact on their lives. They are now global citizens and will forever carry this newfound insight with them in their future endeavors, building life-long friendship among future leaders of our countries.

More than 250 NSLI-Y students will study Mandarin in China this summer, and another 20 will spend the 2013-14 academic year in China.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/nsliy_china/ 2012-05-14T20:24:43+00:00 USNS Mercy sailing into Pearl Harbor. The scene at Pearl Harbor reminded me of movie versions depicting dockside activities prior to a voyage: there were mobile cranes everywhere, several eighteen-wheelers disgorging supplies, sailors, volunteers, and family members loaded down with duffels, suitcases, boxes, and crates to be tucked into the ship's relatively confined berthing areas.

Pearl Harbor was the initial PP12 interim port; in addition to taking on supplies and personnel, commanding officers met with Pacific Fleet counterparts, held a briefing at the East-West Center, and oversaw minor technical adjustments to systems following the week-long transit from San Diego to Hawaii. Currently, Mercy is steaming towards Guam, where she will take on the final contingent of personnel, stores, and equipment before heading for the North Sulawesi region of Indonesia for the two-week opening mission of PP12.

Mercy's arrival in the Celebes Sea near Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia will be the culmination of more than a year of planning by hundreds of people around the world. PP12 is the third mission to Indonesia since the tragic 2004 tsunami that led to the creation of Pacific Partnership, all three visits carried out via the USNS Mercy. The American Embassy in Jakarta has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for this mission, both by sending personnel to remote locations in the North Sulawesi area and by hosting many of us who arrived on various planning and senior leadership visits. The U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, in whose consular district Manado lies, has also contributed to the foundation and success of the mission.

When Mercy arrives to Indonesia, she will carry a thousand personnel representing 11 partner countries; PP12 will carry or work with more than 20 international NGOs during the mission. Many of the contributing doctors, nurses, engineers, veterinarians, and volunteers will come from the host nations themselves, as the host nations are both the instigators and requestors of the specific missions and locations. This reality of working together in response to potential crises in times of calm will help ensure a rapid and efficient response when the next international natural disaster occurs.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/pp2012_departs_for_indonesia/ 2012-05-14T16:35:02+00:00
As we celebrate Mother's Day and think about mothers around the world, the American people are working through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to make every day Mother's Day. This program is quietly saving lives every day, restoring the health and hope of mothers and children.

Each year, nearly 400,000 children are born with HIV around the world, with sub-Saharan Africa being the most challenged region. In June of last year PEPFAR and UNAIDS joined with other partners to launch the Global Plan, an initiative to eliminate new HIV infections among children and keep their mothers alive. Its central goal is to reduce the number of new pediatric infections by 90 percent by 2015 in 22 countries which carry 90 percent of the global burden. The goal is daunting, but achievable.

Science has long established that we have the tools to push the rate of new infections of children downward dramatically. In each PEPFAR country, we prioritize a strategic combination of activities based on sound scientific evidence to maximize impact on reducing new HIV infections among children and saving lives. It is working: in 2011 alone, we supported programs that tested nearly 10 million pregnant women. Of these, more than 660,000 pregnant women were found to be living with HIV, and provision of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to these women allowed more than 200,000 infants to be born HIV-free. It's hard to get a grip on such large numbers -- 200,000 babies who now have an opportunity to live long and healthy lives. What better gift can a mother receive than giving birth to a healthy child?

Throughout my travels with PEPFAR, I've met incredibly inspiring women who are so grateful for this gift. In Rwanda, I learned of Theresa and how she discovered she and her husband were HIV-positive during her third pregnancy. She immediately started on ARVs, accessed through a PEPFAR program integrated with maternal and child health services. As a result, her third and fourth children have been born HIV-free. Over this past year in Rwanda alone, we have supported these services for more than 150,000 women, and now about 90 percent of HIV-positive women deliver healthy babies in health facilities -- real progress.

Our programs offer an opportunity to improve the coverage of HIV-positive women on antiretroviral treatment -- keeping them healthy, while also significantly decreasing their risk of transmitting the virus to their unborn children and uninfected partners. When an HIV-positive pregnant woman enters the health care system, it provides an opportunity to link the rest of her family with highly effective prevention interventions, such as HIV counseling and testing for other family members, treatment for eligible male partners, voluntary male medical circumcision, and other life saving health services.

The science is clear, and though the road ahead will not be easy, the opportunity before us is extraordinary. We can now say, as Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton did last year, that achieving an HIV-free generation is possible. As we have learned from the 30-year history and struggle of AIDS, extraordinary things happen when we work together. By uniting around our common humanity in a spirit of sharing, in responding to a challenge in front of us, we can give a chance at a full life to children and mothers around the world. Preventing new HIV infections in children is a smart investment that saves lives, and the United States is proud to partner with countries throughout the world to champion this cause.

This Mother's Day, let's sharpen our resolve to ensure that mothers everywhere have children who are born HIV-free.

Editor's Note: This entry appeared first on The Huffington Post.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/mothers_pepfar/ 2012-05-13T18:54:35+00:00
On April 18, international colleagues from the diplomatic community joined to compete in the "Embassy Olympics." SportsUnited representatives from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs along with their colleagues in the Bureau of International Information Programs and Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs were key "players" in the event.

Even the rainy weather -- true to form for a British activity -- did not dampen the spirits of the participants. Embassy teams enthusiastically represented countries that have previously hosted the Olympics including Australia, Canada, Greece, Russia, and Switzerland.

The D.C. based "Embassy Olympics" served as an opportunity to spotlight the impact of sports diplomacy and for the State Department's SportsUnited team to share its "game plan" of special activities focused on the 2012 Olympic Games with the local embassies. During this Olympic Year, the State Department is expanding its sports diplomacy endeavors, while all of our sports exchange programs seek to increase international mutual understanding through athletics -- a shared Olympic goal.

For example, we are currently hosting a soccer exchange program for Egyptian soccer coaches. In partnership with D.C. United, and its charitable organization United for D.C., the Egyptian coaches will participate in trainings and workshops with American athletes and attend clinics on coaching, sports administration, women's empowerment through sports, Title IX, conflict resolution, and disability sports. The visit of these coaches is a key component of the Empowering Women and Girls Through Sports Initiative, which aims to increase the number of women and girls worldwide who are involved in sports.

As we've seen through this initiative, and our other programs, sports have a unique ability to bring people together to foster greater understanding. And, the "Embassy Olympics" was no exception. The activity was an inspirational all-around sports diplomacy experience!

The afternoon kicked-off with a fast-paced basketball three-pointer contest and an exciting -- albeit nerve-racking -- round of soccer penalty shots. Next on the line-up was the 100 meter dash and shot put. The friendly competition finished with a four-person relay race, which was a wonderful team way to wrap up the day. British Ambassador Peter Westmacott awarded medals to the winning "country" teams.

From start to finish, the “Embassy Olympics” was a way to bring the Olympics to Washington D.C., to show the State Department's support for the Olympics, and to unify nations around the shared passion for sports. Everyone left the event feeling positive about the fast-approaching Olympic summer games.

You can find photographs of the event on the British Embassy's Flickr photostream. For a video of a special SportsUnited's London Envoy Program focused on youth outreach and the Olympics, click here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/london_2012_olympics_countdown/ 2012-05-13T13:48:24+00:00 SESAME, which I happen to think is the most exciting and revolutionary scientific undertaking that practically nobody outside of the scientific community has ever heard of.

What is it and why do I think it is so radical and so important?

The first question is easy.

SESAME actually stands for 'Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East' and will be the region's first major multi-country scientific research center. It's being developed under the auspices of UNESCO and is scheduled to open fully in Jordan in 2015. When it is completed, SESAME will be the Middle East's only source of so-called "high intensity synchrotron X-rays," key building blocks for research into biology, archaeology, and medical sciences.

Why do I think this is so revolutionary? Two reasons, really. First you have to look at the countries that have come together to collaborate on the project. The current members of SESAME include Israel, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and the Palestinian Authority along with Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, and Jordan. (The United States, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Portugal, Russian Federation, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom are all official observers.)

Is there another program underway that has managed to place all these countries together in the same room to work together and share resources? I can't think of one. Frankly, I'm not sure anything even comes close to what SESAME is doing. So, beyond the obvious value of any particular scientific inquiry, the program demonstrates that people from these countries can and are working together, which gives us reason to believe we might eventually derive political benefits. SESAME represents a unique opportunity to establish the working relationships that can help lay the foundation for effective dialogue across the Middle East.

And then there are the economic benefits. Frankly, I believe SESAME is one of the region's most promising attempts to develop its economy and create new opportunities for local scientists, engineers, students and entrepreneurs.

See, for years now, one of the region's greatest challenges has been a major "brain drain" whereby its best workers and most gifted scientists move away to seek opportunities in more developed areas.

But I think SESAME can help reverse this trend. By providing world class facilities in the region, the center will attract and support the Middle East's best and brightest scientists, giving them all the reason they need to stay where they are and contribute to the region's growth and development. SESAME has already provided well-paid jobs in Jordan for more than 20 engineers, and with its frequent training sessions, has given more than 400 scientists from member countries new skills for peaceful purposes.

Now, to be honest, a lot of work remains to make sure SESAME opens on time, and many millions are still needed to complete construction. But much progress is being made -- just last month, Iran, Israel, Jordan, and Turkey agreed to make contributions of $5 Million USD to SESAME over the next four years -- and I am confident that SESAME will raise the remaining $15 million needed to finish construction. Moreover, the scientific benefits of SESAME to the region are already being realized, with such diverse partners as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), US Department of Energy, and CERN offering important synchrotron training opportunities to the future users of SESAME.

As the U.S. Ambassador to UNESCO, I could not be prouder of my association with SESAME and look forward to the day it gets the recognition is so justly deserves.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/sesame/ 2012-05-12T12:27:14+00:00
A family experiences food security when it lives without hunger or even fear of hunger. In essence, it means that people have enough food to live happy, healthy lives. It's a right I'm sure we all wish were accessible to every man, woman, and child on the planet.

Yet global hunger and chronic malnutrition remain two of the greatest development challenges today. Nearly 20 percent of all people in the world live on less than $1.25 a day, and almost one billion suffer from chronic hunger. Compounding this problem is the fact that, by 2050, the global population is expected to grow to more than nine billion people, requiring up to a 70 percent increase in agricultural production to feed us all. Given increasingly limited natural resources, we'll also need to produce this additional food with less land, water, and other resources.

The challenge is indeed great, but there are opportunities for solutions. An estimated 75 percent of the world's poor live in rural areas, where farming can be a key economic driver. Because growth in agriculture is, on average, at least twice as effective in reducing poverty as growth in other sectors, we already know that investments in agricultural development are fundamental to alleviating hunger and propelling long-term economic growth.

The time to accelerate these investments and growth is now. The G-8 Summit in L'Aquila, Italy and the World Food Summit in Rome in 2009 united the global community to intensify efforts to advance food security by scaling up investment in the agricultural sector, which had been suffering from extreme underinvestment for several years.

Feed the Future is the United States' contribution to this collaborative global effort, which is centered on country-owned processes to improve food security, agricultural production, nutrition, trade, and broad-based economic growth through development of the agricultural sector. We've made a lot of progress, as a recent report by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs has noted. But we're only just getting started.

Three years after L'Aquila, the leaders of the G8 are preparing to meet once again, this time at the 2012 G8 Summit at Camp David on May 19. This Summit is expected to build upon the food and nutrition successes of L'Aquila by focusing on creating a better environment to mobilize private sector investment as a catalyst for long-term economic growth.

Through the collective engagement of international donors, country governments, the private sector, the NGO community, and civil society organizations, we can help break the cycle of hunger and poverty so that countries can feed themselves, helping their communities to thrive. This work is important because it translates to a healthy, prosperous, and sustainable future for us all.

Editor's Note: This entry also appears on Feed the Future's Blog and USAID's Impact Blog.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/spotlight_food_security/ 2012-05-11T15:05:13+00:00 travel to China, Bangladesh, and India.

While in India, Secretary Clinton also met with Indian External Affairs Minister Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna in New Delhi, where she said, "It's always a pleasure to be back in Delhi and to reaffirm what President Obama has called one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century. The United States and India are two great democracies with common values and increasingly convergent interests."

Secretary Clinton and Minister Krishna will co-host the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, which will be held in Washington, D.C. on June 13, 2012. Secretary Clinton said, "...We look forward to a productive Strategic Dialogue in June in Washington, D.C., not only to showcase the extraordinary progress in our engagement, but also outline how we intend to take our strategic partnership to a new level."

Today at 9:00 a.m. (EDT), Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake will host a Facebook chat to answer your questions about the Secretary's trip to Bangladesh and India. You can submit your question at any time by commenting on their Facebook page.

You can view more photographs from the Secretary's visit to India on the State Department's Flickr photostream.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/potw_clinton_india/ 2012-05-11T10:51:10+00:00 World Economic Forum on Africa, I was struck by the thought: Africa is emerging.

Buoyed by a decade of growth and bullish predictions for the future, Africa is on track to become the next big investment destination. The Economist indicates that six of the world's ten fastest-growing economies over the past decade were in sub-Saharan Africa. McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, and the Center for Global Development have all recently released their own reports or surveys supporting the case for Africa's emergence into the global economic landscape.

Information technology in particular seems to be taking off. In today's hyper-connected society, it is hard to believe that only 11 percent of Africans have access to the Internet through a computer or mobile phone. But this is changing too: Internet usage in Africa has grown faster than on any other continent over the past decade. Africa's information technology sector is ripe for development and ready for growth.

The awakening of the African economy provides an opportunity for global and African entrepreneurs and enterprises to forge partnerships for mutual economic benefits. At the World Economic Forum on Africa today, I had the pleasure of launching a new partnership -- Liberalizing Innovation Opportunity Nations -- or LIONS@FRICA, alongside the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Microsoft, Nokia, DEMO, the World Bank Group's infoDev, African Development Bank, and Global Entrepreneurship Week.

LIONS@FRICA is a new public-private partnership platform aimed to enhance and deepen the startup and innovation ecosystems of targeted fast growing African economies. Modeled after the Startup America Partnership, LIONS@FRICA seeks to bring together key private and public institutions to support and amplify Africa's budding startup and innovation ecosystem.

Across the continent, startups such as Cobi Interactive, a leading South African mobile software development company that provides mobile technology and strategy consulting for top African corporations; and PesaPal, a payment platform that enables Kenyans to buy and sell on the Internet using M-Pesa, Zap, and credit cards, are making waves. What's more, we are seeing these startups develop from local businesses into multinational entities. Tanzania's TechnoBrain, and award-winning software development firm, has expanded to 13 countries around the world and has plans to continue its expansion into new markets. We need more success stories like these. That is why we launched the LIONS@FRICA partnership.

LIONS@FRICA seeks to capitalize on this growth and create new opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa by providing a platform designed to inspire and challenge African innovators and entrepreneurs. This partnership will provide African startups with capacity building and training in business development, provide connectivity to global innovation grids, promote access to capital, create opportunities for partnership, and showcase best practices and successes in African-led innovation solutions.

Planned activities for the partnership include a series of programs across the continent featuring promising African startups and entrepreneurs as well as venture capital roundtables and innovation bootcamps, and Startup Weekend events in over 20 African cities. Qualifying startups can join Microsoft BizSpark with access to a range of Microsoft technology for three years at no cost, to the community of BizSpark Network Partners in Africa, and to programs at Nokia's mLabs in the region.

LIONS@FRICA will also launch the first-ever DEMO Africa, a global platform to connect African startups to the global ecosystem, where the most innovative companies from African countries come to launch their products and announce to Africa and the world what they have developed.

We are very excited about this partnership, and I look forward to meeting the real lions of innovations and we invite more partners to join us in this noble endeavor. Visit the LIONS@FRICA website at www.meetthelions.org for more information. For partnership opportunities, please contact Thomas Debass, and follow @lionsafrica and #meetthelions on Twitter.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/emerging_africa_innovation_potential/ 2012-05-10T16:28:39+00:00 Center for Responsible Enterprise and Trade (CREATe.org), partnered to host a roundtable discussion, "Safeguarding Intellectual Property and Preventing Corruption in Global Markets." During the session, leaders from industry, government agencies, academia and non-governmental organizations discussed the increased penetration of counterfeit goods in the global supply chain, and the urgent need for collaborative public and private sector initiatives to improve supply chain integrity.

At the heart of the discussion was a central question: How can the business community, governments, and civil society generate new approaches to the immense challenges of protecting intellectual property rights and fighting corruption in the global economy? Unquestionably, the business, economic, and societal costs caused by the absence of a functioning rules-based trading system are severe. Despite increased efforts by industry and the government, global companies from all sectors continue to experience significant economic losses from piracy, counterfeit products, theft of trade secrets and corruption, along with increasing reputational risks and harm.

While there are certainly no easy answers, Deputy Secretary of State Tom Nides described Secretary Clinton's economic statecraft agenda as part of the solution. He highlighted that economic statecraft is a Department-wide initiative that mobilizes all staff toward putting the American people back to work by creating better conditions abroad for U.S. exporters and investors through good governance, regulatory transparency, and protection of intellectual property rights worldwide.

Participants from both the public and private sector shared information about their efforts to address trade barriers caused by intellectual property theft and corruption. Businesses talked about their efforts to build strong compliance cultures, improve processes for protecting IP, and discourage corruption. Participants expressed the need to work together to identify best practices and develop new collaborative approaches to improve IP protection and enforcement.

Today, we had leaders from multiple industry sectors and government agencies engaged and intently focused on exploring new, collaborative approaches to meeting these complex challenges of ending corruption and rampant violation of intellectual property rights. Working together we can secure the global supply chain, promote public health and safety and create the conditions for the innovative businesses of tomorrow to flourish worldwide.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/old_problems_new_ideas_ipr/ 2012-05-10T15:38:47+00:00
This idea came to life while I spent three days at UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day in Tunisia, where I had the opportunity to listen to and engage with journalists, bloggers, and citizen activists from across the Middle East and North Africa and beyond.

I arrived May 3 in Tunis to deliver remarks at Tunisia's Presidential Palace to a crowd of more than 400 in attendance, and thousands more watching virtually. The audience welcomed video remarks from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who said "Voice by voice, text by text, Tunisians, Egyptians, Libyans, and many others have dared to say what they believe and stand up for their own rights. Many others have dared to report on what they see happening, even when their lives were at risk."

The conference was abuzz that day. It was not only the first day, but also the day on which a Tunisian court rendered its verdict in an extremely sensitive case on freedom of expression. The verdict fined Nabil Karoui of NESSMA TV for showing the animated film Persepolis, which depicted religious imagery. The conviction raises serious concerns about tolerance and freedom of expression in the new Tunisia.

From what I heard, it is clear that Tunisia is at an important juncture as it attempts to re-establish freedom of expression and respect for a diversity of views after many years when the state had a monopoly on all expression. While freedom of expression remains a cornerstone of democracy that Tunisia's new government should seek to vigilantly protect, we recognize that Tunisia has made significant advances in this area since its January 2011 revolution. We are pleased that the defendant has the right to appeal. We are also pleased that Tunisian journalists were able to speak candidly -- and in public -- about their hopes, dreams, and disappointments. I was interviewed in public in the lobby of a hotel by a Tunisian correspondent from a local TV channel -- something that would have been impossible during the Ben Ali regime.

I also heard from journalists from Algeria, Morocco, Iraq, Egypt, the Palestinian Territories, Libya, and Bahrain. While each country has its own personality and challenges, there is a universal desire. That is the desire to be able to speak out: openly and truthfully without peril or consequences.

I headed a delegation of six -- including three diplomats from the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. We were told repeatedly by UN officials and others attending the conference how important it was that the United States not only showed up but also engaged. "It shows those who are on the frontlines of the battle to keep speech free that the U.S. cares in a real way."

A highlight was a session with four special rapporteurs on freedom of expression, authorized respectively by the UN, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the African Union (AU). They discussed the challenges each region faced, and those that are universal. It is important to thread human rights, freedom of expression, and the power of multilateralism together. By bringing special rapporteurs from various regions into one room to share and discuss their issues with civil society, they were able to find common ground.

A troubling commonality: Violence against journalists is on the rise across the globe. "Because the internet is so powerful," Frank La Rue, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, told a packed audience. "Politicians are more scared and violence against journalists is on the rise. There is a progressive criminalization of speech. We cannot allow this."

In today's world restricting the media means not just stopping the presses, but threatening the journalist.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/freedom_of_expression_wpfd/ 2012-05-10T01:58:56+00:00 Civil Society 2.0 initiative. These TechCamps brought together three areas of focus for Secretary Clinton: strengthening civil society, innovation, and empowering women and girls. American and international trainers from companies, such as Facebook, Meetup, and Yahoo!, teamed together with the State Department's Office of Innovation and eDiplomacy to help raise the digital literacy of civil society organizations focused on women's empowerment though separate, intensive two-day workshops.

Each TechCamp focused on how to help ensure women and girls have the know-how and education to harness new digital tools that will help them advance their organizations in Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the 21st century. Participants focused on some of the unique challenges faced by both Israeli and Palestinian women civil society organizations that deliver important services that women and youth rely on for education, health, social justice, and business development. A key priority for Secretary Clinton and the State Department is to harness digital tools for good, and TechCamps over the past year have educated civil society organizations on the transformative impact of putting new technologies in the hands of people seeking change.

TechCamp Tel Aviv brought together more than 80 civil society organizations and paired them with both international and local technology experts. Hosted April 30-May 1, the event was made possible by the incredible support and leadership of the U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv and Appleseeds Academy, a local non-governmental organization (NGO) partner. TechCamp Tel Aviv kicked off with an icebreaking exercise led by world-renowned artist Hanoch Piven, who had participants choosing random objects that represented aspects of themselves to then create images representing the 21st century woman. You can see photographs of the images the groups created on the TechCamp Flickr photostream.

For TechCamp Ramallah, the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem partnered with local Palestinian organization Ellam Tam to bring together more than 80 Palestinian women-focused NGOs from Gaza City, Hebron, Nablus, Jerusalem, and along with many more from Ramallah.

In Tel Aviv, one group identified illegal waste dumping and its negative effects as a continuing issue in their community, and worked with technology trainer, Gregory Asmolov, a crowdsourcing and mapping expert to dramatically improve their shared understanding of these sites by setting up a "crowdmap" to better track and allow witnesses to report activities at these illegal dumping sites. In another group, Iris Stern Levi of "Turning the Tables," a new organization that helps former prostitutes enter into society and provides them with life skills, worked with Merrill Beth Ferguson from Meetup to help Iris set up a crowdfunding site to generate the resources necessary to have an actual facility and training center.

In Ramallah, a group worked with Elizabeth Linder from Facebook to connect their high school curriculum with social media exercises in order to more fully engage their students. A second group set out to create a map of the blogger community that would give visual representation of where Palestinian bloggers are working and how they could come together to build better methods for communication.

There were a number of problems and related solutions that were tackled at both TechCamps. For example, Tel Aviv and Ramallah both brought together women's organizations working to combat domestic violence. The approaches to address this important issue in both TechCamps reiterated the importance of raising awareness among women for personal empowerment, and also addressed ways to help educate men to change the perception of what is socially accepted. Both TechCamps also actively discussed ways to empower women bloggers, both to increase their visibility and credibility. Both TechCamps looked at means to connect NGOs working on women's issues, and how they could form larger networks engaging even more groups who are not yet working or connected to each other online. Finally, both TechCamps raised the need for women NGOs to find innovative funding solutions to help better execute their missions.

Both TechCamps were extremely successful in raising the digital literacy of the participants, in developing low-cost, easy to implement solutions to their problems, and in connecting them with a larger network of NGOs and technologists internationally and within their respective communities.

One of our trainer's summed up TechCamp best: "TechCamp is an excellent opportunity for participants to gain world-class training on the latest technological methods that will be invaluable to their work. This workshop offered benefits to the trainers and participants alike, providing everyone with the unique chance to expand their network to include international experts as well as a wide range of great...organizations and projects."

You can learn more about TechCamps by visiting www.TechCampGlobal.org.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/techcamp_tel_aviv_ramallah/ 2012-05-09T19:33:42+00:00 hemisphere. No one knows this better than the Council of the Americas. Since its founding in 1965, the Council's approximately 200 members account for a large percentage of U.S. investment in Latin America and the Caribbean. Their investment is linked by a shared belief that free markets and private enterprise, coupled with strong democratic governance, offer the most effective means to achieve regional economic growth and prosperity.

