http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2012-02-11T15:54:03+00:00 Editor's Note: This entry appeared first on the U.S. Embassy Syria Facebook page. You can find additional satellite imagery of Syrian military movements here.

The violence is not equal.

Yesterday I put out a note about the situation in Syria as I've witnessed it from the ground and since leaving the country. A terrible and tragic development in Syria is the use of heavy weaponry by the Assad regime against residential neighborhoods. For those unfamiliar with military equipment, the artillery used by the regime is designed for full scale warfare, and the regime is using it to pound civilian apartment buildings and homes from a distance. There is no evidence that the opposition -- even those opposition members who have defected from the military -- has access or has employed such heavy weapons. Those who defect from the military are often lucky to leave with only the rifle in their hands, fearful that those loyal to the regime will hunt them down for refusing to kill unarmed civilians. It's also important to note the opposition began as a peaceful movement and it is still mostly a peaceful protest movement that has been met by the regime with imprisonment, torture and killing.

I mention this because some try to equate the violence perpetrated by the regime with the violence perpetrated by the opposition -- it is unfair to do so when one side is using such heavy weaponry. Satellite photos have captured both the carnage and those causing it -- the artillery is clearly there, it is clearly bombing entire neighborhoods, and it marks a new low for the Assad regime. We are intent on exposing the regime's brutal tactics for the world to see.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/syria_2012_02_11/ 2012-02-11T15:54:03+00:00 entrepreneurial spirit of the Arab Spring with Jordanian entrepreneurs in Washington, D.C., I experienced that same spirit energizing the halls of the Ryad Mogador Agdal in Marrakech, Morocco.

I recently participated in the second U.S.-Maghreb Entrepreneurship Conference, initially launched one year ago in Algiers just weeks before the uprisings in Tunisia that sparked the Arab Spring. The conference was the annual partnership meeting of the North Africa Partnership for Economic Opportunity (NAPEO), part of the global alliance Partners for a New Beginning (PNB) initiated by Secretary Clinton in April 2010.

This year the conference was hosted by the PNB-NAPEO local advisory board in Morocco. The 450 conference participants were almost entirely from the private sector, including Maghreb and U.S. entrepreneurs, early-stage investors, prominent business leaders, Maghreb diaspora leaders, job trainers, academics and professors, members of civil society, and youth. The creativity, ambition, and know-how of the people gathered were awe-inspiring; these are truly the people who will catalyze economic growth in their countries and throughout the region.

The three winners of the PNB-NAPEO TechTown Detroit start-up competition, selected on our recent entrepreneurship delegation to the Maghreb, provide an excellent example. Youghourta Benali of Algeria started an electronic payment system that could help address the gap in e-commerce in the region. Dr. Souad Rouis of Tunisia launched the first medical biotechnology company of its kind there. Yassine El Kachchani of Morocco developed an innovative mobile phone application for the restaurant industry in Morocco. These three are perfect examples of the creative minds and innovative spirits who represented the Maghreb at the Conference in Marrakech.

My role as a government official -- and as the U.S. government partner in the PNB-NAPEO inititative -- is to listen and observe that creative process, and to help encourage policies that enable entrepreneurs and young job-seekers to create and grow businesses. In discussions with my counterparts from the governments of Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria, I came away with the impression that we are all in alignment in the desire to support youth and entrepreneurs to the fullest extent possible.

This is a critical feature of PNB-NAPEO -- to provide a public-private conversation that transcends borders in the United States and the Maghreb. PNB-NAPEO represents a new paradigm of public-private partnerships in foreign policy. Partnerships will play an increasingly important role as public budgets continue to shrink and private leaders, as we heard recently from Davos, are under pressure to respond to the imperative of job creation, especially for youth.

We have come a long way since PNB-NAPEO was launched in December 2010. The more than 20 locally-owned and locally-driven projects created in the past year are a testament to the positive impact PNB-NAPEO is having in the region. Like the local PNB-NAPEO board in Morocco that organized the Conference, we have established local advisory boards to support the partnership's work in Algeria and Tunisia, with a new board in Mauritania just launched and a board in Libya is in the works. It was thrilling to see members of the local boards representing the new voices of the region come together to share ideas for promoting job creation and entrepreneurship in the Maghreb. The current global economic situation has proven the need for innovation in job creation and for economic integration to boost growth. I am certain that the creative minds and entrepreneurial spirit of PNB-NAPEO can help accomplish this.

I look forward to the conference's third installment -- 2013 in Tunisia!

Learn more about the North Africa Partnership for Economic Opportunity here, and more about Partners for a New Beginning here.

Stay connected with the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs on Facebook and Twitter.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/economic_growth_north_africa/ 2012-02-11T14:28:12+00:00 USAID photographer Morgana Wingard and depicts women collecting clean drinking water. Abebow Gesesse, the owner of a poultry farm in Mojo, Ethiopia, received a loan from Dashen Bank thanks to a USAID guarantee through their Development Credit Authority program. The loan allowed him to buy his own truck, construct an additional barn, and build a well and water pump for his farm. Abebow invited the 200 households in his town to access the water at no cost. One of the women said, "Before we had access to this water pump we would have to walk 6 kilometers to be able to purchase clean water. Abebow lets the community access his water pump for free, saving us hours every day."

This week, the White House announced a series of initiatives from across government to harness innovation for global development in support of President Obama's Policy Directive on Global Development. Released in Fall 2010, the directive recognizes that development is vital to U.S. national security and is a strategic, economic, and moral imperative for the United States. It charts a course for development, diplomacy and defense to mutually reinforce and complement one another. The directive also calls for investments in science, technology, and innovation to accelerate progress toward development goals in health, food security, climate change, energy and environmental sustainability, and broad-based economic growth. President Obama said, "We're expanding scientific collaboration with other countries and investing in game-changing science and technology to help spark historic leaps in development."

As part of these broader efforts, USAID recently announced the Higher Education Solutions Network program, which invites higher education institutions to compete to join USAID as new strategic, long-term partners and makes it easier to turn ideas from students and professors into action and results in the field. This announcement expands upon USAID's long tradition of engagement with universities, colleges, research institutes, and other institutions of higher education.

On February 9, 2012, President Obama signed an Executive Order establishing the President's Global Development Council, which will inform and provide advice to the President and other senior U.S. officials on U.S. global development policies and practices, support new and existing public-private partnerships, and increase awareness and action in support of development by soliciting public input on current and emerging issues in the field of global development. The Council will be comprised of government officials as well as no more than 12 individuals from a variety of sectors, such as institutions of high education, non-profit and philanthropic organizations, civil society, and private industry.

You can read more about these initiatives here, and more about USAID's work in Ethiopia here. You can find more photographs from Abebow's story here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/potw_global_development/ 2012-02-10T22:26:43+00:00 Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs and Office of E-Diplomacy recently teamed up with Stanford University to host Rio+2.0: Bridging Connection Technologies and Sustainable Development.

Held on-site at the Stanford Graduate School of Business in Palo Alto, California, the three-day conference energized the global discussion about connection technologies and how they can foster the global sustainable development agenda. The interactive event also explored the issues that will be discussed at the upcoming Rio+20, which will take place in Brazil on June 20-22, 2012, to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).

From February 2 through February 4, the conference built on Silicon Valley's innovative spirit and took a unique approach towards motivating global stakeholder support, inspiring collaborations between ministers and high-level governmental representatives from across the globe, UN officials, tech innovators, private sector, NGO and civil society representatives, in addition to Stanford students and faculty.

It was evident from day one's "Demo Alley" (think speed-dating meets Silicon Valley) presentations that this conference was unique. The dialogue continued on day two with discussion of how connection technologies can be used more effectively for results-oriented end-goals. Some of the heavy-hitters directing this discussion included Assistant Secretary of State Kerri-Ann Jones, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson, and technology expert Tim O'Reilly.

On the last day, attendees gathered for a final "unconference.” The “unconference” brought participants together to brainstorm about real technology solutions to specific sustainable development challenges. During the break-out sessions, one group of participants made a YouTube video to raise youth awareness of Rio+20.

Over 8,300 viewers tuned into the Stanford website to watch a live webcast of the conference, while others followed the events on Twitter. Using the hashtag #USRio20, participants freely exchanged ideas and opinions in real time throughout the conference. Most of the tweets discussed quotes and concepts from each session, shared pictures and videos from the conference, and addressed ideas for the future. Taken together, they formed an organic narrative of Rio+2.0 and a fascinating study in the difference social media can make in facilitating active and equal participation among stakeholders. By connecting people online, the hashtag formed a virtual three-day narrative about technology's role in the larger Rio+20 story. Though told by many voices, the story I read was one focused on the same goal: exploring innovative solutions for sustainable development. To me, that sounds like a great conversation, and I can't wait to continue the discussion.

Stay connected with the Bureau of Oceans, Environment and Science on Facebook and Twitter.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/us_rio_plus_20/ 2012-02-10T20:23:27+00:00 Editor's Note: This entry appeared first on the U.S. Embassy Syria Facebook page. You can find additional satellite imagery of Syrian military movements here.

First, like people around the world, my colleagues and friends are watching the video coming out of Homs and some of the other Syrian cities in the last days with horror and revulsion. I hear the devastating stories about newborns in Homs dying in hospitals where electricity has been cut and when we see disturbing photos offering proof that the regime is using mortars and artillery against residential neighborhoods, all of us become even more concerned about the tragic outcome for Syrian civilians. The Arab League protocol, which received wide support from the international community, called for the Syrian military to withdraw from residential areas, to stop firing at peaceful protests and to release prisoners arrested due to the unrest. The film coming out of Homs and elsewhere in Syria shows the Syrian government's real response. And we have never heard of the armed opposition firing artillery for example. It is odd to me that anyone would try to equate the actions of the Syrian army and armed opposition groups since the Syrian government consistently initiates the attacks on civilian areas, and it is using its heaviest weapons.

I also want to say a word about our suspending the work of the American Embassy in Damascus. I can say without exaggeration that February 6 was the most emotionally taxing day of my career as a Foreign Service Officer. Due to the elevated security risks we confronted in Syria, the government of the United States had to suspend operations at our embassy in Damascus, and I had to depart with my American colleagues and say goodbye to our Syrian colleagues and friends who face a very uncertain future.

I left Damascus with immense sadness and regret -- I wish our departure had not been necessary, but our embassy, along with several other diplomatic missions in the area, was not sufficiently protected, given the new security concerns in the capital. We and those other embassies requested extra protection measures from the Syrian government, given the danger to both our citizens and the Syrian citizens that worked with and near us. Our concerns were not addressed.

As the United States' Ambassador to Syria -- a position that the Secretary of State and President are keeping me in -- I will work with colleagues in Washington to support a peaceful transition for the Syrian people. We and our international partners hope to see a transition that reaches out and includes all of Syria's communities and that gives all Syrians hope for a better future. My year in Syria tells me such a transition is possible, but not when one side constantly initiates attacks against people taking shelter in their homes.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/recent_events_in_syria/ 2012-02-10T11:16:21+00:00 State of the Union Address:

"The basic American promise that if you worked hard, you could do well enough to raise a family, own a home, send your kids to college, and put a little away for retirement...[is] the defining issue of our time...how to keep the promise alive... No challenge is more urgent. No debate is more important...we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules."

President Obama's call for a change to the status quo is based on the fact that income inequality in the United States has risen in the past three decades and real median wages have stagnated. These issues are not unique to the American economy. In fact, the challenge that President Obama spoke of, is the same challenge facing other world leaders today. As Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said: "The most consequential question facing nation(s)...is whether leaders will let their people live up to their God-given potential and claim their place at the heart of the 21st century..."

In fact, the problem of economic inequality manifests itself in various forms around the globe. The unemployed, young graduates, the working poor, and men and women in the formal and informal sector are desperate for their voices to be heard -- in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and elsewhere. They are looking for their leaders to provide policies that address inequality and social inclusiveness, issues that if ignored, will only lead to further social unrest and political instability.

Indeed, even during discussion at the yearly gathering of world leaders from business, politics, media, and academia at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland in January, there was unanimous agreement by senior economic figures that "growing inequality should now be the priority for leaders after the economic crisis." The figures from the economic fall-out of the global crisis are staggering -- especially for youth unemployment. In the United States, the youth unemployment rate is 23 percent, in Spain it is close to 50 percent, and in some parts of the Arab world it is almost 90 percent. In fact, some business leaders at Davos warned of "a disaster and a ticking time bomb," as the demographics of countries such as Jordan, where 70 percent of the population is under the age of 30, come to the forefront. Others pointed to the possibility of a "lost generation," as government policies have failed to address these problems in a timely manner.

So what policy options are available to world leaders? Sharan Burrow, the General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the co-chair of the Secretary's Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society, spoke at Davos about labor, promoting five key principles: "Jobs -- it is workers in work who will drive the global economy out of crisis... Social Protection, sustainable demand and decent work -- measures to mitigate social inequality are crucial to building a fairer, more stable global economy... Financial regulation... Fair and Progressive Taxation... [and] Climate Action."

World leaders must listen to their citizens and allow them the opportunity to live in dignity through decent work. As the world struggles to emerge from the global recession and ongoing financial turmoil, we need to ensure that the global economy is bounded by rules that ensure that its prosperity is widely shared, and that it serves to empower, not exploit workers. The promotion and protection of core worker rights are fundamental to strong and durable democracies. The inclusion of women, young people, and of those who labor in the informal sector are essential to building a vibrant sustainable global economy.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/inequality_lost_generation/ 2012-02-09T23:20:17+00:00 About the Authors: Maura O'Neill serves as Chief Innovation Officer at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and Dr. Alex Dehgan serves as the Science and Technology Adviser to the USAID Administrator.

We are proud to announce the Higher Education Solutions Network Request for Applications (RFA), which invites higher education institutions to compete to join USAID as new strategic, long-term partners to have a greater impact on development through creative partnerships. From USAID's start 50 years ago, partnering with universities and research organizations has been part of the Agency's vision. Over the years we have worked with partners on sector-specific projects, but today we are pursuing an unprecedented relationship with academic institutions as part of our effort to open the field to a broader range of actors and leverage the assets available through science and technology. USAID's Higher Education Solutions Network program aims to engage students and faculty and catalyze the enthusiasm on campuses for international development, making it easier to turn advocacy and ideas on campus into action and results in the field.

We are launching the Higher Education Solutions Network in order to reconnect over the long-term with universities and academic institutions for three reasons:

We aim to leverage their research assets to provide evidence and analysis that can feed into USAID policy

We want to test and scale new models for development which includes developing and creating new technologies.

We aim to foster an ecosystem where multi-disciplinary approaches are promoted.

We'd like to work with universities and higher education institutions to understand how students can be empowered to shift from saying, "What's your major?" to "What's the problem you want to solve?"

Aross USAID we are eager to source solutions for development. We'd like to build on what students, faculty and staff in higher education have already done to focus attention, research, and implementation in diverse development-related fields, including design, engineering, and impact assessment. We are inspired by what we are seeing from students around the world, from Jessica Matthews and three friends at Harvard who created the Soccket, a soccer ball that, when kicked, creates enough energy to power a light, to Julia Songok and her team at Moi University of Health in Nairobi who entered USAID's Savings Lives at Birth Grand Challenge for Development with a concept for a Mother Baby Health Network, to enable community members to use their mobile phones to support new mothers, with the potential to save lives by 50 percent.

Our new Development Innovation Ventures initiative is investing in numerous game changing innovations pioneered on university campuses -- from a sustainable sanitation solution developed by MBA students in an MIT class that is now an award-winning, for-profit social enterprise, to a successful election monitoring innovation tested in Afghanistan by UCSD Ph.D. students, to an inexpensive innovation developed by Georgetown University professors that slashes road traffic accidents to Nairobi at a very low cost.

We are pushing ourselves as an institution to continue to look to leverage the ingenuity on campuses to find solutions. Historically USAID and universities have a lot in common . Both are decentralized organizations with a lot of very competent and independent people who are unbelievably devoted to their jobs. We're pushing ourselves to be better and get better results. We're asking universities to push themselves as well.

Editor's Note: This entry also appears on the USAID Impact Blog.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/innovations_new_relationships_universities_usaid/ 2012-02-09T15:56:57+00:00 About the Authors: Gayle Smith is Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Development and Democracy at the National Security Council. Tom Kalil is Deputy Director for Policy, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Senior Advisor for Science, Technology, and Innovation, National Economic Council.

Today at the White House, senior Administration officials announced a series of new initiatives to promote game-changing innovations to solve long-standing development challenges. Answering President Obama's call to harness science technology, and innovation to spark global development, the Administration announced initiatives from across the government to generate new development solutions. Announcements include new partnerships with universities; greater use of scientific breakthroughs through expedited technology transfer of federally-funded inventions; a program to reward inventors who use their patented technologies to address humanitarian needs; and initiatives to leverage advances in Internet and communications technologies to provide new development tools.

In an increasingly globalized world, the Obama Administration recognizes that global development is vital to national security and is a strategic, economic, and moral imperative. One of the cornerstones of our global development policy is a commitment to investments in game-changing innovations with the potential to solve long-standing development challenges in health, food security, environmental sustainability, and broad-based economic growth. Innovation can play a key role in building a stable, inclusive global economy with new sources of prosperity, advancing democracy and human rights, and helping us to increase the ranks of prosperous, capable, and democratic states that can be our partners in the decades to come.

Administrator Raj Shah announced that USAID is launching a new partnership with universities and research institutes to define and solve large development challenges. USAID also announced new commitments to increased utilization of electronic and mobile payments to save on costs and increase financial access; a new effort to make assistance to other governments in telecommunications development more efficient; a new "app store" for development to spur humanitarian apps and software; and new commitments to mobile education technology as part of USAID's All Children Reading grand challenge for development.

The United States Patent & Trademark Office announced the Patents for Humanity pilot program that rewards patent owners for using their patented technology to address humanitarian needs. The National Institutes of Health launched a new model licensing agreement to expedite licenses to not-for-profit institutions with a demonstrated commitment to diligence in providing broad global access to technologies. The Department of Energy will offer a reduced fee license on certain clean energy technologies to not-for-profit organizations with a demonstrated commitment to providing global access to clean technologies and services.

Additionally, NIH announced that it is joining with private sector partners to develop Global Health Connect, a free online database of disease data and information that will bring disparate databases and research together to accelerate the development of lifesaving treatments and combat the neglected tropical diseases that afflict the world's poorest people. Likewise, the United States Department of Agriculture and its partners launched GRIN-Global, a plant genebank information management system that enables researchers to more efficiently source crop breeding material with specific traits. Additionally, USDA announced a partnership with CABI Plantwise to increase food security by decreasing crop losses in 19 countries through internet-connected "plant doctors."

Additional information on today's announcements is available here, or view the President's Policy Directive on Global Development.

Today's announcements and call to action highlight a whole-of-government approach to innovation for global development and demonstrate the importance of partnerships between the government and the private sector, including universities, corporations, and non-profits. In a time of tight budgets, it is critical that we maximize the impact and effectiveness of our investments, unleash the ingenuity and vision of our nation's inventors and entrepreneurs, and help to scale strategies that have been shown to work.

Editor's Note: This entry appeared first on the White House Blog.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/innovation_global_development/ 2012-02-08T16:33:08+00:00 Thomas R. Nides authored an opinion piece that appears today on CNN's Global Public Square Blog. The text of his piece also follows below:

"Here's a simple equation that will help the economy: Bringing more international visitors to America equals new jobs here at home. The United States is the world's top tourist destination, but our share of that market has dropped since September 11, 2001.

"International travelers added $134 billion in exports to our economy in 2010, and we know there is appetite for much more. The Department of Commerce estimates that every 65 additional international visitors to the United States generate enough export revenue to support one new travel and tourism-related job.

"The good news is that more and more international tourists want to travel to the United States for holidays, family vacations, and shopping sprees. President Obama and the State Department are making it a lot easier for them to do so.

"To come to the United States, tourists from many countries need visas. Often this requires a face-to-face interview with one of our consular officers. Now, the President's Executive Order will allow our consular officers to waive the interview requirement on a case-by-case basis for many repeat travelers, a group which has already spent billions of dollars in the United States. This will make it easier for many qualified returning visitors to renew their visas, so they can come back and stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, buy American products, and enjoy all that America has to offer again.

"And as a result, more than one hundred thousand interview appointments will be freed up this year for new visitors to apply for their first visas.

"Improving this process is a critical step forward. Increasing international tourism, particularly from countries with fast-growing economies, creates American jobs. The demand for visas has risen dramatically in recent years. Because of these two factors, Secretary Clinton has made it a priority to increase the State Department's capacity to issue visas while maintaining our strict security standards. Through common sense actions such as extending interview hours, adding Saturday appointments, hiring additional staff, and opening new facilities, we have reduced visa wait times in countries around the world.

"Let's look specifically at China and Brazil, the second- and sixth-largest economies in the world, respectively. Both have mobile and growing middle classes eager to purchase goods in the United States. Last year, reporters found Brazilians prowling for Black Friday bargains in New York City, buying condos in Miami, outlet shopping in New Jersey, and hitting the slopes in Vermont. More than 1.2 million Brazilians visited the United States in 2010, and each of them spent an average of $4,940 while they were here. Those numbers are only rising.

"Similarly, the number of visitors from China to the United States has quadrupled since 2003, adding more than $5 billion to our economy in 2010 alone. Overall tourism rates from China are not yet as large as from Brazil, but their individual average spending in the United States is even higher -- more than $6,000 per person. With this flood of new tourists ready to inject money into our economy, our challenge is not just to keep up but to stay ahead of the curve.