Yesterday, when we addressed the Council at their annual conference, Deputy Secretary Bill Burns and I took the opportunity to emphasize that the United States' road to recovery lies right here in our region. Secretary Clinton has described it as "the power of proximity," and I'd like to share a few facts with you that speak to the vital interest we have in investing in our partnerships with our neighbors, and what further steps our Administration is taking to ensure that our shared hemispheric future is safe and prosperous.

In the last 15 years, 56 million Latin American and Caribbean households joined the middle class. Projections indicate that by the year 2030, 72 percent of Latin America and the Caribbean will be in the middle class. In the next five years alone, the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean are estimated to grow by more than 30 percent on average. That's a lot of consumers of U.S. made goods and services. And a lot of folks who will be producing goods and services we in the United States want and need.

Did you know that 42 percent of U.S. global exports stay right here in our own region? Since 2009, those exports have increased by more than $200 billion, to nearly $650 billion, a 46 percent increase in three years. Those exports represent more than four million U.S. jobs. Here's one no one ever guesses right on: we export three times as much to Latin America as we do to China.

NAFTA is the largest free trade area in the world, producing more than $18 trillion in goods and services. With the passage of free trade agreements with Panama and Colombia last fall, we are now set to have trade partnerships with 12 countries from the Arctic to the Straits of Magellan.

Half of our U.S. oil and petroleum imports come from right here in our hemisphere. Only 16 percent of our crude oil and petroleum product imports came from the Persian Gulf in 2011. Our region accounts for one-quarter of the world's crude oil production, one-third of the world's coal production, one-third of the world's natural gas production, and one-third of the world's electricity production.

These numbers all speak to the economic importance of our neighbors for our own national economic well-being. But we must work together to develop even further our partnerships in the region. President Obama asked leaders at the CEO Summit prior to the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena last month, "How do we make sure that this integration is benefiting a broad base of people...and giving businesses opportunities to thrive and create new products and services?"

That is the question of the moment. How do we grow business and bring new households into the global economy? In Cartagena, we announced programs that aim to provide the people in our hemisphere with the energy, education, connectivity, and access to the economic engines of growth, and bring the other half into the middle class.

Connect 2022 is a regional initiative to provide universal access to electricity in our hemisphere by 2022. 100,000 Strong in the Americas is a goal to increase educational exchange in our hemisphere so that 100,000 students in Latin America and the Caribbean are studying in the United States, and 100,000 of our students are studying there, furthering personal, educational, linguistic, research, and business ties. The Broadband Partnership of the Americas will increase broadband and internet access throughout the hemisphere, bolstering a key driver of economic growth in today's wired economy. The Small Business Network of the Americas will support success and job creation in small- and medium-sized enterprises, and encourage greater trade among these businesses throughout the Western Hemisphere. The WEAmericas initiative will work with women entrepreneurs, who are significant accelerators of economic growth, to leverage public-private partnerships to increase women's economic participation and address key barriers women confront when starting and growing businesses.

With these initiatives, we are building a base from which our shared regional prosperity can continue to grow. We are on the road to recovery, and it starts right here in the Western Hemisphere.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/global_recovery_western_hemisphere/ 2012-05-09T13:38:03+00:00 More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map

On May 7-8, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to India, making stops in Kolkata and New Delhi. While in India, Secretary Clinton met with state officials and other civil society organization representatives and spoke with Embassy New Delhi staff. She also met with Indian Government officials to review progress in the strategic partnership, looking forward to the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue to be held in Washington, D.C. on June 13 and to be co-chaired by Secretary Clinton and Indian Minister of External Affairs S.M. Krishna.

In Kolkata, Secretary Clinton held a townterview with NDTV's Barkha Dutt on "We the People". At the townterview, she said, “So here we are in the economic and innovation hub of Eastern India, and I just want to make a few comments before we have a chance for a conversation. I wanted to do this, because certainly for me, the work that I do every single day, the miles that I fly, are about trying to see what all of us together can be doing to bring peace and prosperity to the world, because most of the world's population are young people. That's true in India, but it's true in most places in the East, and particularly in Asia and South and East Asia.

"So it's truly about what you want for your futures. And the relationship between our two great democracies is one that is going to help determine the kind of future that we have. As President Obama told the Indian parliament, the relationship between India and the United States will be one of those defining partnerships of the 21st century. Why? Because we are united by bedrock beliefs about freedom, democracy, pluralism, and opportunity."

In New Delhi, Secretary Clinton delivered remarks with Indian External Affairs Minister Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna. She said, “The United States and India are two great democracies with common values and increasingly convergent interests. In our meetings today, we have worked to focus our agenda and prepare for the Strategic Dialogues in June.

"Let me touch on four key lines of actions we discussed. First, we have to continue expanding trade and investment between our countries… Second, we need to deepen our security cooperation… Third, we have to work to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities in South and Central Asia… Finally, we need to work together to promote a shared vision for the Asia Pacific, especially as we head toward the East Asia Summit in Cambodia this November."

You can read about Secretary Clinton's trip to China, Bangladesh, and India here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/travel_diary_india/ 2012-05-08T16:31:40+00:00
Minister Fenech explained that, over the years, Malta has built an important relationship with Libya that cuts across all sectors. I learned the security situation in Libya continues to improve, and that investment and development opportunities exist. Both the U.S. and Maltese governments hope to build on this meeting to develop Malta's potential as a commercial engagement hub for North Africa.

Minister Fenech described the visit as the foundation stone for a Maltese-American political and economic partnership to facilitate coordination between our countries' firms on large projects in North Africa. Malta's unique geography, history, and commercial know-how provide a stable investment bridge into the region.

Moreover, Malta Enterprise, the government agency responsible for the promotion of foreign investment and industrial development in Malta, has already started bridging relationships between Maltese and U.S. firms in this regard. More information about Malta Enterprise can be found on their website.

I look forward to working on this exciting new adventure to promote economic growth and development in North Africa.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/malta_investment_libya/ 2012-05-07T19:30:41+00:00 Binational Fulbright Commission in Jordan, led by Executive Director Alain McNamara and supported by the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan, hosted us.

Together with representatives from regional Fulbright Commissions, U.S. embassies and non-governmental partners, we reviewed academic exchange priorities, shared information and best practices, and addressed issues and challenges faced by the Fulbright Program at large and in this region. Former Jordanian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Roweida Al-Ma'aitah emphasized the potential of Jordan's young population and the importance of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

Several accomplished Fulbright alumni also spoke to the workshop. We met Dr. Issa Batarseh, a professor at the University of Central Florida who is currently on leave there while serving as President of Princess Sumaya University for Technology in Amman. A Jordanian-born American citizen, Dr. Issa returned to Jordan as a Fulbright Scholar in 1997 and has since mentored over a dozen Jordanian students to enroll in Ph.D. studies at UCF. Dr. David Chapman, a 2007 Fulbright New Century Scholar in Oman who teaches at the University of Minnesota, gave keynote remarks on current educational issues in the Middle East/North Africa region and worldwide.

I also met Dr. Maysoon Al-Nahar of the University of Jordan, one of Jordan's first female archeologists. Dr. Al-Nahar, whose field is Paleolithic and Paleoenvironmental Studies and Museumology, studied at Arizona State University on her Fulbright Scholarship. She described a rewarding academic experience there and also recalled attending farmers' markets and live music festivals while living in Tempe, Arizona. Her collaboration with American colleagues continues today: Dr. Al-Nahar works with several American universities on archaeological projects in her country and is a key resource scholar with Amman's American Center of Oriental Research.

Donna Ives, the Fulbright Branch Chief for the Middle East and North Africa, and staff members Danielle Antonio and Jamie Sharp also met with eight American Fulbrighters currently serving as English Teaching Assistants in Jordan. Donna reported back on their infectious enthusiasm and eagerness to engage with their students, most of whom had never met an American before.

All in all, the workshop was a great opportunity to share ideas with colleagues about the full range of our academic and educational programs, and learn more about the impressive accomplishments of Fulbright alumni in Jordan and throughout the region. We look forward to building on our discussions in the year ahead.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/fulbright_amman_jordan/ 2012-05-07T15:38:10+00:00 More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map

On May 5, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Bangladesh to meet with senior Government of Bangladesh officials and civil society representatives to review robust U.S.-Bangladesh cooperation across the full range of political, economic, and security matters. In a joint press conference with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Secretary Clinton said, "Today, we are working together to help solve some of Bangladesh's most pressing challenges, from disaster response to healthcare, from food security to climate change. Bangladesh represents one of the largest development assistance commitments that the Obama Administration has made."

To deepen the U.S.-Bangladesh partnership, Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Moni signed a memorandum to create the U.S.-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue. In a joint statement, Secretary Clinton and her counterpart, Foreign Minister Moni, said:

"We believe that a strong partnership between Bangladesh and the United States, working together to further mutual peace, security and development, is in the interests of the people of Bangladesh, the United States and the world. As we look to the challenges of the 21st century, our shared interests and values, including respect for human rights and the rule of law, should guide our collective engagement on addressing the challenges of our time.

"Leveraging the values of tolerance, respect for human rights, inclusion and resilience of Bangladesh society, including a robust civil society, we intend our broader collaboration to be anchored in a strong bilateral development partnership focused on joint development priorities, including food security, maternal and child health, family planning, climate change, strengthening democracy, youth and women's empowerment, among others."

On May 6, Secretary Clinton held a townterview with Bangladeshi youth, hosted by ATN and moderated by Ms. Mooni Saha and Mr. Ejaj Ahmed. Secretary Clinton said, "The United States is investing significant sums of money in Bangladesh. And one of the reporters said, well, why are you doing that? We're investing in helping in helping you improve agricultural production through our Feed the Future program. We're investing in helping you build health systems through our Global Health Initiative. We're investing in technology and other approaches to mitigating climate change. We're working with various groups within Bangladesh on economic projects and other things.

"So why do we do that? Well, we do believe that spreading democracy is good for the world. We believe that. Now sometimes the decisions democracies make are not ones that you or I would make, but we think, over the long run, having people empowered, given their rights, is the best form of government that has been invented. It certainly beats all the others. And so we think a strong democracy here that is able to realize the aspirations of your people is not only good for you, but it's good for the kind of world we would like to see. And that's our hope."

You can read the Secretary's complete remarks from the townterview here, and find out more about Feed the Future in Bangladesh here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/travel_diary_bangladesh/ 2012-05-06T20:21:10+00:00 International Visitor Leadership Program, arrived in Washington. In conversations with U.S. government officials -- including Grant Harris, Senior Director for African Affairs at the White House, and Ronan Farrow, the State Department's Special Adviser for Global Youth Issues -- the participants shared their experiences, gained a better understanding of U.S. policy, and discussed ways to keep the dialogue going after their program is over. Just as importantly, they talked about how their efforts are contributing to the changing impressions the world has about Africa.

Hindou Oumarou of Chad talked about her organization's use of GPS technology to better understand where and how to reach communities. Several participants mentioned how mobile technologies allow them to share immediate impacts of their work with thousands. Gilberto Macuacua of Mozambique, a spokesperson for women's rights, told me how Facebook and his television program provide a means to "build a new man in Mozambique." Joannie Bewa of Benin said she sees hope when girls in Benin organize and give their pocket money to help other girls become entrepreneurs.

While they come from different countries, focus on different issues, and serve in a variety of roles, the participants repeatedly shared excitement about the new ideas that this visit to the United States, which includes places like Albuquerque and New Orleans, will provide them. They plan to take information from their meetings and professional exchanges and turn their ideas into responses when they return home. Bewa, who is a doctor and social activities coordinator for the Young Beninese Leaders Association, said it best: "We don't have to wait for every solution to come from Europe or the U.S. They have to be our solutions. After this meeting I think we have to become a strong Young African Leaders network that can impact other young leaders in our communities."]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/young_african_leaders_ivlp/ 2012-05-06T03:43:58+00:00 opening session for World Press Freedom Day in Tunis.

The woman at the center of this attention was Tawakkol Karman, was a 33 year old Yemeni journalist, known in her country as the mother of the revolution, and now known throughout the world as one of three women to share the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011. She has been in and out of jail, but still speaks out.

"We have risen for freedom of the press," she told a rapt audience from all over the world. "The young have sacrificed themselves while writing, filming and texting in alleys, and streets...to express their wills and to bring down their oppressors." Karman's words drew rousing applause. She concluded by warning those who try to stop free expression that it will bring about a "second, third or tenth revolution."

Karman was among the better known female journalists attending UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) in Tunis this year, but she was not alone.

Thirty-one year old Rafika Fejjari who works for Tunisia's Hannibal TV, began her journalism career six years ago under the Ben Ali regime. "My parents did not want me to become a journalist," she told me. Her first project was a documentary about a woman who converted from Islam to Christianity, a taboo subject. It took her two years to complete and her professor nearly flunked her.

Two years ago, she said she was arrested because she spoke to the wrong person. She explained that it is so important that World Press Freedom Day is held in Tunisia to shine a spotlight on journalists and freedom of expression. She said things are far from perfect, but she is optimistic.

"I have to stay in the system to keep pushing for change," Fejjari explained. "You cannot do this from the outside."

Then there's 32 years old Intesar Khalifa El Barasi from Benghazi, Libya, who is attending WPFD conference as a press fellow sponsored by the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. She has been a journalist for years and was arrested in November 2010 for charges claiming she committed a crime against the Qaddafi regime. She was freed after six months but was forced to switch jobs -- until Qaddafi fell.

El Barasi then sold her car and her jewelry so she could start The Eye, a newspaper where she is editor in chief. She said that she had the fortune of receiving training from the outside so she knows what "independent" journalism is. She said that she hopes to raise awareness that Libya is in desperate need of media training. Still she is optimistic. "We are looking to be better," explaining that everyone is tired from the "war." "I'm here in Tunis today, because I have hope."

For information on threats to journalists' freedom of expression visit "Free the Press" on HumanRights.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/women_press_freedom/ 2012-05-04T20:50:46+00:00
Exactly 234 years ago, the United States ratified its very first two treaties: The Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance. Together, these treaties created a formal alliance with France -- an alliance that would ensure the success of our nation's struggle for independence.

Late last year, the U.S Diplomacy Center acquired a very rare piece of this history -- the first American printing of these two treaties, commissioned by the Continental Congress and printed by John Dunlap of Philadelphia (famous for his 1776 broadsides of the Declaration of Independence). Only 300 copies were printed; very few survive today.

In my position at the Diplomacy Center, processing incoming museum artifacts is one of my primary responsibilities. Soon after starting my job last August, a selection of historic materials transferred from the State Department's Ralph J. Bunche Library made its way to my desk. The Library had decided that the Diplomacy Center would be better-positioned to preserve these materials and share them with the public.

Among the materials was a slim volume in an unmarked, worn binding. At first sight, it seemed unremarkable. But upon opening the cover and examining the title page -- with its 1778 publication date and "Printed by John Dunlap" at the bottom -- I knew I had come across something special. Research and consultation with experts in rare publications confirmed its authenticity.

As soon as the importance and rarity of this artifact became clear, the Diplomacy Center's staff worked to ensure it would be properly protected and preserved. Thanks to the expertise and skill of Thomas C. Albro, a retired Library of Congress rare book conservator, this printing of our first treaties will be preserved and available for exhibit for many generations to come.

The photo accompanying this post shows the treaties printing after conservation treatment and re-binding using its original 1778 paper covers. More photos are available at the U.S. Diplomacy Center's website. For more information about our 1778 treaties with France, go to history.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/marking_234_years_of_treaty_making/ 2012-05-04T18:35:14+00:00
In an internationally televised addressed from Bagram Air Base, President Obama said, “Today, I signed a historic agreement between the United States and Afghanistan that defines a new kind of relationship between our countries -- a future in which Afghans are responsible for the security of their nation, and we build an equal partnership between two sovereign states; a future in which war ends and a new chapter begins.”

According to a White House fact sheet, the agreement is not only a signal of the United States' long-term commitment to Afghanistan, but it enshrines our commitments to one another and a common vision for our relationship and Afghanistan's future. In addition, the United States will designate Afghanistan a "Major Non-NATO Ally" to provide a long-term framework for security and defense cooperation. On May 20-21, the United States will host the NATO Summit in Chicago to discuss the transition in Afghanistan and reaffirm NATO's enduring commitment to the Afghan people beyond 2014.

You can view more photos of the President's visit to Afghanistan on the White House Blog.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/potw_obama_afghanistan/ 2012-05-04T16:58:31+00:00 More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map

In Beijing May 3-4, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner joined their Chinese co-chairs, Vice Premier Wang Qishan and State Councilor Dai Bingguo, for the fourth joint meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED). In a joint statement, the two countries described the talks as "candid, in-depth and constructive discussions" in which both sides "decided to advance practical cooperation between the United States and China in order to build a cooperative partnership based on mutual benefit and mutual respect."

During a press conference at the S&ED, Secretary Clinton said:

"...The United States welcomes a strong, prosperous, and successful China. We want to see China not only deliver economic prosperity for its large population, but also play a key role in world affairs. And our countries and our peoples gain far more from cooperation then from competition, so we are committed to pursuing a positive, cooperative, comprehensive relationship. And I want to underscore the importance of events like this fourth Annual Strategic and Economic Dialogue. We use it to maximize mutual understanding and areas of cooperation while also speaking frankly to one another about those areas about which we have disagreements. Now, given all that we are doing together bilaterally, regionally, and globally, we need this kind of open, regular mechanism for strengthening our partnership and managing those areas where there are tensions and differences.

"I said something earlier today that I would repeat for you, because together the United States and China are trying to do something that is historically unprecedented, to write a new answer to the age-old question of what happens when an established power and a rising power meet. And for the United States, we see this as an opportunity, not a threat. We look at the future with great optimism. And we believe that neither of us can afford to keep looking at the world through old lenses, whether it's the legacy of imperialism, the Cold War, or balance-of-power politics. Zero sum thinking will lead to negative sum results.

"And so instead, what we are trying to do is to build a resilient relationship that allows both of our nations to thrive without unhealthy competition, rivalry, or conflict while meeting our national, regional, and global responsibilities."

In addition, while in Beijing, Secretary Clinton co-chaired with Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong the third U.S.-China High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE). The CPE aims to enhance and strengthen ties between the citizens of the United States and China in the areas of culture, education, sports, science and technology, and women's issues. During the third CPE, both sides pledged to adopt new, concrete measures to expand cooperation in these areas.

The United States and China agreed to continue ongoing CPE achievements including the U.S. 100,000 Strong Initiative and China's three 10,000 scholarship programs, the U.S.-China Young Scientists Forum, the East Asia Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. science students, renewal of the U.S.-China Cultural Implementing Accord, the U.S.-China Women Leadership Exchange and Dialogue (Women-LEAD), and the U.S.-China Young Leaders Exchange.

During this year's CPE, the two governments also agreed to enhance support for the binational U.S.-China Fulbright Program, double the new Fulbright M.A. Program for Chinese students, triple Fulbright Critical Language Enhancement Awards for American Fulbrighters to study Chinese, and welcome the first U.S. Distinguished Chair for a highly qualified American professor to teach in China this fall. The U.S. government sends more students to study in China than to any other country. The robust educational relationship between the U.S. and China is one of our most important worldwide and is helping to build a stronger foundation for our overall bilateral relationship.

You can read more about U.S.-China people-to-people exchanges here, and more about the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, Rounds I-IV Strategic Track Outcomes here.

You can follow Secretary Clinton's travel to China, Bangladesh, and India April 30-May 8, 2012, on www.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/travel_diary_secretary_clinton_in_china/ 2012-05-04T15:01:55+00:00
"The Chinese Government stated today that Mr. Chen Guangcheng has the same right to travel abroad as any other citizen of China. Mr. Chen has been offered a fellowship from an American university, where he can be accompanied by his wife and two children.

"The Chinese Government has indicated that it will accept Mr. Chen's applications for appropriate travel documents. The United States Government expects that the Chinese Government will expeditiously process his applications for these documents and make accommodations for his current medical condition. The United States Government would then give visa requests for him and his immediate family priority attention.

"This matter has been handled in the spirit of a cooperative U.S.-China partnership."

You can also read Spokesperson Nuland's statement on www.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/statement_on_chen_guangcheng/ 2012-05-04T13:25:50+00:00 More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map

Today, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner joined their Chinese co-chairs, Vice Premier Wang Qishan and State Councilor Dai Bingguo, for the fourth joint meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED). Secretary Clinton said, "Our relationship has grown closer and more consequential, and the web of connections that link our nations is increasing."

She continued, "As a result, this dialogue is even more necessary today than it was when it began, and the eyes of the world are once again upon us. The Chinese people and the American people looking for us to work together for their benefit, and the international community looking to us to work together for the world's benefit; in today's world, no global player can afford to treat geopolitics as a zero-sum game, so we are working to build a relationship that allows both of our countries to flourish without unhealthy competition or conflict, while at the same time meeting our responsibilities to our people and to the international community."

Secretary Clinton also welcomed five new U.S.-China EcoPartnerships during a signing ceremony today. Secretary Clinton said, "...This illustrates once again that the United States and China can and will work together in new ways and through many channels to address our common challenges on energy and the environment, two issues that transcend politics that we live with every single day in our homes, our businesses, and our communities."

During the signing ceremony for the EcoPartnerships, Secretary Clinton welcomed China's decision to join the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves is a public-private partnership that seeks to save lives, improve livelihoods, empower women, and combat climate change by creating a thriving global market for clean and efficient household cooking solutions. By joining the Alliance, China will help meet the Alliance's goal to ensure 100 million homes adopt clean and efficient stoves and fuels by 2020.

While concluding her remarks at today's U.S.-China S&ED opening session, Secretary Clinton said, "I think it's fair to say China and the United States cannot solve all the problems of the world, but without our cooperation, it is doubtful any problem can be solved. And so we are working as we go forward with our dialogue, seeking opportunities for engagement, building ties that are not only between governments but family, friends, entrepreneurs, students, scholars, artists, and so much else."

You can follow Secretary Clinton's travel to China on www.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/travel_diary_us_china_sed_2012/ 2012-05-03T22:31:13+00:00
"Let me just say that I and the Embassy have long had interest in Mr. Chen Guangcheng, and of course, the U.S. Government has long had an interest, and we've mentioned him in so many of our human rights statements, and have advocated for his humane treatment ever since for many, many years.

"Last week, under most unusual extraordinary circumstances, he contacted us, we went out and met with him, and given the fact that he has a -- he's blind, he was injured, we took the extraordinary step in a very unusual situation, exceptional situation, to bring him into the Embassy. I have spent sometimes five hours during the day with him almost every day, two to three, three-plus hours talking with him -- so have other Embassy people -- trying to determine what it is that he want.

"He made it very, very clear from the very, very beginning that he wanted to stay in China, that he wanted to be part of the struggle to improve the human rights within China, and to gain greater liberty and democracy for the people of China. We asked him, did you want to go to the United States, and he said no; maybe someday to study, but his immediate goal was to stay in China and to help with the cause.

"We spent a lot of time determining what it is that he want. First and foremost, he did not want to go back to the village and be in Shangdong Province, and he outlined all the mistreatment that he and his family had received there. And he talked about his dreams of wanting to study law and to pursue his studies. He wanted a safe future for his family. And he also was, of course, concerned about those who had helped him during his escape and his travel to Beijing. So we had numerous meetings with the Chinese Government, and I was involved in every single one of those meetings. Sometimes those were -- some of those meetings were three times a day trying to present proposals that -- to the Chinese Government that met his objectives, and we were constantly trying to determine what those objectives might be and how we could accomplish those objectives.

"We consulted with him regularly, and one thing that he really expressed an interest in was wanting to study, pursue the study of law. So we came up with a proposal. Some of it was then -- we negotiated with the Chinese on it and it was changed. And we finally had a proposal that met with his agreement. I can tell you that he knew the stark choices in front of him. He knew that -- and was very aware that he might have to spend many, many years in the Embassy, and that -- but he was prepared to do that unless the terms of an agreement with the Chinese Government was not acceptable to him. He also was fully aware of the plight of his family if he stayed in the Embassy.