"Since summer 2011, we have reduced wait times for Brazilian applicants from well over 100 days to 40 in Brazil, and from an average of 45 days to 11 in China. Coupled with the rising demand for visas in these countries, these improvements helped us issue almost 176,000 more visas in Brazil and China during the first quarter of 2012 than we did during the same period in 2011. That represents hundreds of millions of new dollars for our economy. Today, in all of our 222 visa-processing posts around the world, 70 percent of our applicants get an appointment in less than three weeks.

"Now, more than ever, delivering economic renewal at home is a top priority for our diplomats around the world. Whether it means promoting new markets for U.S. firms or better positioning them to compete for international contracts, through Secretary Clinton's economic statecraft agenda, we're ensuring American businesses continue to keep their global edge. Central to that effort is a clear and forceful message to the world America welcomes you, and welcomes the jobs you will bring to the American people."

Related Content: Visa Information | Visa Pilot Program | White House Blog -- #visitUS: Americans Share What Makes Their Hometown a Great Place To Visit]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/delivering_jobs_with_international_tourism/ 2012-02-07T22:57:10+00:00
In her opening remarks, the Secretary told the activists that "helping to promote and protect the inalienable human rights of Roma everywhere is a long-standing personal commitment of mine, and it is a stated foreign policy priority of this Administration." As part of that commitment, the Secretary announced that the United States will join the Decade of Roma Inclusion as an official observer. But what is the Decade of Roma Inclusion, and what is it trying to accomplish?

The "Decade" is an effort by European governments, to improve opportunities for Roma to participate in the political, social, economic, and cultural lives of their communities. Launched in Sofia on 2005, it is an unprecedented collaboration between governments, international organizations, and civil society groups committed to closing the gap in welfare and living conditions between Roma and non-Roma populations, as well as putting an end to the cycle of poverty and exclusion that plagues so many European Roma communities. Participating governments are asked to reallocate resources to achieve results, often using additional funding instruments of multinational, international, and bilateral donors.

As the Secretary noted, there are not only moral concerns when minorities like the Roma are excluded, but there is also a cost to European countries from the loss of human potential when they don't fully integrate women or minorities of any kind. So the efforts of the twelve countries currently taking part in the Decade, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Spain are important not only for the Roma, but for the countries as a whole. All of these countries have significant Roma minorities, and each country has developed a national Decade Action Plan that specifies goals and indicators in key areas. International partners include the World Bank, the United Nations Development Program, the Council of Europe, and UNICEF.

In her closing remarks at the roundtable, Secretary Clinton urged governments throughout Europe to continue their efforts to address the plight of Roma, to end discrimination and ensure equality of opportunity in education, employment, housing and other aspects. "I wish to make clear today to Roma people, to civil society groups, and to governments working on this issue across Europe, that the United States is very concerned and interested and will stand with you as a partner."

My colleagues and I in the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) will serve as the primary contact point for the Decade Secretariat moving forward. As an observer nation, the United States will continue its vigorous support for Roma Decade goals. Having observer status is an important way we can engage governments and provide feedback and perspective on the Decade initiatives.

The young Roma professionals that met with the Secretary remind us that barriers can be broken even when they stretch across time and borders. Our job in DRL will be to continue working with Roma civil society, activists, and with the countries themselves until the full integration of the Roma people into the societies and nations where they reside is achieved.

For more information about the United States government's engagement on human rights, visit www.HumanRights.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/roma_inclusion/ 2012-02-07T16:56:16+00:00
It is estimated that 100 to 140 million women globally have undergone this procedure and three million girls are at risk every year. Cutting is often performed by untrained practitioners, employing no anesthesia and often using such instruments as broken glass, tin lids, scissors, or unsterilized razors. In addition to causing intense pain and psychological trauma, the procedure carries with it severe short and long-term health risks: including hemorrhaging; infection, including increased risk of HIV transmission; birth complications; and even death. Remarkably, some people still defend this practice as part of a cultural or religious tradition. But as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stressed, violence toward women and girls isn't cultural -- it's criminal.

The United States has supported efforts to abandon this egregious practice since the early 1990s, and considers it not only a public health issue, but a violation of women's rights and dignity. Here are a few examples of our advocacy and funding:

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) addresses prevention of female genital mutilation and cutting in humanitarian settings and works to raise awareness of the need to reduce the practice of gender-based violence and FGM/C. PRM also supports some targeted activities to prevent female genital mutilation/cutting in Somali and Sudanese refugee populations. For example, in Kenya, we provide resources to NGO partners to promote awareness and prevention of female genital mutilation/cutting by supporting community based organizations including men's groups, youth groups, women's groups, and religious leaders. Other projects promote social and economic empowerment of women and girls to reduce the risk of exposure to gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation/cutting, while educating participants on the impact of harmful traditional practices.

In northern Ethiopia, PRM supports an awareness-raising program for women and girls living in Shimelba and My'Ayni refugee camps, including through discussions with girls, women, boys, and men on gender based violence-related topics -- including female genital mutilation/cutting -- and a Girls' Wellness Week, which promotes adolescent girls' health through a coming-of-age ceremony that does not include the procedure.

In Egypt, the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues provides support to an organization working to address and prevent violence against women, including female genital mutilation/cutting, in select Cairo communities. The project provides training and capacity building for survivor advocacy and mental health training for health care providers, community leaders and volunteers. The Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor are also funding an NGO working in northern Iraq to support a multidimensional program composed of integrated victim services and a successful educational campaign for village residents and political and religious leaders that has led to the first of its kind declaration of a village being "Female Genital Mutilation Free" in Iraq.

USAID has supported similar projects in many countries including Egypt, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Djibouti, and Burkina Faso, among others. All projects addressing female genital mutilation/cutting supported by USAID are culturally sensitive and are integrated with health, economic, social, or democracy and governance programs. USAID programs are community-based, involving work with community and religious leaders as well as women's groups, men, and youth to advance the quality and effectiveness of our efforts and to improve conditions that will lead to abandonment of the practice of female genital mutilation/cutting.

Among the best-known programs are those carried out by the NGO Tostan, which made the case that the procedure was detrimental to the health of the future mothers of Senegal and was able to convince tribal and religious leaders to join its cause. Tostan understood that community based approaches involving men, boys, religious leaders, and all members of society are the only way to achieve lasting support against mutilation. In fact, community advocates have found that when men come to understand the physical and psychological trauma FGM/C causes, they often become the most effective activists for eradication, including fathers that unequivocally refuse to allow their daughters to be subjected to the procedure. Communities must act collectively to abandon the practice, so that girls or their families who opt out do not jeopardize marriage prospects or become social outcasts. We are encouraged to see that this approach has led some 6,000 communities across Africa to abandon the practice, usually through some form of public declaration. In the past, the Egyptian Ministry of Women and Children worked to organize renunciation ceremonies in which entire communities agreed not to continue the procedure in the interest of the good health of the women and girls in the community.

We hope that the support of governments and international donors -- along with the many men and women around the world who denounce this practice -- will overturn deeply entrenched social norms that are not only harmful to women and girls, but to our communities and societies.

Stay connected with the Office of Global Women's Issues on Facebook and Twitter, and the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration on Facebook.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/zero_tolerance_fgm_2012/ 2012-02-06T20:41:01+00:00 More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Germany and Bulgaria on February 3-5, 2012. In Munich, Germany, Secretary Clinton held bilateral meetings with her European and other counterparts and participated in the 48th Munich Security Conference. This annual event brings together global leaders to discuss common security challenges. In her address to the Conference, the Secretary reaffirmed the fundamental importance of the transatlantic relationship and Europe's role as an essential partner in addressing global security challenges.

"Europe is and remains America's partner of first resort. I have now traveled to Europe 27 times as Secretary of State. President Obama has visited 10 times. And wherever America is working to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, to fight disease, to help nations on the difficult journey from dictatorship to democracy, we are side by side with our friends in Europe," Secretary Clinton said.

The Secretary continued, "Today's transatlantic community is not just a defining achievement of the century behind us. It is indispensable to the world we hope to build together in the century ahead. Here in Munich, it is not enough to reaffirm old commitments. The world around us is fast transforming, and America and Europe need a forward-leaning agenda to deal with the challenges we face."

In Munich, Secretary Clinton also met with women leaders, with whom she discussed the first-ever U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security. Secretary Clinton said, "...The national action plan represents a fundamentally different way for the United States to do business. It is really trying to lay out a new approach in our diplomatic, military, and development support to women in areas of conflict, and to ensure that their perspectives and that considerations of gender are always part of how the United States approaches peace processes, conflict prevention, the protection of civilians, humanitarian assistance."

The Secretary traveled to Sofia, Bulgaria on February 5, to meet with senior Bulgarian officials and discuss a range of issues, including democratic transitions in the Middle East, our ongoing support for Afghanistan, energy security, and our bilateral cooperation in international law enforcement. After her meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Secretary Clinton said:

"The prime minister and I just had a very productive meeting. It underscored the depth and range of the partnership between us. As NATO allies, Bulgaria and the United States work side by side around the world to address critical issues, from ensuring a successful transition in Afghanistan to keeping the peace in Kosovo, to diversifying and securing our energy supplies, including in the nuclear sector. We are partners in helping to advance Bulgaria's energy independence and security and in protecting the beautiful Bulgarian environment.... Our excellent cooperation has helped to deter, detect, and stop trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials. Our joint counternarcotics investigations have seized over $3 million in illegal assets. Our law enforcement partnership has led to the arrest of hackers conducting international fraud schemes. I want to commend the law enforcement arms of the government, as well as the government itself -- for being a very effective leader in these kinds of efforts, addressing critical problems that affect, not just Bulgaria and the region, but indeed the world."

In Bulgaria, Secretary Clinton held a roundtable with young Roma professionals. During their discussion, Secretary Clinton said, "...One of the pieces of unfinished business is the full integration of the Roma people into the societies and nations where they reside. For too long, Roma citizens have been marginalized and isolated, prevented from contributing their talents and participating in their societies. This is a critical matter of human rights, and it affects millions of men, women, and children across the continent."

You can read more about the Secretary's travel on www.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/europe_essential_partner_global_security/ 2012-02-06T16:39:19+00:00 statement, State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland said:

"We, along with several other diplomatic missions, conveyed our security concerns to the Syrian government but the regime failed to respond adequately. Ambassador Ford has left Damascus but he remains the United States Ambassador to Syria and its people. As the President's representative, he will continue his work and engagement with the Syrian people as head of our Syria team in Washington. Together with other senior U.S. officials, Ambassador Ford will maintain contacts with the Syrian opposition and continue our efforts to support the peaceful political transition which the Syrian people have so bravely sought."

The United States warns U.S. citizens against travel to Syria and recommends that U.S. citizens in Syria depart immediately. The Department continues to reach out to U.S. citizens we believe remain in Syria. Please direct inquiries regarding U.S. citizens in Syria to SyriaEmergencyUSC@state.gov. Callers in the United States and Canada may dial the toll free number 1-888-407-4747. Callers outside the United States and Canada may dial 1-202-501-4444. Go to travel.state.gov for the latest information.

Effective immediately, the Polish government, acting through its embassy in Damascus, serves as protecting power for U.S. interests in Syria. Only emergency services for U.S. citizens are available. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the United States are issued in Damascus. For emergency assistance, U.S. citizens should contact the Polish Embassy at 963 954 666 693 or damaszek.usint@msz.gov.pl.

In a statement, U.S. Ambassador to Poland Lee Feinstein said, "I thank our trusted Polish allies and friends for assuming this important responsibility in support of America and its citizens. On behalf President Obama and Secretary Clinton, I thank President Komorowski, Prime Minister Tusk, Foreign Minister Sikorski, and the people of Poland for this act of friendship and solidarity."]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/embassy_operations_in_syria/ 2012-02-06T13:46:05+00:00 More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map

The 48th Annual Munich Security Conference took place February 3-5, 2012, in Munich, Germany. In this video from the U.S.-European Media Hub, U.S. Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany Philip D. Murphy notes that this year marks the first-ever participation by two U.S. Cabinet officials in this event. Ambassador Murphy also describes how the conference has changed over the years, but points out that "one thing that hasn't changed over 48 years is how important the American role is, and how importantly we take that role."

During the conference, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said, "...I have now traveled to Europe 27 times as Secretary of State. President Obama has visited ten times. So when President Obama says that Europe remains the cornerstone of our engagement with the world, those are not just reassuring words; that is the reality. Europe is our partner of first resort."

Secretary Clinton also addressed recent developments in Syria. She said, "Here in Munich, I have had productive discussions with a number of my counterparts concerning a list of critical issues. One that kept coming up is the ongoing violence in Syria. As a bankrupt regime clings to power by shelling its own people in their homes, we have seen a living nightmare play out in the city of Homs. It's a nightmare that has been repeated across Syria over these past many months. Almost 30 days -- almost 30 years to the day after the infamous Hama massacre, the international community must send Assad a clear message: By repeating the horrors of Syria's past, you have lost your place in Syria's future."

More information about the Munich Security Conference may be found here. You can read Secretary Clinton's remarks at the conference here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/munich_security_conference/ 2012-02-05T17:39:26+00:00 Champions of Change. These leaders are helping to build stronger neighborhoods in communities across the United States, and are working to mobilize networks across borders to address global challenges.

Prior to the event, I had the pleasure of hosting these remarkable individuals for lunch at the State Department, with support from the International diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA). Throughout our lunchtime conversation, I was continually struck by the passion, expertise, insight, and personal commitment of each and every Champion, who traveled from California, Ohio, Minneapolis, Boston, and elsewhere to share their stories with us.

Later, as I listened to their powerful narratives, I was once again reminded of the power of diaspora communities, and of the dynamic partnership role they must play in our diplomacy and development efforts. They truly are some of our best ambassadors and partners in diplomacy.

As Secretary Clinton has said, diaspora communities are often the "first-movers" beating institutions to local challenges -- whether via humanitarian response, or investment opportunities, or even non-traditional means of engagement such as arts or sports.

Through IdEA, we are committed to celebrating and supporting the efforts of changemakers like these outstanding individuals, who are innovating, investing, and promoting development and diplomacy in their American communities and their communities of origin.

If you missed the event live stream, I encourage you to watch the video, and to read the biographies and blog posts highlighting these extraordinary individuals.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/american_diaspora_leaders_horn_of_africa/ 2012-02-03T23:10:51+00:00 Arms Control, Verification and Compliance Rose E. Gottemoeller delivered the opening statement for the United States on the progress on arms control and disarmament that has been made over the course of the past year.

Assistant Secretary Gottemoeller said, "The New START Treaty entered into force on February 5, 2011.… The treaty represents a strong foundation for further bilateral reductions and an important step on the path towards a world without nuclear weapons. Discussions between our two governments on the next steps are underway."

Assistant Secretary Gottemoeller also discussed beginning negotiations on a Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT). She said, "If the CD fails to deliver an FMCT negotiation this year, we will again have shirked our responsibility to move forward towards a world without nuclear weapons…. We recognize that this is a crucial year for the CD as an institution and that the UN General Assembly is monitoring our progress closely. Let's seize the opportunity to make real progress here and restore the vibrancy of this once vital institution. Business as usual is a recipe for disaster."

On February 3-4, 2012, global leaders gather for the 48th Munich Security Conference, an annual event that addresses common security challenges. The 2012 Munich Security Conference agenda includes a broad range of issues. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will address the conference, where she will reaffirm the fundamental importance of the transatlantic relationship and Europe's role as an essential partner in addressing global security challenges. You can follow her travel to Germany on state.gov's trip page as well as on Facebook and Twitter.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/potw_advancing_international_security/ 2012-02-03T22:16:13+00:00
Pacific Partnership, created in response to the terrible tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people in 2004, will carry out its seventh annual mission from May to September of this year. The program was developed by the U.S. Navy, but has become a demonstrable example of the “whole of government” approach to American policy in the Pacific, including participation by the Department of State, USAID, NOAA, and all branches of the U.S. military. It strongly supports three key areas identified by Secretary Clinton in her Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR) presented in 2010: global health, climate change, and humanitarian assistance.

As in 2010, the USNS Mercy, one of America's premier hospital ships, will serve as the platform for up to 1,000 medical, engineering, technical, and administrative personnel, including several hundred volunteers. Japan will provide a companion ship in two locations -- Philippines and Vietnam -- with complete medical teams, helicopters, and Japanese volunteer organizations. Japan and New Zealand are two countries which have put Pacific Partnership training and cooperation to practical use at home over the past two years, and know how critical these exercises are during non-crisis periods. By agreement, every Pacific Partnership mission will abort the planned exercises and steam for an actual emergency if tragedy should strike the South Pacific during the scheduled mission.

Commodore Morgan and a small team of planners will visit the four host nations beginning the week of February 6, meeting with U.S. Embassy personnel in each country and with national and local leaders in the locations where PP12 will conduct medical, engineering, and other humanitarian exercises and subject matter exchanges (SME). There is still a great deal of work to accomplish before the Mercy sets sail from San Diego at the beginning of May.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/pp2012_mpc/ 2012-02-03T17:37:59+00:00 L'Aquila Joint Statement on Global Food Security, agreeing to "to act with the scale and urgency needed to achieve sustainable global food security."

This marked a turning point for international efforts to achieve food security worldwide. Leaders committed to a take a comprehensive approach to ensure food security, coordinate effectively, support country-owned processes and plans, engage multilateral institutions in advancing efforts to promote food security, and deliver on sustained and accountable commitments.

This year marks the final year of AFSI donor governments' pledge to mobilize over $22 billion toward global food security over three years, of which the United States pledged $3.5 billion. Food security is a critical priority as it is closely linked to economic growth, social progress, political stability, and peace.

In the United States, this pledge is embodied in Feed the Future, the U.S. government's global hunger and food security initiative. Taking a uniquely comprehensive approach to food security by investing in entire agricultural value chains, from seeds to markets to consumers, Feed the Future is the largest investment in agricultural development the United States has made in decades. Beyond improving farm and ranch production, Feed the Future also works with underserved agricultural workers, and prioritizes improvements in their nutrition as well as their income. Women producers are supported within FTF programs through several mechanisms including innovation funds to develop technology appropriate to them, and diversification programs that improve nutrition, specifically targeting the 1,000 day window from pregnancy through a child's second birthday. Adequate nutrition during this window is critical to a healthy pregnancy, and developing a child's lifetime cognitive and physical capacity.

AFSI participants convene twice annually to review progress toward meeting commitments, including financial pledges, and to discuss best practices and lessons learned. The first AFSI meeting of 2012 brings together over 50 food security officials from 30 countries, and international and regional organizations. Participants have heard from civil society and partner countries, and will discuss coordination efforts between partner and donor governments, investments in research to improve food security, tracking progress toward meeting the L'Aquila commitments, and using Managing for Development Results to enhance the impact of investments in food security.

AFSI members are making good progress in committing funds to fulfill their financial pledges, but we have much work ahead to achieve sustainable global food security.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/keeping_promises_food_security/ 2012-02-03T15:23:05+00:00 More: Interactive Travel Map | Background Briefing En Route Munich

On February 3-5, 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is on travel to Germany and Bulgaria. In Germany, Secretary Clinton will participate in the 48th Munich Security Conference. This annual event brings together global leaders to discuss common security challenges. In her address to the Conference, the Secretary will reaffirm the fundamental importance of the transatlantic relationship and Europe's role as an essential partner in addressing global security challenges. While in Munich the Secretary will also hold bilateral meetings with her European and other counterparts.

The Secretary will travel to Sofia, Bulgaria, February 5, to meet with senior Bulgarian officials and discuss a range of issues, including democratic transitions in the Middle East, our ongoing support for Afghanistan, energy security and our bilateral cooperation in international law enforcement.

Follow the Secretary's travel on www.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_germany_bulgaria/ 2012-02-03T11:59:24+00:00
Just last week, on January 27, the world remembered the victims of the Holocaust on the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This week, while still remembering the victims, we sat down to discuss how to make "Never Again" a reality.

The morning started with a welcoming address from Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO. She highlighted the point that as the world becomes more interconnected and a new global history begins to emerge, it is necessary that the Holocaust be part of this global awareness and that the world understand how the Jewish history of the Holocaust has shaped our present.

Following Bokova's remarks, we spent the day learning from experts who discussed how to shape this global history so that the mistakes of our past do not become the mistakes of our present. Yehuda Bauer of Hebrew University stressed in his remarks that the Holocaust could have been avoided. Not in 1939, however, when world attention only slowly and belatedly began to pay attention to Hitler; rather, the Holocaust could only have been avoided earlier, by a coalition of the willing who saw the writing on the walls and stood up before it was too late.

Later in the day, we discussed more thoroughly what that writing on the walls looked like, how it could have been stopped, and how such warning signs need to be taught to our children. Francois Masabo of the National University of Rwanda explained that every genocide, even a spontaneous genocide like the one in Rwanda, is planned. It is planned through propaganda, derogatory comments that become common and acceptable, and the language of inferiority and dehumanization. These lessons must be part of our Holocaust education -- the bystander who adds to a culture of hate is not a bystander at all.

I had the honor to be a part of the last panel with UNESCO's new Special Envoy for Holocaust Education, Samuel Pisar. Together, we spoke about the challenges of creating age-appropriate curricula. And, more so, how, if we really are going to do this correctly, these curricula need to not only be for our schools, but for our civic leaders, military, journalists, and our communities. As Mark Richmond, Director of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development at UNESCO said in closing, "Holocaust education in our schools alone will not solve the problem; the whole society must become a school for us to succeed."