"At one point on Tuesday, we presented a proposal to him, and he said it was unacceptable -- unacceptable -- and that he would stay in the Embassy. From then on, we started focusing on what that would mean in terms of procedures with the Embassy, and we left him alone. Later that night, a person went back in to deliver food and asked him if he was still comfortable with that decision, and he said he was, and we respected that. That night, however, we were able to meet with the Chinese Government, because he constantly said he needed some first steps by the Chinese Government as a demonstration of good faith, that they were always asking him to leave the Embassy before they would implement new procedures or part of the agreement, and he wanted a first step by the Chinese Government. And he said why can't they bring his family up to Beijing. And so we approached the Chinese Government on that, and they said yes.

"And the agreement was that if you brought -- if the family were brought to the hospital, that he would then be able to talk with his wife, and that would enable him to make the very final decision on whether or not he would leave the Embassy. So while the Chinese Government had agreed to his request to have the family come to Beijing, it was not necessarily in his mind, and we stated it -- did not mean that he would definitely leave the Embassy until he had a chance to talk with his wife over the phone, and then he would make his final decision.

"He spoke with his wife over the phone, two conversations with his wife over the phone."

Ambassador Locke continued:

"And then we asked him what did he want to do, did he want to leave, was he ready to leave. And we waited several minutes and then suddenly he jumped up, very excited, very eager, and said, 'Let's go,' in front of many, many witnesses. We then proceeded to take him down to the van with the doctors, translators, and many other personnel. Before he went into the van, I asked him again, 'Is this what you want to do? Are you ready to leave the Embassy?' And he said yes. We then gave him a phone and he talked with Secretary Clinton. He called his lawyer. He wanted to reach out to a member of the press. And we made that -- and facilitated, made all those connections for him.

"We stayed with him in the hospital. Of many, many people, I was there for probably an hour and a half after he entered the hospital, met with the family, met with the children. The doctors were there for many, many hours. And so at all points, we were intent on carrying out his wishes and ensuring that we could put together something that met his needs.

"Number one, relocation to another part of China, and the Chinese Government gave him seven different universities and places that he could choose from. Number two, that he would receive a college education paid for by the Chinese Government with living expenses and housing for him and his entire family at one of seven institutions of his choosing. Number three, that while he was in the hospital for medical treatment, that the Chinese Government would listen to his complaints of abuse and conduct a full investigation, and three, that he would be given all the rights and privileges of any student at any university, which included the opportunity to apply for a different university down the road.

"And so I can tell you unequivocally that he was never pressured to leave, he was excited and eager about leaving when he made his decision, announced it. He simply -- while he was sitting there, we waited for him to make his decision. He also fully knew of what would be -- of what staying in the Embassy would entail if he decided not to leave. And he was fully aware of and talked about what might happen to his family if he stayed in the Embassy and they stayed in the village in Shangdong Province."

You can read the full transcript of Ambassador Locke's briefing here. Ambassador Locke also held a series of interviews, including with Karson Yiu of ABC News; Marsha Cooke of CBS; Stan Grant of CNN; and Ian Williams of NBC.

You can view photographs of Mr. Chen's visit to the embassy here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/ambassador_locke_briefs_the_press_in_beijing/ 2012-05-03T20:51:33+00:00
Over 70 elected leaders and civil society activists under the age of 35, from across the United States and Europe, representing 26 different countries, attended this first ever transatlantic exchange of young minority political leaders. During two and a half days of intensive training and open dialogue at the Copenhagen City Hall, participants explored the challenges facing minorities in politics on both sides of the Atlantic as well as shared strategies to overcome these challenges.

I was honored to be in the presence of so many young elected leaders who share my passion for public service. Both the United States and Europe can benefit from this visionary new generation of young leaders who are dedicated to creating more open and representative institutions. As leader of the U.S. delegation, my role was to serve as a connector and catalyst to strengthen communication and ties among these young peers.

The young political leaders came together, in these uncertain times, amid the clamor of extremist voices during this era of economic hardship. And yet, they strove to strengthen the voices of moderation for inclusive governments. The conference participants did indeed learn a great deal from each other as they discussed differing views and actions on how to approach the work of integration and inclusion. On a personal level, delegates described the event as "inspirational, profound, life-changing, and a memory they will not soon forget."

President Obama and Secretary Clinton are strong advocates of inclusive governments. On many occasions, Secretary Clinton has stressed that it is "important that women and minorities have access to opportunity and participation. Nations cannot flourish if half their population is consigned to the margins or denied their rights."

In the United States, our diversity has made us stronger, more vibrant and more successful, and, in many ways, has defined who we are. And yet, as a nation, we still have a long way to go in order to achieve full political inclusion for minorities. Both the U.S. and European delegations frankly shared their experiences in the hopes of facilitating inclusive governments.

In that spirit, each leader left Copenhagen with the full confidence that we are building a vibrant self-sustaining transatlantic network of young minority elected leaders dedicated to building more inclusive governments. Drawing upon the expertise of the German Marshall Fund and IMPACT, and utilizing modern technologies, all of the participants are dedicated to nurturing an on-line space to exchange best practices, to provide peer-to-peer mentoring, and to encourage future generations to play an increasingly active role in politics. The young attendees plan to reconvene in smaller groups, to make working visits to the United States, and to expand the group by convening capacity building events for even wider circles of transatlantic inclusion leaders.

I personally left Copenhagen with a sense of optimism that these dedicated young minority elected leaders and activists will do all they can to promote racial, ethnic, and religious diversity and inclusion, including political participation, in the United States and Europe. Their diversity and awe inspiring talent gave me hope knowing that the future of our countries is in their hands. While the group brought a wide array of experiences to Copenhagen, they shared the common goal of creating more open and representative institutions.

I look forward to working with them and younger generations of minority elected leaders to build a better future.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/transatlantic_inclusion_leaders_2012/ 2012-05-03T19:30:05+00:00 World Press Freedom Day. From Burma and Bahrain, to Qatar and Zimbabwe, those who write, film, text, and tweet the truth will spend three days listening, discussing, and exchanging ideas about the power -- and perils -- of free speech.

Over a year ago, Tunisia's Jasmine revolution sparked transitions throughout the Middle East. Millions have come out, and keep coming, to demand change and the right to express themselves -- from Tahrir Square and Benghazi, to Sanaa and Hom.

The clarion call for freedom has not been without its bumps and setbacks. Even in Tunisia where there has been so much promise, a setback to freedom of expression came today in the form of blasphemy charges against the TV owner of Nessma for airing the film, "Persepolis."

On this day, however, the world will shine a spotlight on journalists who risk everything to speak out. Today, the world can see and hear the international community mark World Press Freedom Day with opening ceremonies at a place once considered a symbol of oppression, the Presidential Palace in Tunisia. The event will feature a virtual town hall that will connect people in Amsterdam and Washington, D.C., with remarks by Assistant Secretary of State Esther Brimmer and a video message from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

In addition, the Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Award will be presented to brave Azerbaijani journalist Eynulla Fatullayev. And, over the next few days, highlights from the gathering will include a speech by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Tawakkol Karman and discussions on a variety of topics, including the value of media reforms, decriminalization of free speech, and how press freedom can help transform societies.

As we learned last year when the United States hosted World Press Freedom Day in Washington, D.C., some of the most valuable aspects of this annual commemoration are the opportunities for participants -- journalists from around the world -- to hold discussions on the critical issues they face and to meet each other, compare notes, and build new supportive networks of contacts.

World Press Freedom Day also represents a powerful reminder of the challenges journalists face just to do their jobs. The Committee to Protect Journalists released a report stating that 639 reporters have been killed for doing their jobs since 1992. In 565 of those cases, the killers went unpunished. According to CPJ, vocal journalists are the mostly likely victims. As a former journalist myself, I have witnessed the great cost journalists pay to speak out. Today, I join my colleagues and those around the world in honoring them and their work.

For more information on press freedom, go to HumanRights.gov and the UNESCO website.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/speaking_out_world_press_freedom_day/ 2012-05-03T16:03:43+00:00 World Press Freedom Day, a UNESCO initiative.  They will gather in cities and towns, through workshops and seminars, to join in celebrating the universal right of free expression first enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights more than six decades ago.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of addressing the importance of free expression and a free press at the National Endowment for Democracy. I emphasized that a free press is the bedrock of a free, healthy and energetic society. It allows citizens to hold informed opinions, make informed decisions and lead informed lives. It keeps public officials accountable, provides outlets for healthy debate, and enables society to become more stable, prosperous, and democratic.

But, like a mirror to society, the media also reflects a version of reality that can at times make us proud and at times make us cringe.

That is why journalists are on the front lines in the battle for free expression. Their treatment by government often serves as an indicator for the levels of freedom in society. As Secretary Clinton said on last year's World Press Freedom Day, "When a free media is in jeopardy, all other human rights are threatened."

Today, too many editors, citizen journalists, bloggers, photojournalists, videographers and pundits are attacked, threatened, censored, intimidated, disappeared or even murdered for trying to report the news or exercise their right to freedom of expression. Those who are imperiled need their stories heard.

That is why, this year, the State Department launched a "Free The Press" campaign. On a daily basis since April 18, we have been highlighting on HumanRights.gov one representative case of a journalist whose rights are being endangered and abused. Some, like Dawit Isaac of Eritrea, have been held incommunicado without formal charge or trial. Yet others, like Yoani Sanchez of Cuba, are not permitted to leave the country. To see the journalists we have highlighted in the past two weeks, visit HumanRights.gov or visit us on Facebook.

In the coming year, we will continue to stand up for the right to free expression in every medium -- in print and pixel, in image and imagination. And not just on World Press Freedom Day, but every day.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/journalists_under_duress/ 2012-05-03T02:44:18+00:00 21st session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (also known as the CCPCJ or Crime Commission).

Led by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Brian Nichols, the U.S. delegation played a leading role throughout the week in molding 11 resolutions adopted by consensus. For example, the United States worked closely with Turkey to sponsor jointly a resolution on "Promoting efforts to eliminate violence against migrants, migrant workers and their families" (the theme for this year's CCPCJ). Twenty-eight additional countries from across the UN's regional groupings co-sponsored the resolution. Among other provisions, this resolution condemns criminal acts -- including acts motivated by racism -- against migrants, migrant workers, and their families, and encourages Member States that have not already done so to enact legislation and take other appropriate measures to combat international smuggling of migrants.

The United States co-sponsored resolutions on: statistics on crime and criminal justice, authored by Mexico; the rule of law and the reform of criminal justice institutions, proposed by Thailand; international cooperation to address the links that may exist between transnational criminal activities and terrorist activities, offered by Colombia; and the United Nations Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems, submitted jointly by South Africa and Georgia. All these resolutions and more can be found here.

The United States also hosted a side event on the crime-terror nexus and co-hosted a side event with Turkey and the UN on the Global Counter Terrorism Forum. A broad, diverse group of representatives from Member States and civil society attended both events.

Created in 1992 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Crime Commission is one of the governing bodies of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and guides UN activities in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice. The Crime Commission also shapes the quinquennial UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (or "Crime Congress"), one of the major UN conferences and the only one to draw together leading experts from member states, academia, and civil society. Last week's CCPCJ adopted a resolution that provides a roadmap to the 2015 Crime Congress to be held in Doha, Qatar.

The resolutions adopted at this CCPCJ promise to strengthen the impact of UNODC's work and further the UN's synergistic approach to promoting crime prevention and criminal justice.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/strengthening_law_combating_crime/ 2012-05-02T22:13:21+00:00 More: Background Briefing on Chen Guangcheng | Photographs -- Chen Guangcheng With U.S. Officials in Beijing

Today, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke with Chen Guangcheng. Following their conversation, the Secretary released the following statement:

"I am pleased that we were able to facilitate Chen Guangcheng's stay and departure from the U.S. Embassy in a way that reflected his choices and our values. I was glad to have the chance to speak with him today and to congratulate him on being reunited with his wife and children.

"Mr. Chen has a number of understandings with the Chinese government about his future, including the opportunity to pursue higher education in a safe environment. Making these commitments a reality is the next crucial task. The United States Government and the American people are committed to remaining engaged with Mr. Chen and his family in the days, weeks, and years ahead."

Editor's Note: You can also read the Secretary's statement here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/secretary_clinton_speaks_with_chen_guangcheng/ 2012-05-02T16:21:41+00:00 More: White House Blog | Photos | Video

Tonight, President Barack Obama delivered remarks at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.

President Obama said, "Today, I signed a historic agreement between the United States and Afghanistan that defines a new kind of relationship between our countries -- a future in which Afghans are responsible for the security of their nation, and we build an equal partnership between two sovereign states; a future in which war ends, and a new chapter begins.

"Tonight, I'd like to speak to you about this transition. But first, let us remember why we came here. It was here, in Afghanistan, where Osama bin Laden established a safe haven for his terrorist organization. It was here, in Afghanistan, where al Qaeda brought new recruits, trained them, and plotted acts of terror. It was here, from within these borders, that al Qaeda launched the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 innocent men, women and children.

"And so, 10 years ago, the United States and our allies went to war to make sure that al Qaeda could never again use this country to launch attacks against us. Despite initial success, for a number of reasons, this war has taken longer than most anticipated. In 2002, bin Laden and his lieutenants escaped across the border and established safe haven in Pakistan. America spent nearly eight years fighting a different war in Iraq. And al Qaeda's extremist allies within the Taliban have waged a brutal insurgency.

"But over the last three years, the tide has turned. We broke the Taliban's momentum. We've built strong Afghan security forces. We devastated al Qaeda's leadership, taking out over 20 of their top 30 leaders. And one year ago, from a base here in Afghanistan, our troops launched the operation that killed Osama bin Laden. The goal that I set -- to defeat al Qaeda and deny it a chance to rebuild -- is now within our reach."

"...[T]onight, I'd like to tell you how we will complete our mission and end the war in Afghanistan.

"First, we've begun a transition to Afghan responsibility for security. Already, nearly half of the Afghan people live in places where Afghan security forces are moving into the lead. This month, at a NATO Summit in Chicago, our coalition will set a goal for Afghan forces to be in the lead for combat operations across the country next year. International troops will continue to train, advise and assist the Afghans, and fight alongside them when needed. But we will shift into a support role as Afghans step forward."

"...Second, we are training Afghan security forces to get the job done. Those forces have surged, and will peak at 352,000 this year. The Afghans will sustain that level for three years, and then reduce the size of their military. And in Chicago, we will endorse a proposal to support a strong and sustainable long-term Afghan force.

"Third, we're building an enduring partnership. The agreement we signed today sends a clear message to the Afghan people: As you stand up, you will not stand alone. It establishes the basis for our cooperation over the next decade, including shared commitments to combat terrorism and strengthen democratic institutions. It supports Afghan efforts to advance development and dignity for their people. And it includes Afghan commitments to transparency and accountability, and to protect the human rights of all Afghans -- men and women, boys and girls."

"...Fourth, we're pursuing a negotiated peace. In coordination with the Afghan government, my administration has been in direct discussions with the Taliban. We've made it clear that they can be a part of this future if they break with al Qaeda, renounce violence and abide by Afghan laws. Many members of the Taliban -- from foot soldiers to leaders -- have indicated an interest in reconciliation. The path to peace is now set before them. Those who refuse to walk it will face strong Afghan security forces, backed by the United States and our allies.

"Fifth, we are building a global consensus to support peace and stability in South Asia. In Chicago, the international community will express support for this plan and for Afghanistan's future. And I have made it clear to its neighbor -- Pakistan -- that it can and should be an equal partner in this process in a way that respects Pakistan's sovereignty, interests and democratic institutions. In pursuit of a durable peace, America has no designs beyond an end to al Qaeda safe havens and respect for Afghan sovereignty."

In closing, President Obama said, "Here in Afghanistan, Americans answered the call to defend their fellow citizens and uphold human dignity. Today, we recall the fallen and those who suffered wounds, both seen and unseen. But through dark days, we have drawn strength from their example and the ideals that have guided our nation and led the world -- a belief that all people are treated equal and deserve the freedom to determine their destiny. That is the light that guides us still.

"This time of war began in Afghanistan and this is where it will end. With faith in each other and our eyes fixed on the future, let us finish the work at hand and forge a just and lasting peace."

You can read a complete transcript of the President's remarks here.

Related Content: Video -- President Obama and President Karzai Sign the Strategic Partnership Agreement]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/obama_afghanistan_2012/ 2012-05-02T00:22:49+00:00 More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is on travel to China, Bangladesh, and India, departing Washington, D.C. on April 30.

In Beijing May 3-4, Secretary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner will join their Chinese co-chairs, Vice Premier Wang Qishan and State Councilor Dai Bingguo, for the fourth joint meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED). As with earlier S&EDs, this year's event will be a "whole-of-government" dialogue that brings together cabinet members and agency heads, as well as other officials and experts, from agencies across both of our governments. In addition, Secretary Clinton will co-chair with Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong the third U.S.-China High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) taking place May 3-4 in Beijing. The CPE aims to enhance and strengthen ties between the citizens of the United States and China in the areas of culture, education, sports, science and technology, and women's issues.

The Secretary will then travel to Bangladesh and India from May 5-8, making stops in Dhaka, Kolkata, and New Delhi. In Dhaka, Secretary Clinton will meet with senior government of Bangladesh officials and civil society representatives to review robust U.S.-Bangladesh cooperation across the full range of political, economic, and security matters. In Kolkata, the Secretary looks forward to meeting state officials and other civil society organization representatives. In New Delhi she will meet with Indian government officials to review progress in the strategic partnership, looking forward to the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue to be held in Washington, D.C. on June 13 and to be co-chaired by Secretary Clinton and Indian Minister of External Affairs S.M. Krishna.

You can follow the Secretary's travel on www.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_china_bangladesh_india/ 2012-05-01T22:50:24+00:00
The Ambassador's reaction was perhaps more personal than the reactions in some of the other meetings to which I accompanied the group, but it is hardly atypical. In their day in Berlin -- part of a week-long tour through Germany, Hungary, and Spain, from April 15-22 -- these four young leaders kept audiences spellbound just by their reports on their daily work and life in Afghanistan. It is information we rarely get a chance to hear, because so many media reports out of Afghanistan just focus on military issues, Taliban, drugs, or corruption. We hardly see or hear anything about what committed and courageous individuals are doing, daily and on the grassroots level, to build a better society for themselves and their children.

The group of travelers were Ms. Razia Arooje, who is a national program officer for the Kabul office of an international development organization; Ms. Freshta Karimi, who is the director of Da Qanoon Ghushtonky, a legal organization supporting women and children; Mr. Mohammad Sadiq Mohibi, who is an advisor to the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and the Disabled; and Dr. Mirwais Rahimzai, the country director for the Center for Human Services/University Research.

In Berlin, they met with German diplomats, who briefed them on their perspectives on the current situation in Afghanistan through the lens of their professional focus. During a luncheon with German journalists selected for their direct personal experience with Afghanistan, the group spoke openly about their work but also about their thoughts on transition, corruption, drugs, and the legal system. There were a few moments that particularly brought the reality of the group's struggles home to the German journalists. add a space One of the Afghan visitors reflected on a question posed by a reporter: "What is it like to be a social activist in Afghanistan? Be prepared to be hated!"

When the group moved on to stick to their tight schedule, the journalists lingered and reflected on their comments. "In all my travels with German officials to Afghanistan, I never met and was able to talk to Afghan citizens like these," one reporter said. "We only always see the military aspect of things and the schedules are too fully packed for individual conversations like these."

During a roundtable at the U.S. Embassy later that afternoon, a group of German parliamentarians, staffers, think-tankers, academics and journalists listened to the group's presentations.

Medical doctor Mirwais Rahimzai summarized the public health situation in Afghanistan as representing "50 years of progress in 10 years" because it has improved so dramatically. The mortality rate for women giving birth has decreased tremendously and the number of midwives has increased tenfold. Ms. Razia Arooje characterized her work on preventing gender-based violence as "reaching the individuals and provinces in Afghanistan that are not reachable by the Afghan government." Ms. Freshta Karimi said that her legal aid organization only grants legal assistance to individuals who promise not to pay bribes, thus contributing to a bottom-up effort to fight corruption. She noted with pride that not only has the number of defense lawyers increased in Afghanistan in recent years, but that the number of female defense lawyers has increased in particular. Mr. Mohammad Sadiq Mohibi, whose organization works to raise awareness for the rights of women, children, and the disabled, described his participation in second Bonn Conference in 2011 and the role that committed activists are playing in rebuilding the country.

The U.S. Embassy in Berlin has been hosting visitors from Afghanistan for many years, on the government and civil society level, to meet with their German counterparts to exchange views and ideas on how to promote and foster our common efforts for a democratic and prosperous Afghanistan. We consider ourselves to be very lucky to work with such a strong partner nation that supports Afghanistan in so many ways -- and to have the opportunity to meet such inspiring visitors, who are quietly and assiduously doing the work that all too rarely makes headlines but that could not be more important.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/fifty_years_of_progress_in_ten/ 2012-05-01T18:11:01+00:00
One of the primary responsibilities of the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs is to ensure the safety and welfare of our fellow citizens overseas. An estimated 6.3 million Americans live overseas and another 65 million travel abroad annually, and these numbers continue to increase. This includes a growing community of older Americans who are retiring to another country, cruising the world's oceans, or taking an educational excursion abroad as part of a lifelong learning tour. From Washington, we help prepare you to travel by providing important information about every country in the world and warning you of the international financial scams that may target you as you travel. When you travel or live overseas, consular personnel at U.S. embassies, consulates, and consular agencies will advise and help you with important tasks such as replacing a passport or obtaining federal benefits, and will provide guidance and support during a crisis.

As we celebrate Older Americans Month, we encourage our fellow Americans in this growing part of our community to prepare well for their travel abroad. We want your trips or overseas retirement to be as enjoyable as you wish them to be. With that in mind, we hope you will find the travel information links below useful. We wish all older Americans, as well as all those who love and support them, a happy Older Americans Month and safe and enjoyable travels.

Retiring Abroad | Traveling With Disabilities | Help in an Emergency Abroad | Older Americans Month Website
]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/never_too_old_to_travel/ 2012-05-01T16:54:12+00:00 Shari'a, either of which grants you an undergraduate degree and allows you to practice law. Therefore, a solid and comprehensive legal education can set the groundwork for a correspondingly flourishing and effective Afghan justice system. One month ago, I became the Program Manager for an innovative legal education grant that has been quietly making gains for Afghanistan's future lawyers with very little fanfare since 2004 by educating Afghan law professors and encouraging them to change the way they teach. This unassuming yet groundbreaking program, administered by the University of Washington in Seattle, and called the Afghanistan Legal Educators Support Program (LESPA), celebrated two recent events that speak volumes about the range of work the United States is doing with our Afghan colleagues and partners to build up Afghanistan's justice sector holistically, starting with the education system.

First, last week, the Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) awarded a new five year grant to the University of Washington to continue and expand LESPA. When the program began in late 2004, we expected it would be a fairly simple program to educate and confer graduate (Master of Laws or LL.M) degrees to Afghan law and Shari'a faculty. In the past eight years, the program has turned into so much more. LESPA administers legal English classes in Afghanistan and the United States to prepare faculty for matriculation. During the program, Afghan faculty participate in regular law classes, special tutorials, research and writing seminars, and clinical legal education experiences. After completion, LL.M graduates talk about how difficult the course work was, but also tell us how much they learned and plan to incorporate into their own teaching. In addition to the LL.M program, other faculty members have traveled to Seattle for shorter term study. The program works with legal educators from most university law schools in Afghanistan, including the Shari'a and Law & Political Science faculties of Alberoni, Balkh, Herat, Kabul, Kandahar, Khost, Kunduz, Nangahar and Takhar universities. Since the program began, 229 Afghan legal educators, deans, and students have participated, including 36 women. Fifteen educators have already completed their advanced LL.M degrees at the University of Washington, with three more set to graduate this spring.

Upon returning to Afghanistan, graduates of the LESPA program actively collaborate with each other to teach and lead the next generation of Afghan law students. Graduates of the program have set up the first law-school affiliated legal clinics in Afghanistan, and most university legal clinics in the country feature a LESPA graduate serving as the faculty advisor. It is no coincidence that program alumni are at the forefront of scholarly and pedagogical reform in Afghanistan, and new program recruits cite the stellar reputation of the LESPA graduate network as a key element in their desire to participate in the program.