I'm so grateful I was able to be a part of this conversation and this Administration's strong support for and contribution to UNESCO's Holocaust Education program. Be sure to read President Obama's statement and Secretary Clinton's statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

I look forward to continuing to work together to make "Never Again" a reality.

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. Stay connected with Special Envoy Rosenthal on Facebook and Twitter. For more on the U.S. government(tm)s engagement on human rights, visit www.humanrights.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/unesco_education_holocaust/ 2012-02-02T23:18:12+00:00 page. We salute the world's wetlands for their beauty and many critical benefits to humankind. Happy World Wetlands Day 2012!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/world_wetlands_day_photo/ 2012-02-02T16:16:25+00:00 21st Century Statecraft -- complementing traditional foreign policy tools with newly innovated and adapted instruments of statecraft that fully leverage the networks, technologies, and demographics of our interconnected world.

Today marks the end of "21st Century Statecraft Month" at that State Department -- an entire month dedicated to using new tools and engaging new networks in pursuit of addressing today's challenges. During the month, I had the privilege to speak with a group of journalists and bloggers during a Live at State video web chat, the Department's interactive "virtual press briefing" platform. As the journalists, bloggers, and I discussed, we at the Department of State, much like many others, are learning and adapting to a world that's becoming increasingly disrupted, both for good and for ill, by social media. What we're seeking to do here, under the leadership of Secretary Clinton, is to keep pace, to listen, to learn, and to experiment. Hopefully, we've accomplished a little bit of each of those during the month of 21st Century Statecraft.

For starters, the Secretary's Office of Innovation and the Office of the Chief of Protocol hosted more than 100 members of the diplomatic corps to discuss online movements and social media. Ambassador Dino Djalal of Indonesia served as a special guest speaker and shared with his colleagues how he is effectively using Twitter to communicate foreign policy initiatives.

In addition, State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland held the Department's first-ever "Twitter Briefing," answering your questions gathered from the Department's 11 official Twitter accounts. As part of that effort, the Bureau of Public Affairs launched the Department's official Turkish-language Twitter account (@ABDTurk), which complements U.S. Mission Turkey's existing social media outreach and represents the U.S. commitment to building a strong partnership with the government and people of Turkey. @ABDTurk joins the 10 other official feeds in Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu.

Some other highlights from the month include:

· Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Michael Posner delivered keynote remarks on January 17 at the 8th annual State of the Net Conference. Two years after Secretary Clinton first addressed global Internet freedom as a core policy priority, the Assistant Secretary reflected on the challenges and responsibilities of the public and private sector to advance a free and open Internet.

· Director of Policy Planning Jake Sullivan outlined U.S. foreign policy priorities for 2012 during a Live at State video web chat.

· Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Esther Brimmer delivered remarks at the launch of "Teaching Respect for All," UNESCO's curriculum development program that promotes anti-racism and tolerance. U.S. Special Representative to Muslim Communities Farah Pandith, U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Hannah Rosenthal, and other State Department officials joined a live web chat and Tweet-Up held in coordination with the event. You can join the ongoing discussion on Twitter by following the hashtag, #Dignity4All.

· Ambassador Ivo Daalder, Ambassador David Huebner, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Ann Stock, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Mike Hammer, and the U.S. Missions to Haiti, New Zealand, and NATO held Twitter Q&A's to discuss various U.S. foreign policy issues.

· The U.S. Department of State launched My State Department, an optional interface on www.state.gov that allows users to customize the information they see on the website. This gives the public the opportunity to follow the issues that matter most to them -- ranging from food security to global women's issues.

Many thanks to all who participated in 21st Century Statecraft Month; we have been greatly encouraged by the positive response. As we continue to forge U.S. digital diplomacy, we hope you will continue to be a part of the conversation and stay tuned to www.state.gov, the DipNote blog, @StateDept on Twitter and the U.S. Department of State's official Facebook page for additional engagements throughout 2012.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/21st_century_statecraft_continuing_the_conversation/ 2012-02-02T04:14:50+00:00
The launch of two groundbreaking initiatives -- the Business Leadership Council and the Social Media Syndicate -- will marshal the power of the private sector, converging business acumen, technology, and other assets to support country-led efforts to prevent new infant infections and save mothers' lives.

This exceptional commitment by the private sector stems from the Global Plan towards the Elimination of New Pediatric Infections and Keeping Mothers Alive, launched last year by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and UNAIDS. The Plan's central goal is to reduce the number of new pediatric infections by 90 percent by 2015 in the 22 countries carrying 90 percent of the global burden of vertical transmission. The science is clear -- achieving a generation born HIV-free is possible. It is a smart investment that will save lives and pay dividends in many of the world's emerging economies.

I am proud to note that in 2011 alone, PEPFAR 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 results of any year in PEPFAR's eight-year history.

Everyone has a role to play. By working together with the private sector, we will enhance our collective impact. Leaders in business and the media have unique core competencies that only they can bring to this effort. I commend these business and media leaders for their commitment and partnership. I also encourage other companies to join this effort, and hope that other sectors will similarly pledge to do more, and do it smarter.

As we have learned from 30 years of struggle, extraordinary things happen when we work together. By uniting around our common humanity and our shared responsibility, we can change, not just the course of the epidemic, but the course of history for families and communities around the world.

Ambassador Eric Goosby serves as the United States Global AIDS Coordinator, leading all U.S. Government international HIV/AIDS efforts. In this role, Ambassador Goosby oversees implementation of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), as well as U.S. Government engagement with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

For more information on PEPFAR, visit: www.pepfar.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PEPFAR and Twitter at www.twitter.com/PEPFAR.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/eliminate_pediatric_aids/ 2012-02-01T15:30:29+00:00
As we mark that moment, when Lincoln sent to the states a document ending slavery, we note also that the 13th Amendment wasn't merely a moment in our nation's history. It was a promise: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude… shall exist." Not then. Not ever. Today, a century and a half later, the work to deliver on that promise continues.

Trafficking in persons, a modern-day form of slavery, victimizes as many as 27 million people whether through forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation. It is a crime that affects every country in the world.

That's why the Obama Administration continues to make this struggle a priority. Next month, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will chair the annual meeting of the President's Interagency Task Force on Trafficking in Persons, bringing together leaders from across government to share accomplishments and strategic objectives in fulfilling our long-held promise.

Across the country, law enforcement and criminal justice organizations are strengthening their response to this crime by improving victim identification, providing more comprehensive services to survivors, and delivering traffickers the justice they deserve. Nearly every state has adopted a modern, comprehensive anti-trafficking law that approaches this crime with the victim-centered 3P Paradigm of prevention, protection, and prosecution (including Indiana, where just two days ago Governor Daniels signed a law toughening penalties for sex trafficking).

But just as modern slavery doesn't exist solely within our borders, the 13th Amendment doesn't stand alone as a promise to bring an end to this ancient crime. Look no further than Article 4 of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights: "slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms." This isn't just a problem at home, and we aren't alone in this struggle.

That's why the President and Secretary Clinton have made the fight against modern slavery -- the legacy of National Freedom Day and the 13th Amendment -- an important component of our foreign policy. The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP) engages governments around the world and assesses global efforts to combat this crime in the annual Trafficking in Persons Report.

Likewise, the TIP Office is at the forefront of diplomatic engagement. Last month, following Secretary Clinton's historic visit, I traveled to Burma to meet with government officials. We discussed positive steps forward in addressing modern slavery in that country as well as the potential for future progress.

That trip -- that sort of engagement -- is essential, because trafficking in persons is a threat to stability. It devastates communities, breeds corruption, and hinders our interests around the world.

But, just as important, we carry that promise of freedom around the world because it's part of who we are as a nation. Because Lincoln signed his name to the 13th Amendment -- because those men and women laid a wreath before the Liberty Bell 70 years ago -- our work today seeks not only to honor that solemn commitment for all those who once endured exploitation, but to deliver on that promise of freedom for all whose suffering we are determined to end.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/national_freedom_day_2012/ 2012-02-01T12:07:52+00:00
After an eight-hour flight on board a New York Air National Guard ski-equipped LC-130 aircraft, our Inspection Team arrived at McMurdo's Pegasus Ice Runway. It was 30 degrees with clear skies when we landed at 5:00 p.m. -- a nice summer day in Antarctica! We spent the next few days inspecting three foreign stations, installations, and equipment to assess compliance with the Antarctic Treaty and its Protocol on Environmental Protection.

The Antarctic Treaty of 1959 reserves the continent as an area exclusively for peaceful purposes. It places science at the heart of international cooperation on the continent by guaranteeing freedom of scientific research, including sharing research and information. The Treaty, which was negotiated and signed in Washington, D.C., provides the basis for the governance of Antarctica, including reserving the continent for peaceful purposes, guaranteeing freedom of scientific research, banning military activities, as well as protecting Antarctica's pristine environment. There are currently 49 parties to the Treaty, 28 of which, including the United States and Russia, conduct research on the continent and are entitled to the status of Consultative Party with the right to name inspectors.

Our Joint Inspection Team inspected three stations: Concordia (France/Italy), Mario Zucchelli (Italy), and Scott Base (New Zealand). These inspections are unique, as the Antarctic Treaty's inspection provision was precedent setting in international diplomacy and has been a cornerstone of the Treaty. It establishes the right of all Consultative Parties to conduct on-site, unannounced inspections of all installations and facilities in Antarctica, in order to monitor compliance and ensure observance of the Treaty's provisions. All three stations demonstrated best practices that could be emulated elsewhere on the continent. For instance, the joint management of Concordia provides a unique example of how countries can collaborate to maximize the scientific potential of a station in a remote location. New Zealand recently installed wind turbines at Scott Base that generate almost all of its power with renewable energy.

The United States and Russia will jointly present the results of our inspection to the other Treaty Parties at the annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, which will be held in Australia in June.

The United States and Russian Federation conduct some of the most extensive and diverse scientific activities in Antarctica. The United States maintains three permanent stations, including the only year-round scientific station at the South Pole, and has more personnel based in Antarctica than any other country. U.S. research has three goals: to understand the region and its ecosystems; to understand its effects on (and responses to) global processes such as climate; and to use the region as a platform to study the upper atmosphere and space.

Working closely with our Russian colleagues has provided an excellent opportunity to consider our shared objectives for the future of peace and science in Antarctica and globally. We look forward to building upon this cooperation with further collaboration in the future.

The Department of State coordinates U.S. policy on Antarctica in close cooperation with the National Science Foundation, which operates the U.S. Antarctic Program and the three year-round U.S. stations in Antarctica, and with other federal agencies. This is the thirteenth inspection undertaken by the United States since the Antarctic Treaty entered into force.

More information about U.S. Antarctic policy and Antarctic governance can be found on the Department of State's website and that of the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat.

Stay connected with OES on Facebook.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/us_russia_joint_antarctic_inspection/ 2012-01-31T17:22:25+00:00 opinion piece that appears today on The Daily Beast website. In the piece, Ambassador Verveer and Ms. Azzarelli underscore why the global economy needs the "other 51 percent." The text of their article follows below.

"Businesses are starting to understand what development experts have long known: investing in women pays dividends. Women are more likely than men to put their income back into their communities, driving illiteracy and mortality rates down and GDP up.

"Now a corporate revolution is at hand, one that is moving beyond philanthropy, making women partners in business at all levels. This was an important theme at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, which hosted a plenary session entitled 'Women as the Way Forward' on the potential impact of women on the global economy. On February 1, some of the most powerful companies in the United States (Accenture, Coca-Cola, Ernst and Young, Goldman Sachs, and others) are signing on to a worldwide campaign to bring women into the economic mainstream. The Third Billion Campaign is being launched by La Pietra Coalition -- an alliance including corporations, governments, and nonprofits -- to enable one billion women to become members of the global economy by 2025. The campaign's title comes from the notion that over the next decade, the impact of women will be at least as significant as that of China's and India's respective one-billion-plus populations.

"Bringing women into businesses creates what Michael Porter and Mark Kramer of Harvard Business School call 'shared value' -- it helps companies while helping communities too. Consumer-product businesses have quickly understood the benefits: for instance, bypassing retail and hiring women to build person-to-person distribution channels for everything from cosmetics to beverages. More recently, companies have found it especially effective when the purchaser needs to be educated on the product being sold, be it a mobile sonogram machine, an energy lantern, or a cookstove. Women can also be the best innovators of the products they use and sell, sometimes transforming their communities with something as small as the knowledge of the optimal use of a household's single electric light.

"The rewards are clear. Avon, for example, gives more than six million women in more than 100 countries the opportunity to start their own businesses; these entrepreneurs serve as Avon's main sales force, resulting in more than $10 billion in revenue. Similarly Unilever has invested in 45,000 underprivileged Indian entrepreneurs, mostly women, in more than 100,000 villages through microfinance and training -- a strategy that accounts for five percent of the company's total revenue in India. Recently, Walmart has pledged to source more than $20 billion from women-owned companies in the United States alone, and Coca-Cola announced a program, 5 By 20, to support five million women entrepreneurs globally by 2020. The benefits of women in upper management have also been shown: a recent Catalyst survey found a strong correlation between gender diversity in the leadership ranks of a business and that business's economic performance.

''There is no doubt,' Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said, 'that the increasing numbers of women in the economy ... has helped fuel significant growth everywhere. And economies that are making the shift more effectively and rapidly are dramatically outperforming those that have not'."]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/verveer_oped_invest_in_women/ 2012-01-30T16:39:05+00:00
I half-heartedly offered to get out and help push the car, but our clever driver managed to liberate our vehicle before I could pull off my armored vest and declare a premature defeat. As it turns out, I'm glad he did. Because I will never forget my walk through that field, where I watched unbelievably brave young women and men undertake some of the most dangerous work in the world -- with tools as small as a toothbrush and as simple as a pick -- in an effort to make the land safe for their neighbors and families. To date, the approximately 1,000 Sri Lankan employees of The HALO Trust have cleared 108,000 anti-personnel mines by hand. In 2011 alone, The HALO Trust's survey teams responded to 915 reports from local communities of unexploded ordnance, recovering over 6,000 items such as grenades, mortars and rockets.

Another amazing demining fact? It turns out there aren't any fancy scanners or high-tech mine removal gadgets that can compete with old-fashioned sweat, discipline, and patience when it comes to picking mines out of the ground. Our HALO hosts showed us how each employee is assigned his or her own lane, about a meter wide and cordoned off with string. I watched as young war widow (one of nearly 250 women employed at HALO) ran a simple metal detector over a thin strip of land. We didn't have to wait long before we heard the high-pitched whir indicating a metal object was in the ground just inches away from her plastic face guard. She carefully put down the detector, picked up a small hoe, and began digging fearlessly toward the offending area.

Katy Bondy, my guide, leaned over and whispered through her plastic mask: "Very exciting!"

"Yes," I whispered, as I slowly inched behind her. As luck would have it, our deminer unearthed a bottle cap.

I continued gingerly across the field to the remnants of a destroyed home. Several meters away, tattered yellow skull-and-crossbones warning tape divided HALO's field from a tarp home on the other side. The ruined home before me belonged to the family living under that tarp. It was clearly once a sturdy stone structure with steps leading to a raised floor and a hand-built well nearby. The house, yard and well were dotted with red stakes indicating where HALO had located and removed mines -- just below the last step leading down from the house, for example, or under the patch of ground where a child would stand to draw water from the well.

Looking across the field of red stakes, it was hard not to wonder what was left underground -- not just in this field, but across all of Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka. Landmines, of course, do so much more than kill and maim people. They cast a chilling shadow upon agricultural efforts, emotional and psychological healing, economic development and community cohesion. Their removal is essential to all other efforts that NGOs or the Sri Lankan government undertake in the area. It was humbling to spend an hour experiencing the kind of fear that Sri Lankans in Kilinochchi live with every day: the fear of uncertain ground.

The State Department is a proud funder of The HALO Trust in Sri Lanka. If you would like to learn more, please visit HALO's website.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/halo_trust_demining_site/ 2012-01-30T00:53:46+00:00
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has made 21st Century Statecraft, or using digital networks to advance America's interests around the world, a key part of our foreign policy approach.

So we're continually asking ourselves as we look at our foreign policy priorities -- how can innovation help us do this better, faster, and more economically? This week, asking those questions resulted in the Department's announcement of the launch of our Turkish-language Twitter account @ABDTurk, joining the Department's 10 official feeds in Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu.

Our Ambassador to Turkey Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr. explained the rationale -- the U.S. relationship with Turkey is a high priority and we are always seeking to expand the ways in which we can inform and engage with the people of Turkey. Social media offered us a way to do that in real time with much broader reach than we could ever hope for with traditional shoe leather public diplomacy.

Social media also offers a powerful way for the State Department to listen to foreign publics and better understand their needs and aspirations. That's why we're reaching out directly to citizens across the world as Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland takes questions from the public selected from those 10 official Twitter accounts using the hashtag #AskState and holding a Twitter briefing each Friday during the month of January for the Department's 21st Century Statecraft month -- an opportunity to showcase the ways in which our diplomats in Washington and our embassies overseas use social and digital media every day to speak directly with people about U.S. policy.

The Twitter briefing enables us to shorten the distance between people around the world and right here in the United States and get a response directly from the spokesperson's podium on the foreign policy issues about which they care the most.

We do face a continually evolving set of choices as we forge new ground. Yet we are leveraging these online tools, because we know that Internet will be what we and others make of it. Secretary Clinton has delivered three major addresses on Internet freedom in three years. Her first major address focusing on the topic, on January 21, 2010, made history by declaring that the universal human rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association apply online as they do offline. She also pronounced that promoting those rights online would be a U.S. foreign policy priority. As the Secretary rightfully acknowledged, there are many other networks in the world, but the Internet is a network that magnifies all others -- and we believe its users should be assured certain basic freedoms.

The U.S. International Strategy for Cyberspace has guided our efforts in this arena, affirming the United States' commitment to work internationally to promote an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable information and communications infrastructure that supports international trade and commerce, strengthens international security, and fosters free expression and innovation.

We are reshaping our diplomatic and development agendas by deploying one of the United States' greatest assets -- innovation. Whether they are advancing Internet freedom or connecting women entrepreneurs in West Africa or responding to the devastating earthquake that struck Japan, our diplomats and development professionals are using digital networks and technologies in service of U.S. foreign policy.

The State Department doesn't have a crystal ball. However, we do know that continuous innovation will keep us at the forefront of digital diplomacy, enabling greater, richer information sharing and engagement here at home and abroad. We also know that the old adage of innovate or die will keep us on our toes.

You can read more about our digital engagements this week, and how you can participate, here.

Editor's Note: This entry appeared first on the Huffington Post.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/forging_digital_diplomacy/ 2012-01-28T03:34:32+00:00
I had a packed schedule principally focused on outlining U.S. foreign policy priorities for 2012, including discussing the Administration's keen focus on addressing the common challenges we face in the Hemisphere through partnerships with Latin American and Caribbean countries. Together, governments throughout the Americas are working to improve citizen security, generate economic opportunity, promote energy independence, and advance democracy and human rights.

The first day, I held a roundtable with talented journalists who write for wire services and print media based in Miami. Luckily, I had had my cortado (espresso with a touch of warm milk) with my fruit-packed breakfast, as these journalists kept me on my toes with their sharp questions. I also benefited from their observations and analysis of the trends in the region. Next, I did an interview with the renowned Latin American editor and syndicated foreign affairs columnist with the Miami Herald, Andres Oppenheimer. We discussed U.S. goals for the upcoming Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia on April 14-15, economic opportunities in the region, including trade promotion and educational and technology exchanges, and U.S.-Latin America relations in general.

Our team, including our Media Hub Director Melissa Martinez, re-grouped during a lunch stop at a cafe that took me back to my Spanish roots with its delicious assortment of authentic tapas, including arroz negro -- rice in squid's ink. What's not to like? We didn't linger though, as I was whisked away to four radio "hits" starting with the engaging Julio Sanchez Cristo at Radio Caracol, a Spanish news/talk radio station owned by Grupo Latino de Radio. By the time the fourth radio interview came around, I was in a groove and enjoyed my fast-paced interview with the incredibly funny and sharp host, Agustin Acosta of Radio Actualidad, a Spanish-language AM radio station that focuses on local, national, and international news content for the Hispanic market.

The final official event of the day included a program and reception that we co-sponsored with the Center for Hemispheric Policy based at the University of Miami. I spoke about the Administration's 2012 global foreign policy priorities and took questions from a varied audience of academics, business people, students, NGOs, diplomats, and political figures. It was really neat to meet a student from “the U” (the University of Miami for non-football fans) who had just been accepted to an internship with our embassy in Australia -- I sure hope she enjoys it and decides she wants to join the Foreign Service as we are always looking for talent. My reward after an intense day was a team dinner at a terrific Caribbean restaurant, which showed off Miami's flair for big flavors, fun, and full embrace of the multiculturalism for which it is famous.

The second day, we started early with a meeting with the dynamic Program Director of the Knight Foundation. I left breakfast inspired by the foundation's innovative and cutting edge programs, and hopeful that there are numerous opportunities for collaboration. Next up: a courtesy call and interview at Radio and TV Marti, the Cuba Office of Broadcasting, followed by an interview at Univision for its leading current affairs Sunday program, "Al Punto," hosted by Jorge Ramos. The interview took me around the globe, touching on issues from Central and South America to the Middle East to back home again. Speaking of which, after two packed and productive days, I found myself back on a plane headed for home.

For more on what I discussed during my trip, here are the links to some of my Spanish language interviews: Radio La W, Univision, and Radio Caracol. You can also learn more about the work of the State Department's worldwide media hubs in this month's edition of State Magazine.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/miami_media_2012_foreign_policy/ 2012-01-27T16:58:27+00:00
"So far, I've really enjoyed Rio. I think it's a great city," Abdul-Jabbar said.