Second, the Jessup International Moot Court competition tapped two current Afghan participants of LESPA to serve as judges last month in the 2012 competition. To the best of our knowledge, they are the first Afghans to serve as judges for the international rounds of this prestigious competition. The two Afghans, Parwiz Esmati, a graduate of Alberoni University law and political science faculty, and Shamshad Pasarlay, a graduate of Kabul University Shari'a faculty, began their involvement with the Jessup competition in 2009-10, when LESPA supported and administered the national Jessup competition in Afghanistan. Both students excelled, and Parwiz was named among the top 70 oralists in the world at 2010's international competition, while Shamshad led his team to win the national championship and compete in the international rounds in 2010-11. Notably, in the 2011-12 national competition in Afghanistan, the coaches of four out of the five teams -- including the two finalist teams -- were graduates of the LESPA program.

As the new Program Manager, I've really enjoyed getting to know the current LL.M. students and some graduates from past years. They are optimistic, energetic, and very dedicated educators. As I look ahead to the next five years of this program, which will continue all the successful components of the past while adding Ph.D studies at the University of Washington and university partnership agreements, I'm both hopeful and confident. I know that these law professors and the students they teach back home will continue to reform Afghanistan's justice system from within.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/afghanistan_next_generation_law_professors/ 2012-05-01T14:25:28+00:00 joint press conference at the White House, President Obama said, "It is a great pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Noda of Japan, one of America's closest allies in the Asia Pacific region but also around the world. And, of course, one of the reasons that we enjoy such a strong alliance between our nations is because it's rooted in the deep friendship between our peoples."

President Obama continued, "...We recognize that the U.S.-Japan alliance will remain the foundation of the security and prosperity of our two nations but also a cornerstone of regional peace and security. As such, we reviewed the agreement that our governments reached last week to realign American forces in Japan. This reflects our effort to modernize America's defense posture in the Asia Pacific with forces that are more broadly distributed, more flexible and more sustainable."

In his remarks, President Obama also addressed the important economic relationship the United States and Japan share, as both countries are among each other's top trading partners. The President and Prime Minister instructed their teams to continue consultation regarding Japan's interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and they agreed to deepen cooperation on nuclear safety, clean energy, and cyber security. President Obama also discussed Japan's role as a global partner, working on a range of issues -- including those affecting Afghanistan, Burma, Iran, and North Korea.

While hosting a dinner for the Prime Minister, Secretary Clinton said:

"Japan remains an essential world leader, even in the face of the unspeakable tragedies that it suffered. Americans are inspired by the bravery and resilience of the Japanese people.

"In addition to the partnership between our two governments, what is most important about our relationship are the ties between our two peoples. Many of you here tonight have played an important role in strengthening the bonds that our countries share. But we want to be sure that it is not just a relationship of the present and the past, but also one of the future.

"That's why we are working to create opportunities for the young people in both of our countries. Our shared goal is to promote a tomodachi or friendship generation of young people who will be our future leaders. That's why we have created a private-public partnership, the TOMODACHI Initiative, to bring young people from both countries together. We are looking forward to receiving hundreds of young Japanese students and sending hundreds of young American students, through student exchanges, sports programs, and entrepreneurial programs."

You can learn more about the TOMODACHI Initiative here, and read the Secretary's full remarks here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/obama_clinton_noda_japan/ 2012-05-01T12:32:00+00:00 PEPFAR and UNAIDS joined with other partners to launch the Global Plan, an initiative to eliminate new HIV infections among children and keep their mothers alive. Last week I was proud to take part in a two-day mission to Nigeria with Michel Sidibe, UNAIDS Executive Director. (As I described in this post last week, our visit was interrupted by the tragic bombings.)

Each year, nearly 400,000 children are born with HIV globally, and prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) is a particular challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, an area characterized by weak health systems. Incredibly, Nigeria alone bears about one-third of the global burden of new HIV infections among children. It is thus one of 22 priority countries of the Global Plan, which collectively account for nearly 90 percent of all new HIV infections among children annually. The Plan's central goal is to reduce the number of new pediatric infections in these countries by 90 percent.

We know what to do to prevent vertical transmission -- the science is long-established, and many countries (including Botswana) have achieved virtual elimination. PMTCT is a top priority for PEPFAR, and in 2011 alone, we supported programs that tested nearly 10 million pregnant women. Of these, more than 660,000 pregnant women were found to be living with HIV, and antiretrovirals (ARVs) for these women allowed more than 200,000 infants to be born HIV-free. These are the highest PMTCT results of any year in PEPFAR's eight-year history.

During our mission, we met with Nigeria's First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who personally leads the country's PMTCT strategy. We also met with the Nigerian Minister of Health and Governors and Health Commissioners from PMTCT focus states, who play key roles in expanding PMTCT services in the country. We also had dialogue with Nigerian business, faith-based, and community leaders about the critical contributions they can make to achieving the elimination goal. Throughout these interactions, we focused on the main barriers to PMTCT progress at both the national level and in priority states, and began to identify the most effective strategies to address these challenges collectively. We also discussed Nigeria's plans to optimize and increase all available resources in the country, in order to achieve a generation born HIV-free.

As we have learned from the 30-year history and struggle of AIDS, extraordinary things happen when we work together. By uniting around our common humanity in a spirit of shared responsibility, we can give a chance at a full life to children and mothers around the world. Preventing new HIV infections in children is a smart investment that saves lives, and the United States is proud to partner with Nigeria and other countries in this cause.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/nigeria_mother_child_transmission_hiv/ 2012-04-30T22:31:56+00:00 German-American Fulbright Program -- one of the largest Fulbright Programs in the world. From March 18-21, the German-American Fulbright Commission held its annual Berlin Seminar and celebrated the program's success alongside the government of Germany and the U.S. Embassy in Berlin. Organizers and attendees recognized the Fulbright Program's decades of achievements and its growing network of 40,000 alumni.

The 2012 Berlin Seminar brought together 250 American Fulbright grantees based in Germany and 85 participants from 22 other European countries. At the opening dinner, participants traded stories and tips for making the most of the Fulbright experience with 140 German Fulbrighters headed to the United States this fall. As Ralphael Wüstner, a native Berliner who will study at the New School in New York City, noted, "I'm making connections, especially with people who have spent time in New York. You can read so much online but it can't replace the advice from people who have lived there."

On the second day, representatives from both countries commemorated the strong relationship between the United States and Germany. The conversation was anchored in the strength and maintenance of the extensive Fulbright Program network. At at the opening ceremony in Berlin's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dignitaries included Germany's Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office Cornelia Pieper, Fulbright Scholarship Board Vice Chair Susan Ness and U.S. Embassy Berlin's Charge d'Affaires Greg Delawie. Dr. Rolf Hoffmann, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission in Germany, emphasized how the program invests in people. Thomas Sattelberger, from Deutsche Telekom, noted Senator J. William Fulbright's recognition of how people-to-people connections could break up "closed systems."

The following morning, members from the Berlin Senate Chancellery welcomed Fulbrighters to the Berlin City Hall. Events included a panel featuring German and American Fulbright alumni. They spoke of their experiences and the impact of the fellowship on their lives. Björn Böhning, the Head of Senate Chancellery, also held a Q&A session. Fulbrighters later enjoyed a concert at the University of the Arts put on by their musically-inclined peers, a 30-year-old tradition at the Berlin Seminar.

The Berlin Seminar ended with presentations from current Fulbrighters, whose projects ranged from Dutch water management to the social implications of consumerism. The presenters fielded questions from the audience, responded with clarity and, in one case, operatic performance. Afterwards, the crowd split -- Fulbright English Teaching Assistants learned new skills for the classroom, while other Fulbright students and scholars were briefed on the academic and cultural experiences of fellow Fulbrighters. The week wrapped up with a panel on the future of European economic integration. Closing lecturers included Carsten Dose of the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies, who spoke about European educational integration, and Thomas König of Mannheim University, who discussed bringing Europe into closer union. After unwinding at the Kulturbrauerei in Prenzlauer Berg, Fulbrighters headed home, buoyed by promises of future visits and connections with new friends across the continent.

Happy 60th birthday To the German-American Fulbright Program!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/german_fulbright_60/ 2012-04-30T16:54:27+00:00
I could not agree more, and we are doing just that through U.S. Embassy Kabul's Mission Speakers Program (MSP). The MSP recruits speakers from throughout the embassy by simply finding out about our colleague's experiences, and then building a relevant outreach event around their expertise for Afghan participants. For example, the first MSP activity connected a female diplomat who happened to be a former college basketball player with a group of high school girls participating in an embassy-funded sports and leadership program. Her presentation to the girls underscored the value of hard work, determination, and goal-planning, as she told the group: "Don't be afraid to fail and don't fear what others have to say -- achieving your goals is not easy." Several of the girls subsequently commented about how inspirational it was to hear another woman's story of overcoming obstacles to achieve her goals.

Outreach activities focusing on youths serve as opportunities for officers to build relationships based on shared interests and hobbies. Building upon our relationship with the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (Afghanistan's only music school), we programmed a saxophone-playing political officer and jazz-drumming staff assistant for jam sessions that incorporated musical, cultural, geographical, and historical surveys of traditional American music. In recognition of Black History Month, for instance, one of the activities connected specific periods in U.S. history to the development of jazz music. Not only did these activities encourage the students to continue improving their form and technique, but they also underscored the themes of overcoming adversity through positive social change.

In addition to our regular public affairs outreach programs, the MSP supports embassy-wide campaigns as well. In support of U.S. Embassy Kabul's 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, for instance, the MSP programmed a female U.S. Air Force Brigadier General to lead a special discussion with over 50 students from the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF). Tapping into the Brigadier General's extensive background in domestic violence as a former prosecutor and judge, this outreach activity raised awareness of gender-based violence in Afghanistan (as well as the United States), explored international approaches to combating violence against women, and examined ways in which individuals can lead efforts to educate their peers and colleagues about the impact of gender-based violence in their communities.

People-to-people engagement -- through programs like the MSP -- forms a critical component of our public diplomacy work in Afghanistan. Since the MSP launched in October 2011, embassy officers have reached out to Afghan citizens -- with a special focus on youths and young adults -- while developing relationships based upon shared interests, such as sports, music, civic education, and international law. In so doing, they have been able to discuss themes that include creative expression, diversity, and civil society. Conducting outreach in Afghanistan is not always an easy task, yet the MSP is an invaluable opportunity for American diplomats to meet and interact with Afghans -- to build the proverbial cultural bridge between Afghans and Americans.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/cultural_bridges_in_afghanistan/ 2012-04-29T19:13:22+00:00
I can't help but reflect on the juxtapositions life sometimes presents after experiencing this tragic event. It not only occurred while we were having a ceremony for our fallen UN colleagues, but during a mission to strengthen the Nigerian plan to reduce the 72,000 pediatric HIV cases born each year. To have such a senseless loss of life, in one brief moment, made me reflect on how fragile and precious life is. And it sharpens my resolve to ensure that children born to HIV-positive mothers -- and all children here -- have every opportunity to reach their full potential.

With particular sadness, I join my U.S. government colleagues in extending my deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones in the bombings, and to all the people of Nigeria.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/in_nigeria_remembering_lives_lost/ 2012-04-27T16:53:27+00:00 Tara Sonenshine as she prepares for her swearing-in ceremony with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. on April 24, 2012.

At her swearing-in ceremony, Under Secretary Sonenshine said, "Policy is about people. Without a deeper understanding of foreign publics, our policies are just flying blind. We can't depend only on conversations with political leaders. We have to connect with people, and let them know we are listening, we care, and we are working to support them.

"We have to be texting, blogging, tweeting, and connecting face-to-face -- to empower young people, women and girls, and minorities, engaging to change the minds of extremists who spread misinformation and hatred online, reaching out to make sure our narrative is as robust as the character of our nation. If we enlist public diplomacy effectively, we can enlist the problem solvers and leaders of tomorrow."

On May 3, Under Secretary Sonenshine will travel to Beijing, China to serve as co-coordinator of the third annual U.S.-China Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) with Chinese Vice Minister of Education Hao Ping. The CPE aims to promote and strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and China in the fields of education, culture, science and technology, sports, and women's issues. It provides a high-level annual forum for government and private-sector representatives to discuss cooperation in a broad, strategic manner.

As the new Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Tara Sonenshine will serve as the Department's senior public diplomacy official, overseeing the bureaus of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Public Affairs, and International Information Programs, and participates in foreign policy development. As Under Secretary, she leads America's public diplomacy outreach, which includes communications with international audiences, cultural programming, academic grants, educational exchanges, international visitor programs, and U.S. Government efforts to confront ideological support for terrorism.

You can view more photos from Under Secretary Sonenshine's swearing-in ceremony on Flickr, and you can follow @TSonenshine on Twitter for more on U.S. public diplomacy.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/potw_sonenshine/ 2012-04-27T15:05:58+00:00 the power of jazz as a means of connecting people. More than 50 years ago, the Department launched a landmark jazz diplomacy effort featuring American musical legend Dizzy Gillespie. Ever since then, jazz has been a continuing feature of U.S. cultural engagement programs. (See some great old photos here.)

Well, I am very proud to announce the latest chapter in the State Department's "jazz diplomacy" program kicks off this Friday here in Paris, where we get an early start on UNESCO's inaugural International Jazz Day, which will be officially celebrated around the world on April 30, 2012.

This unique event, proposed by the United States and organized in cooperation with UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador (and jazz legend) Herbie Hancock, honors the American roots of jazz music and celebrates its global impact. And appropriately, this is truly an ensemble effort with critical support from not only the United States and Herbie Hancock but also the Thelonius Monk Jazz Institute, the Smithsonian Institution, and, of course, UNESCO along with more than 30 national co-sponsors, including Brazil, Egypt, Israel, Mexico, and Uganda.

So, we start here on Friday at UNESCO's headquarters with a series of special concerts, presentations, and master classes. Herbie Hancock, of course, will be on hand, so will musical greats like Dee Dee Bridgewater, Marcus Miller, and Hugh Masekela.

And then on the 30th -- Jazz Day itself -- there will be festivities around the world. In the United States we will have a special dawn concert in New Orleans followed by an evening bash at the United Nations in New York City. Similar concerts are planned everywhere from Azerbaijan (click here to learn about Azerbaijan's decades old love affair with jazz) to Argentina, Poland to Oman.

As U.S. Ambassador to UNESCO, I could not be more proud of our active support for International Jazz Day. I honestly cannot think of a better, of a more profound or a more important representation of American culture. I genuinely believe that jazz is America at our very best and, I think, at our most honest.

Jazz could only have emerged from the United States. It originated in the early years of the 20th Century, primarily in the southern United States -- and especially in New Orleans -- where you had African-American musicians who started to blend both African and European musical traditions. Of course, this was not an easy time. Slavery was barely a generation removed and segregation was still the law of the land in the South. That said, there was still a strong sense of community, and there was still call for entertainment.

And so, slowly but surely, out of this mix, you had rhythm and you had blues, you had ragtime music, and then ultimately...you had jazz. Now, almost from the start, jazz was defined by two core characteristics: improvisation and adaptability. And it is those two traits that make jazz such a perfect fit for American diplomacy; that combination, that willingness to take a core set of principals and then fearlessly apply them to new situations, to improvise and to adapt, to evolve; well, I happen to think that's the very heart and soul of American culture!

So, when we first discussed supporting an international jazz day I felt the music could be a powerful diplomatic tool -- not just for the United States but for anyone committed to communicating across cultures, anyone committed to the freedom of expression and who could appreciate the art of listening.

Jazz may have started in the United States but I think it clearly now belongs to -- and has been embraced by the world. As Jazz great Wynton Marsalis once said, 'As long as there is democracy, there will be people wanting to play jazz because nothing else will ever so perfectly capture the democratic process in sound. Jazz means working things out musically with other people. You have to listen to other musicians and play with them even if you don't agree with what they're playing. It teaches you the very opposite of racism and anti-Semitism. It teaches you that the world is big enough to accommodate us all."

Update: Watch the live stream of the two-hour New York concert beginning at 23:30 UTC (7:30 PM EDT) here, and follow the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #jazzday. Learn more here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/celebrating_inaugural_international_jazz_day/ 2012-04-27T04:18:29+00:00 William Burns, formerly our ambassador to Russia, USAID Deputy Administrator Donald K. Steinberg and Assistant Administrator Alexander, as well as Mark Kappelhoff, Chief of the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice. As we are seeing increasingly in Russia and in many countries across the globe, the United States included, civil society is an essential driver of progress and accountability on an array of important issues, including prison reform.

Prison reform, including prisoner's rights, is a central theme for the Civil Society Working Group (CSWG) of the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission, established in 2009 by Presidents Obama and Medvedev. I co-chair the CSWG along with Konstantin Dolgov, the Russian Foreign Ministry's Special Representative for Human Rights, Democracy, and Rule of Law. The United States and Russia share an obligation under international law to protect the human rights of people in our custody. Through the CSWG we are connecting activists from across the United States and Russia who are working for improvements in prison conditions and the protection of the human rights of inmates.

The tragic death in 2009 of Sergei Magnitsky from abuse and neglect in a Moscow pre-trial detention center continues to generate widespread international attention to the issue of prison conditions in Russia. Over the past year, Russian civil society advocates, including some of the activists taking part in our meeting today, have been working to prevent another tragedy like that of Sergei Magnitsky. We emphasized to the Russian advocates that the United States will continue to support their call for bringing those responsible for Sergei Magnitsky's death to justice. In addition, in accordance with last August's Presidential Proclamation barring human rights abusers from obtaining U.S. visas, we have taken action to bar those culpable in his death from obtaining U.S. visas.

In the months and years to come, we look forward to closer peer-to-peer contact and cooperation between our civil societies in the area of prison reform.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/russian_civil_society_leaders/ 2012-04-26T22:25:58+00:00 How donor grants may unlock billions of investment dollars for impact enterprise.

In 2010, JP Morgan released a figure that shocked the investment industry: the group estimated that the potential capital market for impact investing -- putting dollars into enterprises that would deliver positive social impact -- was between $400 billion and $1 trillion. Buoyed by the success of the microfinance revolution, philanthropists, governments, entrepreneurs and investors began in earnest to see how else they could do well by doing good.

Impact investors have surged forward with capital, ready to support the pioneering entrepreneurs creating fortunes and development gains at the base of the pyramid (BoP). There are now 200 impact investment entities poised to pour billions of dollars into impact enterprises in the next year. They have cast wide nets, but it is becoming increasingly clear that there is a dearth of enterprises that can deliver both the social and the financial returns the investors seek.

This week, more than 250 high-level investors, business executives, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and academics are convening in Washington to ask the important question: how can public and private actors work together to unleash the potential of the impact economy?

It is a timely conversation. Monitor & Acumen Fund released a Gates Foundation-funded report this month, "From Blueprint to Scale: The Case for Philanthropy in Impact Investing" that warned of an imminent lack of impact investing opportunities. The report breaks down the pipeline problem into three constraints investors of impact ventures face: especially modest margins, long times to scale, and high risk.

Meanwhile, enterprises face their own challenges: difficulty accessing financing, attracting and retaining human capital, achieving economies of scale, creating trust brands, selling to hard-to-reach customer bases with limited resources, high volatility in production, and building high levels of awareness and education -- to name a few.

The report then made the recommendation that we at USAID know well: there is a real need for grant dollars and other philanthropic support to reach "pioneer" social enterprises, so that they can develop and test the new business models and forge new markets that will open the field wide for entry.

Put simply, these pioneers are providing public goods when they painstakingly develop new business models to reach the BoP, train a skilled labor force, and cobble together the necessary infrastructure, regulation, and customer awareness that other firms can use. Without initial support from government to test and scale their work, the report argues that "much impact capital will continue to sit on the sidelines or be deployed in sub-optimal opportunities for impact, and fail to achieve its potential in driving powerful new market-based solutions for the problems of poverty."

We have an opportunity too great to be missed. So, to help impact investors identify winners, USAID, in partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation, Prudential Financial and Deloitte, launched a Global Impact Investing Rating System (GIIRS). The rating system measures the social and environmental impacts of companies and funds, to provide a credible, independent evaluation of impact, as S&P does for credit risk. In just six months, 53 funds with $1.9 billion in assets under management have joined to invest in GIIRS-rated enterprises.

Development Innovation Ventures does precisely what Monitor prescribed for pipeline support. DIV is a special USAID mechanism that directly supports and scales a growing portfolio of cutting edge "impact enterprises" -- market-based social enterprises that have the potential to provide financial returns and yield positive social and economic return. DIV's niche of providing direct grant (and early stage) support to impact enterprises to help them prove their business model and scale fills an important gap for the impact economy sector, and helps build the pipeline of viable enterprises that can attract investment capital.

There's more good news. Today, at the opening of the Global Impact Economy summit, Secretary Clinton announced a new $44 million Global Development Alliance (GDA) between USAID and the Skoll Foundation and the Skoll Fund.

The alliance marries DIV's pioneering approach at USAID with Skoll's decade-long experience cultivating the world's most successful social entrepreneurs. Through the new alliance, Skoll and USAID will identify high-impact entrepreneurs who have demonstrated innovations and sustainable business models that are ripe for scale. We will expect from every grant an evaluation of their impact using cutting-edge methods that will help deliver lessons learned about what works, to attract even more scaling support for the solutions with proven results.

Bill Drayton, the founder of Ashoka, once said, "social entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish or even teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry." Inspired by their spirit, USAID is working hard to revolutionize the way we support the pioneers, giving them the chance to innovate, test, and grow. It is the key to unlocking billions of dollars that lie in wait.

Related Content: Contributing to an Impact Economy

Editor's Note: This entry also appears on the USAID Impact Blog.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/are_philanthropists_key/ 2012-04-26T19:59:07+00:00
This year's theme -- visionary innovators -- recognizes the unique and valuable contributions made by gifted individuals all over the world. Without innovation, civilizations remain static. The economist Robert Solow was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1987 for showing that technological innovation was responsible for over 80 percent of economic growth in the United States between 1909 and 1949. The trend continues today. Modern economies are built on innovation. According to a recent Department of Commerce study, America's knowledge-based industries accounted for 35 percent of U.S. GDP and 61 percent of total merchandise exports in 2010.

Innovation is not limited to the developed world. Increasingly, innovative ideas and products originate in emerging markets where there is a growing number of research centers, innovative scientists, and highly entrepreneurial businesses. According to Ernst & Young, "70 percent of world growth over the next few years will come from emerging markets." And, in an interesting twist of fate, emerging market innovations often are adapted for use, or influence products, in the developed world, a process known as "trickle-up" innovation. For example, the $3,000 Nano developed and manufactured by India's Tata Motors has set new global standards for low-cost vehicles.

The incentive to develop new products and invest in companies that commercialize those inventions and creative works depends on intellectual property (IP) rights. This holds true for small businesses and large multi-national corporations, in developed countries and emerging economies as well as some of the world's poorest countries, where innovation is also occurring at a rapid pace. Tata Motors filed almost 40 patents associated with the design of the Nano to protect its research and development investment. Governments must therefore protect IP rights in order to support visionary innovators from within their own borders and throughout the globe.

Research and development in the twenty-first century is expanding from individuals to groups, from single disciplines to interdisciplinary approaches, and from a national to an international scope. WIPO found that less than a tenth of international patent applications in 1990 had a foreign co-inventor; 25 percent did in 2009. The same trend holds for scientific publications. This type of multi-national collaboration is exciting, because it takes advantage of expertise that exists around the world and applies diverse approaches to solve common challenges. Countries that fail to adopt and enforce policies supportive of IP rights will find themselves isolated from the global networks that drive innovation.

The Internet, social media, and new mobile phone applications afford an opportunity to collaborate and innovate on a previously unimaginable scale. But unless governments support the open and free exchange of ideas and reward risk-taking through protection and enforcement of IP rights, innovation will be stifled before it begins. Ideas from all sources must be allowed to compete, and those that succeed must be fairly rewarded. This is the basic recipe for an innovative economy, and it is the basis for America's economic success -- and indeed that of other nations -- over the past two centuries. Emerging economies will need to emulate this formula to sustain their dynamism.