In Rio, Abdul-Jabbar started the day meeting with young people at the Rio em Forma Olimpico Project. While there, Abdul-Jabbar shared how education and English-language learning can propel young people to success.

"I had a wonderful time here today. I met a lot of really nice kids. They're very warm and open. I left them with a message and that is that education opens the door for opportunity," Abdul-Jabbar said.

From the Rio em Forma Olimpico Project, Mr. Abdul-Jabbar met with young people in the community of Alemao. With leaders from the NGO "CUFA" -- who work within the favelas to engage youth -- Mr. Abdul-Jabbar discussed his experiences growing up in Harlem and how the choice he made to pursue an education put him on the path to success -- both on and off the basketball court.

Mr. Abdul-Jabbar's service as a Global Cultural Ambassador is rooted in the strategic belief to use people-to-people diplomacy as a means to cultivate greater understanding in cultures and communities worldwide.

"In the twenty-first century in a globalized world diplomacy is no longer going to be run by embassies. It's no longer going to be run by governments. It's going to be about people. It's going to be about societies. It's going to be about connecting all of us. And this means looking for ways, for us a diplomats, to facilitate that process. And that's what we're doing here with this people-to-people diplomacy. We're building a twenty-first century diplomacy," said Ambassador Shannon.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrapped up his inaugural trip as a Global Cultural Ambassador in Rio de Janeiro this week.

Follow along on Twitter for updates and announcements as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar continues his public service as a U.S. Global Cultural Ambassador.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/cultural_ambassador_kaj33_diplomacy_brazil_rio/ 2012-01-27T14:33:48+00:00 Serving Abroad…Through Their Eyes" exhibition. The photograph shows a group of children playing soccer in the shadow of the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, India. The U.S. Department of State has a strong commitment to engaging young people worldwide and to using people-to-people diplomacy as a means to create opportunities for greater understanding, including using sports as a means of empowerment.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton recently named NBA Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the State Department's Cultural Ambassador. This week, Abdul-Jabbar kicked off his service in Salvador, Brazil, where he met and played basketball with youths at a community center. While talking to the young people about his experiences in sports, Abdul-Jabber also emphasized the importance of education. Abdul-Jabbar said, "It was very rewarding for me today to talk to the young people about their education because a lot of them didn't understand how important it is. So I was happy to remind them that their education will supplement everything that they try to do as athletes and they seemed to be open to it. They asked really interesting questions and had an open mind it seemed to what I was saying."

Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Ann Stock will participate in a Twitter Q&A at 09:30 a.m. EST on Tuesday, January 31. Assistant Secretary Stock will discuss the role of technology and social media in English language programs, exchanges, and cultural diplomacy initiatives. Submit your questions to @ConnectStateGov and @AnnatState using the hashtag #AskAnn.

Editor's Note: The "Serving Abroad…Through Their Eyes" photography contest and exhibition is a joint effort between the Department of State's Office of Art in Embassies and the Department of Defense. Any current or former military, civil, and Foreign Service officer may submit up to 10 compelling photographs from their service abroad. Submissions will be accepted now through February 20, 2012. Rules, guidelines, and entry forms can be found here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/potw_engaging_youth_worldwide/ 2012-01-27T13:08:31+00:00 Youth Ambassadors Program with Brazil. Since 2002, students chosen from Brazil's public schools for their leadership and community service have visited the United States for a three-week exchange program sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the U.S. Embassy in Brazil. During their meeting, Secretary Clinton recognized the role of youth in serving their communities. She also highlighted the United States' strong commitment to engaging young people worldwide and to using people-to-people diplomacy as a means to create opportunities for youth. You can view photos of the meeting here.

As Secretary Clinton told the Youth Ambassadors, "And because we so greatly value the relationship between the Brazilian people and the American people, we are counting on you to continue to reach out and develop your own skills and your own ambitions to make a contribution to Brazil and also to further relations between our two countries."

The Youth Ambassadors Program underscores the Secretary's priorities of engaging international youth in meaningful dialogue, fostering relationships among youth from all backgrounds, and creating networks of youth leaders. It is also an important element in advancing the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs' social inclusion agenda.

After last week's arrival in the snow -- a first experience for many -- the participants went to work on a community service project. Enthusiastic Youth Ambassadors, local citizens, and staff from partner organization World Learning cleaned a local green space and planted trees in a neighborhood in Northeast Washington, D.C. In a few short hours, the group's effort transformed the community space into a place all could enjoy. The Youth Ambassadors will return to Brazil with new skills, perspectives, and energy to get involved in service projects in their home communities. The Youth Ambassadors also participated in site meetings, learning activities, leadership training, and home visits with local families across the United States.

This year's Ambassadors used social media to share their experiences in real time. Through videos and photos, the Ambassadors' families, friends, and others in Brazil had the opportunity to experience the United States virtually, gaining a better understanding of American culture and country through the eyes of the Youth Ambassadors.

Since its inception, the program has expanded to 25 countries across the Americas to bring together high school students, ages 15-18, and adult mentors to promote mutual understanding, increase leadership skills, and prepare youth to make a difference in their communities. Exchanges are primarily from Latin America and the Caribbean to the United States, but also include delegations from the United States to select countries.

For additional details on the Youth Ambassadors Program, please visit exchanges.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_youth_ambassador_program/ 2012-01-26T21:40:00+00:00 State of the Union Address. For the first time, international audiences were able to watch the State of the Union Address live on U.S. embassy and consulate websites. The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP) streamed the speech with a new video player, placed directly on almost 300 English-language embassy and consulate websites and Facebook pages worldwide.

Our missions in Cambodia, Japan, Nepal, Thailand, and Turkey had among the highest views of the webcast, and more than 60 posts amplified the speech on social media platforms, where they engaged their online communities via Facebook and Twitter. The U.S. Mission in Melbourne noted that the hashtag #SOTU was trending on Twitter in Australia -- which demonstrates to me the interest the State of the Union Address generated overseas.

Some of our posts continued the online engagement offline by hosting viewing parties. For example, the U.S. Mission in Lahore hosted a group of Pakistani students to watch the President's remarks, and the U.S. Embassy in Accra held an event with local journalists and exchange program alumni to view and discuss the program.

The feedback we received from participants was encouraging. A group of students watching in India shared how inspired they were by the President, and a viewer in Russia said that she believed in the power of people to create change. One viewer in Iraq noted that he woke up extra early in the morning to make sure he didn't miss the President's address.

Fortunately, not everyone had to set their alarm clocks early to watch the speech! To reach the part of the world that was asleep during the live event, we are rebroadcasting the State of the Union Address today in a 24-hour loop. International audiences across all time zones will be able to see the President's remarks. This pilot program is part of our ongoing efforts to find new and innovative ways to create global conversations and connect publics around the world, a hallmark of 21st Century Statecraft.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/engaging_sotu/ 2012-01-26T03:44:08+00:00
"I didn't expect to see such a big city here in this part of Brazil. I heard about Rio de Janeiro and I've been to Sao Paulo on my first trip to Brazil. But I didn't know they had big cities out here on the coast. It's quite a place," said Abdul-Jabbar.

Meeting in a community center in the recently pacified favela, Nordeste de Amaralina, Abdul-Jabbar stressed the importance of education as a means of empowerment both within Brazil and beyond.

"It was very rewarding for me today to talk to the young people about their education because a lot of them didn't understand how important it is. So I was happy to remind them that their education will supplement everything that they try to do as athletes and they seemed to be open to it. They asked really interesting questions and had an open mind it seemed to what I was saying," said Abdul-Jabbar.

Throughout Brazil, government officials and local partners are working together to pacify favelas -- or communities -- establishing local police stations to rid these communities of drugs and violence.

Abdul-Jabbar also traveled to Calabar, another favela that has been pacified for the last nine months, the first in Salvador. After discussing the importance of education and the opportunities it provides, Abdul-Jabbar hit the basketball court to shoot hoops with the kids.

"Playing basketball with the young people like this is something that reminds me of when I was a kid. It really reminds me of when I was in grade school and high school and tried to learn the game and all of my ambitions were right out there for everybody to see," Abdul-Jabbar said.

Get updates from the road, and follow along on Twitter as Cultural Ambassador Kareem Abdul-Jabbar travels to Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Related Content: Secretary Clinton Meets With Brazilian Youth Participating in the Youth Ambassadors Program]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/cultural_ambassador_kaj33_education_brazil/ 2012-01-25T20:01:16+00:00 More: Questions Submitted on DipNote | Text Transcript

Suzan Johnson Cook, Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, held a conversation with Dr. Chris Seiple, President of the Institute for Global Engagement, on the role of religion in foreign policy. The discussion was moderated by Cheryl Benton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs. Members of the general public were invited to participate by submitting questions on DipNote, some of which were selected for response during the broadcast.

This is the twenty-third installment in the Conversations With America video series coordinated by the Bureau of Public Affairs, in which the State Department's senior leadership hosts conversations online, with leaders of prominent non-governmental organizations. The discussions provide a candid view of civil society leaders engaging the Department on pressing foreign policy issues and global issues.

View other Conversations With America by following this link and by accessing the Conversations With America video podcasts on Apple iTunes.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/cwa_religion_foreign_policy/ 2012-01-25T14:54:55+00:00 statement:

"This week, Egypt achieved several historic milestones in its transition to democracy. Yesterday, democratically-elected representatives of the People's Assembly met for the first time since Egypt's revolution, and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces transferred legislative authority to them. Today, Field Marshal Tantawi took steps to lift the state of emergency that has existed in Egypt for several decades. And tomorrow, Egyptians will commemorate the anniversary of the revolution that made Egypt's transition to democracy possible.

"We congratulate the Egyptian people and their government on these important steps toward fulfilling the promise of Egypt's revolution, which has inspired the world. While many challenges remain, Egypt has come a long way in the past year, and we hope that all Egyptians will commemorate this anniversary with the spirit of peace and unity that prevailed last January. The United States will continue to stand with the Egyptian people, and those across the region, as they defend universal values and work toward a better future for all Egyptians."]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/egypts_transition_to_democracy/ 2012-01-25T13:23:46+00:00
Across India messages travelled the TV and radio airways. Celebrities and sports legends lent their support. Rotarians urged everyone to participate, provided much needed financing, and rolled up their sleeves to help out during the campaigns. CORE and UNICEF Mobilizers spent countless hours answering mothers' questions, and in some places visited every pregnant woman to sensitize her in advance of the need for immunization. When the baby was born, the mother would then receive a "congratulations" card, an immunization card and education on how to protect the child from a range of diseases. These extraordinary efforts make a difference far beyond polio eradication.

The last polio case in India was in Howarah District of West Bengal. It was not in the "Hot 4." It was in a child who was never vaccinated against polio in the routine system. It was in an unexpected area, demonstrating the importance of a robust surveillance system. The rapid outbreak response by the West Bengal government has been exceptional. The health team in the area knows how fragile the situation is. Still, far too many families refuse vaccination, there are periodic shortages of the trivalent vaccine used in the routine system, there are vacant medical officer posts, and routine immunization sessions happen once a month rather than the needed once a week in many rural areas.

In a meeting with mobilizers and vaccinators on the day of the one year anniversary of the last case, January 13, I was asked "What are the strategies that work? What are the tricks to success?" There are no special tricks I said, it takes a candid acknowledgement of what the problems are, no matter how difficult or embarrassing that may be. It takes hard work. People here say they've worked harder for polio than anything else in their lives. It takes reaching every child, every round. It takes excellent surveillance and "whole of community" involvement.

India has made historic progress. Now everything possible must be done to sustain population immunity, assure all newborns coming into the world are vaccinated and don't lead to a large number of susceptible children, and that active searching for cases continues. India is still at risk of importations from countries that have not yet stopped polio transmission. Silent transmission and the potential for vaccine derived virus if routine immunization levels drop too low is still possible. Guarded optimism prevails.

India has a great opportunity to voice its concerns to other countries that are lagging behind. Urging other countries to take the necessary steps to fix the gaps they are facing is good for India and children everywhere. It has been a great privilege to work with so many dedicated individuals and a true demonstration that big dreams can be achieved if we all work together with good tools, strategies, commitment and willingness to identify and overcome often difficult obstacles. Just two years ago India had 741 cases. India has proved that it is possible to have rapid progress. If polio can be eradicated in India, it can be eradicated anywhere.

The U.S. government has provided $2 billion of the $9 billion spent thus far on polio eradication. USAID works in partnership with the government of India, WHO, UNICEF, Rotary and the CORE group of NGOS.

Related Entry: Eradicating Polio from India

Editor's Note: This entry was originally posted on USAID's Impact Blog.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/coordination_india_polio/ 2012-01-24T23:14:20+00:00
Collecting these data was not a trivial endeavor, especially in the Arctic's ice-covered waters. The 2011 joint mission spanned nearly six weeks in August and September and employed the flagship icebreaker from each country, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy and the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent (LSSL), with each ship performing different functions and one ship breaking ice for the other. The partnership is an important example of the use of science as an effective tool of international diplomacy and both countries obtained more data and saved money by working together.

Each ship is equipped with different tools to accomplish its mission. The Healy is one of the few icebreakers in the world with a sophisticated mapping system called a multibeam echo-sounder that can generate beautiful three-dimensional images of the seafloor. The LSSL collected seismic data that provide a cross-section view of what is beneath the surface of the ocean floor, giving scientists insight into the thickness, geometry, and other characteristics of the geologic layers that make up the floor of the ocean.

Since the start of U.S. ECS work in the Arctic in 2003, the Healy has mapped more than 123,000 square miles of the Arctic seafloor, an area equivalent to the size of Arizona. Since 2006, the LSSL has collected 9,320 miles of seismic data, enough to cross the United States almost three times. As in previous Arctic missions, the scientists and crew were not entirely sure the ice would allow the ships to proceed, especially in the eastern portions where some of the thickest Arctic ice is found. The 2011 mission exceeded expectations.

The continental shelf is an important maritime zone, one that holds many resources and vital habitats for marine life. Each nation has sovereign rights to exploit and manage the resources of its continental shelf. From oil to tin, diamonds to gravel, metals to mussels, the resources of the seabed are enormous. Knowing how far the ECS extends, and what resources it contains, is necessary for national security and effective management of those resources.

The U.S. Extended Continental Shelf Task Force, chaired by the Department of State, will analyze the data collected on this and other cruises to determine the full extent of the U.S. continental shelf. Preliminary studies have indicated that the U.S. ECS likely totals at least one million square kilometers -- an area about twice the size of California or nearly half the Louisiana Purchase -- and a significant portion of that is in the Arctic.

Barbara Moore, a NOAA detailee to the Department of State, was a key participant in this summer's final joint cruise. To view some of Barbara's amazing photos taken during the 2011 Arctic expedition, visit the Facebook page of the Bureau of Oceans, International Environmental and Scientific Affairs or the Department of State's Flickr page.

The U.S. ECS work is not limited to the Arctic and also includes areas in the Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Alaska, and Atlantic Ocean. To learn more about mapping the U.S. continental shelf, please visit the webpage of the U.S Extended Continental Shelf Task Force: www.continentalshelf.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/us_canada_arctic_expedition/ 2012-01-24T15:16:45+00:00
The ICWBL will meet at least once a year and at such other times and places as are required to fulfill the objectives of the Council. Subcommittees and working groups will meet as appropriate for their assigned responsibilities. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is Chair; PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi and Cherie Blair Foundation for Women Founder Cherie Blair are Vice-Chairs.

ICWBL membership consists of representatives who are leaders of American and foreign public and private sector organizations and institutions having an interest in the role of women in international business, economic policy development and global economic growth.

The inaugural ICWBL meeting was streamed live on www.state.gov and DipNote. A text transcript of the Secretary's remarks during the meeting is available here.

You can learn more about the ICWBL here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_icwbl/ 2012-01-24T04:22:07+00:00 www.state.gov is interesting, but you might not take the same interest in food security, women's issues, or the human rights reports that I do. With the site's roughly 100,000 pages of content (and growing), we set out to create a way to help you, the end user, more easily access the categories of information that matter most to you.

That's what's behind the pilot release of My State Department -- an optional, customizable interface that makes the most of the vast electronic collection that comprises www.state.gov so you can be better informed and stay on top of foreign policy topic areas that you find most interesting or in which you want to become involved.

The My State Department interface is easily found in the banner on www.state.gov pages. A new window will open so that you can get to the interface without interrupting other browsing you may be doing on state.gov. To make sure that your selections follow you no matter what computer you're on, you'll access My State Department using an OpenID logon. OpenID is a service that allows you to sign in to many different websites using a single identity, such as your yahoo, gmail, or aol account. (Find out more about OpenID and how to get an OpenID-enabled account.)

Once you're on the My State Department screen, select from any number of "widgets," such as top policy issues (Counterterorrism, Trafficking in persons, etc.), country information, reports, or social media. Move the widgets around, change the color scheme, add a utility -- it really IS all about you!

We hope you'll enjoy using My State Department. Our pilot is just the starting point. Please let us know your suggestions for future enhancements.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/my_state_department_launched/ 2012-01-23T18:36:51+00:00
As an initiative of Protocol's Diplomatic Partnerships Division, the State of the Administration speaker series provides foreign ambassadors posted in Washington with opportunities to interact directly with senior members of our government who can provide first-hand knowledge of the administration's work and discuss some of the most important issues of the day. In honor of the State Department's 21st Century Statecraft month, the Protocol Office utilized the series as a way to educate and inform the diplomatic community about the use of digital tools in diplomacy.

The briefing kicked off with remarks by Mr. Ross on the power of information networks and the rise of citizen-centered leadership; he was followed by Mr. Jeremy Heimans of Purpose, a leading organization in the creation of 21st century movements. To provide the attending diplomats with the tools to embrace this new technology, Protocol brought in representatives from Facebook and Twitter. The two social media companies briefed the guests on what their technology does and how embassies and diplomatic missions can use social media platforms successfully.

Nearly 200 members of the Diplomatic Corps rotated between the two Facebook and Twitters sessions, and all of them benefitted from an incredibly valuable first-person perspective briefing by Ambassador Djalal (@dinopattidjalal). As an avid practitioner of social media, the Ambassador was able to educate his colleagues on how he, as a high-ranking diplomat, has found a way to use the tools in a safe and effective manner.

From Ambassador Djalal's highly attended briefing, to the lessons learned in the Facebook and Twitter sessions, it was clear that this was a valuable program. As Mr. Ross said, "Information equals power, and networked information equals networked power." So, as networked power gains strength and momentum, it will be those citizens and diplomats who recognize this change -- and use it to their advantage -- who succeed in the 21st century.

For more information on the work of the Office of the Chief of Protocol, follow us on Twitter (@DipPartnerships) or check out our website: www.state.gov/Protocol.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/protocol_and_21st_century_statecraft/ 2012-01-22T15:56:14+00:00
The "right to play" is a universal human right enumerated in Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The right to play is the right to rest and leisure, and with it the right to engage in recreational activities. It is important to recognize that play environments often do not sufficiently take people with disabilities into consideration in their design. The onus is often on parents to push for inclusive play.

I was therefore pleased to speak at the OCAD University in Toronto, Canada, on January 19 as part of the Faculty of Design speaker series. My talk, "Changing Society: The Power of Inclusive Thinking" was presented in conjunction with the Faculty of Design's annual Design Competition, which brings together interdisciplinary teams of students who must present innovative solutions to real-world design challenges. My remarks focused on the importance of the designer in the progress toward social inclusion -- and equality.

Drawing from personal experience, I spoke about fighting for my own right to inclusion, both as a child and an adult. It's not just about ensuring that design takes into account the needs of children. The right to rest and leisure is important to people throughout their lifetime. It is equally important to those who acquire disabilities later in life as to people with disabilities who are aging. Facilitating enjoyment of the right to rest and leisure by persons with disabilities should be seen less as a reasonable accommodation and more as an aspect of universal design.

It's not just about accessibility to physical play spaces. It is also important that play spaces people access through technology, like video games or computer-based word games, be accessible to all. As the world moves toward knowledge-based economies and technological skills put people at an advantage for employment, the development of inclusive technologies for play, learning, and work is essential. Technology also empowers communities. If large swaths of the disability community -- who are often poor and less educated -- do not have access to technology, they have less capacity to advocate for themselves and to contribute as members of civil society.

As countries move forward to address inclusion, it is essential to look at the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and in turn to adopt uniform policies that have strong standards applied widely. There should be a holistic approach to avoiding and removing barriers to the enjoyment of this right and others.

Just as I encouraged participants to consult with people with disabilities to understand their needs, I encourage government leaders, architects, and members of civil society to do the same. As we continue to work toward more inclusive societies, we must pay attention to what societies need to ensure equal enjoyment of the right to play by children, youths, and adults with disabilities, especially in the area of technology. People with disabilities should always be consulted as the end users of such designs. Remember, "Nothing about Us without Us."

For more updates on international disability rights, visit my Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/SAHeumann.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/changing_society_the_power_of_inclusive_thinking/ 2012-01-20T22:35:38+00:00 appointment this week as the next Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP). We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with WFP and the other the UN food agencies based in Rome. The WFP has a long and illustrious history of responding to the world's most pressing food and hunger crises, and under the energetic leadership of Ambassador Cousin, we are confident that it will continue its remarkable work as a leader of global efforts to eradicate hunger.

As the Ambassador to the UN food agencies in Rome, Ambassador Cousin has already worked closely with WFP, FAO, IFAD and other Rome-based international organizations and diplomatic missions to ensure an effective response to food needs during crises. She also brings experience from a nongovernmental hunger organization and from the private sector, along with the vision and passion needed to lead the world in advancing food security. Secretary Clinton emphasized that Ambassador Cousin “has been central to designing and implementing our food security policies...[and she] will continue to be a powerful voice in the fight against hunger.”

Over the past half-century, the United States has been WFP's largest donor, supporting its lifesaving work in responding to emergencies. WFP also has an important role to play in supporting lasting food security. Through Feed the Future (FTF), the U.S. government supports country-driven approaches to address the root causes of hunger and poverty and forge long-term solutions to chronic food insecurity and undernutrition. We share WFP's vision of reducing the need for assistance by strengthening people's resilience to economic, natural, and other shocks and increasing their economic opportunities.

In this spirit, we have partnered with WFP through programs such as Purchase for Progress (P4P), an innovative pilot program that connects smallholder farmers to WFP's supply chain. WFP helps farmers produce at a higher quantity and quality, and provides a fair price for their products. Over time, as farmers increase their skills, capacity, and income, they can expand their sales to the private sector, moving from subsistence to self-reliant growth.
Recently, USAID announced a creative new partnership with WFP and PepsiCo to help chickpea farmers in Ethiopia improve the quality and quantity of their production. The EthioPEA project also aims to connect the farmers to domestic and international markets and to the production of a chickpea-based, nutrient-rich supplemental food that WFP will distribute to vulnerable populations.

We look forward to working closely with Ambassador Cousin to continue this deep cooperation with WFP -- to respond to today's emergencies and build sustainable solutions to global hunger and undernutrition.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/ambassador_cousin_wfp/ 2012-01-20T21:55:06+00:00
If the fundamentals are right, innovation proceeds, economies grow and solutions to tough problems, including energy and food security, improved health and protected environments, are all the likelier to be identified. One of the fundamentals that we need to get right is to inspire young people toward careers in science and technology then to support their creative initiatives in science and technology through all means possible.

Yesterday, I heard Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland echo these very sentiments as part of her acceptance speech of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Council on Science for the Environment. As the most recognized champion for the concept of "sustainable development," Dr. Brundtland, the former Prime Minister of Norway and Director-General of the World Health Organization, articulated the critical need for youth engagement in science and technology as we work toward a sustainable future. She called on all of us to support what she called the “Innovation Generation,” those talented individuals who, if inspired and supported with adequate funds, will create the solutions we need to protect the planet while still growing economies.

Two programs supported by the Department of State, USAID, and private sector partners demonstrate our support for novel approaches on innovation. The LAUNCH program is an open competition which invites entrepreneurs to propose new products or solutions for pressing problems, including on global health and new energy sources. Those with the best ideas are mentored through on-line and other means toward product development and patenting.

The Global Innovation in Science and Technology (GIST) program, funded by the Department of State's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, focuses on building young scientist entrepreneurship capacity in 43 countries of significant Muslim population. Training and mentorship are the core of GIST activities. At the second Global Entrepreneurship Summit held December 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey, 25 teams of entrepreneurs were connected with Silicon Valley mentors before pitching their ideas to a panel judges. These young entrepreneurs were selected as part of the GIST Technology Idea competition which asked the public through YouTube to vote on submitted video pitches. $60,000 in prizes and trips to the United States to meet with investors and business leaders were awarded to the top finishers.

Dr. Brundtland's excitement for the"“Innovation Generation" is a clarion call for all of us working to use science for diplomacy. The Innovation Generation concept is a powerful conversation starter with nations worldwide on how a collective effort could be imagined to spark youth involvement in science and solutions for the future. It reminds us that our programs are an important element of support for the Innovation Generation, but that we can still do so much more. I look forward to continuing the conversation to determine ways that we can do more across the globe to support the "Innovation Generation."]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/innovation_generation/ 2012-01-20T16:51:47+00:00 Office of Art in Embassies for the “Serving Abroad…Through Their Eyes” exhibition. Pictured is First Lieutenant Matthew Suber, who was serving as the Force Protection Officer during Exercise AFRICA ENDEAVOR, the largest communications exercise on the African continent. The Gambian Army hosted the event at Fajara Barracks, which is also home to many families of their soldiers.

Captain Gilroy describes the photograph: “Children nearby were playing near the exercise administrative building, and we went outside to visit them, and say hello during one of our breaks. The children always lingered near the fences curious about all of the foreign armed forces and beckoned for our water bottles. They liked to collect the bottles and reuse them to sell juice. We went outside and played with them, and Lt. Suber liked to make faces with them. Every day we waved hello to them, and one day Lt. Suber gave them a piggyback ride. We made many friends during the exercise, and one of the best aspects was interacting with the Gambians.”

The “Serving Abroad…Through Their Eyes” photography exhibition seeks to honor Americans who have served overseas, and aims to convey their experiences -- including daily life, friendship, loss, or triumph. Captain Gilroy's photograph certainly captures friendship, and reminds us one can make friends no matter where he or she travels.

Any current or former military, civil, and Foreign Service officer may submit up to 10 compelling photographs from their service abroad for consideration to be included in the exhibition and an expressive video artwork display that will be shown at prominent international locations. Submissions will be accepted now through February 20, 2012. Rules, guidelines, and entry forms can be found here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/potw_building_friendship_gambia/ 2012-01-20T15:21:16+00:00 New York Times' best-selling author, will serve as a Global Cultural Ambassador.

As a Cultural Ambassador, Mr. Abdul-Jabbar will work with young people worldwide and use people-to-people interactions as a means to create opportunities for greater understanding. He'll kick-off those efforts next week in Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Click here to learn more.

"I am excited and honored to serve my country as a Cultural Ambassador for the U.S. Department of State," said Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who has focused his efforts after his NBA career on engaging youth through socially-minded projects and education. "I look forward to meeting with young people all over the world and discussing ways in which we can strengthen our understanding of one another through education, through sports, and through greater cultural understanding."

While in Brazil, Mr. Abdul-Jabbar will lead conversations with young people on the importance of education, racial justice, cultural understanding, and using sports as a means of empowerment. In addition, he will participate in basketball clinics with young people in both cities.

In June 2011, Abdul-Jabbar was honored at the White House by President Barack Obama and received the Lincoln Medal from U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. The medal honors Abdul-Jabbar's commitment to education and equality which reflects the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln.

Stay up-to-date on Kareem Abdul Jabbar's efforts as a Global Cultural Ambassador via @ConnectStateGov on Twitter, and check out additional video from yesterday's announcement here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/taking_diplomacy_to_new_heights/ 2012-01-19T18:34:40+00:00
As venture capitalist Craig Hanson so aptly stated in the San Jose Mercury News, "Entrepreneurship is the next phase of the Arab Spring."

We talked about Craig's message a great deal yesterday when we hosted the 25 entrepreneurs from Jordan who accompanied His Majesty King Abdullah II on his visit to meet with President Obama this week. At a luncheon here at the State Department, we connected these entrepreneurs to angel investors and venture capitalists from the U.S. private sector, in an effort to catalyze potential collaboration between these groups. Senior government officials from Jordan and the U.S. government were on hand to support the prospective partnerships, and from the feedback we've received via e-mail, there are already several deals being discussed.

U.S. investment in Jordan isn't only good for American companies and investors, who will develop new markets that will lead to jobs at home, but it can also empower individuals and create new opportunities.

The gathering began with remarks by Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Bob Hormats, who spoke about the need to support the next generation of great ideas. Under Secretary Hormats was followed by Jordanian Minister for Planning and International Cooperation Jafar Hassan, who emphasized that "The U.S. government has walked the talk when it comes to entrepreneurship. When it comes to delivering on the possibilities for the youth in the region, what is more important than government is the private sector, and so our public-private partnerships must succeed."

We've seen this firsthand across the region, from the Jordan-U.S. Business Forum last May, to the Tunisia Partnerships Forum we hosted just three weeks after their democratic elections, to the U.S.-Maghreb Entrepreneurship Conference going on right now in Marrakech. For examples of how entrepreneurship is flourishing, look no further than the many efforts by the Partners for a New Beginning local chapters or many other stories that have been covered by The New York Times and Reuters just today. Giving priority to entrepreneurship has been a theme that the Obama Administration has been touting at home and abroad, and our work to bolster the entrepreneurial spirit of the Arab Spring is a recurring theme.

Last spring, President Obama pointed this out when he said, "Throughout the region, many young people have a solid education, but closed economies leave them unable to find a job. Entrepreneurs are brimming with ideas, but corruption leaves them unable to profit from those ideas. The greatest untapped resource in the Middle East and North Africa is the talent of its people."

Similarly, Vice President Joe Biden said this at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Istanbul last month: "democratic revolutions like the ones in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya -- and the ones still unfolding in Syria and Yemen -- are imbued, literally imbued with entrepreneurial spirit, a spirit that requires risk and initiative, steadfast determination, and a unifying idea."

And private sector leaders have added to the chorus. Earlier today, Hernando De Soto, President of the Institute for Liberty and Democracy, addressed the same theme when speaking at the U.S.-Maghreb Entrepreneurship Conference. Moroccan blogger Hind Touissate tweeted this quote: "Bouazizi had the DNA of an entrepreneur but his dreams were shuttered on the 17th of December 2010."

Through our Global Entrepreneurship Program and our flagship partnership with Partners for a New Beginning, the United States will continue to support the entrepreneurs who are coming up with the ideas that could change our world, wherever they may be. In doing so, we have the opportunity to advance economic development for nations across the Middle East, North Africa, and around the world.

As Secretary Clinton explained long before the Arab Spring began, "Entrepreneurship is a way of looking at the world and seeing not just obstacles, but opportunities; not just the world as it is, but the world as it could be, and then having the confidence, the determination, and the resources to move those worlds closer together."]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/entrepreneurial_spirit_of_arab_spring/ 2012-01-19T03:01:47+00:00 L'invitation au voyage," sung by Kabul-born artist Mashal Arman -- one whispers to another, "You are in Kabul, not Paris. Kabul! Can you believe it?"

I can believe it, and not only because in Paris, such a talented crowd of musicians would not likely perform in this cramped room before tightly packed rows of folding chairs. Although decades of war and resurgent conservatism have left their mark on the cityscape (the Kabul River, which in old news reels flows magnificently between tree-lined banks, is now dry; the city is a maze of high blast walls and barriers; and women are still rarely visible in public life), there are signs of new life on the other side of these heavily guarded gates.

The existence of the Afghan National Institute of Music is both a symbolic and a real victory for the movement to revive Afghanistan's cultural heritage. The international donor community has supported restoration of historic monuments, such as the 15th-century citadel in Herat, and preservation of the significant Buddhist artifacts unearthed by archaeologists at Mes Aynak. Partners, such as the U.S. Embassy, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, the Goethe Institute, and the cultural missions of several NATO countries, are also working to preserve and revive living arts: traditional music, dance, and craftsmanship. ANIM, which provides internationally accredited music education to its students, trains them in both western and Afghan traditions. Afghan master musicians of such complex instruments as the sitar, ghichak, and dhol teach alongside expats, who introduce students to the full range of piano, string, wind, and percussion instruments taught in the West.

The school provides these opportunities to Afghanistan's most disadvantaged students: orphans and street children who might otherwise have few vocational opportunities. They also learn the standard Afghan secondary curriculum, graduating with a high school certificate or, after two additional years of study, a diploma in music. Helping these promising students make connections with the global community of musicians, the U.S. Embassy funds English instruction for 143 students through the English Access Microscholarship Program.

Of course, not all the students limit their interest to the classical traditions of east and west. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul has twice hosted White Page, a rock band formed of ANIM students and recent graduates who play their own music alongside the covers of bands popular around the world. Their lead guitarist recently returned from a trip to New York City, funded by donors and sponsors who were impressed with his drive to take full advantage of the music and English education he received at ANIM.

Tonight, at the "Winter Music Academy," there will be no rock and roll, but there is innovation of a different kind. Master rubab player Homayoun Sakhi has composed an original piece for rubab, flute, viola, cello, and tabla called "Madawanti 2" that showcases the best of both traditions and infuses the room with energy. When Ms. Arman sings out in Persian to Afghan traditional tune "Dishab ke chunay," she is backed by a full orchestra of rubab, trumpet, viola, piano, cello, and tabla. It is the harmony of Western instruments backing up the joyful sound of Afghan culture renewed -- a metaphor for our overall mission in Afghanistan.

As we leave, the classroom-cum-concert hall's windows are opaque with condensation from the heavy breathing of the musicians and the heat of the crowded room. Music stubbornly flows through the glass and into the still night air. This is not Paris. In fact, this can only be Kabul.

For more information on the Afghan National Institute of Music, please visit www.afghanistannationalinstituteofmusic.org.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/afghan_music/ 2012-01-18T21:52:05+00:00 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) on January 18, 2012, during a ceremony in the Benjamin Franklin Room of the Harry S. Truman building, Washington, DC. The prestigious ACE recognizes the important role of U.S. businesses in advancing good corporate governance and democratic principles worldwide. The award honors exemplary business practices, corporate social responsibility, and innovation in a company's overseas operations.

You can view a transcript of the Secretary's remarks here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_2011_ace_awards/ 2012-01-18T04:22:34+00:00
The earthquake left behind a government in rubble, an economy in shambles, and a people living in makeshift camps, coping with enormous loss. Against this backdrop, the possibility of progress lives not just in the resilient spirit of the Haitian people, but also in the simple power of their mobile phones.

In June 2010, USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation launched the Haiti Mobile Money Initiative (HMMI). This program leveraged the private sector and the ubiquity of mobile phones to bring financial services to Haitians, 90 percent of whom didn't have access to a bank account before the earthquake destroyed nearly one-third of the country's bank branches, ATMs, and money transfer stations. Put simply, mobile money gives Haitians access to banking without building a single bank.

It worked. In January 2011, one year after the earthquake, HMMI awarded Digicel and its partner bank, Scotiabank, a "First to Market" Award of $2.5 million for "Tcho Tcho Mobile." Five months ago, HMMI awarded mobile operator Voila and their bank partner, Unibank, $1.5 million for "T-Cash." While verification is still underway, data reported by the industry indicate that there are nearly 800,000 registered users. Moreover, there are over 800 agent locations now available to serve clients. In a country where there are fewer than two bank branches per 100,000 people, this represents a near doubling of accessible financial services.

These numbers are significant, but what do they mean for the people of Haiti? Why should we care about the growth of mobile money in Haiti and the rest of the developing world?

First, mobile money accelerates access to financial services for the 1.8 billion people with access to a phone but not a bank. It allows people to safely store and send money to friends and family in need. Today, 15 million Kenyans, or 70 percent of the country's adult population, use Safaricom's mMoney product, M-PESA to manage their money. Five years ago, only six million Kenyans had access to basic financial services. This is a vast improvement when the alternative is sticking money in a mudjar or under a mattress. Payments also become the rails upon which other financial services -- savings, remittances, credit, and insurance --can ride. It allows the poor to reclaim a sense of stability and security in a world often characterized by uncertainty and vulnerability.

Second, it also serves as the lynchpin in government efforts to improve transparency, mitigate corruption, and enable responsive government. Take Afghanistan as an example. When the Afghan government started paying government employees and police officers through mobile phones, the employees thought they had received a nearly 30 percent raise. Instead, they were paid what they were supposed to be paid for the first time but without middlemen taking a percentage as it passed through their hands. These payments can also be quickly disbursed and tracked, which engenders accountability and responsiveness across government.

Third, mobile money helps unlock the private sector to create sustainable fee-for-service models. In Kenya, 700 innovative businesses exist because they integrated with M-PESA to lower transaction costs enough to profitably extend critical services to people in remote areas. In agriculture, UAP Insurance and the Syngenta Foundation partnered to offer farmers index-based insurance using M-PESA to collect small premiums and issue payouts. In health, Changamka Microhealth Ltd. is using M-PESA's bill pay function to help expectant mothers save for maternity health care. In water, Grundfos LIFELINK levered M-PESA to create a fee-for-service model whereby rural communities access safe water and pay for it using M-PESA.

It is no doubt going to take time and effort for Haiti to follow in Kenya's footsteps. And it is certainly true that mobile money cannot transform a country by itself. We still need the bricks. We still need the human ingenuity and resilient spirit evident all across Haiti. But two years after the earthquake, we're making real progress, click by click.

Editor's Note: This entry also appears on the USAID Impact Blog. Learn more about USAID's work in Haiti here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/mobile_money_haiti_2012/ 2012-01-17T21:14:37+00:00 More: Interactive Travel Map | Photos

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, and Cape Verde on January 16-17, 2012, to demonstrate U.S. commitment to post-conflict return to peace, good governance, and economic development as well as to emphasize U.S. focus on democratization.

In Liberia, Secretary Clinton attended President Sirleaf's inauguration and presided over the in-house dedication of the new U.S. embassy compound to demonstrate America's commitment to an enduring friendship with the people of Liberia, as well as the importance of our bilateral relationship with the Liberian Government. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Secretary Clinton was joined by U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Liberian Foreign Affairs Minister Toga Gayewea McIntosh, among others. Secretary Clinton said, "This new compound is a testament to the work you do, and it is a symbol of America(tm)s lasting commitment to our partners today. We are committed to standing with the people of Liberia as you, as they, continue their important journey, reconciling political and ethnic differences, strengthening democracy, bringing prosperity and opportunity to people, particularly young people."

While in Cote d'Ivoire, Secretary Clinton met with Ivoirian President Alassane Ouattara to express admiration for the progress that your country is making -- a steady and hopeful return to peace and security, reconciliation among all the people of the nation, as well as economic and social development. Secretary Clinton said, "I am inspired by how quickly not only the government but the people have moved from the violence and conflict of last spring to successful legislative elections in December and to a commitment that is in the air to build a better future for all Ivoirians and particularly for the next generation." In Abidjan, Secretary Clinton also participated in a Youth and Community Leaders Reconciliation Roundtable.

In the first visit of a Secretary of State to Togo, Secretary Clinton met President Faure to demonstrate U.S. support for Togo's democratic progress and economic reforms and to congratulate Togo on its recent election to the United Nations Security Council, where it holds a non-permanent seat for 2012 and 2013.

In Cape Verde, Secretary Clinton met Prime Minister Neves to discuss cooperation on regional issues like counternarcotics, good governance, sound economic policies, and Cape Verde's second Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact.

You can read more about the Secretary's travel on www.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/travel_diary_democratization_in_africa/ 2012-01-17T19:48:18+00:00
Just 45 years ago, Dr. King said, "Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal." Those words immediately remind me that there are basic fundamentals necessary for building real and lasting peace. This year, as we celebrate Dr. King, I am a part of a team that is gearing up for a big event to launch an initiative that I think Dr. King would be proud of -- "Teaching Respect for All."

The initiative is a partnership between the United States, Brazil, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that will create an educational curriculum to teach about respect, human rights, and how we can learn to appreciate each other's differences while treating one another with dignity. The initiative will incorporate important peace building concepts such as reducing intolerance, violence and discrimination into an educational project that will reach young minds all over the world.

As we launch this initiative, we hope to ignite a global discussion among young people on the meaning of respect and how we can find ways to discuss our differences. Watch the video in the player above to hear Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs Esther Brimmer's thoughts on respect, dignity, and tolerance and join the discussion on Twitter using #Dignity4All.

Editor's Note: Assistant Secretary Brimmer travels to Paris, France January 17 to help launch the "Teaching Respect for All" curriculum.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/teaching_respect_for_all_mlk_day/ 2012-01-16T14:43:32+00:00 More: Trip Page | Background Briefing

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will travel to Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, and Cape Verde on January 16-17, 2012, to demonstrate U.S. commitment to post-conflict return to peace, good governance, and economic development as well as to emphasize U.S. focus on democratization.

While in Liberia, Secretary Clinton will attend President Sirleaf's inauguration and preside over the ribbon-cutting of the New U.S. Embassy Compound in Monrovia. In Cote d'Ivoire, she will meet with President Ouattara to showcase our support for national reconciliation and strengthening democratic institutions following successful legislative elections in December 2011. In the first visit of a Secretary of State to Togo, Secretary Clinton will meet President Faure to demonstrate U.S. support for Togo's democratic progress and economic reforms and to congratulate Togo on its recent election to the United Nations Security Council, where it holds a non-permanent seat for 2012 and 2013. In Cape Verde, Secretary Clinton will meet Prime Minister Neves to discuss cooperation on regional issues like counternarcotics, good governance, sound economic policies, and Cape Verde's second Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact.

You can follow the Secretary's travel on www.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_liberia_cote_divoire_togo_cape_verde/ 2012-01-16T12:29:10+00:00 strategic dialogue and underscored the continued growth in the U.S.-India partnership. Similarly, her visit to Central Asia in October affirmed our strong commitment to seeing a more prosperous and secure region that helps to bolster the stability of Afghanistan. We witnessed the first ever peaceful democratic transition of power in Central Asia when President Otunbayeva -- a recipient of our Women of Courage award -- stepped down as leader of Kyrgyzstan and Almazbek Atambayev was elected President.

The Secretary's visit to India not only reflected on a decade of closer relations with India, but also the promise of a bright future and the limitless opportunities available for mutual prosperity. We are cooperating to an unprecedented degree on education, science and technology, economics and trade, health, agriculture, countering terrorism, and providing for regional and global security for the benefit of the citizens of both our countries and of the world. The visit included a major speech on our shared vision for the region. I would encourage you to read the speech here.