The Department of State will continue to defend values and laws which are fundamental to innovation -- open discourse, freedom of expression, and IP rights -- in both developed and developing countries. And we will work with foreign governments to demonstrate that they themselves have an interest in pursuing sound innovation policies. Looking forward, the protection and enforcement of IP rights in support of global economic growth and innovation is key to our prosperity and that of our friends and allies around the world. It is also central to our shared pursuit of better jobs, higher living standards, and upward mobility.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/visionary_innovators/ 2012-04-26T19:06:05+00:00 Haiti, farmers are increasing their incomes and conserving the environment by improving their production of plantains.

In Guatemala, smallholder farmers -- many of them women -- are benefiting from increased access to loans, markets, training, and technology to advance food security and economic opportunity.

In Senegal, a group of farmers are learning agricultural techniques that they can share with thousands of other community farmers to boost overall production and better feed their own families.

In Uganda, the devastating effects of vitamin and mineral deficiencies are being addressed through a new policy initiative to increase the nutritional value of common food products.

Ghanaian farmers are improving grain storage practices, helping to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure fresh goods can be sold at market.

And rural agriculture workers in Bangladesh are accessing research that helps them diagnose and control plant pests and diseases that devastate crops. And through more efficient use of fertilizer, farmers in the country's poorest state are seeing the first-ever surplus of rice.

These changes are taking place in different countries and sectors, but they're all contributing to the same remarkable goal: They're helping lift communities out of hunger and poverty. And all are supported through a range of different U.S. Government organizations under Feed the Future, the U.S. Government's global hunger and food security initiative.

Nine U.S. agencies have come together to contribute their unique experience, expertise, and resources to support Feed the Future. Together -- and with the help of our development partners from universities, the research community, multilaterals, the private sector, and the NGO community -- we are working to break the cycle of poverty and food insecurity that has led millions in the developing world to lives of chronic hunger and undernutrition.

Led by USAID, Feed the Future leverages the strengths of agencies across the U.S. Government:

- The U.S. Department of State's diplomatic resources;

- The Millennium Challenge Corporation's financing of country-led agricultural developments and infrastructure projects;


- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's research, training, and analytic capabilities;

- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's coordination with multilateral donors;

- The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative's policy work to open markets throughout the world;

- The U.S. African Development Foundation and Peace Corps' experience with grassroots development; and

- The Overseas Private Investment Corporation's expertise in mobilizing private capital to help solve critical world challenges.

We're also working with other U.S. Government agencies like the Department of Commerce, partnering with its National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support activities involving forecasting and fisheries. And we're excited about additional partnership opportunities in the future that will continue to maximize our collective impact and results. For example, the Peace Corps is preparing its volunteers in various sectors -- environment, agriculture, health, and community economic development -- in food security practices to build grassroots capacity in vulnerable communities to help them meet their food security needs.

If this all seems like a lot to synchronize, it is! But interagency coordination is a cornerstone of Feed the Future and something we're dedicated to making work. By leveraging all of these resources, we can maximize the impact we have on people's lives: Feed the Future aims to assist 18 million people -- mostly smallholder farmers -- to escape hunger and poverty, and to reach seven million children with nutrition improvements so they have better opportunities for a bright future.

Collaborating toward shared objectives, using common indicators to track our progress toward food security goals, and promoting long-term, broad-based economic growth in some of the world's most food-insecure countries will yield outstanding and, most importantly, lasting results.

A recent report from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, a leading international affairs organization, gave Feed the Future high marks for achievements to date. The report tells us our approach is working. Three years in, we're seeing real results. But what the report also tells us is that undertaking a challenge as big as ending global hunger requires a longer-term commitment.

We remain dedicated to collaborating with our various partners and stakeholders to create a world where droughts don't lead to famine, where children have adequate food and nutrition to reach their full potential, and where chronic food insecurity is a thing of the past. Working together, we can make that world our reality.

Editor's Note: This entry also appears on Feed the Future's Blog.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/doing_business_differently/ 2012-04-26T16:46:40+00:00 convening leaders across sectors and continents to discuss how we can work together to contribute to an impact economy by developing and deploying cutting-edge business and financial models that generate financial returns and positive social and environmental change. During our travels around the world, we have seen different institutions trying to address the same issue through disconnected programs -- be it lack of skilled workers, sustainable supply chains, infrastructure, or the rising cost of natural resources. We know that government alone cannot solve these challenges -- not in the best of times and certainly not in austere times; nor can business or civil society. We need to leverage and align the assets of multiple partners to achieve our common goals.

From our perspective, it is also increasingly evident that we need to engage in a different type of economic statecraft to position ourselves in the global marketplace and to adapt to global trends. Today 95 percent of the world's consumers live outside the United States. Increasing exports and creating long-term economic relationships with countries around the world is an effective way to spur growth, encourage investment, and create jobs at home.

We see the State Department's ability to catalyze and scale the impact economy as a tremendous opportunity to address investment in a way that enables the United States' greater foreign policy goals and creates sustainable value for business. Markets that focus solely on short-term results are not in our collective interest. Short-term incentives distort behavior, creating public consequences that can undermine the long-term health of our markets, our economy, and our way of life, as we recently have seen. The good news is that people are waking up to this problem, and behavior is beginning to change. This transformation has the potential to be as significant as the green revolution and the industrial revolution -- where we take a longer-term view and enable a new era of sustainable economic opportunities.

When companies proactively integrate environmental and social impact into their business models, they are well positioned to provide investment performance over the long term as well as to affect corporate and ultimately market behavior for the greater social good. That's why the State Department is focused on the impact economy -- because we believe that the more the market moves toward incorporating the externalities of doing business and advancing the impact economy, the more our foreign policy goals of good governance, stability, and inclusive economic growth are accomplished.

The challenge now is to understand how the government can facilitate the impact economy ecosystem and scale the innovations and partnerships needed to achieve sustainable, long-term growth. Governments have several tools at their disposal, such as credit guarantees, investment services, tax incentives, and regulations, to encourage the private sector to deploy sustainable business models. How can we better utilize these tools to incentivize firms to put into place long-term sustainability measures and to create new products and practices?

How can governments help facilitate a better understanding of real versus perceived risks in emerging and frontier markets? Aid organizations, development finance institutions, and civil society organizations have long-standing experience in and knowledge of these markets that can and should be leveraged. How can this be done more efficiently?

How can the government provide risk-taking capital and facilitate the work of intermediaries that are needed to create and scale financial and business innovations that yield simultaneous value for business and society?

A key barrier of entry into emerging markets is often the lack of on-the-ground knowledge and networks. The State Department has local expertise and strategic position through U.S. embassies to serve as a connector and to help the private sector and civil society make a difference. This isn't a new role for government. The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) project, which developed the seeds of the Internet, engaged researchers from many universities and companies to work together. Their collaboration spun off countless other innovations and new companies. The Human Genome Project, the Apollo Program, the Manhattan Project -- none of these would have been possible without government convening experts who might otherwise be competitors to work together on a single project. Now we have to determine how we can do this again and more often.

Today's forum is the beginning of a process and signifies a change in how we are doing business. The State Department has been translating languages for over 200 years. Now we have to serve as a translator among government, business, and civil society and to create uncommon alliances to solve common problems. We don't claim to have all of the answers, but we are asking for your help as we move forward in our efforts to expand and scale the impact economy.

The U.S. State Department is working to accelerate practices and thinking around the impact economy -- an economy in which government works with civil society and the private sector to create positive social and environmental impact while generating economic value. The following article is part of a series written by participants in Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's Global Impact Economy Forum in Washington, D.C., April 26-27.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/contributing_to_an_impact_economy/ 2012-04-26T13:51:08+00:00
Today, we are pleased to be joining the ITU (International Telecommunications Union, a United Nations agency) in celebrating Girls in ICT Day. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, Melanne Verveer, will be joining UN Women Executive Director, Michelle Bachelet, and many others in New York City today to discuss ways we can encourage young women around the world to play a greater role in the technology revolution. By raising the awareness among girls about the many rewarding aspects of a career in ICT and awakening companies to this under-tapped talent pool, we hope more and more girls will be drawn into ICT-related careers.

Although significant issues remain for high-income countries, in developing countries both the opportunities and challenges for girls in ICT may be even greater. ICT will certainly be an integral element of these countries' growth stories through improved efficiency, access to new markets, and the creation of new IT-related jobs. And, with the sector still in its infancy, there is an opportunity to recast the IT profession in gender-neutral terms. In many ways, ICT jobs may be ideal for the complex demands women face, as the possibility of flexible hours and remote location can accommodate other responsibilities women may have in the home. Further emphasizing the potential impact, research recently published by the World Bank indicates that the wage gap between men and women is more significantly impacted by the lower-paying job sectors women pursue than wage differences between similar jobs.

However, three significant barriers remain for women and girls: gaining access to mobile phones and the Internet; developing the necessary skills through STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education; and obtaining the support and mentorship needed to flourish in ICT professions.

The mWomen Program (launched by Secretary Clinton and supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development) was precipitated by a landmark study by the GSMA and Cherie Blair Foundation which found that women are 21 percent less likely to own a mobile phone than men in low- and medium-income countries. Indicators point to the gender gap for Internet being even higher. Lack of access can mean lower familiarity, skill, and interest in the technologies that underpin ICT careers.

Education, particularly in the STEM disciplines, is also critical to developing the underlying skills required for a career in ICT. While girls generally show equal or better performance in STEM classes, cultural factors can dissuade them from further studies. Men continue to dominate the study of science and engineering in virtually every country. The NeXXt Scholars Initiative is an innovative program that attempts to address some of these cultural barriers by encouraging promising girls in countries with a Muslim-majority population to pursue a STEM education in women(tm)s colleges across the United States and provides mentorship, networking and skill development workshops through the New York Academy of Sciences.

Finally, even once they have embarked on a career in ICT, women face challenges working in an all-too-often male-dominated environment. Ongoing mentorship and support can be a significant factor in a woman persisting and flourishing as an ICT professional. Opportunities like TechWomen, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), identifies emerging women technology leaders from the Middle East and North Africa to participate in a professional mentorship and exchange program at leading U.S. technology companies in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2011, TechWomen's inaugural year, we saw first hand how providing women with encouragement, guidance, and inspiration can make all the difference.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/girls_ict_day/ 2012-04-26T11:52:15+00:00
You might wonder what the State Department is doing at a show like the Pow Wow. While a significant number of international visitors (65 percent) don't need a visa to visit the United States, we are streamlining the visa process for those who do.

The State Department plays an important role in facilitating inbound travel, and judging by my hoarse voice today, many journalists agree! Yesterday, I spoke to journalists from China, Russia, Ireland, Mexico, and Brazil for three hours non-stop. For me, the most rewarding part of the day was when several Brazilian reporters told me that we were doing a great job with the reduced wait times there.

Visas are an important tool in America's Jobs Diplomacy goals. After all, every additional 65 international visitors to the United States generate enough revenue to support an additional tourism-related job. That's why we are proud to support Brand USA, a public-private partnership with the mission of promoting increased international travel to the United States.

On Monday, Brand USA unveiled their marketing campaign in front of a packed room. The centerpiece of the campaign is an original song from Roseanne Cash. The crowd loved "Land of Dreams," and it was inspiring to see the diversity in people and places in the accompanying video. President Barack Obama also sent along a video message of support. It was great to see such high-level interest in the Pow Wow and Brand USA, which further demonstrates the U.S. government's commitment to secure and efficient travel to the United States.

Although I am exhausted -- and voiceless -- after my three days at the Pow Wow, I couldn't be happier to have witnessed the excitement about the extraordinary demand for travel to the United States and to get the word out on the State Department's efforts to encourage even more visitors to Discover America.

Related Content: The White House Blog -- President Obama Promotes Tourism | Behind the Scenes -- The Making of 'Land of Dreams']]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/land_of_dreams/ 2012-04-25T21:55:49+00:00
I was thrilled to co-host our inaugural Embassy Jazz Day, Bridging Cultures Crossing Divides, with the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History this past weekend. This occasion provided the opportunity to mark the role jazz plays in creating linkages between peoples, communities, and cultures while also enabling the next generation of jazz innovators to perform including Howard University's Afro Blue and Lena Seikaly. This event also represented a first: a partnership between the Bureau of International Organizations Affairs and the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.

Jazz historian, NPR producer, and event moderator, Walter Watson, asked panelists to reflect upon the music genre's influence upon the world. One of the Smithsonian's jazz experts John Hasse relayed several first hand stories of the dramatic impact that jazz has played throughout the world. In South Africa, where Hasse spoke to a group of young musicians and then played Louis Armstrong for them, he was told the music changed their lives. And in Poland where a young boy, now a jazz musician, clung to jazz as an outlet for expression under the repression of the Iron Curtain. He defied silence by listening to black market recordings during the Cold War. And finally, Hasse spoke of the remarkable story of the son of a Turkish diplomat in the 1930s who used jazz to integrate a racially divided city by holding private jam sessions at the Turkish Embassy and inviting black and white musicians to jam together.

The genesis of Embassy Jazz Day began more 50 years ago after the Department of State launched jazz diplomacy, featuring international tours by American musical legends such as Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie introducing the world to jazz. It fueled an explosion in interest in American music and culture.

Now jazz has reached new diplomatic heights, punctuated by UNESCO's appointment of music legend Herbie Hancock as a Goodwill Ambassador. Hancock helped to garner support for UNESCO's International Jazz Day, which will be marked with celebrations and musical events in many corners of the globe on April 30.

For more information about the Smithsonian's Jazz Appreciation Month, please visit www.smithsonianjazz.org. For more information about International Jazz Day, including upcoming celebrations in Paris, New York, and New Orleans, please visit UNESCO's Jazz Day webpage. And, you can view an archived version of Sunday's event here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/all_that_jazz/ 2012-04-25T20:14:07+00:00
Today, I had the honor of joining with the Afghan Minister of Public Health, Dr. Suraya Dalil, who has a very impressive resume, working most recently at UNICEF, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that serves as another step forward for Afghanistan. In the Memorandum, our countries have agreed to collaborate to provide services to some of the most underprivileged and at-risk populations in Afghanistan: returning refugees. Nearly six million refugees -- who constitute as much as a quarter of Afghanistan's total population -- have returned to Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban and often have special health needs.

PRM's NGO partners currently run 26 clinics for returned refugees in Nangarhar, Laghman, and Kunar provinces, with funding from the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM). The agreement I signed today between PRM and the Afghan Ministry of Public Health provides for the transition of 22 clinics -- and the essential services they provide -- to the Ministry of Public Health by July 2013. In the lead up to the transition, the collaboration between the Afghan government and PRM will enable the clinics to ensure that returning Afghan refugees receive the full range of services offered by the Afghan Government's Basic Package of Health Services -- a model program that aims to provide Afghans with a minimum standard of care, and an early success of the Ministry of Public Health. Former refugees and the communities in which they live will continue to receive this standard of care as these clinics are incorporated into the Ministry of Public Health.

The transition we celebrated today is a part of the overall transition that has been taking place throughout Afghanistan. Our collaboration in healthcare for returning refugees is just one piece of the United States' enduring partnership with Afghanistan that strengthens Afghan sovereignty, stability, and prosperity.

When people flee persecution and conflict, their first and most immediate needs are basic: food, shelter, protection. Addressing those needs is our primary concern at PRM, but as displaced people return to their homes and their lives, governments should address the long-term development needs of their citizens. The link between relief and development is especially important in increasing the self-reliance of conflict victims after their displacement.

The signing of this agreement demonstrates our efforts to link assistance programs to development strategies in Afghanistan. The responsible transition of these clinics to the Ministry of Public Health has come about with the cooperation of both our governments and can serve as an example of how U.S. aid can support Afghan leadership and good development policy.

Stay connected with PRM on Facebook and Twitter.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/health_afghan_refugees/ 2012-04-25T17:32:04+00:00 Susan Jacobs, Special Advisor for International Children's Issues, will hold a conversation with Ernie Allen, President and CEO, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, on international parental child abductions. The conversation will highlight how the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Children's Issues and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children work to prevent international abductions and to assist families after an abduction or wrongful retention has occurred. The discussion will be moderated by Cheryl Benton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, and will be available for on demand viewing soon on DipNote, the Department of State's official blog.

You are invited to participate by submitting questions, some of which will be selected for response during the broadcast. Submit your questions below on DipNote and join the ongoing discussion via Twitter using the hashtag #childabduction. Please submit questions via DipNote and Twitter as soon as possible for consideration.

Through Conversations With America, leaders of national non-governmental organizations have the opportunity to discuss foreign policy and global issues with senior State Department officials. These conversations aim to provide candid views of the ways in which leaders from the foreign affairs community are engaging the Department on pressing foreign policy issues.

View other Conversations With America here and by accessing the Conversations With America video podcasts on iTunes.

Editor's Note: This Conversations With America webcast occurred on May 2. You can read the transcript here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/cwa_parental_child_abductions/ 2012-04-25T17:16:00+00:00
Malaria does not threaten boys and girls in the United States, but in Ghana and across Africa, the lives of could-be future presidents, scientists and nurses are lost prematurely, and their hope for making an impact on the world is greatly diminished. In Ghana, where malaria is a leading cause of mortality, 1 in 12 children does not reach his fifth birthday. No child should have to fear death from a mosquito bite.

As we slipped down the cramped side streets and alleys of Kumasi, I recalled being sick with fever as a kid in Da Lat in the south-central highlands of Vietnam where my parents were missionaries. I consider myself lucky to have slept under the protection of a bed net and to have had access to medicine when I fell ill with malaria.

We came upon a small one-room home with plastic bags covering windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering. Inside we found 12 kayayei women sharing a hot and crowded space. Kayayei are low-wage workers who carry food, hardware and other items on their heads. These young women left their homes in the north in search of better economic opportunity. But without skills, homes or family in the city, many struggle to survive and resort to sleeping on the street in makeshift structures.

When we finished hanging nets over sleeping spaces, the women laughed, cheered and danced in celebration, grateful for our small gesture and comforted by the cooling breeze that came into their room once they removed the plastic from the windows.

Distributing nets with David and Hannah, who live and work side-by-side with local populations, reminded me that America is a force for good in the world. From the Peace Corps and faith- and community-based groups to the men and women in our military and USAID and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention staff, Americans are finding local solutions to complex problems, and improving millions of lives in the process.

Development programs, like those that work to prevent malaria, are a moral, strategic and economic imperative for the United States. The sustained bipartisan support for global health in the U.S. Congress over two administrations is a testament to the fact that we have been able to demonstrate an incredible return on investment for every dollar spent on saving lives and improving opportunity.

The health of a nation, especially the health of its children, is the foundation upon which economies are able to grow, and markets for U.S. products are strengthened.

Malaria interventions continue to be one of the best investments in global health, and it is vitally important that we sustain our momentum in support of a virtuous cycle. Children free of malaria are healthier. Healthy children decrease family size. A smaller family does not have to spread already scarce resources as thin.

Thus, these children receive better nutrition, better education and better opportunities. When those children grow up, they pass the benefits on to the next generation. Fighting malaria starts with ensuring every child sees his or her fifth birthday and nurturing this virtuous cycle.

Editor's Note: This entry first appeared on the TheHill.com.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/winning_battle_against_malaria/ 2012-04-25T13:10:06+00:00
I recently traveled to the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, where I saw firsthand how, in the words of Secretary Clinton, "It's becoming increasingly clear that in the 21st century, the world's strategic and economic center of gravity will be the Asia-Pacific."

While this region is experiencing many gains, there are also many challenges, including arms proliferation, piracy, trafficking and smuggling, natural disasters and regional tensions between powerful countries. A top priority for our Bureau's engagement with partners across the Asia-Pacific is expanding security cooperation throughout the region. The United States is pursuing a three-pronged approach to our engagement, in order to follow through on this renewed focus.

• First, we are broadening and deepening our cooperation with our treaty allies like Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, Thailand, and the Philippines;

• Second, we are enhancing our new partnerships with emerging players like China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia; and

• Third, we are playing an active role in regional multilateral institutions like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the ASEAN Regional Forum, the East Asia Summit, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). We have strengthened our engagement with ASEAN, including establishing a U.S. Mission in Jakarta with a resident Ambassador.

I started my recent trip in the Philippines, where I met with senior civilian and military officials in Manila, to see how best we could broaden and enhance defense and security cooperation and do it in a way that would be benefit both countries. This was a good follow-up to consultations from the recent U.S.-Philippines Bilateral Security Dialogue in Washington. The Philippines has been an effective and reliable partner in both counter-terrorism and counter-piracy operations where our military to military cooperation has been greatly enhanced.

In Jakarta, Indonesia, I attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the new U.S. funded barracks at Sentul Peacekeeping Training Center. This facility will help to meet the growing global demand for specialized military and civilian personnel to serve in peacekeeping missions. I also met with senior officials to discuss furthering bilateral political and military cooperation, including Indonesia's recent decision to upgrade its air force with the acquisition from the United States of 24 F-16 aircraft.

In Singapore, I attended the Singapore Air Show 2012 as well as met with senior government officials and industry representatives to discuss defense trade and political-military issues. Afterward, I traveled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysia has contributed a forty-person medical team that deployed to Bamiyan province in Afghanistan to assist in the transition underway there. Malaysia has also increased its participation in military exercises with the United States, including the Rim of the Pacific biennial naval exercises in 2010 and is expanding its participation this year. The Malaysians are also participating in counter-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.

President Obama and Secretary Clinton have stated that the United States is a Pacific power. To that end, the Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, as the main liaison with the Department of Defense, will continue to expand and strengthen our defense and security cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region to promote the values that we all share in a peaceful and prosperous future.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/strengthening_security_partnerships_asia_pacific/ 2012-04-24T21:48:16+00:00 Cherry Blossom Centennial event that highlighted the role of youth and women in foreign affairs and diplomacy. I was lucky enough to sit among the Cherry Blossom Princesses who represented all 50 states and even a few foreign embassies here in Washington, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Goodwill Ambassadors. I was one of many young women gathered in the auditorium mulling questions such as: How can a young person with few resources, few connections, and no real experience be a catalyst for global change? Can society accept and actually appreciate a working mom? With so many senior positions held by men, is masculinity the requirement for professional success?

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell kicked-off the event with a strong message to the audience: old or young, be unafraid to achieve. He conveyed a personal understanding of gender equality by relating his own challenges around balancing work and family life. As the husband of one of the highest-ranking female U.S. Treasury officials in history and the father of three daughters, he offered proof that raising a family does not have to mean sacrificing one's professional development.

Ronan Farrow, the Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Global Youth Issues, galvanized the young audience to act "now" instead of waiting on the future. He discussed specific instances of State Department youth engagement, including the establishment of Youth Councils in U.S. embassies and consulates across the world. When hearing that half of the world's population is comprised of people under 30 , it becomes obvious that youth have the collaborative potential to fuel real development and reforms.

Two prominent members of the Office of Global Women's Issues provided a female perspective on life as a State Department employee. Ann Kambara, Senior Public Affairs Advisor, used statistics to demonstrate how political and economic participation by women can increase prosperity and decrease violence globally. Jane Mosbacher Morris provided sound advice on work-life balance, discussing how she manages her State Department career in counterterrorism and her MBA studies, while still having a life outside of work.

East Asian and Pacific Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary James Zumwalt, who most recently served as the Deputy Chief of Mission in Tokyo, was the event moderator. He provided insight into the shared values between the United States and Japan, and encouraged us to stay involved in U.S.-Japan relations -- even urging us to become part of the Tomodachi ("Friend" in Japanese) generation. The TOMODACHI Initiative is named after Operation Tomodachi, the joint U.S.-Japan military humanitarian relief effort following last year's earthquake. Building upon this cooperation and spirit of friendship, the initiative supports educational and cultural exchanges between Japanese and American youth.

This event offered insight on the importance of youth and women empowerment, and moreover, motivated young people like myself to pursue our passions. Youth can work together to transform societies, countries, and the world; and women should proudly embrace their femininity. Leaving the event, I felt fearless and audacious, reassured by these speakers that it is never too late to follow my dreams.

Editor's Note: You can view a photo from the event on Flickr.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/cherry_blossom_youth_women/ 2012-04-24T18:23:07+00:00 WEAmericas, a new initiative focused on women entrepreneurs -- one of the greatest drivers of economic growth. I also visited Bogota, where I spoke with government and civil society leaders on the global scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) and how we can better collaborate to prevent, respond to and address this issue.