The U.S.-India Higher Education Summit followed the Secretary's visit and was a major outcome of our strategic dialogue. The event, held at Georgetown University in October, was jointly chaired by Secretary Clinton and Indian Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal and attended by more than 300 higher education, private sector, and government leaders from both countries. Reflecting on the strong history of exchanges between India and the United States, Secretary Clinton said, "Last year, we welcomed over 100,000 students from India to pursue college or graduate level study here. But we think the opportunities for collaboration are even greater. And particularly, we want to see more American students enrolling for academic credit at Indian institutions."

Last year was also a year of positive progress throughout the rest of South Asia. In November, we welcomed the news that the Nepal peace process took a positive turn. Newly-elected Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and other key political leaders agreed on a plan to bring the long-stalled peace process -- accords for which were signed in 2006 -- to a close. We are optimistic the parties will remain on track to ultimately reach consensus on the few remaining details. Our new Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dan Mozena, is continuing our ongoing work to foster a partnership based on mutual interest in a wide range of priorities including food security, climate change, global health, counterterrorism, and democracy promotion.

In August, I traveled to Sri Lanka and visited the northern city of Jaffna to see first-hand the former conflict zone and observe the country's progress as it transitions from civil war to peace and reconciliation. The United States has welcomed the release of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission's report and we continue to encourage the Government of Sri Lanka to work constructively with the international community as it seeks to implement the report's recommendations this year.

Afghanistan's neighbors have embraced the Secretary's call to strengthen regional economic and transit connections -- to build a "New Silk Road" and open up new sources of raw material, energy, and agricultural products for every nation in the region. New agreements on the Northern Distribution Network with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan helped to complete routes and further facilitate trade between Central Asia and Afghanistan. Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic welcomed Afghanistan into their Cross-Border Transport Accord, laying the foundation for increased trade and transit among them. An Indian consortium's successful bid on the Hajigak iron-ore deposit, and the deepening thaw in Indo-Pak economic relations were also significant steps towards realizing a new economic vision for the region.

As the Secretary has emphasized, investments in women and youth yield multiple dividends. Throughout the entire region, we made a concerted effort to reach out to these audiences through workshops, conferences, and social media. Together with President Otunbayeva, the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues and our embassies, we organized a Central Asia and Afghanistan Women's Economic Symposium held in Bishkek in July. The event brought nearly 200 policy makers, enterprise owners, educators, and civil society leaders together with corporate sponsors and donors to share strategies for economic success. The resulting network of women leaders in government, business, and civil society is now working within and across borders to strengthen women's entrepreneurship and trade.

During her trip to Central Asia, the Secretary gave a speech focused on women, youth, and civil society that highlighted both the progress made, as well as the challenges that remain. One example of the youth outreach in which we are engaged took place in Sri Lanka, where our embassy and a local NGO brought 80 youth leaders together from throughout South Asia to focus on civic responsibility, social media, environmental awareness, and community development. Group project presentations demonstrated participants' commitment to work together across borders to implement sustainable initiatives in these areas.

In 2011, we also saw strengthened efforts to combat trafficking in persons in the region. India achieved a landmark conviction of five years' imprisonment and a fine against three bonded labor perpetrators, Bangladesh promulgated a comprehensive anti-trafficking law, and Tajikistan made great strides in combating the use of forced labor in the cotton harvest.

We also began a series of cooperative environment, science and technology projects across the region. With USAID, we supported Central Asian, South Asian, and South American scientists in a joint expedition to the Himalayan glaciers in Nepal to better understand the dynamics of glacier melt and share best practices from their respective regions. In Maldives, we are supporting coral reef conservation efforts, and in Central Asia we launched an entrepreneurship innovation program which will bring eight winners to Silicon Valley.

As the year drew to a close, the United States was pleased to recognize Kyrgyzstan's peaceful democratic election and transfer of power, the first of its kind in Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan's vibrant civil society actively participated, promoted transparency, and encouraged citizens to report on irregularities during the election.

I am excited to see what 2012 holds in store and look forward to keeping you informed about our diplomacy in South and Central Asia. You can follow our efforts in the South and Central Asia by signing up for email updates, following us on Facebook, Twitter, and of course our regular blog entries on DipNote. Thank you!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/year_in_review_south_and_central_asia/ 2012-01-15T16:32:10+00:00 Scot Marciel and special guest and 2011 CNN Hero of the Year Robin Lim, an American living in Bali, for the opening day's events. Over 150 guests joined us for the lively celebration, including many of the Indonesian and American organizations that have supported the center over the past year, helping us create a dialogue on a range of topics from the environment, to hip hop, to American literature, to entrepreneurship, and everything in between.

Conceived as a laboratory for innovative, high-tech public diplomacy, @america has transformed public diplomacy for U.S. Embassy Jakarta, reaching new audiences for the first time and engaging them in dialogue about the United States and U.S. policy. One year after its opening, @america has welcomed over 100,000 visitors and has been the subject of significant media coverage, including features in the New York Times and USA Today.

The kick-off celebration coincided with the launch of the new @america website, available in both English and Bahasa Indonesia. With active social media platforms and Livestream, UStream and YouTube Channels, @america also reaches Indonesians outside of Jakarta, integrating the U. S. Consulate General in Surabaya, the American Presence Post in Medan, and partner institutions -- including 10 American Corners and Indonesian universities -- in programs taking place at the center. Its unique location inside a popular downtown shopping mall provides easy access to a range of audiences 11 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The center has utilized public-private partnerships with American companies, NGOs, universities, and museums to bring innovative programming to young Indonesians, such as working with TEDxJakarta to bring TED Talks to Jakarta. @america represents a laboratory for new ideas and new initiatives. The creative programming and partnerships with civil society organizations, corporations, universities, and museums make @america a model for 21st century diplomacy.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/america_celebrates_its_one_year_anniversary/ 2012-01-15T00:27:08+00:00 Recommendation of the Council on Principles for Internet Policy Making.

The Recommendation was born at a U.S.-initiated high-level meeting earlier this year. It was developed through the OECD's multilateral consensus-based process and is a successful follow-on to the June 28-29 High Level Meeting on the Internet Economy. A Communique' was agreed to by the member countries, Egypt, businesses, and Internet technical advisory groups, setting the principles to guide Internet-related policy making.

This is an important deliverable on the U.S. open Internet agenda. In May, President Obama issued the U.S. International Strategy for Cyberspace, an agenda for safeguarding the single Internet. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has developed a groundbreaking Internet freedom agenda, a principled approach to preserving the freedom to connect -- the freedoms of expression, association and assembly online -- and to ensuring that the Internet can be a platform for commerce, debate, learning and innovation in the 21st century.

The stakes are high. According to McKinsey and Associates, over the past five years, the Internet has been responsible for 21 percent of the growth in mature economies and has created 2.6 jobs for every job it has displaced. Its power to generate innovation is rivaled only by its potential to help people realize their rights and democratic aspirations, as the Arab Spring demonstrated. According to McKinsey, this platform produced more growth in its first 15 years than the Industrial Revolution did in its first 50. The United States plans to work with others to continue building consensus for global norms that promote a free future for the Internet.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/oecd_internet_policy_making_principles/ 2012-01-14T16:55:51+00:00 Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP) as the culmination of much hard work that reflects the vision articulated by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in an editorial for the November 2011 issue of Foreign Policy. This strategy guided the Bureau's activities from reinvigorating already strong relations with treaty partners, building new partnerships with emerging powers in the region, such as China, engaging with multilateral institutions, expanding trade and investment, forging a broad based military presence, and advancing democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Our long-standing treaty allies continue to serve as the bedrock of our strategy. Cataclysmic events proved the strength of our alliance with Japan as we embarked on the massive relief effort Operation Tomodachi following the “triple disaster” of the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident in March. Secretary Clinton visited Japan in April to pledge U.S. steadfast support for Japan and its recovery. In June, building on the 50th anniversary year of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security in 2010, Secretary Clinton and former Secretary of Defense Gates met with the Japanese Foreign Minister and Defense Minister to revalidate and update the Alliance's Common Strategic Objectives. Vice President Biden visited Japan in August, followed by Defense Secretary Panetta in October. Foreign Minister Gemba, during a December visit to Washington, announced the Kizuna Project, a youth exchange program that will build on the already strong people-to-people ties between our two countries.

Our bilateral relationship with the Republic of Korea (ROK) is closer than it has ever been. This past year saw the legislative passage of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, a State Visit by President Lee Myung Bak, and the U.S. announcement of participation in Expo 2012 Yeosu, Korea. In addition, Secretary Clinton visited Busan in November to participate in the Fourth High Level Forum on Development Aid Effectiveness, demonstrating our increasing cooperation with the ROK on global issues. We also continue to coordinate closely in an effort to preserve peace and stability on Korean Peninsula.

In 2011, we marked the 60th anniversary of the ANZUS alliance with Australia and of the Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines. Secretary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta met with the Australian Foreign Minister and Defense Minister for this year's Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) in San Francisco in September, and President Obama traveled to Australia in November. Also in November, Secretary Clinton visited Thailand to underscore our strong alliance and to offer support for Thailand's recovery efforts following severe flooding. The Secretary also visited the Philippines, where she and her counterpart commemorated the 60th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty and reaffirmed our historic alliance by signing the “Manila Declaration” on board the USS Fitzgerald.

In addition to strengthening ties with treaty allies, we deepened our partnerships throughout the region. For example, we are implementing the new strategic partnership with New Zealand envisioned in the 2010 Wellington Declaration. In February this past year, a devastating earthquake struck the Canterbury region. Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell and a U.S. delegation were attending the U.S.-New Zealand Partnership Forum in Christchurch at the time of the quake. In response, the United States sent an Urban Search and Rescue Team in the immediate aftermath and continues to stand with our friends in New Zealand as they rebuild.

In August, Vice President Biden visited Mongolia, underscoring our support for Mongolia's two decades of democratic development and our growing economic ties. In July, Secretary Clinton co-chaired the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership Joint Commission on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum and in November, President Obama visited Indonesia for a second time to participate in the East Asian Summit (EAS). Also in November, Secretary Clinton signed a five-year, $600 million compact with Indonesia designed to help boost household income through increased productivity, reduced energy costs and expanded renewable energy; improve childhood nutrition; and enhance the provision of public sector goods and services. The U.S. Department of Education also hosted the first-ever U.S.-Indonesia Higher Education Summit in Washington, D.C. in October.

Illustrating our whole-of-government approach, in June, Assistant Secretary Campbell traveled to seven Pacific Islands with U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Patrick M. Walsh, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator Nisha Biswal, and Marine Brigadier General Richard Simcock. In addition, in September, Deputy Secretary Nides led the largest and most high-level United States delegation ever to attend the Pacific Island Forum, this year hosted by New Zealand. In December, Deputy Secretary of Energy Dan Poneman visited Taiwan, the most senior U.S. official to visit the island in nearly a decade, building on our longstanding unofficial relationship with the people of Taiwan to advance bilateral cooperation in science and energy technologies.

As Secretary Clinton noted in Foreign Policy, the United States is working closely with India and supports India's desire to play a prominent role in the Asia-Pacific region going forward. In December, the United States hosted Japan and India for our first ever trilateral dialogue. The group agreed to meet again in Tokyo in 2012 to continue their deliberations.

Developing a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship with China is central to our Asia-Pacific policy. President Hu Jintao made a State Visit to Washington in January, and at the invitation of Vice President Xi Jinping, Vice President Biden traveled to Beijing and Chengdu in August. In May, Secretary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Geithner hosted the third round of the Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED), the most intensive and comprehensive talks ever held between the two governments covering a wide range of topics from trade, investment, and currency to security, energy, and human rights. We work together with China to tackle global challenges, such as the international community's serious concerns about Iran's nuclear program and our common goal of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. To keep our relationship on a positive trajectory, we have been honest about our differences and areas where significant challenges remain, such as the need to level the playing field for U.S. businesses in China and to live up to international human rights standards. As part of our long term commitment to improved dialogue with China through mutual understanding, in April Secretary Clinton and State Councilor Liu Yandong co-chaired the Consultation on People-to-People Exchanges (CPE) which promoted exchanges in various fields. The 100,000 Strong Initiative, a public-private effort that seeks to increase the number of Americans studying in China, gained significant traction, including a December concert in Beijing headlined by will.i.am, apl.de.ap, John Legend and several Chinese pop stars.

As part of our commitment to engaging the region's multilateral institutions, President Obama and Secretary Clinton traveled in Bali in November to officially begin U.S. membership in the East Asia Summit (EAS). During the EAS, President Obama encouraged an open discussion and tangible multilateral progress on the region's consequential political and strategic issues, including maritime security, nonproliferation, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Also in Bali, President Obama met with the leaders of the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the 3rd ASEAN-U.S. Leaders Meeting. The leaders agreed to launch the $25 million ASEAN-United States Partnership on English Education in ASEAN, funded generously by the government of Brunei. The partnership will help unify the diverse members of ASEAN, improve English language capacity, and advance educational and teaching opportunities in the region. In July, Secretary Clinton participated for the third time in the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) where she led the U.S. delegation to the 18th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the EAS Ministerial. At the ARF, Secretary Clinton reiterated the United States' principles-based approach to South China Sea disputes, advocated for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and discussed developments in Burma. Secretary Clinton also hosted the fourth Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) Ministerial Meeting with the foreign ministers of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, and the first "Friends of the Lower Mekong" (FLM) meeting.

Harnessing the economic growth potential within the Asia-Pacific is critical to our foreign policy in the region. As hosts for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) throughout 2011, the United States focused on building enduring economic architecture in the Asia-Pacific that is open, free, transparent, and fair. We reached the broad outlines of an agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, at the November APEC leaders' meeting in Hawaii. In late 2011, the landmark U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) passed in both the U.S. Congress and Korean National Assembly. KORUS is currently in the implementation process and is expected to enter into force early this year.

The United States' security presence in the Asia Pacific focuses on supporting our allies, ensuring the stability of a vital region, and advancing U.S. interest in non-proliferation, maritime security, fisheries and relief from disasters like tsunamis. In November, President Obama announced in Canberra that U.S. Marines would be seasonally stationed in Darwin, Australia, enhancing our ability to train, exercise, and operate with allies and partners across the region, and to cooperatively respond more quickly to a wide range of challenges, including humanitarian crises and disaster relief.

As we work to deepen our engagement around the region, we remain firmly committed to urging countries to embrace reforms to improve human rights and democracy. As part of our dual-tracked “principled engagement” policy of pressure and engagement with the Burmese government, Secretary Clinton made an historic visit to Burma November 30-December 2. She met with officials in Nay Pyi Taw and with Aung San Suu Kyi and civil society leaders in Rangoon. During her visit, the Secretary noted that if the Government of Burma keeps moving in the right direction, the United States will be prepared to take further steps. On January 13, 2012, Secretary Clinton announced that based on recent progress we've seen taken by the government of Burma, we will now begin, in consultation with members of Congress and at the direction of President Obama -- the process of exchanging ambassadors with Burma. However, there is more work to be done, and we will continue to work with the government on their reform and reconciliation efforts, including taking further steps to address the concerns of ethnic minority groups, making sure that there is a free and fair by-election, and making all the releases from prison unconditional, and making sure that all remaining political detainees are also released. We also continue to urge the Burmese to sever all illicit military ties with North Korea.

EAP's dedicated staff of more than 200 Foreign Service Officers and Civil Service employees in Washington, D.C. and nearly 9,000 State Department employees at overseas posts work daily in ways large and small to forge the partnerships in the region. In the Secretary's Foreign Policy article, she posed the question: “Beyond our borders, people are also wondering about America's intentions -- our willingness to remain engaged and to lead. In Asia, they ask whether we are really there to stay, whether we are likely to be distracted again by events elsewhere, whether we can make -- and keep -- credible economic and strategic commitments, and whether we can back those commitments with action.” Under the leadership of Secretary Clinton and Assistant Secretary Campbell, the talented professionals of the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Bureau every day of the year answer with a resounding, “We can, and we will.”

Editor's Note: Secretary Clinton delivered remarks on "America's Pacific Century" at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii on November 10, 2011. You can watch her remarks in the video player above the text of this blog entry, or read the transcript of her remarks here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/pivot_east_asia_and_pacific/ 2012-01-14T04:39:48+00:00
Today, we are back at work, and we look to the challenges that remain: half of the rubble created by the quake is still there, and more than 500,000 people still live in tents. The commitment of the U.S. government toward Haiti remains strong and, together with our international partners, we support the Haitian government's continued efforts to clear rubble, rebuild neighborhoods, and find long-term shelter for the displaced.

Most of Haiti's woes did not begin with the earthquake, and chief among the long-term problems faced by millions of Haitians is the lack of employment opportunity. About 80 percent of the population is un- or underemployed, and more than three-quarters of the population lives on $2 dollars per day or less. Our foreign assistance can help build a foundation for a better future in Haiti, whether it is increasing electrical output or agricultural productivity, or strengthening the Haitian National Police and Haiti's healthcare system, but foreign assistance, by itself, is not a sustainable solution.

To achieve the transformative change that Haiti needs and provide long-term, sustainable benefits to the Haitian people, Haiti needs private sector investment.

Only investment creates the jobs that Haitians so desperately need and provides the tax revenue that the Haitian state sorely lacks. When people have jobs they have the dignity that comes from being able to provide for their families and the freedom to make their own choices. And when the government has more revenue, it can fund better schools, hospitals, and roads, and more and better-equipped police officers to keep Haiti's streets safe.

There are encouraging developments here. Construction is underway in northern Haiti on the Caracol Industrial Park, which will create more than 20,000 jobs in its initial stages and is anchored by a $78 million investment from Korean apparel manufacturer Sae-A Co., Ltd. In December, international hotel chain Marriott announced that it would operate a new hotel to be built in downtown Haiti. Haitian President Martelly and his cabinet have made job creation a priority for the Haitian government, telling the world that "Haiti is open for business."

These are good things, but Haiti needs to attract more investment to create more jobs. President Martelly recently created a Presidential Advisory Council on Economic Growth and Investment, which brings together the public and private sectors and will keep people focused on the opportunities here. This is good. More importantly, the government needs to make it easier to start a business, obtain construction permits, and secure legal land title. Through these simple steps, this government will be well on its way to succeed in truly opening Haiti for business.

I have been following Haiti for the last 25 years, and I am optimistic about the future. Haitians want to work and work well when they have the opportunity, and the few investors that have started operations in Haiti during this time, whether in telecommunications, commerce, and manufacturing, have created jobs and made money. I welcome the government's efforts to bring investment and jobs to Haiti as soon as possible and I look to it to move swiftly to simplify the processes to allow new business to be formed quickly. Investment can transform this country. The Haitian people cannot afford anything less.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/investment_haiti/ 2012-01-13T14:51:18+00:00 and solutions that touch on food insecurity. I usually find a somewhat despairing situation.

Recently, after travelling on the bumpy to non-existent "roads" of South Sudan, I came away impressed -- impressed with the hopeful vision of a country that has enormous potential to move quickly into a state of relative food self sufficiency, perhaps within less than a generation.

And the women of South Sudan are playing a big part in the country's drive towards recovery. According to Ofeni Ngota Amitai, the minister of agriculture for Morobo county, women are critical to helping the country move away from humanitarian interventions towards a more balanced foundation of recovery. While on my field visit to the Eastern and Central Equatoria states, I witnessed the collective efforts of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP), both of whom receive valuable financial support from USAID, to support the Republic of South Sudan's endeavors to tackle food insecurity through a wide range of recovery activities.

South Sudan remains a major recipient of food aid, much of it supplied by the U.S. government through the World Food Programme. The food security outlook for 2012 is worrisome for the 1.2 million people of South Sudan, a new country comprised of 10 states, with a wide range of agro-climatic conditions and a population that includes traditional farmers and agro-pastoralists (farmers who also raise livestock).

Livestock is key to the livelihoods of millions of South Sudanese, so keeping animals healthy to ensure availability of meat and milk products but also cash from the sale of cattle is a major concern of local officials with whom I spoke. Unfortunately, disease outbreaks are common and with very limited government capacity to handle such cases, treatment has been hard to come by.

With support from FAO, however, South Sudanese agro-pastoralists are being given initial supplies of vaccines and are being trained to vaccinate livestock. People will pay to have their animals vaccinated, so cost recovery is introduced to ensure vaccinators can replenish their supplies. I watched a group of semi-nomadic agro-pastoralists, including women herders in one cattle camp I visited in Torit, successfully vaccinate over 100 long-horn cattle in just one hour. And as one woman vaccinator walked me through her village, she explained how she was putting her three children through the local school "in town" with the increased income she had from selling healthy cattle.

Elsewhere, in Yei and Morobo in Central Equatoria, women were hand threshing just-harvested sorghum and pearl millet grown from seeds they had received as participants in an FAO-sponsored community-based Seed Production and Supply activity. This activity is implemented by the Kogbo Multipurpose Farmer Group and Equatoria Farmer Extension Advisory Association in collaboration with the Morobo Agriculture Department. Since Yei and Morobo are part of South Sudan's "green belt," improved availability and access to quality seeds is key to helping increase local production, thereby reducing dependence on imports from northern Uganda.

Everywhere I went I heard the same refrain from South Sudanese...we want to reduce our reliance on humanitarian assistance as we have the land and ability to produce enough ourselves. Farmers want to move away from subsistence to commercial farming and need assistance in getting increased production to the markets of South Sudan. With support from their partners at FAO and WFP and commitment from their government, the South Sudanese are on a good path, despite the many obstacles, towards their goal of becoming food self-sufficient.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/south_sudan_women_food_insecurity/ 2012-01-13T13:37:25+00:00 Office of Art in Embassies for the "Through Their Eyes...Service Abroad" exhibition. His image captures the Nile River, with two boats silhouetted in the orange and yellow glow of a beautiful sunset.

James' image reminds us of the beauty and importance of our planet's natural resources, particularly our water resources. The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with the Ramsar Convention Secretariat are celebrating World Wetlands Day on February 2, 2012. To help us celebrate, now through January 20, anyone can submit his or her best photographs to a Flickr site in one of four wetlands and environmental tourism-related categories: wildlife, landscapes, plants, and tourists (submissions are limited to one per category). All are invited to mark their favorite photographs in each category through January 22. The top photographs will be showcased on the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, and international organization partners' websites and social media platforms on World Wetlands Day, February 2.

Visit the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Oceans, Environment and Science Facebook page for additional information.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/photo_of_the_week_celebrating_water_resources/ 2012-01-13T12:36:27+00:00
Foreign diplomats cynically nicknamed Tunisia, "Syria with a smile": like Syria, the state was managed as if it were a mafia family business, with the denial of basic political rights to its citizens; but, unlike Syria, the smell of jasmine, beach resorts, growth of middle-class home ownership and genuine progress in the role of women soften the edges of harsh political realities.

Yes, the United States and Tunisia had a long history of cooperative relations, rooted in strong U.S. support for Tunisia's independence. But by the time I served in Tunisia, the once robust bilateral friendship had by and large become paralyzed by the suspicions and fears cultivated by the Ben Ali regime. "Stability," in this case, meant frozen connections and lost potential, and, as Mohammed Bouazizi demonstrated, "stability" turned out to be an illusion.

Today, Tunisia is a far different place, thanks to the courageous Tunisian people. I had the privilege to visit Tunisia just a week after Ben Ali's departure and to join our Ambassador in openly meeting some of the same activists who had faced arrest there earlier. Even in those early days of the Jasmine Revolution, it was obvious that something fundamental had changed: people were no longer afraid to demand basic rights and economic opportunities. What started in Tunisia has spread elsewhere in the Arab world, with people insisting that their governments respect them and reflect their political and economic aspirations.

For the United States, which pursues a complex set of foreign policy objectives globally, the transformation of the Arab world poses opportunities and challenges. Many of the overarching goals we pursued a year ago remain the same today: pursuit of genuine Arab-Israeli peace; promotion of global energy stability and freedom of navigation; countering violent extremism and the risk of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear; promotion of human rights and the development of democracy; and economic growth. But in the Arab world, the context in which we pursue these goals has changed dramatically in the past year.

The U.S. recognizes that, in a region where public opinion matters more than ever before, we need to increase our efforts to reach out beyond the traditional government and business elites not only to articulate clearly our own goals but to listen to a wide spectrum of views. This includes reaching out to Islamist parties, who now play an important role in the political transformation of many countries in the region. We are less concerned what a political party or organization calls itself than what it does in practice, and we will reach out to those who act according to democratic principles, respect their fellow citizens' rights, and do not use force or violence to impose their views.

The United States is aligning our policies and programs with the legitimate aspirations of the region's new democracies. New emerging leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and, yes, even Syria will undoubtedly be far more attuned to the nuances of public opinion than their authoritarian predecessors. They will face enormous challenges in trying to meet the political and economic demands of their citizens.

As President Obama and Secretary Clinton have made clear, we are inspired to see people stand up for their rights and for better lives, from Sidi Bouzid, to Alexandria, to Taiz. A diversity of views expressed openly and peacefully is inherently healthy, even if we do not agree in all matters. Over time, a government that respects the rights of all its citizens and rules with their consent will be better placed to serve the needs of its people and also a better partner for the United States.

The United States is working in many ways to help support the transitions to democracy underway in the Middle East and North Africa. The success of these transitions and of democratic and economic reforms across the region is in the interest of the United States as well as of the region's people.

The Arab Spring has shown us that people's legitimate demands for respect and dignity cannot permanently be denied, and it is inevitable that the Syrian people, too, will achieve the end of dictatorship. Until then, we will continue to work with the Arab League, U.N. Security Council partners, and others to find ways to stop Bashar al-Asad's killing machine and to help the Syrian people realize their dream of a united, democratic Syria where the rights of all are respected.

Across the region, economic success will be vital to political progress, and U.S. private-sector companies will have a positive role to play in supporting growth and helping to create jobs. In Egypt, for example, we are working with our Congress to channel a $1 billion debt swap into job creation, and supporting new partnerships between American and Egyptian educational institutions. The United States is using our assistance funds in new and innovative ways, such as by developing Enterprise Funds to foster private-sector development. In Tunisia, we have been pleased to see major U.S. corporations, including Pfizer, Marriott, and Microsoft, make new investments, hirings, and donations to grow business and aid economic recovery.

We would like to see the same investment in the success of reforms across the region, and are working to bolster economic investment and growth. However, for that to happen, inclusive, pluralistic and resilient political systems will need to take root. Without such responsive democratic governments, the stability and sustainability businesses seek to assure the viability of investments will be missing and a shadow will be cast over the dignity and pride that has empowered people to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Although none of this will be easy, the United States and our international partners will continue to engage and offer our support in the months and years to come. I remain optimistic that 2012 can bring the kind of positive and enduring change that this region has needed and deserved for so long.

Editor's Note: This entry first appeared in Dar Al Hayat.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/nea_opportunities_change/ 2012-01-12T20:57:07+00:00
The U.S. government, through the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), is proud to partner with Rwanda's Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, UNHCR Rwanda, the World Food Program (WFP), and ARC to support protection and assistance for refugees in Rwanda. Aside from its contributions through UNHCR, PRM has been providing significant direct funding (in FY11 the grant was $ 1.7 million) to ARC to facilitate the provision of water, hygiene, and construction services in Gihembe, Nyabiheke, and Kiziba refugee camps, as well as gender-based violence prevention and response, and health and nutrition services in Gihembe and Nyabiheke camps. The United States, through USAID's Food for Peace Program, is also a major contributor of food aid to WFP to ensure the adequate supply of food rations to refugees in Rwanda, and PRM made a cash contribution in 2011 to help rectify food pipeline breaks. Through a PRM Julia Taft Fund project via U.S. Embassy Kigali, funding was also provided to ARC to implement a poultry raising income generation project for widows and other vulnerable refugees in Gihembe Camp.

PRM looks forward to continued partnerships in 2012 and significant financial support in all three camps. During several PRM monitoring visits to Rwanda's refugee camps in 2011, certain pressing needs, such as improving the camp's water pumping station and dealing with the rapidly deepening ravines caused by erosion of the hillside, were highlighted and we look forward to working with the Rwandan government, UNHCR, ARC, and other partners to address these needs in 2012.

Finally, an exciting technology that we have been discussing with UNHCR and ARC involves the introduction of low cost "solar light" bulbs crafted from empty plastic soda bottles inserted into iron sheeted roofs. On any clear day, these solar light bulbs, which cost only a few dollars each to create, refract natural light and channel the equivalent of 55 watts of electrical light into a school, health center, or residential structure. ARC intends to initiate a pilot project to install these solar bulbs in the larger structures in Kiziba refugee camp that we hope will provide low-cost illumination for school children, doctors, and patients. Our continued support to these camps in Rwanda helps improve the lives of refugees until a durable solution to their displacement can be found.

You can follow the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration on Facebook.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/congolese_refugees_rwanda/ 2012-01-11T16:04:44+00:00 World Health Organization estimates a shortage of at least one million frontline health workers worldwide, with Africa the region in greatest need. PEPFAR, in collaboration with partner countries, is pursuing a number of initiatives to respond.

Our efforts are being reinforced by many actors around the globe. A growing number of health organizations, recognizing the life-saving impact frontline health workers offer, are committed to employing innovative strategies to address the crisis. Tomorrow, 37 of these organizations from the public and private sector are coming together in Washington to launch the Frontline Healthcare Workers Coalition. The coalition will seek to stimulate high-impact investments in frontline health workers in the developing world, in order to save more lives and foster healthier communities.

Through PEPFAR, the United States has been a leader in making such investments. As we have moved from an emergency response toward a more sustainable, country-owned approach, we have been strengthening health systems as the foundation to achieving long-term health objectives -- such as the goal Secretary Clinton announced in November of an AIDS-free generation. PEPFAR and its implementing partners -- many of which are represented in the new coalition -- are working with partner countries to implement game-changing programs.

Two programs that exemplify our efforts to build lasting solutions are the Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and the Nursing Education Partnership Initiative (NEPI). Through these, PEPFAR seeks to alleviate Africa's critical shortage of trained healthcare professionals and paraprofessionals, while developing sustainable local capacity to produce skilled doctors, nurses, and midwives for generations to come.

For medical education, over the five years of MEPI, PEPFAR, and the National Institutes of Health are providing $130 million directly to medical schools in a dozen African countries. The schools are using these funds to improve medical education, invest in innovative technologies, and strengthen educational resources. Funds are also used to support the research capacity of MEPI institutions, enabling African researchers and scholars to make invaluable contributions to the larger body of HIV knowledge.

In a similar fashion, PEPFAR is providing training and technical support to nursing and midwifery programs through NEPI. We recently launched NEPI in three countries -- Zambia, Lesotho, and Malawi -- that face extreme challenges in meeting the need for trained nurses and midwives, and will soon expand to additional countries. Partnering with Ministries of Health will be key to NEPI's success, and Ministries have embraced the opportunities to collaborate to develop a strong nursing workforce.

These programs are building on Africa's greatest resource of all -- its people. To make a truly lasting difference in our health and development programs, we will continue to support this kind of work. On this and our other efforts to support human resources for health, we look forward to collaborating with the members of the Frontline Health Workforce Alliance. ]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/frontline_healthcare_coalition/ 2012-01-10T22:39:18+00:00
Ms. Taylor traveled to four provinces in support of this program: Kabul; Kapisa in the north; Nangarhar in the east; and Kandahar in the south. Ms. Taylor's program underscores the State Department's objectives of expanding women's economic empowerment, particularly in South Central Asia, where Ambassador Melanne Verveer's Women's Economic Symposium (held this past summer in Bishkek), outlined goals and strategies for creating stronger networks of cooperation and engagement between women of those countries.

Developing outreach programs like Ms Taylor's means multiplying the travel and security logistics -- not to mention the adventure factor -- by 10. In addition to working with Kabul-based partner organizations and contacts to develop a program, it was also necessary to reach out to colleagues spread out throughout the five regional commands (Central, West, East, South and Southwest). And those officers have their own concerns that include coordinating travel to off-base venues in U.S. military-operated mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles (MRAP). Once a schedule is in place, there's another layer of logistics that requires tackling: transportation -- especially when a program involves travel to the provinces via fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter (as was the case during Ms. Taylor's program).

When all was said and done, the program traveled approximately 1484 km (922 miles) in Afghanistan, accomplishing the U.S. Mission's objectives of strengthening people-to-people ties. Though the primary theme of her program was entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, Ms. Taylor's experiences living as a Muslim in the United States was equally intriguing to her Afghan audiences. Our local partners and contacts were extremely pleased with the program. As for Ms. Taylor, she truly enjoyed what she characterized as a "wonderful experience and adventure." Emphasis on adventure!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/afghan_women_economic_empowerment/ 2012-01-10T20:59:04+00:00
AFSI signatories' endorsement of the L'Aquila Joint Statement on Global Food Security at the 2009 G-8 Summit marked a turning point for international efforts to achieve sustainable global food security. Under the Joint Statement, the United States and other donors agreed to be accountable for delivering a comprehensive approach to improving food security, which entails effective coordination, support for country-owned processes and plans, and engagement of multilateral institutions to promote food security worldwide. President Obama's L'Aquila pledge of $3.5 billion became Feed the Future (FTF), the U.S. government's global hunger and food security initiative. These reversed decades of underinvestment in food security, especially agricultural development and preventative nutrition.

This year FTF continued to build bridges between short- and long-term food security, and demonstrated early signs of success in improving nutrition in early life. Conceived as a new approach to agricultural development, FTF promotes development along the entire agricultural value chain -- from farms to markets to consumers -- and market growth. FTF encompasses all U.S. government agricultural investments and changes the structure and focus of such investments to avoid a myopic focus on increased food production alone. We also incorporate high-leverage interventions, such as those related to improved nutrition and women's empowerment. Through this comprehensive approach, FTF is on track to achieve greater success in the short and long term than has been seen from agriculture investments in previous decades.

The scale and scope of the drought and subsequent famine in the Horn of Africa brought the need for these investments into sharp focus for the world. As Secretary Clinton pointed out in her August 2011 speech at the International Food Policy Research Institute, although droughts are natural occurrences, famines are man-made. The famine in the Horn of Africa is still the most severe humanitarian crisis in the world today, and its effects are far reaching. Yet, glimmers of hope can be found. Although still unacceptably high, the number of people affected in Ethiopia and Kenya is less than half that affected in previous droughts. Both countries have also demonstrated commendable leadership and investment in their own agriculture sectors. And although the United States has dedicated more than $870 million in emergency relief funds to the most severely affected areas, we will continue to invest in long-term solutions in the region and worldwide through FTF to try to prevent droughts from becoming famines ever again.

The 1,000 Days partnership also grew substantially this year and continues to promote improved nutrition during the 1,000 days from pregnancy through age two, when adequate nutrition has the greatest impact on a child's cognitive and physical development. Thousanddays.org was re-launched as a portal for the international nutrition community, and the 1,000 Days Hub was created to better coordinate and mobilize public and private nutrition partners. Secretary Clinton continued her strong support for early life nutrition at the U.N. General Assembly in 2011 by speaking at the Secretary General's nutrition event to promote and support the partnership, and by promoting nutrition investments as cost-effective economic growth strategies. Her tireless efforts have resulted in unprecedented international attention to nutrition during the 1,000 day window of opportunity with diverse NGO and private sector organizations creating 1,000 days messaging and programs. Several governments are independently increasing nutrition investments as well.

These efforts leave us well situated in 2012 to lead the AFSI group, which aims to strengthen mutual accountability among participating governments in meeting food security commitments. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that food security remains a high-level global priority through the U.S. presidency of the G-8 and beyond. We have laid the foundation for progress in achieving lasting food security. Now, we need to stay the course!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/ensuring_food_security/ 2012-01-10T17:36:38+00:00
There is so much work still to be done -- by the government and people of Haiti, international partners, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Too often when things begin heading in the right direction, commitments wane and past habits reemerge. We must not let that happen. On the part of the United States, we know in Haiti we have not always measured success by whether the lives of Haitians visibly improved. And, we are continuing to take steps to do better, implementing the principles President Obama set out for effective development in his administration: coordinating with other stakeholders, working closely with the Government of Haiti and following their lead, and holding ourselves accountable through rigorous monitoring of results. We are focused on improving our impact further -- from decreasing the time it takes to contract for critical needs and increasing the number of contracts we award through Haitian entities and local partners, to widening the scope and enhancing the effectiveness of our work to build Haitian capacity, to speeding the time it takes for our investments to get on the ground and have an impact.

In the coming days there will be stories about Haiti that focus on what still must be done -- like speeding the progress of donors' deployment of assistance, finding homes for the 500,000 people who still live in camps, remaining vigilant to dampen the impact of cholera, and creating more jobs, investment and economic growth. We agree. But we also think it is important to recognize the successes that are too seldom discussed or celebrated -- particularly given how great Haiti's needs were even before the earthquake. And Haiti has made progress. So I wanted to take a moment to share some of those successes.

Ten Things You May Not Know About Haiti Today

1. Almost two-thirds of the estimated 1.5 million Haitians living in tent shelters after the January 2010 earthquake have left camps, many returning to houses that have undergone structural improvements or moving into temporary shelters and permanent homes.

The U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has completed more than 28,500 temporary shelters, housing approximately 143,000 people. The U.S. government has also funded repairs to more than 6,000 "yellow" structures -- those that were deemed structurally safe if repairs are made. Today, more than 40,000 have returned to those homes.

2. Over half of the estimated 10 million cubic meters of rubble created by the earthquake has been removed -- almost 50 percent of which was removed through efforts of the U.S. government.

3. In 2011, Haitians went to the polls and elected a new President, Michel Martelly, to succeed Rene Preval. This election marked the first democratic transfer of power from one democratically elected government leader to a member of the opposition.

4. For the first time in more than 25 years, Haiti is poised to have all three branches -- executive, legislative and judiciary -- of government in place. President Martelly has appointed three members of the Supreme Court, including the Court's president -- a position that was vacant for six years and is central to the judiciary's oversight body.

5. The Haitian Ministry of Health, supported by the international community including USG through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and USAID, led the international community's response to prevent and treat cholera -- bringing the case mortality rate below the international standard of one percent.

6. According to the UN Special Envoy for Haiti's website, of the 4.5 billion pledged for Haiti for 2010-2011, approximately 2.4 billion had been spent by December 2011. In October, the legislative mandate for the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission (IHRC) ended. During its tenure, the Commission approved 89 projects across 8 sectors valued at more than 3 billion dollars. Even in the absence of a legislatively mandated coordination mechanism, the 12 largest donors continue to leverage the relationships built through the IHRC to coordinate among themselves and work with the Government of Haiti through resident representatives.

7. The Government of Haiti, with the support of stakeholders, including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), is providing schooling to 260,000 elementary students for a total of 750,000 elementary students enrolled this school year.

8. The Government of Haiti is overhauling its state-owned electricity company, Electricite D'Haiti (EDH), which provides electricity to just 12 percent of the population and requires more than 100 million a year in government subsidy to operate. The Government of Haiti has appointed new Haitian leadership and an internationally respected turnaround management team funded by the U.S. government. In the first three months, the new management has helped the utility company improve its operations, its transparency and its fiscal efficiency, identifying more than 1.6 million in monthly savings. The new management will not only improve and expand services, but also help reduce the substantial government subsidy for EDH's operations, freeing these resources up for other critical needs.

9. The U.S. government is doing development differently in Haiti, consistent with the principles of the Presidential Policy Directive on Global Development and its focus on catalyzing economic growth:

Caracol Industrial Park: In November, President Martelly, President Clinton, and Inter-American Development Bank President Luis Moreno and more than a 1,000 members of the local community took part in an official ceremony laying the Park's foundation, on track for its March opening. The speed and efficiency of implementation rivals the fast-moving construction schedules of industrial projects across the Americas, Europe and Asia. The 250-hectare Caracol Industrial Park in northern Haiti is a 300 million public-private partnership supported by increased U.S. trade preferences under the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act and the coordination mechanisms created by the IHRC. The USG helped convene the GOH, the IDB and Korea's largest apparel manufacturer, Sae-A, the Park's anchor tenant. Sae-A has committed to create 20,000 direct jobs and invest 78 million over six years, one of the largest investments in Haiti's modern history. With the arrival of other tenants, the Park has the potential to create 65,000 direct jobs, with additional opportunities expected for vendors, repair shops, farmers and other small businesses. USG investments will provide for electrification, new housing, and port facilities. IDB investments will provide for the construction of the park facilities and roads. The GOH is contributing the land and managing the project top to bottom with a team of Haitian professionals.

Agriculture: Through USG investments in agriculture and food security, more than 9,700 farmers have benefited from improved seeds, fertilizer, technologies, and techniques. This has resulted in a 64 percent increase in rice yields, a 338 percent increase in corn yields, a 97 percent increase in bean crop yields and a 21 percent increase in plantain yields for these farmers. As a result of a full value chain approach, incomes are up over 50 percent for 8,750 small farmers.

10. Haiti is experiencing continued and increasing international investment interest. A multi-day conference on business development opportunities in Haiti drew around 1,000 business leaders from the private sector as well as officials from 29 countries spanning the Americas, Asia and Europe. Marriot and Digicel announced the construction of a new 45 million Marriot hotel in Port-Au-Prince, with the construction by several developers of more than 750 hotel rooms in the pipeline -- representing the largest growth in the industry for the Caribbean region, which includes popular tourist destinations in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

When I first started working in Haiti, someone steeped in working there said to me, "you cannot chase needs in Haiti because Haiti's needs are too great. You must chase opportunities." I urge everyone to continue to chase opportunities in Haiti -- to stay committed. In the days and weeks after the earthquake, more than half of all Americans gave money to help make a difference in Haiti's future. I encourage you to go back to the organization you supported -- you will see the difference you helped make -- and can continue to make. Together we can help Haitians achieve the future they deserve.

Editor's Note: This entry appeared first on the Huffington Post.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/haiti_two_years_post_earthquake/ 2012-01-10T02:24:47+00:00 resolutions for 2011: to continue promoting U.S. job creation; to seek and build overseas economic alliances; and to protect U.S. businesses and their interests. Beyond these three, I also resolved to exploit every opportunity to foster prosperity at home and abroad. It is clear to me that my bureau's hard work and resilient efforts paid off during 2011. In the wake of the Arab Awakening, we took quick steps to foster economic recovery in the region, including through promotion of entrepreneurship and U.S.-Middle East business relationships. This fall, we seized long-standing opportunities for expanding economic growth by finalizing trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea, and Panama. With Secretary Clinton's unequivocal endorsement of economic policy as a pillar of foreign policy, 2012 is poised to provide even greater chances for my bureau to deliver on its mission. I would like to preview with you how my bureau plans to do that in the coming 12 months.