More than 50 years of internal armed conflict has had a devastating impact on many of Colombia's women. Nearly 80 percent of those displaced by the conflict are women and children. Only a small number of women are part of the Congress, despite the existing quota law. Women have also yet to take their full place in Colombia's economy. According to the Ministry of Labor, the unemployment rate for women is double that of men (16.7 versus 9.9 percent) and according to the World Economic Forum, women earn 40 percent less than men for equal work. And yet, I came away with an incredible sense of optimism -- Colombia is a country that has many challenges, to be sure, but it is also poised for a resurgence.

With the help of some very talented women entrepreneurs, the Secretary's launch of WEAmericas was a convening of high level officials from across the region, including the Colombian Vice President Angelino Garzón, the Mexican First Lady Margarita Zavala, Barbados Foreign Minister Maxine McClean, and 40 women entrepreneurs from diverse regions of Colombia who are dedicated to growing their businesses and communities. WEAmericas is a series of public-private partnerships to address the three major barriers women entrepreneurs face when they start and/or grow a business: access to training and networks; access to markets; and access to finance.

Speaking with some of the women after the launch, it became clear that our investment -- along with our partners' investments -- will not only help to transform the lives of women in Colombia, but the region as a whole.

Our embassy in Bogota, led by Ambassador Michael McKinley, has done a tremendous job of putting women at the cornerstone of its work. Ambassador McKinley sets an example of commitment to integrating gender into the Embassy's policies. To foster a coordinated approach and streamline programming, the Embassy created a formal Inter-Agency Gender Working Group that includes representatives from several government agencies. The results are already impressive. We see them in the continued focus on Colombia's women, peace and security efforts; in USAID and the Department of Justice's emphasis on strengthening women's access to justice and victims' restitution; in the Embassy-sponsored Women's Labor and Business Roundtable; and with the Pathways to Prosperity Women's Entrepreneurship Network Initiative. Embassy Bogota has created a model for gender integration across all program areas.

Colombia's government is working to institute policies and protocols to ensure that women are at the center of the Santos Administration. From the High Counselor on Gender Equity, Cristina Plazas, to the Defense Ministry to the Labor Ministry -- officials told me a story of hard work, but also of hope for a better future.

Civil society is also leading this charge. I was inspired anew when I met with Jineth Bedoya, one of this year's International Women of Courage awardees. She told me that despite the threats she receives, she remains committed to the women of Colombia and to telling her -- and their -- story.

The women I met represent the backbone of a country that is rebuilding itself after approximately 50 years of armed conflict. They have borne a terrible and disproportionate brunt of this violence, especially sexual violence. These atrocities -- and the continuing impunity for offenders -- cut across ethnic, class, political and geographic lines. We will continue to work to support Colombia in its efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.

One woman I met in Colombia said it best when she told me, "Peace is a hope in Colombia, not yet a complete reality." The women of Colombia will continue to play a critical role in ushering in peace, justice and security.

Visit state.gov/s/gwi for more information on the Office of Global Women's Issues at the U.S. Department of State and visit our Facebook page for more pictures from WEAmericas and my trip to Colombia.

Related Content: Ambassador Verveer explains why women are a foreign policy issue in her opinion piece on foreignpolicy.com.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/colombia_women/ 2012-04-24T00:07:08+00:00
Last week, we partnered with Chicago Public Schools to link Lincoln Park High School students with secondary school students in Ghana, Zimbabwe, Algeria, and Peru via video conferencing technology. Students engaged in a range of human rights-related topics in anticipation of the 12th World Summit of Nobel Laureates, taking place in Chicago from April 23-25, 2012. Juniors and seniors from Lincoln Park High School connected with English-speaking youth brought together by our U.S. Embassies in Accra, Harare, Algiers, and Lima.

These incredible students from three continents discussed a wide range of issues candidly and respectfully. They touched on serious political issues, including women's rights, education, the Arab Spring, human rights, and access to medicine. Students also connected with one another on personal levels, finding similarities in their commute time to and from school, sports and extracurricular activities, and even fast food preference. This clip from our discussion between Chicago and Harare gives a feel for the conversations among these impressive students -- even comparing the weather in the Windy City to that of subtropical Harare.

We were thrilled to have participation from local Chicago media to engage the local community. Anchors from CBS Chicago, ABC Chicago and FOX Chicago participated as celebrity moderators for our virtual discussions. Check out this piece by Bill Kurtis, co-anchor of CBS 2 News in Chicago, who reported on the discussion between kids in Chicago and Accra, Ghana.

One thing all the kids could agree on: they want to stay connected. The 90-minute discussions were really just the tip of the iceberg, serving to introduce the kids to one another and make them hungry to learn more about one another's cultures, beliefs, politics and history. Students will continue the virtual conversation via Facebook, email and perhaps even future video conferences.

Juanita Douglas Thurman, a teacher at Chicago's Lincoln Park High School, lent us her classroom, her time and her students for three days to make these virtual exchanges happen. Juanita summed up the experience by saying: "The webchats with young people in Chicago, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Algeria, and Peru were real in every sense of the word real. These were real young people discussing real issues, with real thoughts, real openness, in real time for real dialogue. It became surreal."

Ms. Thurman went on, "I am always impressed when truth meets knowledge and it evolves into a better truth and increased knowledge. However, I have never been able to see a global rendition of the creation of a new truth by my students. This was a three day explosion of teen power for which I am eternally grateful to have witnessed. The students in all five video sites proved to everyone that they were all indeed ready for the world. Next time, I am moving closer to the front for a better seat!"

We also had the opportunity to work with Jennifer Johnson, a history teacher at Lincoln Park High School. Jennifer shared this regarding the virtual exchanges: "I am so grateful that technology allows us to engage our students with other young people from around the world in such meaningful conversations. It is connections like this which will develop the hearts and minds of the next generation to become increasingly active and vocal citizens. We are living through a revolutionary moment in world history as more people realize the power they possess to influence governments and to change power structures. I am thrilled to witness my students realize their own role."

One of my fondest memories of these exchanges was the fact that we had so many "repeat offenders" among Chicago students. Kids showed up for one exchange, loved it, and came back for more. Amanda, a student at Lincoln Park High School, was my star "repeat offender." Amanda participated in all three days of the virtual exchanges. Amanda captured her experience with this: "What I enjoyed most was to see how students from different cultures all want to come together as one to make sure that youth have a voice on issues like human rights and world peace."

Technology helped us break down geographic barriers to bring the voice of youth to Chicago for the World Summit of Nobel Laureates. State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs also organized the visit of 16 young people from Bangladesh, Liberia, Timor-Leste, and Yemen to participate in person in the World Summit of Nobel Laureates. These youth will connect with their counterparts at Chicago Public Schools and with U.S. youth involved in Peace Jam over the next two weeks.

One thing is clear: youth leaders from around the world are definitely present and accounted for in Chicago.

Stay tuned on Twitter using the hashtag #Nobel to follow the experiences of youth exchange participants in Chicago.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/virtual_youth_exchanges_chicago/ 2012-04-23T22:13:26+00:00 U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and several partners including UNICEF launched "Every Child Deserves a 5th Birthday". The premise of this awareness-raising campaign is simple: every child should have a chance to reach five. Over 7 million children -- most of them in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia -- didn't reach their 5th birthday last year. That number is equivalent to the entire population of New York City.

At an event this morning at the Kaiser Family Foundation, USAID Administrator Raj Shah talked about his own three children. Dr. Shah mentioned his second child, Amna, who will turn five next year. I celebrated reaching five with a carousel cake and a Smurf-themed party. Likely Amna's birthday will feature Dora the Explorer or a character that is more current!

Dr. Shah talked about how Amna will receive a common gift when American children turn five: a backpack. The sad truth is that over 7 million kids won't survive to five. But there is good news. We have the tools we need to change this brutal fact of life. And all of them just happen to fit in a backpack.

So instead of books, imagine the following. A vaccine. A bed net. A ready-to-use, highly nutritious supplement. A package of antiretrovirals. A bag mask to help babies breathe. Together these tools cost about $30. Together, they can address the leading causes of preventable child death in most developing countries.

That's what the 5th Birthday campaign is all about. We must ensure that affordable tools reach the most vulnerable children around the world. This isn't the responsibility of just the United States. It is a shared value with countries and citizens around the world.

Checkout the short video above and join our awareness-raising campaign to spur global action and to hold all countries to account. Post a photo from your fifth birthday -- if you can't find one, any photo of you or your kids at five will work -- and share it via our website and social media outlets. You can also join the conversation on Twitter using #5thBDay. Let's mobilize the world toward the goal of ending preventable child deaths.

Editor's Note: This entry first appeared on the White House Blog.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/child_5th_birthday/ 2012-04-23T20:35:10+00:00 National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW). This week-long campaign sponsored by the Department of Justice's Office of Victims of Crime originated as an opportunity to remember the rights of victims of crime and to acknowledge the advocates who work on their behalf. The theme of this year's event is "Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim."

This theme falls very much in line with the overall mission of Overseas Citizens Services (OCS) in the Bureau of Consular Affairs. OCS is responsible for the protection and safety of all U.S. citizens traveling abroad -- many in far-off and isolated locations.

While overall U.S. citizen travel abroad has declined in recent years, the volume of young Americans choosing to study abroad continues to increase. When students are researching study abroad locations, they often consider the cultural attributes of a country, as well as the language and the customs. One thing that students usually do not take into consideration is the risk of crime and the fact that U.S. laws do not apply abroad. Students remain a vulnerable demographic and are often targeted by criminals.

With this in mind, the Bureau of Consular Affairs is taking several steps to ensure Americans have all the necessary information to make informed decisions about their travel abroad. For example, students who are interested in or planning to study abroad can find useful information on our Students Abroad website. This website includes country-specific travel information, tips on traveling smart, and what to do in case of an emergency. We are also sharing our resources and information with U.S. college and university study abroad programs, so that students are well-informed before they go overseas. Students can also find information about U.S. embassies in each country and we encourage you to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) Program so that we can locate you in an emergency.

The Bureau of Consular Affairs is dedicated to providing assistance and resources to U.S. citizens abroad and to reducing the number of U.S. citizens involved in crimes overseas. We believe a well-informed traveler is a safe traveler.

To learn more, visit travel.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/national_crime_victims_rights_week/ 2012-04-23T16:53:15+00:00
For several decades, the United States and many other countries have worked together to develop advanced earth observing satellites that are literally changing the way we look at the world. Earth Day 2012 falls close to the 40th anniversary of the launch of the U.S. Landsat 1, the world's first dedicated earth observing satellite. Landsat 1, together with the six subsequent Landsat missions launched between 1975 and 1999, gives us a unique, continuous 40-year record of global changes in forest cover, agricultural patterns, urban development, rivers and watersheds, and many other critical natural and man-made systems.

Data from other U.S. environment and weather satellites since the late 1970's provide us with the first reliable records of global temperature change from space and the remarkable and ongoing loss of ice cover in the Arctic. Aided by precise data from the U.S. Global Positioning System, future satellite data will help us measure global emissions and observe changes in our atmosphere.

At the State Department, satellite data assists us in fulfilling our mission to build sustainable communities worldwide. I recently visited a NASA and USAID satellite center in Kenya that is providing data to help African countries monitor drought risks, determine where forests are being illegally cleared, and even identify outbreaks of epidemics. In her 2012 World Water Day speech, Secretary Clinton highlighted how we are also using this information to analyze and develop solutions to water security problems in areas such as the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.

The global investment in earth observing satellites will keep paying dividends as creative individuals find new uses for this remarkable technology. Most of this data is freely available to users worldwide, and we are working with other countries to maximize its dissemination. The United States helped set up the Group on Earth Observations, which is developing a Global Earth Observation System of Systems -- a fancy way of saying a one-stop shop for the world's accumulated knowledge of the earth and the use of this information to help countries, localities, and individuals solve practical and urgent problems.

In honor of Earth Day, let's take a moment to recognize how earth observations help us protect our planet.

Join the conversation on the OES Facebook page.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/earth_observations/ 2012-04-22T21:16:06+00:00
American government agencies may not be the first institutions when one thinks of greening operations and practices. But, I would say that anyone who attended the exhibition would have to whole-heartedly reconsider. Just look at this year's Greening Diplomacy Award winner, chosen by the Greening Council and popular vote, U.S. Embassy Kathmandu, which is an example of how American missions abroad are heading greening projects in collaboration with their local communities. The mission at Kathmandu invested in solar water heaters for residences and for the Chancery, because of the 240 plus days of sunshine in Nepal. Furthermore, not only does U.S. Embassy Kathmandu provide a strong recycling program, but it also went one step above to partner with several NGO's that were able to re-use the recycled goods collected from the mission to make recycled paper briquettes to help cook meals on a weekly basis for over 300 people at a rehabilitation center.
 
One should also consider our embassy and consulate buildings themselves, many of which are brick-and-mortar examples of sustainable design. The State Department's Bureau of Overseas Building Operations (OBO), has a very strong commitment to sustainable design, construction, and operations. Over the last year alone, five new U.S embassies and consulates earned LEED certification: Ouagadougou, Antananarivo, Lusaka, Tijuana, and Dubai.  And with 40 more buildings registered with the U.S. Green Building Council and working toward LEED certification, OBO is building a firm foundation for eco-diplomacy.

The embassy communities here in Washington and overseas are key promoters of greening initiatives as well. The American League of Green Embassies is a group of U.S. diplomatic missions committed to sustainability, and the D.C. Greening Embassies Forum brings together the sustainability priorities of the city of Washington, D.C., with those of the foreign missions who rely upon the city's resources and exist within its community. The Greening Council helped facilitate the first-ever charter among foreign embassies, which states that its signatories will strive to make their buildings and operations more sustainable, will support the city's efforts, and will share best practices on greening and sustainability. This is remarkable, because the foreign embassies are considered the sovereign territory of the countries they represent and, as such, are not under obligation to make these types of commitments.

This unprecedented type of forum could be replicated in any capital city in the world, and would afford diplomats the opportunity to do what they do best: communicate the values of the country they represent. As Under Secretary of Management Patrick Kennedy stated in his remarks at the State Department's Earth Day exhibition, "Through grassroots efforts to raise environmental awareness, from the U.S. Embassy in Freetown planting more than 2,500 native hardwood and fruit trees to advance reforestation, to showcasing American clean energy technology and services through the League of Green Embassies' energy efficient makeovers of Chief of Missions residence in Europe, our actions are speaking volumes about who we are and for what we stand."

On this Earth Day, we recommit ourselves to advancing a more sustainable future and raising awareness that green is good. No, actually, as I hope the exhibit demonstrated, green is great!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/embassies_and_consulates_are_going_green/ 2012-04-22T05:24:31+00:00 April Presidency of the UN Security Council. It has been quite a month. Syria, North Korea, Sudan and South Sudan, Mali, Guinea-Bissau -- the Council has been working furiously on a broad range of issues spanning the entire globe.

However, as Ambassador Rice has repeatedly made clear, no discussion of international peace and security can take place without accounting for the half of the world's population that is under 25, which has a huge stake in the Council's debates every day. Fifteen months ago, during the last U.S. turn at the helm of the Security Council Presidency, Ambassador Rice presided over the first-ever Security Council event on youth. This time around, rather than invite the Council to discuss issues concerning youth, the U.S. Mission developed a program encouraging youth to take an interest in the work and activities of the Council.

We are doing this in a variety of ways: first, by reaching out to local high schools and universities and inviting students to attend open sessions of the Security Council. There are six such sessions, the first two of which have welcomed a total of more than 200 students to witness Security Council sessions. (By the way, if you have a class in the New York area, there are plenty of good seats left.)

The second way we are encouraging youth to follow the work of the Council is by targeting aspiring high school journalists to take an interest in the Council's work. On April 19, a group of 35 aspiring journalists from area high schools attended the Security Council's debate on nonproliferation, disarmament, and nuclear security. Following the session, students crossed the street to the U.S. Mission to hear from UN-accredited journalists about their careers in journalism and what it's like to cover the United Nations.

Later, Ambassador Rice held a press conference with the young journalists who were joined by other student-journalists from South Africa, Togo, Germany, Portugal, France, Russia, Morocco, India, Colombia, and Guatemala via State Department LiveAtState videoconference. You can watch the video of the press conference above.

Ambassador Rice encouraged all the participants to return to the United Nations one day: as journalists covering the UN, as public servants or representatives of their countries, or in "any myriad of different ways in which the world is open to you to serve your fellow human being."

"But no matter what it is that you end up doing," she said, "I hope you will continue to raise your voice and exercise that vital right you have as a member of our common humanity and a citizen of this country or whatever country you come from to speak your mind, dream your dreams, and have every opportunity to realize those dreams, because, frankly, we need you, and we're counting on you to shape the world that we leave behind."]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/youth_un_security_council/ 2012-04-21T22:15:01+00:00 Olá from Washington, D.C.! We're home again after a busy and exciting trip to Brasilia and São Paulo.

Tuesday was the first-annual meeting of the Open Government Partnership, whose member countries contain a quarter of the world's population. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, President Rousseff of Brazil, President Kikwete of Tanzania, and Prime Minister Gilauri of Georgia all spoke on the impact that government transparency and openness can make on the global community. More than 800 representatives from over 60 countries and more than 200 civil society organizations were in attendance.

Later, I met with members of the Brazilian university community who visited the United States in March. They included the Director of the University of Brasilia's International Relations Office Luc François, Brazilian professors, an English Language Fellow, and two American Masters students. A major theme of our conversation was incentivizing Portuguese language learning in the United States and promoting English3, the U.S. Embassy Brasilia's innovative immersion program.

Afterwards, Brazil's federal government education team discussed ways to enhance our current cooperation. We focused on secondary school teacher training, English and Portuguese language programs, distance learning, and sending U.S. students, researchers, and faculty to Brazil to support 100,000 Strong in the Americas.

I also spoke about educational opportunities for youth to 90 students from various ECA programs, including Youth Ambassadors, Student Leaders, prospective Youth Council members, English3 applicants, Binational Center representatives, Science Without Borders scholarship recipients, and potential exchange and language students. Students, in turn, shared their experiences and reiterated their continued interest in U.S.-based internships and other programs. We thanked the students and then headed to the airport to catch our flight to São Paulo.

Wednesday began with a meeting with the Secretary of Education of the State of São Paulo, Herman Voorwald. São Paulo has the largest state education system in Brazil. With 5,271 schools, 235,000 teachers and 4.3 million students, the state will be a key partner in reaching our education goals with Brazil. Under Secretary Voorwald's leadership, São Paulo's students are already seeing exciting changes, including new emphasis on strengthening teacher incentives, special needs programs, reading and writing instruction, technology, and more. I was excited to collaborate with this department -- everyone was so supportive of English language programs and exploring future partnerships.

Next, we visited Centro Paula Souza, a public education network of technical and vocational high schools and colleges for nearly 300,000 students across the state, and met with a group of students. The Center sponsors a one-month English and cultural immersion program in the United States for 500 students and 100 teachers.

Meeting local ECA alumni was a true highlight of the trip -- we had a chance to hear about how learning English had transformed their lives and enabled their experiences through the E-Teacher Scholarship, English Certificate for Brazilian Public School English Teachers, English Access Microscholarship Program, and the International Visitor Leadership Programs.

The day -- and the trip -- ended on a high note at the Shooting Stars Basketball Program. It's a program run by the Social Service of Commerce (SESC) in São Paulo, a cultural organization profiled by the New York Times that serves 41 million people on a $600 million annual budget. Shooting Stars is the SESC's exciting one-year pilot project that uses sports to promote English language and leadership training for at-risk public school students. During our visit, I even stepped up and took a shot from the foul line -- and scored!

It was the perfect ending to a great visit. Our two countries have all the foundations of a strong, lasting partnership -- and I cannot wait to see where that partnership will take us.

Editor's Note: Assistant Secretary Ann Stock was on travel this week in Brazil with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Follow @AnnAtState on Twitter for updates on her travel and more on U.S. educational partnerships with Brazil.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/english_language_exchanges_brazil/ 2012-04-21T19:31:38+00:00
President Obama is gravely concerned by the situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, especially as the violent clashes continue along the shared border with South Sudan. He continues to urge all sides to exercise maximum restraint and to emphasize the importance of finding peaceful solutions for Sudan and South Sudan. The President is deeply committed to seeing Sudan and South Sudan become two economically prosperous states living side-by-side in peace.

The people of Sudan and South Sudan have endured extraordinary hardship over years of war. But in recent years, against great odds, they have made tremendous progress toward a future of peace. The future of Sudan and South Sudan belongs to them and, as President Obama makes clear in his remarks, those who have the courage to walk the path of peace will have a strong and steady partner in the United States of America.

Editor's Note: This entry appeared first on the White House Blog.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/obama_message_sudan_south_sudan/ 2012-04-21T14:12:53+00:00
The United States wants to see the story of youth empowerment told for years to come. That's why, to tap the potential of this remarkable generation, we've built Embassy Youth Councils in nearly 40 countries. Each council convenes a cross-section of local young people on a regular basis to discuss shared challenges -- developing new policies and initiatives that reflect their concerns and ideas. In Nepal, for example, we've brought together more than 70 youth advisors, from tea plantation workers to college students. In Latvia, two young Council members designed an innovative e-petition system allowing people a new level of participation in their country's policy process. And around the world, U.S. Embassies have found some of their greatest allies in young people -- partnering with them on community service projects from cleaning up beaches to planting trees to building homes for families in need.

Young people also continue to lead as part of a network of U.S. alumni with whom we partner and support. In Benin, alumni of our International Visitor Leadership Program are leading a ten-day "healthy month" campaign in celebration of Global Youth Service Day from April 17-27, 2012. Their goal is to encourage young Beninese citizens in particular and the whole Beninese population in general to be environmentally conscious. In the Kyrgyz Republic, alumni of our Tech Age Girls network are reaching out in multiple ways to celebrate Global Youth Service Day. One alumna is teaching senior citizens computer skills, while another has developed a project entitled "We Draw Together," which will provide orphans between the ages of 8-13 with art lessons and an exhibition of their work. And in Russia, Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) alumni are coming together to help clean and renovate "Invatour," an NGO that advocates for people with special needs, creates opportunities for them, and promotes an active lifestyle.

Young people are mobilizing real action and producing real results for communities around the world -- every day, all year long. On this Global Youth Service Day, tell us what you are you doing in your community. Share your projects with us at globalyouth@state.gov. To find out more about Global Youth Service Day, please visit www.gysd.org.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/global_youth_service_day_2012/ 2012-04-20T22:17:21+00:00 address the staff and families of the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia on April 16, 2012.

While in Brazil, Secretary Clinton delivered remarks at the opening session of the Open Government Partnership. Secretary Clinton said, "In the 21st century, the United States is convinced that one of the most significant divisions among nations will not be north/south, east/west, religious, or any other category so much as whether they are open or closed societies. We believe that countries with open governments, open economies, and open societies will increasingly flourish. They will become more prosperous, healthier, more secure, and more peaceful."

You can watch Secretary Clinton's remarks on open government on YouTube and see more photos from Brazil on flickr. You can also read more about Secretary Clinton's trip to Brazil on www.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/potw_clinton_open_government/ 2012-04-20T16:58:40+00:00 academic, cultural, sports, and professional exchanges in more than 160 countries. All of us at the U.S. Embassy in Nassau are so pleased that the Department of State selected Ms. Christine Campbell as April's State Alumni Member of the Month in recognition of her leadership and commitment to public service. Last night, we had an opportunity to applaud Ms. Campbell at a reception hosted by U.S. Charge d'Affaires John Dinkelman for all State exchange program alumni in The Bahamas.

Throughout her career, Ms. Campbell has been a central force in the prevention of drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS in The Bahamas. Today, in her capacity as the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas' officer-in-charge of the Bureau of Women's Affairs, Ms. Campbell has brought a renewed public focus to the issues affecting women throughout her country.

I first met Ms. Campbell in October 2010, during an event at which we invited the country's civil society leaders and advocates to meet Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Julissa Reynoso. I spent much of my time that evening talking with Ms. Campbell, who had recently stepped down as the Director of the HIV/AIDS Center to head the Bureau of Women's Affairs. I could tell from our very first conversation that Ms. Campbell was committed to being a voice for the voiceless and an advocate for change. And, I am certain anyone who met Ms. Campbell in the United States during her participation in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) would have come to the same conclusion.

IVLP, which focuses on emerging leaders in critical fields, sends participants to the United States for professional development alongside peers from all around the world. Ms. Campbell told me a concept that remained with her after her two IVLP exchange experiences -- first in 1987 on the topic of drug abuse prevention and again in 2001 on the topic of HIV/AIDS -- was the value of networking, especially among women.

It is clear that Ms. Campbell is committed to tapping into the talents of women from all walks of life. One recent example is this year's commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Women's Suffrage Movement in The Bahamas. In preparation for the year-long celebration, Ms. Campbell worked with a number of State exchange program alumnae, including Dr. Sandra Dean-Patterson, head of the non-governmental organization The Crisis Center, and historian Dr. Gail Saunders, who has provided guidance while researching the women's movement in The Bahamas.

Ms. Campbell is also a dedicated mentor to emerging female leaders. This group includes The Tribune newspaper's features editor, Noelle Nicholls, another State alumna, who recently established a weekly section called "Woman" to bring greater focus to issues that are important to Bahamian women and to provide a space for other talented female writers.

The U.S. Embassy Nassau team is proud that our exchange alumni represent a diverse cross-section of society, including senior government advisers, academics, artists, business and civil society leaders, journalists, and other present and future leaders of Bahamian society. The U.S. Embassy began implementing exchange programs soon after the Commonwealth of The Bahamas gained independence from Great Britain in 1973. Today, more than 200 Bahamians have taken part in Department of State-sponsored exchange programs, and the ties between our two countries have only strengthened over the course of the last four decades.

Without a doubt, these academic and professional exchange programs have had a strong impact on both of our countries. As Ms. Campbell's leadership on a range of issues demonstrates, Department of State exchanges strengthen society by enhancing skills and providing a new global network that alumni can continue to leverage. We salute Ms. Campbell and all of our Bahamian State alumni for making enormous and valuable contributions throughout The Bahamas in a time of remarkable global change.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/bahamas_ivlp_alumna_campbell/ 2012-04-20T03:40:41+00:00
Most of us in the United States take for granted clean and accessible drinking water. But, for millions of people -- mostly women and girls -- around the world, they must walk an average of six kilometers to collect water for their families. The task of collecting water keeps children out of school and prevents women from engaging in more productive economic activities. Water resources have widespread implications for gender equity, as well as for the global environment, health, economy, and food security.

Clean water resources are essential for a healthy planet. Experts estimate that by 2025, nearly two-thirds of the world's population will be living under water-stressed conditions. Already, unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene are among the world's top risk factors for death and disease. As Secretary Clinton has said, water is a global imperative.

The U.S. Department of State has made both water and women's issues foreign policy priorities, and, in coordination with other U.S. government agencies, is actively engaged on these issues. The U.S. strategy is founded in the belief that investments in water and sanitation translate into investments in people.

Yesterday, as the rain drizzled over Washington, we walked for the millions of women who journey a great distance every day just to provide for their families. In doing so we joined over 370,000 people in 80 different countries who have walked similar journeys to continue the global conversation. And we recommit ourselves to expanding efforts to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation, so that one day no man, woman, or child will have to put themselves and their families at risk for the sake of water collection.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/walking_six_kilometers_in_her_steps/ 2012-04-19T22:05:01+00:00 More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta joined their defense and foreign minister colleagues for a joint ministerial meeting of NATO in Brussels, Belgium on April 18, 2012. Following their meeting, Secretary Clinton said:

"The main focus of our conversations today was Afghanistan, which I will focus on tomorrow at the meeting of our ISAF partners. But let me say how grateful the United States is for the solidarity and steadfastness of our NATO allies and ISAF partners.

"As difficult a week as this has been in Kabul and other parts of Afghanistan, the big picture is clear. The transition is on track, the Afghans are increasingly standing up for their own security and future, and NATO remains united in our support for the Lisbon timetable, and an enduring commitment to Afghanistan. The attacks in Kabul this week show us that while the threat remains real, the transition can work. The response by the Afghan National Security forces were fast and effective, and the attacks failed. Not long ago, this kind of response by Afghans themselves would not have been possible. So the Afghans are proving themselves increasingly ready to take control of their own future.

"Now by their nature, transitions of any kind are challenging. There will be setbacks and hard days. But clear progress is happening, and today, NATO reaffirmed our commitment to stand with the Afghans to defend stability and security, to protect the gains of the last decade, and to prevent there ever being a return of al-Qaida or other extremists operating out of the Afghan territory.

"Both Secretary Panetta and I were impressed by how united the NATO allies are in supporting the Lisbon timetable. We are on track to meet the December 2014 deadline for completing the security transition. Already 50 percent of the Afghan people are secured primarily by Afghan forces, and by this spring, it will be 75 percent. Today, we worked on the three initiatives for the Chicago summit next month.

"First, we will agree on the next phase of transition to support our 2014 goals. Second, we want to be ready to define NATO's enduring relationship with Afghanistan after 2014. And third, we are prepared to work with the Afghans to ensure that the Afghan National Security force is fully funded. NATO is united behind all these goals, so we are looking forward to a very productive summit in Chicago.

"But let's keep in mind that the transition and NATO's mission are part of a larger enterprise, one that also has political and economic dimensions. Afghanistan's neighbors have a central role to play in that larger enterprise along with the international community. Our common approach was sharpened when the international community met in Istanbul and Bonn last year, and will be carried forward when we meet again in Chicago, Kabul, and Tokyo this year.

"So beyond NATO, many nations are invested in Afghanistan's future and are providing support for the Afghans to attain self reliance, stability, and further their democratic future. They have to protect, however, as they go through this transition, their hard-fought political and economic and human rights progress. Incidents like the one we heard of yesterday when 150 Afghan girls became sick after the water at their school was poisoned, reminds us that there are people who would destroy Afghanistan's long-term future in order to restrict the rights of women and girls. Human rights protections for religious and ethnic minorities are also still fragile. Universal human rights are critical to Afghanistan's security and prosperity, and we will continue to make them a priority.

"While NATO has worked very hard to assist the people of Afghanistan, NATO has also been changed by this experience. The alliance is now a leading force for security, not just in the Atlantic region, but globally. We are steadily deepening and broadening the partnerships NATO has with dozens of countries around the world, and our partners are adding valuable capability, legitimacy, and political support to NATO(tm)s operations and missions from the Mediterranean and Libya to Kosovo and Afghanistan.

"So we believe we are building a stronger, more flexible, more dynamic alliance enriched by partners from every continent and prepared to meet the security challenges of our time."

You can view video of and read the Secretary's full remarks with Defense Secretary Panetta here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/travel_diary_clinton_nato_ministerial_2012/ 2012-04-19T21:12:05+00:00
Born into wealth, for Wallenberg turning a blind eye to the hardship and suffering of others would have been easy. Instead, as First Secretary at the Swedish Legation in Budapest, Hungary during the darkest days of World War II, Wallenberg demonstrated a sense of self-sacrifice to the greater good of his fellow human beings that is a lesson for all of us.

Other diplomats chose to risk their careers and even their lives, and defied official protocols, rules and immigration "policies" to rescue Jews. Many of these diplomats were censured or punished for their acts of courage. Some were fired or were stripped of their ranks and pensions. Their rescue efforts took many forms. Among other selfless acts, they issued visas, citizenship papers and other forms of documentation that allowed Jews to escape the Nazis.

Today at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, you will find not only Raoul Wallenberg's tree planted along the Avenue of the Righteous, but also 2,000 other trees and 18,000 other names engraved in the walls of The Garden of the Righteous in remembrance of those who risked their lives to save European Jews from the Holocaust.

Why did they do it? Because they all believed that: "One man can make a difference." That is the sentence written over the front door of the Raoul Wallenberg School in Brooklyn, New York, one of many American institutions honoring Wallenberg. In 1981, the U.S. Congress made Wallenberg an honorary U.S. citizen, at that time just the second in our history.

"The importance of not being indifferent" is a timely and relevant operating principle in our relationship with the world today. Advancing human dignity and protecting universal rights is at the core of American values, and it is relevant to the challenges of our time.

As we consider Wallenberg's personal sacrifice, we must remember Wallenberg's tragic end: many historians believe he languished in lonely incarceration for months or even years before being murdered. Wallenberg epitomizes what self-sacrifice for the sake of others is all about.

Editor's Note: This entry also appears on the The White House Blog.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/remembering_honoring_courage/ 2012-04-19T17:46:51+00:00 Yom Ha'Shoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. In Judaism, when we remember the dead we say "zikron l'vrach"-- may their memory be for a blessing. On this day, we stand united against one of the most sinister and evil chapters of history, scarred by the unthinkable deeds of governments and collaborators and the silence of so many.

In my job as Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, two of the tools I use in my outreach to governments and civil society are education and dialogue. They are mandatory first steps to prevent and overcome ignorance and hate. We must advance the universal message that such evil must be confronted rather than ignored. We must forge connections between students, between communities, and between faiths.

In January, I was honored to attend a United Nations showing of the unique documentary film, The Last Flight of Petr Ginz. The film tells the story of an artistic Czech boy who was killed at Auschwitz. It focuses on Petr's short life -- how he wrote poems and novels while interned at Terezin and how strongly he wanted to live despite the horrors surrounding him. Watching the documentary, I was humbled by Petr's strength, much as I am humbled whenever I meet survivors, camp liberators, rescuers, and eyewitnesses of this terrible event. I am the child of a Holocaust survivor myself. Films like Petr Ginz, remind us of the power of the individual, the power of expression, the power of memory. It is a lesson we must all take to heart.

Despite our commitment to expose and educate about the killing factories and concentration camps of World War II, to our dismay, the Holocaust was not the final chapter on genocide and human hatred. The bigotry and ignorance that drove the Nazis still exists, and, in fact, thrives today. In Rwanda during the summer of 1994 almost a million people were murdered in only 100 days. In 1995, more than 8,000 were massacred in Bosnia and Herzegovina around Srebrenica. During the Khmer Rouge's reign in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, almost two million people were killed. Between 2003 and 2010, over 300,000 people died in the conflict in Darfur.

As we pause today to commemorate Yom Ha'Shoah, we must remember the six million Jews and other victims who perished during the Holocaust. And we must stay vigilant in confronting bigotry and hatred whenever we encounter it. Let us work together to create a more respectful world and ensure memories of the millions killed by the Nazis will be "for a blessing."

Editor's Note: More information on Special Envoy Rosenthal's efforts to combat anti-Semitism can be found on the Department of State's website and on the Facebook page for the virtual campaign 2012 Hours Against Hate. To read Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's press statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, please click here.

Stay connected with Special Envoy Rosenthal on Facebook.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/holocaust_remembrance_day/ 2012-04-18T22:19:28+00:00 More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Brasilia, Brazil April 16-17, 2012. On April 16, the Secretary led the U.S. delegation for the third U.S.-Brazil Global Partnership Dialogue. She also met with Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, business leaders, and U.S. Embassy Brasilia staff and their families. In remarks with the Foreign Minister, Secretary Clinton said:

"...We have a long history together. In the 19th century when Brazil won its independence, the U.S. was the first country to recognize Brazil. And in the 20th century, when a U.S. Secretary of State made the first ever official visit to a foreign country, it was to Brazil -- Secretary Elihu Root, who came here in 1906. So we now -- Antonio and I -- decided that we have to have a 21st century partnership. It's time for us to be really looking at the opportunities and challenges we face and how we can do better together.

"A week ago, Antonio and I were together in Washington at a standing-room-only business meeting at the United States Chamber of Commerce. And earlier today, I was privileged to speak to a business group of Brazilian business leaders. We know that we're making progress in bilateral trade and investment, creating jobs for both of our peoples, but there's more to do. I will be sending an innovation delegation to Brazil later this year with some of our top entrepreneurs, educators, and tech leaders to meet with their Brazilian counterparts."

On April 17, Secretary Clinton and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff co-chaired the First Annual High-Level Meeting of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). Launched eight months ago by Presidents Obama and Rousseff, OGP formally welcomed 42 new countries into the Partnership and announced concrete commitments to prevent corruption, promote transparency, and harness new technologies to empower citizens. A quarter of the world's population -- 1.8 billion people -- will benefit from government pledges announced today in Brasilia.

In her opening remarks at the OGP meeting, Secretary Clinton said, "In the 21st century, the United States is convinced that one of the most significant divisions among nations will not be north/south, east/west, religious, or any other category so much as whether they are open or closed societies. We believe that countries with open governments, open economies, and open societies will increasingly flourish. They will become more prosperous, healthier, more secure, and more peaceful."

OGP has grown in the last eight months to become a global community of government reformers, civil society leaders, and business innovators, who together are advancing a new standard of good governance. Through concrete commitments announced via OGP action plans, over 50 governments are taking important steps towards greater transparency, accountability and participation that will ultimately improve the lives of people around the world. You can read more about the first high-level OGP meeting here and follow Secretary Clinton's travel here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/travel_diary_clinton_brazil_2012_04/ 2012-04-18T04:00:11+00:00
Yesterday's Global Partnership Dialogue marked the culmination of a great deal of work by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), as well as many other parts of the State Department.

My day was centered on meetings of the Education Working Group, which I led alongside Minister George Torquato Firmeza, the Director of the Cultural Division at Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We were both excited to discuss new and developing avenues of cooperation and encouraged by the progress our delegations made.

People-to-people exchange programs dominated the Education Working Group conversation. President Obama and President Rousseff have made academic and research collaboration a priority between the United States and Brazil, and both are encouraging more study abroad with their complementary "100,000 Strong in the Americas" and "Science Without Borders" initiatives. Together, we're already making those goals a reality.

We also agreed to deepen our dialogue linking education, scientific research, and innovation through the Fulbright-Science Without Borders Scholar and Distinguished Chair Awards and expanding internship opportunities for Science Without Borders students in the United States. Our joint efforts build on years of cooperation, especially between our academic and scientific communities.

More to come tomorrow -- stay tuned!

Editor's Note: Assistant Secretary Ann Stock is on travel with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to Brazil April 16-17. On April 17, she accompanies Secretary Clinton to the First Annual High-Level Meeting of the Open Government Partnership. Follow @AnnAtState on Twitter for updates on her travel and more on U.S. educational partnerships with Brazil.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/brazil_global_partnership_dialogue_education/ 2012-04-17T13:48:02+00:00 Facebook page from 2:00-2:30 p.m. (EDT).

The Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) helps countries and people find the road away from conflict and toward peace. Over the last two decades, the United States has found itself increasingly involved in, and affected by, weak or failed states. The interconnected nature of today's world makes instability and conflict, even in distant corners of the planet, a much greater concern.

One of the places where CSO has put its mission into action is the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). On November 28, 2011, the DRC, a country that has suffered tremendous instability and violence in the last two decades, held its first elections completely organized by the Congolese government since the end of the Mobutu era. This represented both a milestone and a challenge for the country.

As the elections approached, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa reached out to the new Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) to help better analyze conflict dynamics in key regions and develop and implement an election observation mission and reporting plan. In the days following the elections, it became evident that serious problems were developing in the centers that compiled the votes. The United States used information from observer teams to inform its understanding as to how the electoral process was unfolding and to formulate its post-election response.

You can learn more about CSO on our web page, and see more photographs from the DRC in our photo essay.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/new_cso_at_work/ 2012-04-16T23:18:14+00:00 Fulbright Program is perhaps best-known for the one-of-a-kind international experience it offers participants. But for foreign students in the United States, the classroom is only one piece of the program. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs hosts an annual series of enrichment seminars for groups of first-year Fulbright foreign students.

This academic year's seminars on "U.S. Politics and Elections: Democracy in Action" have provided more than 1,200 Fulbrighters the opportunity to learn more about our country. The seminars have been, or will be, held in Atlanta, GA; Nashville, TN; Sacramento, CA; Baltimore, MD; Denver, CO; Chicago, IL; Washington, DC; St. Louis, MO; and Philadelphia, PA. As Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board Chair Tom Healy told participants at the seminar in Atlanta, "Fulbright is not about saving the world, but sharing the world." And, that starts at home.

Each seminar has tackled different pieces of American civil society. Topics have included the U.S. Constitution, our First Amendment rights, group and identity politics, enfranchisement issues, and diversity and minority influence. Each conference has brought together approximately 140 participants, representing over 70 countries and studying at colleges and universities across the United States, to examine the issues through panel discussions, local community engagement, and a mock campaign and election.

We have been incredibly fortunate to have a great slate of speakers in every city. Civil rights icon Xernona Clayton challenged students in Atlanta not to be afraid to lead by example and confront the status quo. Founder of the First Amendment Center John Seigenthaler spoke to participants in Washington, D.C. and Nashville, TN about his experiences growing up in the segregated American South and emphasized how "the conscience of the country was pricked," thanks to the widespread press coverage of the Civil Rights movement. In Chicago, Deputy Mayor Mark Angelson praised Fulbrighters for their achievements and offered candid answers to questions about U.S. political system, the city of Chicago, and his own career. And U.S. Congressman Lacy Clay and Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan kicked off the seminar in St. Louis.

Community service and local engagement have also been a key element of the seminars. The American culture of volunteerism is a new -- and often inspiring -- concept to many foreign students, and we are always proud to guide them through the community service experience. Across the country, Fulbrighters sorted donations at the Sacramento Food Bank, cleaned up litter with Greenways for Nashville, and met elementary school students through the Hands On Atlanta Discovery Program. They also enjoyed fun, informal dinners at the homes of local families -- giving them another chance to see American volunteerism in action.

Each of the seminars has culminated in a workshop simulating a U.S. presidential election, which has been the highlight of the week at all locations. During the workshops, participants joined various interest groups and political parties and applied the seminar's lessons for a U.S.-style election. "Nominees" ran opposing "campaigns" and participated in mock debates. After a hard-fought race, voters elected one of their own as "President."

In parts and as a whole, the series has been a great way for international students to discover what it means to be an American -- and how hard we continue to strive for a more perfect Union. As Nazaire Massamba, a Fulbrighter from the Republic of Congo, told an audience in Denver:

"America is giving us an opportunity and we just want to grab this opportunity... We'll go back to each one of our countries with the notion that America is preparing tomorrow's global leaders that will work towards achieving a better world and a better tomorrow where peace, freedom and prosperity is within everybody's reach."

Other students mentioned the seminar series made them feel as if they had been part of something bigger than an international scholarship program. The Fulbrighters left feeling inspired by the sense of community and purpose they found in the experience.

The last seminar in this series begins in Philadelphia on April 19. Follow the action on Twitter at @fulbrightprgrm or with the hashtag #fulbrightenrichment!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/fulbright_seminars_engage_students/ 2012-04-16T20:26:54+00:00 More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map | White House Blog -- President Obama at the Summit of the Americas

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton accompanied President Barack Obama for the Sixth Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia from April 13-15. There, the U.S. delegation met with democratically-elected heads of state and government from throughout the Hemisphere to strengthen ties, expand partnerships, and continue progress in economic growth, social inclusion, and citizen security.

During his remarks at the CEO Summit of the Americas, President Obama said: "...I think the challenge for all of our countries, and certainly the challenge for this hemisphere, is how do we make sure that that globalization and that integration is benefiting a broad base of people, that economic growth is sustainable and robust, and that it is also giving opportunity to a growing, wider circle of people, and giving businesses opportunities to thrive and create new products and new services and enjoy this global marketplace."

In Colombia, Secretary Clinton participated in the Summit of the Americas Civil Society meeting, the launch of "Connect 2022" Initiative at CEO Summit, and a WeAmericas Womens Entrepreneurship Event. She also met with Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin, members of the U.S. Congressional delegation, and Foreign Ministers from the Alliance of the Pacific.

You can follow Secretary Clinton's travel on www.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/travel_diary_clinton_colombia/ 2012-04-15T18:07:36+00:00
We arrived in a snowy Beijing and met with officials from the Chinese Ministry of Education and later representatives from Hanban, a Teachers of Critical Languages Program partner. With the upcoming Consultation on People-to-People Exchanges scheduled in May, we had plenty to discuss. Exciting progress is also being made on the "100,000 Strong" initiative to encourage Americans to study in China.

That evening, we shared a tasty dinner of Peking duck with a host of past and current Fulbrighters. Some of the Americans were studying Chinese through Fulbright awards, and there was even a married couple who were both teaching English in support of our programs! The Chinese alumni, who were from Fulbright and the Humphrey Fellowship Program, had a strong commitment to sustaining the impact of their exchanges and infectious enthusiasm to match.

We also visited a Beijing vocational school that partners with ECA in the English Access Microscholarship Program. Students applauded every time we entered a classroom, and we were impressed by their determination to practice their English with us...as well as the butter cookies they baked with help from a visiting Canadian chef!

Then, it was on to Xi'an, a former Silk Road capital and a major city and academic center in Northwest China. Today, Xi'an is home to three Chinese universities that send and receive Fulbright and Critical Language Scholarship participants and English Language Fellows. We met with officials from Shaanxi Normal University, Northwest University, and Xi'an International Studies University to discuss Fulbright and other exchange opportunities.

At Xi'an International Studies University, we were delighted to hear how Critical Language Scholarship students set an example for others. Their rigorous work has produced impressive gains in Chinese fluency, according to students' language test scores. And at each university, we met impressive Fulbright alumni on faculty, as well as one faculty member who will begin a Fulbright program at the University of California, Berkeley this fall. Xi'an International Studies University Professor and Fulbright alum Wu Yongzhi was especially generous in sharing his knowledge of the region's culture during our visit.

During one memorable evening in Xi'an, we talked with a dynamic group of American participants and their family members over pizza. Two Fulbright scholars, Joseph Kennedy and Maria Savasta-Kennedy, are both University of North Carolina law professors who currently teach at Northwest University. Their twin sons and daughter are abroad with them and now attend public school in Xi'an. The family is making academic and professional contributions through the Fulbright Program, and having American children studying alongside their Chinese peers is truly a valuable people-to-people experience, with an impact that will last for decades to come.

U.S. Fulbright students Anna, Jenny, Jeremy, Noah, and Yang were all bright, articulate, and multi-talented -- and comfortable with spoken Chinese. Their research spans subjects from water resources and urban history to Chinese art and education.

Embassy Beijing arranged a terrific and comprehensive program that allowed us to engage with a range of Chinese interlocutors in the field of international education, and spending time with exchange participants and alumni was particularly gratifying. We were inspired by all that they're achieving, and we returned home to Washington feeling optimistic about the value of educational exchange in the relationship between our two countries.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/fulbright_academic_exchanges_china/ 2012-04-14T16:09:12+00:00 Kris Balderston, Special Representative for Global Partnerships, will hold a conversation with Kirsty Jenkinson, Director, Markets & Enterprise Program, World Resources Institute on "Investing with Impact: Building Partnerships for a Better Tomorrow." The conversation will highlight how government and business are working together to promote lasting change and innovation around the globe. The discussion will be moderated by Cheryl Benton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, and will be available for on demand viewing soon on DipNote, the Department of State's official blog.

You are invited to participate by submitting questions, some of which will be selected for response during the broadcast. Submit your questions below here on DipNote, and join the ongoing discussion via Twitter using the hashtag #ImpactGPI. Please submit questions via DipNote and Twitter as soon as possible for consideration.

Through Conversations with America, leaders of national non-governmental organizations have the opportunity to discuss foreign policy and global issues with senior State Department officials. These conversations aim to provide candid views of the ways in which leaders from the foreign affairs community are engaging the Department on pressing foreign policy issues.

View other Conversations with America here and by accessing the Conversations with America video podcasts on iTunes.

Editor's Note: This Conversations With America webcast occurred on April 19. You can read the transcript here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/cwa_investing_with_impact/ 2012-04-13T22:09:07+00:00 G-8 Foreign Ministers Meeting at the Blair House in Washington, D.C. During the two-day meeting, the Foreign Ministers discussed a range of country-specific, regional, and transnational topics.

Secretary Clinton also had a chance to hold a series of bilateral meetings with her counterparts, including Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird. During their meeting, Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Baird underscored that they share a lot in common -- except for whom they are supporting in the upcoming NHL playoffs. In this photo, Foreign Minister Baird presents Secretary Clinton with the jersey of his favorite hockey player, Jason Spezza of the Ottawa Senators. The Senators will be facing the New York Rangers in the playoffs. Secretary Clinton said, "The fact is that I hate to root against any team called the Senators; however, I was a senator because of the good people of New York, so of course I'm rooting for -- ta-da -- the Rangers."

Like the Secretary and the Foreign Minister, the United States and Canada share much in common. As the Secretary has said, the U.S.-Canada partnership is a robust alliance and one of unwavering friendship. Canada is also a valued partner in the Western Hemisphere, working with the United States to support economic development, citizens' safety, and good governance.

From April 13-15, the United States and Canada will join 32 other countries participating in the Sixth Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia. In Colombia, President Obama and Secretary Clinton will meet with democratically-elected heads of state and government from throughout the Hemisphere to strengthen ties, expand partnerships, and continue progress in economic growth, social inclusion, and citizen security. You can read more about the Summit of the Americas here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/potw_canada_hockey/ 2012-04-13T20:58:02+00:00 More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will travel to Colombia, Brazil, and Belgium from April 13 to April 19. Secretary Clinton will accompany President Obama for the Sixth Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia from April 13-15. There, the U.S. delegation will meet with democratically-elected heads of state and government from throughout the Hemisphere to strengthen ties, expand partnerships, and continue progress in economic growth, social inclusion, and citizen security.

The Secretary will then travel to Brasilia, Brazil April 16-17. On April 16, she will lead the U.S. delegation for the third U.S.-Brazil Global Partnership Dialogue. This Dialogue builds upon the agreements the United States and Brazil reached during President Obama's visit to Brazil in 2011 and President Rousseff's visit to the United States on April 9-10, 2012. Issues discussed in the Global Partnership Dialogue range from development and education cooperation to global political and economic issues. The Dialogue provides a forum to transform our agreements into concrete action. The Secretary will also meet with government officials and representative of the private sector.

On April 17, the Secretary will provide opening remarks with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff at the First Annual High-Level Meeting of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). Launched eight months ago by Presidents Obama and Rousseff, OGP will formally welcome 42 new countries into the Partnership as they announce concrete commitments to prevent corruption, promote transparency, and harness new technologies to empower citizens.

Secretary Clinton will visit Brussels, Belgium April 18-19 to participate in a joint meeting of NATO foreign and defense ministers and to hold a bilateral meeting with Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders. At NATO, the Secretary and her foreign and defense minister counterparts will discuss preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit, which the President will host in Chicago May 20-21, 2012. At the joint ministerial meeting, ministers will review the status of NATO's transition strategy for Afghanistan, new capabilities for the Alliance and NATO's global partnerships. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta will participate on April 18. On April 19, NATO foreign ministers will meet with their non-NATO partners in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). The Secretary will also participate in a foreign ministers' meeting of the NATO-Russia Council on April 19.

You can follow Secretary Clinton's trip here on www.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/travel_diary_clinton_colombia_brazil_belgium/ 2012-04-13T14:53:10+00:00 More: G-8 Foreign Ministers Meeting Chair's Statement

On April 11-12, 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton hosted her G-8 counterparts for the G-8 Foreign Ministers Meeting at the Blair House in Washington, D.C. During the opening plenary on April 11, Secretary Clinton said:

"I greatly appreciate this opportunity to discuss in person the many global issues that require joint leadership from the G-8 nations. The events of this past year, even of just this past week, affirm the continued need for comprehensive international cooperation, and the G-8 is an essential forum for that."

During the two-day meeting, the Foreign Ministers discussed a range of country-specific, regional, and transnational topics, including Syria, North Korea, Iran, the crisis in the Sahel, and outcomes of the Middle East Quartet meeting, among other issues. At the conclusion of the G-8 Ministerial, Secretary Clinton said:

"This group of nations has extensive shared interests and responsibilities around the globe, so we discussed a range of issues that are of pressing concern. And while there was certainly frank debate about the details, we all affirmed our common commitment to confronting these challenges together and working in close consultation with one another."

On Syria, the Secretary said, "We welcomed Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan's report that the violence in Syria, at least for the moment, has abated. I also spoke separately about this at some length with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. If it holds, a ceasefire is an important step, but it represents just one element of the special envoy's plan. As Kofi Annan reported, the Assad regime has, so far, failed to comply with key obligations. The regime's troops and tanks have not pulled back from population centers. And it remains to be seen if the regime will keep its pledge to permit peaceful demonstrations, open access for humanitarian aid and journalists, and begin a political transition. The Annan plan is not a menu of options. It is a set of obligations. The burden of fully and visibly meeting all of these obligations continues to rest with the regime. They cannot pick and choose. For it to be meaningful, this apparent halt in violence must lead to a credible political process and a peaceful, inclusive, democratic transition."

On North Korea, Secretary Clinton said, "The G8 ministers discussed our concerns that North Korea continues to prepare to launch a ballistic missile in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and its own national commitments. We urge the North Korean leadership to honor its agreements and refrain from pursuing a cycle of provocation. We all share an interest in fostering security and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and the best way to achieve that is for North Korea to live up to its word."

On Iran, Secretary Clinton said, "We also looked ahead to the P-5+1 talks with Iran, scheduled to take place in Istanbul this weekend. We continue to underscore that we hope these talks result in an environment that is conducive to a sustained process that delivers results. This is a chance for Iran to credibly address the concerns of the international community. Iran, in coming to the table, needs to demonstrate that they are serious."

You can find video and text transcript of the Secretary's full remarks at the G-8 Ministerial here. The United States holds the G-8 Presidency in 2012, and will host the G-8 Summit at Camp David May 18-19.

Update: G-8 Foreign Ministers release a statement condemning the launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and calling on the DPRK to abstain from further launches using ballistic missile technology or other actions which aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/u.s._hosts_g-8_foreign_ministers_meeting/ 2012-04-12T21:47:54+00:00 embassy in Kabul that trains Afghan teenagers to teach English. It began last summer and reached more than a thousand young learners in Afghanistan during that time period.

"'Teen Teach' gives these bright, enthusiastic teenagers the opportunity to pass along their knowledge of English to younger children," Ambassador David Pearce says in a documentary that U.S. Embassy Kabul put together to spotlight the program. "The program not only provides these children with an education that stresses the rich cultural heritage of Afghanistan, but it also helps to open their eyes to the wider world, and -- in so doing -- puts them in a position to realize their dreams of a better life."

Twenty-four Nangarhar teenagers, 12 males and 12 females, were selected and trained as teachers last May. "We learned a lot in this short period of training," said Nadia at the end of the training. "I wish our teachers knew about this new methodology of teaching." Following their training, each of the 24 "Teen Teachers" selected 60 students -- 20 per class. The demand, however, was so high that they asked to add five more students to each class, raising the total number of students to 1,800.

Following the teachers was a crew of five Afghan teens who filmed classes and captured more than 24 hours of raw footage. At the same time, on the other side of the ocean, Los Angeles students studying film at Grover Cleveland High were getting ready to compile the photos and films to create a "Teen Teach" documentary. In preparation, the Los Angeles students learned about Afghan culture and history, visited an Afghan family, ate at an Afghan restaurant, and created scale models of Afghan classrooms -- one historical, and one modern-day.

"They've done a complete 180 degree turn to seeing the people from that region as friends," wrote their film teacher, Ms. Evelyn Seubert. "Seventy percent of my students are from poverty level homes. But they get free meals here at school; and free education. The fact that children in Afghanistan fight to get into school has not been lost on them. The fact that they have had to fear to go to school; or been denied that privilege, has not been lost on them. The fact that so many have lost limbs, family members, lives -- has not been lost on them."

The Los Angeles teens worked endless hours to edit, mix, and match scenes. "Their hearts have truly been opened," wrote Ms. Seubert about her students, "and there is nothing like spending a lot of time editing the images of those precious young children and earnest teen teachers to get to the teenage soul!" The final cut of "Teen Teach 2011" is a living document that not only highlights the challenges and successes of the Teen Teach program, but also demonstrates the strong thirst Afghan children have for learning and the critical role Afghan youth can play in shaping the destiny of their country.

Watching the video on the Internet, Nangarhar high school students commented on the film on a social network site. "Students are like flowers and candles for our country," wrote Hameed. "If these candles die, we will never achieve our purpose -- our country will never progress." "I was one of the film crew," wrote Safia, "and it was so interesting for me to film the classes in different schools. I hope that next summer the 'Teen Teach' program will start again."

The "Teen Teach" documentary can be viewed here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/documentary_inspires_hope/ 2012-04-12T14:58:06+00:00 About the Authors: Victoria Holt serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, and Annie Pforzheimer serves as Director for UN Peacekeeping in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs.

In countries recovering from war, it is normal to see UN blue helmeted military units -- they're big, obvious, and a reassuring presence.

But in Liberia, where President Johnson-Sirleaf was re-elected to a second term, that reassuring presence should be the uniform of a Liberian police officer -- with a blue helmet backing them up.

A long-term peace, I was reminded during my visit to Liberia in mid-March, doesn't come from soldiers, but rather from a functioning criminal justice system. The Liberian National Police are central to the future of the country's security when the peacekeepers leave. That said, there are obstacles that stand between the security that Liberians need and where it is today. The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has to help address this.

Top UN officials -- civilian, police, and military -- told us of the challenges in supporting the rule of law, from the basic traffic cop to ambitious courts to handling sexual violence. It is a work in progress. A foremost police concern is what is known as the "lost generation" -- those who could not go to school during the two-decade-long civil war. "We should start police training in nursery school," one Western government official told me, because so many people are illiterate.

The police seem to need more of just about everything: recruitment, training, equipment, and education. A wartime culture of impunity and a habit of not obeying rules can extend to those in uniform, so officers must be thoroughly vetted to force out corrupt officers. UNMIL helps them with all of this, as do other donors -- especially the United States.

Furthermore, police must plug into a functioning justice system, which does not yet exist. If those they arrest go free because the courts are unequipped to process them, and the alleged criminal is back on the streets, the police are blamed -- unfairly. Judges and prosecutors are often untrained, understaffed, and in some cases don't show up at all. "The judiciary is the rotten part," a local journalist told me, "clerks, judges all expect a payoff, and they are untouchable."

In other cases, many of those who are arrested and don't go free actually should -- the vast majority of those in Liberian jails have never had a trial. Again, UNMIL is trying to lend expertise.

At the top of the judicial pyramid is Minister of Justice Christiana Tah, a former professor of sociology, anthropology, and criminal justice at Montgomery College, Maryland, who oversees the jails and prosecutors. Minister Tah does what she can with a small budget and big problems. "I have like 100 priorities," she told us. Chief among them is to make sure all the parts of the legal system talk to each other.

"I was away on a trip and the police chief called me, very proud, to say he'd arrested 130 delinquents. I asked him if he'd made sure there was a grand jury for indictments, prosecutors ready to take the case, and even room in the jail. He hadn't," she continued, "so everyone was released." Beyond these problems of coordination, there is the problem of crime in a post-conflict environment, including a terribly high rate of violence against women and children.

The United Nations has targeted Liberia for help bringing justice to the people. The UN's Peacebuilding Fund supports the building of regional hubs to bring police and judicial services out to the underserved countryside. For the all-female formed police unit from India, its about community work and setting an example. For the U.S. police advisors, it's mentoring and building a cadre of professional police. For the senior team in UNMIL, it's about working with the government to set priorities and build Liberian capacity. And for Liberians, justice and rule of law is needed to fully move on from its former state of war.

Editor's Note: This is the third in a three part series about the authors' recent travel to Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire, where they visited UN operations in both countries.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/supporting_rule_of_law_liberia/ 2012-04-11T13:52:50+00:00 Open Government Partnership. The Presidents reviewed the progress made under the three presidential dialogues launched during President Obama's March 2011 visit to Brazil -- the Economic and Financial Dialogue, the Strategic Energy Dialogue, and the Global Partnership Dialogue. The Leaders also announced a new presidential-level Defense Cooperation Dialogue, as well as met with the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum to continue efforts to grow commercial, economic, education, and innovation ties between our two countries. Presidents Obama and Rousseff issued a joint statement U.S.-Brazil partnership after their meeting.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered remarks on "U.S.-Brazil Partnership for the 21st Century" at an event celebrating the strong ties between the United States and Brazil at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She said, "[W]e are the two largest and most diverse democracies, the two largest economies, in our hemisphere. But what may not be known is that the United States and Brazil, because we are democracies, have a special obligation to stand for our values. It is, of course, important that we promote our economic ties, that we try in every way possible to raise the standard of living of our two peoples, but we do so within a strong framework of commitment to democratic values. And we increasingly have a responsibility to work together on behalf of those values. The policies we embrace and the investments that we make will shape our shared future, and we are developing strong habits of partnership and cooperation."

In closing, Secretary Clinton said, "I am confident that this relationship will serve to stabilize our hemisphere, our economies, but even reach far beyond. Because what we want to see is the progress in Brazil that has been so laudable over the last several decades continue and grow from strength to strength."

You can read the fact sheet on the growing partnership between the United States and Brazil here, and view photos of Secretary Clinton with Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio de Aguiar Patriota here.

Related Content: The White House Blog -- President Obama Meets with President Rousseff of Brazil]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/us_brazil_partnership/ 2012-04-10T13:52:19+00:00 Global Fund Board members in Geneva and I am buoyed by the reform that is happening at the Fund under the leadership of new General Manager Gabriel Jaramillo. As everyone knows, the United States has been pushing aggressively for reform, linking our historic pledge of $4 billion from FY 2011 -- 2013 to it. I am pleased to report that while we have been encouraged by the significant reforms the Fund has been pursuing over the past year, the pace of reform has now quickened -- meaning that the Fund will be able to save even more lives.

The Fund remains absolutely committed to ensuring the disbursement of approximately $10 billion in its current funding period, 2011-2013 -- $2 billion more than it disbursed between 2008 and 2010. This includes money for new, ambitious programs, such as Round 10 grants, and will allow countries to continue and, in many cases, scale up, successful programs. Moreover, Mr. Jaramillo is making significant organizational changes, increasing staffing in the priority area of grant and program management by 40 percent, while streamlining other positions to ensure effective and efficient use of all staff resources. The Inspector General will continue to work diligently to crack down on any fraud and abuse that occurs in spite of the best efforts of the Fund.

As the reform occurs, we are also beginning to see others answering the Obama Administration's call to support the Fund. On World AIDS Day, the President said, "To the global community -- we ask you to join us. Countries that have committed to the Global Fund need to give the money that they promised. Countries that haven't made a pledge, they need to do so. That includes countries that in the past might have been recipients, but now are in a position to step up as major donors." Since then, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the Gates Foundation have all pledged their support. We are aggressively leveraging President Obama's call for $1.65 billion in FY13, which fulfilled our groundbreaking multi-year pledge of $4 billion, in order to expand the total resources available for the fight.

A strong Global Fund is critical as we move aggressively to a sustainable response to HIV/AIDS. When PEPFAR and the Fund coordinate, our investments against AIDS are expanded both geographically and programmatically. Simply put, a strong PEPFAR requires a strong Global Fund. In many countries, the governments outline a division of labor among Global Fund, national, and PEPFAR resources. For example, in Angola and South Sudan, Fund grants support the purchase of ARV drugs while PEPFAR's bilateral program supports health worker training and the delivery of ARVs to patients.

In Malawi, PEPFAR and the Global Fund engage in joint programming and joint financing. Together, PEPFAR and Fund-financed programs support treatment for close to 280,000 people, reaching about 70 percent of those in need. In addition, the government of Malawi targets Global Fund financing to deeply rural communities, where 85 percent of the population lives, working through district governments and local-community based organizations. PEPFAR bilateral funding is then targeted to HIV need in more urban populations. Finally, PEPFAR and UNICEF, which receives Global Fund dollars, partner to address prevention of mother-to-child transmission. UNICEF purchases the drugs, while PEPFAR supports the supply chain, training, laboratory, and quality assurance needed for the program.

I am proud of the U.S. commitment to the Global Fund, in part because it is a commitment to the work of PEPFAR. We have a unique opportunity in a tight fiscal environment to support the Fund at this critical juncture. It is the right thing to do, and together, we will save and improve more lives.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/update_global_fund_geneva/ 2012-04-09T14:13:31+00:00 About the Authors: Robert Keith serves as a program officer, and Thomas Donahue serve as a cultural affairs intern in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Each April, the State Department, in concert with music lovers around the world, celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month. In honor of this uniquely American art form, musicians, museums, schools, embassies, and others in the United States and around the globe host jazz-themed events to highlight jazz's contributions to our country and to the world.

Jazz Appreciation Month started a few days early for the State Department this year. On March 26, Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) hosted an amazing jam session to celebrate the joint State Department-JALC Rhythm Road -- American Music Abroad program, an initiative that sends urban/hip-hop, gospel, bluegrass, and jazz artists to perform before and engage with younger and underserved audiences in countries where people have few opportunities to meet American performers and experience their music first-hand. Musicians who toured during the current Rhythm Road season, along with alumni from past program tours, gathered together at Dizzy's Coca Cola Club in Manhattan to perform and tell stories about their experiences representing American culture and values abroad.

All of the musicians had amazing stories to tell about the life-changing moments of their exchange programs. Alvester Garnett, a drummer in the Jed Levy Quartet, described what it was like to play for "the most enthusiastic crowd" he had ever seen in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after the 2010 earthquake. Sara Milonovich of Mountain Quickstep humorously described how Eastern Europeans reacted the first time they watched members of her band "clog" dancing. Andy Reiner humbly mentioned that his band, the Earth String Band, was the first American band to play in East Timor.

Even jazz legend Wynton Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center's Artistic Director, shared a few thoughts with the group. As part of his inspiring remarks, he mentioned how important it is that the State Department reaches out to people in other cultures through the common language of music.

The Department of State's musical exchanges are a direct continuation of the Artistic Ambassadors programs of the 1950s and 1960s. Those historic exchanges included Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, and other legendary jazz artists, and the tradition will not end with the conclusion of Rhythm Road. The State Department continues to send American musicians overseas on international exchange tours through the American Music Abroad program, administered in partnership with American Voices.

For more information on JALC or American Music Abroad, please visit please visit www.jalc.org or www.exchanges.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/jazz_rhythm_road/ 2012-04-08T01:30:38+00:00 About the Authors: Mark Templer serves as Science and Technology Officer and Noopur Singh serves as a Science and Technology Specialist at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India.

Indian officials cited U.S. science diplomacy as a reason why the 99th Indian Science Congress (ISC) chose to focus on women in science. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh emphasized the crucial role of science in India's development to the nearly 20,000 energized attendees, which included several Nobel laureates. India's Ambassador to the United States Nirupama Rao enthusiastically launched India's first Women Science Congress as a concurrent event.

In a striking parallel to Secretary Clinton's declaration that women's rights is essential to our national security, Ambassador Rao's keynote speech at the Women's Science Congress declared that providing opportunities for women in science and is crucial for India's development. Ambassador Rao also stressed the importance of education for women by stating, "You educate a mother, she educates the family." From now on, according to Ambassador Rao, India's Women's Science Congress will be an annual event highlighting the outstanding achievements of women scientists and the challenges they face. This recognition of the status and accomplishments of Indian women in a rapidly changing society reflects the positive influence of U.S. policies and U.S. Embassy New Delhi's efforts in recent years to promote gender equality as well as the Indian government's own interest in this issue.

While Indian women are still seriously underrepresented in the scientific professions and leadership and face numerous challenges, the Indian government now commits to encouraging women to pursue education in scientific, technological, and engineering fields, and to promoting and retaining women in science careers. The Indian government recognizes that science and technology are essential in bringing underprivileged Indian women and their families into the rapidly-growing Indian economy. U.S. Embassy New Delhi has tapped into this commitment to help advance a positive environment for women scientists.

Recognizing that science is essential to empowerment in this knowledge century, the Embassy New Delhi team has given unwavering and unequivocal support to promoting gender equality in science studies. One example is our annual Women in Science (WIS) workshops that we have held since 2009. These workshops helped inspire the launch of the Women's Science Congress and the theme of the landmark 2012 Indian Science Conference "Science and Technology for Inclusive Innovation -- Role of Women."

Recent developments in India's gender polices are another example of the impact the U.S.-India WIS workshops. Participants at one U.S.-India WIS workshop talked about how they had to leave careers for family reasons, and later found it difficult to resume their careers. Indian officials attending our workshop later rolled-out a policy to address this issue through special contractual positions for women scientists who were forced to relocate for family reasons and enhanced support for women scientists re-entering the workforce after career interruptions.

One of our personal favorite moments from the U.S.-India WIS workshops occurred in September 2011, when Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams joined us for an interactive session. Many Indian girls consider Commander Williams a role model and were thrilled to hear her speak about her experiences and answer their questions. The audience repeatedly broke into spontaneous applause as the Commander spoke. The biggest applause came when she said the earth looked borderless from outer space.

Earlier last year, in July, Secretary Clinton and Indian Foreign Minister Krishna highlighted the role of women scientists at the annual U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, and it was a central topic in discussions between Under Secretary of State Maria Otero and Ambassador Rao earlier last year. As a result of the emphasis placed on women and science in our bilateral engagement, India co-sponsored with the United States and Brazil a special session on women in science during the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York in 2011. India assigned two prominent women scientists to speak on the importance the Indian government places on science as the most effective tool for developing India and empowering Indian women, and India now wants women in science as part of the Joint Commission Meeting on Science and Technology that Washington will host prior to the bilateral Strategic Dialogue in June 2012.

Secretary Clinton eloquently articulated the importance of promoting gender equality in recent policy guidance and testimony before Congress. U.S. Embassy New Delhi and the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues have been unstintingly working to advance the status of women and girls as a priority element of our bilateral engagement with India. Science diplomacy has proven to be a powerful tool for advancing the status of women and girls in India. We are proud of the impact it has already had, and look forward to achieving even greater goals in the future.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/science_diplomacy_women_india/ 2012-04-07T14:11:34+00:00
Little of this was imaginable a year ago, when the country faced a dramatic crisis of leadership -- and a questionable future -- after its November 2010 elections. For months, the UN peacekeepers, backed by the international community and French Licorne forces, held the line against a defiant former leader who refused to step down despite losing the Presidential elections to his rival. Yet today, with former President Gbagbo in the Hague for war crimes, President Ouattara is moving forward to put the past behind and build a united nation.

Beyond the bright lights, much work remains. The UN mission, UNOCI, helps the government address urgent and long-term needs, from the thousands displaced by war and returning refugees, to support for police training and the protection of human rights. The government's security sector (military, police, courts, justice system) badly need capacity and reform.

Beyond Abidjan the country faces lack of governance and economic development. The second largest town, Bouke, got its first traffic light three days before we arrived; the police are unarmed and often unresponsive. In the West, refugees returning also face uncertainty -- and often strangers on their land.

Certainly Cote d'Ivoire has wealth. Over 40 percent of the world's cacao comes from here, along with other desired commodities. Yet this agricultural richness is also the source of land disputes that date back to its independence in 1960, and before.

A country focused on developing its economy, and emerging from conflict, needs a working system of law to assure security and effective development. So this is job one for UNOCI and Cote d'Ivoire -- to set up the rule of law to prosper and to take care of its people.

Thus, UN peacekeeping mission's efforts in Cote d'Ivoire, are key to the country's success. Going forward, the mission should concentrate on the security sector, rule of law, and needed reconciliation.

Why? Without security, forget investment. Without the international community to support it, forget political reconciliation and plans that the Ouattara government has begun to put in motion. Without UN peacekeepers -- Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Ghanaian, Nigerian -- small acts of impulsive violence can spiral into community-on-community clashes, reenacting the unresolved issues that brought civil war in the first place.

Reform to professionalize a military comprised of former enemies and rag-tag youth is the number one task at hand. We learned that the President is just now rolling up his sleeves. This aspect of getting back to business is the really hard part, but it will be the key to his success and to keep Cote d'Ivoire moving forward. And U.S. support to UNOCI during that transition can also make a critical difference to getting it right.

Editor's Note: This is the second in a three part series about the author's recent travel to Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire, where she visited UN operations in both countries.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/un_peacekeeping_cote_divoire/ 2012-04-06T18:50:35+00:00