1. By continuing to promote growth at home.

In 2010, President Obama announced the National Export Initiative -- a government-wide effort to double U.S exports by the end of 2014 in support of millions of U.S. jobs. My bureau and I focused our efforts during the past year on trade advocacy and export promotion, access to credit, removal of trade barriers, enforcement of trade rules, and promotion of strong, sustainable and balanced growth. Our efforts worked: between July and September 2011 exports grew at a rate of 15.8 percent compared to the same timeframe in 2010, exceeding the 14.9 percent target rate needed to meet NEI goals. We helped U.S. companies compete for more than $27.8 billion in international contracts, with a total U.S. export value of over $18.6 billion. In the year ahead, we will charge full steam ahead, adding a new emphasis on foreign investment in the U.S. domestic market and on export opportunities in infrastructure.

A major success this year was the passage of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. These agreements open key markets for U.S. firms and create thousands of jobs. In 2012, we will continue to work on expanding market access by ensuring existing FTAs are implemented, advancing our talks on the Trans Pacific Partnership, and working to remove non-trade barriers.

On the aviation front, by the end of 2011, we had concluded Open Skies aviation agreements with over 105 global partners, allowing air carriers to provide more affordable, convenient and efficient air service. In the year ahead, we look to add more agreements with new partners connecting even more people to our friendly skies.

2. By re-focusing our development agenda.

We at State worked over the past year to re-frame our approach to development as a partnership, rather than as a donor-recipient relationship. President Obama's Partnership for Growth (PFG) initiative is a perfect example of this new way of thinking. Piloted in four countries -- El Salvador, Ghana, the Philippines and Tanzania -- PFG works with governments to identify the major obstacles to their economic growth and then jointly designs action plans to tackle them. I was honored to lead the negotiation of and then sign the first action plan with El Salvador in November, and look forward to our continued partnership with the country.

3. By promoting growth abroad.

2011 was a big year for entrepreneurship, which is a key priority for our bureau. The Arab Awakening provided an unprecedented opportunity for the people of Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and other countries to take ownership of their fates, including their economic futures. Recognizing this, we launched a number of entrepreneurship partnerships to promote economic growth in the region. In October, a delegation of U.S. entrepreneurs and investors traveled to North Africa to conduct workshops on building businesses. Young entrepreneurs pitched ideas to the delegation, and winners received a three-month training at Tech Town, one of the United States' premier business incubators. I look forward to traveling to the region in 2012 to continue promoting entrepreneurship, expanding opportunities for U.S. companies, and furthering our mutual economic goals.

Next week, I will lead the U.S. delegation to the second annual North Africa Partnership for Economic Opportunity (NAPEO) Maghreb Entrepreneurship Conference in Marrakech. This conference will bring together over 400 entrepreneurs from the Maghreb and beyond to exchange ideas and learn from global leaders.

But entrepreneurship and economic growth cannot flourish when a country's public revenues are wasted or when corruption runs rampant. Through our Domestic Finance for Development (DF4D) initiative, we seek to partner with countries to address these very issues. We have already identified five pilot DF4D countries (El Salvador, Honduras, Kyrgyzstan, Tunisia, and Zambia). In support of the democratic transitions in the Middle East and North Africa, DF4D is partnering with the Government of Tunisia and the International Tax Dialogue to sponsor an international Open Governance Conference in April. We are also working with international partners to develop a corps of international Volunteer Tax Experts to advise DF4D partner countries on tax administration.

4. By ensuring safe and fair access for all.

In 2011 we imposed tough new sanctions on Iran, Syria and -- for a time -- Libya. These policies advanced U.S. national interests and supported people's desire to freely determine their future. We have already rolled back the Libya sanctions in a way that supports the National Transitional Council and the rebuilding of the country. We will also continue to work with our international partners on a coordinated approach to Iran in order to hold the Iranian regime responsible for its refusal to comply with its international obligations.

It is not just in the goods market that we are striving to maintain openness. We are working to keep the Internet a space where economic, political, and social exchanges flourish. Together with a growing cross-regional group of like-minded countries, we will provide a platform for governments to engage creatively and energetically with the private sector, civil society, and other governments.

2012 will no doubt have its share of global economic challenges, but these can also present opportunities for advancing U.S. policy. I look forward to embracing these opportunities and strengthening the American economy.

Happy New Year to all!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/advancing_us_policy_2012/ 2012-01-09T21:52:11+00:00 Update: Watch the video here.

Suzan Johnson Cook, Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, will hold a conversation with Dr. Chris Seiple, President of the Institute for Global Engagement, on the role of religion in foreign policy. The discussion will be moderated by Cheryl Benton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, and will be available to view here on DipNote, the Department of State's official blog on January 25. Members of the general public are invited to participate by submitting questions in the comments section of this DipNote entry, some of which will be selected for response during the broadcast.

This is the twenty-third in the Conversations with America video series coordinated by the Bureau of Public Affairs, in which the State Department's senior leadership hosts conversations online, with leaders of prominent non-governmental organizations. Discussion topics include foreign policy and global issues and provide a candid view of how leaders from civil society engage the Department on pressing foreign policy issues.
]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/join_a_discussion_on_religion_and_foreign_policy/ 2012-01-09T20:14:34+00:00
As information networks become more ubiquitous and powerful, new movements and power structures are forming, others are being disrupted, and the speed of communications is making all of this take place at a blistering fast pace. Connection technologies are changing the ecology of politics and government.

In a speech last February, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton reaffirmed the United States' commitment to Internet Freedom, the necessary backbone for people to be able to exercise their universal rights in an increasingly networked world. In her speech to a global audience, Secretary Clinton said:

"I urge countries everywhere instead to join us in the bet we have made, a bet that an open internet will lead to stronger, more prosperous countries. At its core, it's an extension of the bet that the United States has been making for more than 200 years, that open societies give rise to the most lasting progress, that the rule of law is the firmest foundation for justice and peace, and that innovation thrives where ideas of all kinds are aired and explored. This is not a bet on computers or mobile phones. It's a bet on people."

2011 also marked another major year advancing one of Secretary Clinton's signature initiatives, Civil Society 2.0. Civil Society 2.0 recognizes the important role civil society organizations play in empowering individuals to create change in their communities. Through this work, the State Department seeks to increase the effectiveness of civil society organizations working on a variety of issues by providing them with training in the latest technology tools to help facilitate those changes.

Participants learn how to use technology and integrate digital tools into their work. With new knowledge comes new capabilities -- and these groups are now better able to participate in the political process, visualize data to educate the public, communicate safely in restricted environments, and use mobile phones to create information networks among their members and the communities they serve.

We hosted five TechCamps in 2011. In June, Secretary Clinton participated in TechCamp Vilnius, which convened participants from 22 countries. One of the personal highlights of 2011 for me was introducing her to those seventy-five activists in Vilnius. The Secretary's excitement and engagement were obvious to everyone that was there.

To date, through TechCamps, we have trained more than 350 civil society organizations from more than 40 countries. Currently, we are planning several TechCamps aimed at helping to build capacity for civil society organizations working in education, women's empowerment, and open government.

As we begin 2012, we continue to celebrate the advances we have made in 21st Century Statecraft by hosting several different special events throughout January. Each week, we are inviting people from around the world to submit questions through Twitter using the hashtag #AskState. State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland will respond to those questions during our Twitter Briefing each Friday in January.

I will be participating in a variety of activities myself. This week, I'll address the diplomatic corps at the Blair House and participate in a Live at State video chat with bloggers and journalists from around the world. On January 19, I'll hold a Twitter Q&A, and look forward to receiving your questions.

As we look ahead, 2012 will doubtless bring forward more innovations and advances in technology that we cannot yet foresee. Citizens around the world will continue to develop new and creative ways to engage one another and their governments. Here at the U.S. Department of State, we will continue to do our best to adapt our the practice of statecraft to account for these changes as we advance our diplomatic and development goals.

Happy New Year!

Editor's Note: You can watch Alec Ross's Live at State streamed on video.state.gov at 9:45 a.m. EST on Tuesday, January 10, 2012.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/2011_year_in_review_21st_century_statecraft/ 2012-01-09T15:26:55+00:00
I had the privilege of joining our Ambassador Anne Patterson in attending two Christmas services on January 6. First, we went to a moving celebration at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church near Tahrir Square. Then, in the evening, we attended a Coptic Christmas ceremony at Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral.

In both churches, there were celebrations of the joy of the season alongside somber moments of remembrance for those who lost their lives over the past year, including in the tragic and terrible terrorist attack on a Coptic church in Alexandria one year ago, as well as the unrest that followed. In the Presbyterian service, worshippers gave a standing ovation to a young man blinded in the unrest.

As I looked around the two churches, I was struck by Egypt's great religious and political diversity. At a time when the intersection of religion and politics is on the minds of many, it was encouraging to see many Muslims from across the political spectrum attend these services to show their respect for their fellow citizens. Just as Egyptians came together in a spirit of tolerance and unity last January in Tahrir Square, so, too, were the attendees of these Christmas celebrations affirming a respect for the principles of religious freedom that are essential to a democratic system. President Obama, in a statement a few days ago, rightly pointed out that, "freedom of religion, and the protection of people of all faiths, and the ability to worship as you choose are critical to a peaceful, inclusive, and thriving society."

Egypt's mainstream political parties have promised to respect the rights of religious minorities to worship freely. As Egypt's newly-elected lower house of parliament prepares to be seated for the first time this month, these parties will soon be in a position to ensure these promises come to fruition.

In this same spirit of tolerance, I spent my time this Christmas in Cairo speaking to Egyptian leaders and civil society activists about the importance of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as a pillar of any healthy democracy. NGOs, in Egypt and around the world, play an integral role in ensuring government accountability, providing much-needed services to needy communities, and offering protections for our most fundamental rights.

I was inspired by the commitment to unity, tolerance, and mutual respect evident at the Christmas services I attended. I hope this same spirit will be evident as Egyptians launch their new democratic parliament, write their new constitution, find ways to strengthen and protect equal rights for all citizens, and build a more prosperous nation.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/egypt_coptic_christmas/ 2012-01-09T00:34:42+00:00
We made a major push in 2011 to coalesce U.S. government and international commitment in support of women as peacemakers and peace-builders. This effort culminated in the release of the U.S. National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace, and Security. The NAP represents many months of close collaboration -- coordinated by the White House -- between U.S. government agencies, particularly the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). It also involved significant outreach to foreign governments, the United Nations, the NGO community, and private sector leaders. We hope that women's participation as peace builders will be integrated across programs and policies to ensure more effective outcomes in ending conflicts and promoting peace, stability, and economic progress. As Secretary Clinton said during the NAP launch at Georgetown University a few weeks ago, "Women are not victims of war, but agents of peace."

Expanding women's economic opportunities and progress, and breaking down barriers to women-run small and medium enterprises, were a focus of our work in 2011 and will remain a priority in the year ahead. In collaboration with the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and USAID we launched the first "Invest for the Future: Women Driving Economic Growth" conferences in Istanbul, Turkey and Zagreb, Croatia, which provided training, mentoring and business networking for nearly 300 women entrepreneurs in the Caucasus and Southeastern Europe. Working with our regional partners and embassies overseas, we carried out similar signature programs elsewhere. In tandem with the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, we organized the Central Asia and Afghanistan Women's Economic Symposium, held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in July. The African Women's Entrepreneurship Program and the Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas Women Entrepreneurs Mentoring Network continued to grow and expand their reach, enabling more women to tackle traditional obstacles to trade, create successful business incubators, and catalyze enterprises that employ networks of other women.

With the United States as the 2011 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) host, in September we organized with the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs the high level APEC Women and the Economy Summit in San Francisco, where Secretary Clinton laid out a strong, evidence-based case for how women are driving economic growth. By the end of the summit, all 21 APEC countries signed onto the San Francisco Declaration, committing each economy to develop programs and policies to reduce barriers to and improve women's economic opportunities and entrepreneurship. Later, at the APEC Ministerial in Honolulu, leaders called for the implementation of steps to expand women's business opportunities throughout the region.

Efforts to strengthen women's political participation and leadership included an emphasis on the role of women in the Arab Spring and political transitions in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. In May, we convened the Women's Empowerment Working Group in Tunisia with civil society leaders from across the Arab world.

In Afghanistan, we built upon previous efforts to ensure that women are fully represented and participating in country-wide political decision-making processes. U.S. leadership in advocating for the important role women play in the future of Afghanistan helped to ensure that they were at the table during the Bonn conference in December.

We incorporated women into more of our strategic dialogues, including the first-ever bilateral U.S.-China Women Leaders Exchange and Dialogue (Women-LEAD), aimed at increasing exchanges and learning among women leaders across all sectors from China and the United States.

It was also a year to boost women in the fields of science and technology. Through the U.S.-Brazil Memorandum of Understanding on the Advancement of Women, we initiated a series of exchanges for U.S. and Brazilian women scientists, not only to benefit the participants, but also to help lay a foundation to inspire a new generation of young women to enter these vital fields. Under the leadership of Secretary Clinton, the Department launched TechWomen, an innovative initiative that harnesses the power of technology and mentoring to engage women from Silicon Valley with emerging women leaders in the technology field from the Middle East and North Africa. We also expanded efforts to harness mobile technology as a means of empowering women. The GSMA mWomen Programme, launched in 2010 to help provide women in the developing world greater access to mobile technology has broadened in reach. A new three-year mWomen partnership between USAID, the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), the GSMA and Visa Inc., will enable more women to use mobile phones to access life-enhancing information, networks and services -- such as banking, education and healthcare.

We forged ahead with our work on improving women's health and launched a variety of public-private partnerships including the Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action aimed at empowering new mothers. We also inaugurated the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon Partnership to combat cervical and breast cancer in Africa and Latin America.

The year 2011 also marked progress for the role of women in combating climate change, including greater inclusion in key climate negotiations, enhancing agricultural productivity and through investments in initiatives like the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.

With a new year beginning, we look forward to building on the progress made and momentum gained. We continue to take our inspiration from so many women around the globe who -- often at great personal risk -- are on the frontlines of advancing economic, political and social progress, protecting human rights and promoting economic growth, democracy and peace.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/women_progress_2011/ 2012-01-07T23:57:57+00:00 More: January 2012 Designated "21st Century Statecraft Month"

Today, State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland held a Twitter briefing, answering questions selected from the U.S. Department of State's 10 official Twitter feeds. Spokesperson Nuland will answer questions submitted via Twitter each Friday during the month of January. Questions can be submitted using the hashtag, #AskState.

Throughout the month of January, U.S. officials in Washington, D.C. and at U.S. Missions abroad will host digital engagements across multiple social media platforms on a wide array of issues to directly connect with the public on foreign policy issues that matter to them. You can find additional information about next week's engagements here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/askstate_nuland_twitter_briefing/ 2012-01-07T02:30:28+00:00
As part of the USAID ACCESSO initiative that targets 18,000 poor rural households in Honduras, the Diaz family was given assistance in the form of training, fertilizer, seed, and irrigation that allowed them to grow better and more nutritious food for their family. It also allowed them to produce a surplus that can be sold to generate income. Thanks to this, Mr. Diaz did not need to leave his family in search of work in the city, or abroad.

Mario Corea Pineda has gone a step further. He is a small farmer -- a carrot producer -- who, with the support of the ACCESSO program, has been able to improve the quality of his carrots so that they now meet market requirements, and are readily sold.

In my role as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Food and Agriculture agencies in Rome, I went to Honduras accompanied by five journalists from Central and South America to see the work the United States and the UN Food and Agriculture agencies are doing in the field. For me it is an opportunity to hear from U.S. and UN staff on the ground about their challenges and successes and, more importantly, from the people such as Nora and Mario, who benefit from the programs.

For the journalists who accompany me -- in this case all young and eager -- the tours are a precious opportunity to learn hands-on about what the United States is doing to improve food security through USAID and the Feed the Future program, and how its strong financial support of UN agencies such as the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is improving the lives of poor and hungry rural families in the region.

Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, with 65 percent of Hondurans living in poverty. It is sparsely populated and, as we discovered in just two days driving through the countryside, many rural communities are very isolated. It took us two hours driving on unpaved back-roads through beautiful, mostly uninhabited green hills, and past very primitive isolated homes, to reach the town of Reitoca. There, very much in the middle of nowhere, is a lively town of 1,000 people with a committed mayor and Municipal Grain Bank supported by FAO.

The Grain Bank has changed the lives of the farmers of Reitoca. They now have a communal facility in which to store their maize and beans so they can weather fluctuations of price and times of scarcity. The Bank buys grains at harvest time, when prices are low, and loans grains to needy families when prices rise, contingent on their commitment to use sustainable agricultural practices and evidence of shortages in the household.

In the hills of Reitoca, we also met with a farmer involved in a FAO project that is making a difference in rural mountain communities. Local famer Celso Sierra, dressed for the occasion in a brand-new shirt and shiny silver cowboy hat, explained how the agro-forestry techniques FAO advocates have enabled him to produce more, and in an environmentally sustainable way. "Now I re-harvest my own seed, I have planted trees to prevent soil erosion, and my maize yield has increased to four tons per hectare!" Celso Sierra told me.

WFP is the UN's "first response" organization for emergencies around the globe, providing timely food relief to areas hit by disasters as well as preventing hunger through programs to help communities become more food secure. In Honduras we visited a site that combined both of these roles. In Los Llanitos, a town hit by a flood last October, we observed WFP's School Feeding program in action. WEP's School Feeding program provides meals to school children, ensuring they get at least one nutritious meal a day and serving as an incentive for families to send their children to school.

Of the many promising projects that are making a difference in Honduras, the FAO/WFP organized urban gardens in the capital of Tegucigalpa were particularly striking. On the edges of an already poor city sit the colonias, or slums. In the heart of this slum of wood and tin shacks and mud, where there is no running water, vegetables are growing in the most unexpected places: truck tires, buckets, hanging coke bottles, suspended hammocks of plastic. 347 of these home gardens have been created in five poor city neighborhoods, providing women with vegetables, a sense of pride and accomplishment, and a community group. Twenty-year-old Zullema Ulloa, her best dress and heels contrasting with the shack behind her, told me how this garden made her feel good. "I not only spend less on these foods, and save money, but I am also contributing to the household economy, in addition to taking care of my son," she said.

All the projects we saw are making a difference. Now we must scale them up, so more people can participate and benefit, and ultimately break free of assistance. To do this we must work in partnership with UN agencies, NGOs, and national governments to ensure they invest in agricultural development and in women as well as promote involvement by the private sector. I was encouraged in Honduras by the active participation of the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Jacobo Ragalado, who I thank, along with my fellow U.S. Ambassador Lisa Kubiske for accompanying us enthusiastically on the tour, as well as by the eagerness of the representatives of the U.S. government and the UN agencies to strengthen their work in the future.

And I am happy to know that Nora Diaz, her two children, and her husband will be together this year.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/nutrition_agriculture_honduras/ 2012-01-06T20:06:39+00:00 Office of Art in Embassies. Taken by retired U.S. Army Lieutentant Colonel Richard A. Fisher, the photograph captures the descent of the U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and U.S. Embassy Bern staff members from the Matterhorn in southern Switzerland. Lt. Colonel Fisher submitted the photograph for consideration in the "Serving Abroad...Through Their Eyes" exhibition.

The "Serving Abroad...Through Their Eyes" photography exhibition is a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of State's Office of Art in Embassies. The exhibition honors those who serve overseas, and aims to convey their experiences -- including daily life, friendship, loss, or triumph. Any current or former military, civil, and Foreign Service officer may submit up to 10 compelling photographs from their service abroad for consideration to be included in an expressive video artwork display that will be shown at prominent international locations. Submissions will be accepted now through February 20, 2012. Rules, guidelines, and entry forms can be found here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/potw_serving_abroad/ 2012-01-06T19:29:20+00:00 21st Century Statecraft" -- complementing traditional foreign policy tools with the networks and technologies of our interconnected world.

Underscoring our commitment to these efforts, January is the Department's 21st Century Statecraft month and we'll be taking advantage of the truly participatory nature of social media to bring people virtually into the State Department briefing room to ask their foreign policy questions. State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland will take questions from the public selected from the Department's 10 official Twitter feeds [@StateDept (English), @USAbilAraby (Arabic), @USAdarFarsi (Farsi), @USAenEspanol (Spanish), @USAenFrancais (French), @USAemPortugues (Portuguese), @USApoRusski (Russian), @USA_Zhongwen (Chinese), @USAUrdu (Urdu), @USAHindiMein (Hindi)] and answer them at the podium following the Daily Press Briefing each Friday throughout the month of January. You can ask your question using the hashtag, #AskState.

We are also taking the opportunity this month to highlight a lot of what happens here in Washington and around the world every day. In the past year, for example, our embassies have used technology to help connect women entrepreneurs in West Africa and respond to the devastating earthquake that struck Japan. American ambassadors are using social media to engage young people in Zimbabwe and strengthen our relationship with the people of Thailand.

There is still so much to do. As Secretary Clinton has said, part of 21st Century Statecraft is embracing new tools, such as using cell phones for mobile banking or to monitor elections; the other part is reaching out to the people behind those tools, such as innovators and entrepreneurs, and the people who use them, like you.

So, as we begin this year, we are renewing our commitment to engagement and to informing the American people and those around the world about our foreign policies. Stay tuned to DipNote, @StateDept, and our Facebook page as we highlight opportunities for you to interact with officials from the State Department and U.S. missions abroad throughout the month of January. We look forward to receiving your questions and feedback, and we thank you for helping us commemorate 21st Century Statecraft month.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/leveraging_21st_century_statecraft/ 2012-01-05T23:51:22+00:00 keynote remarks at the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in early November, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton paused to reflect on the last 12 months: "What a year 2011 has been for freedom in the Middle East and North Africa."

For people in that region and around the world, this past year brought exceptional progress and challenges. Some dictators fell, while others tyrants teetered, and in Syria, yet another clung to power by inflicting terrible suffering on his own people. Demands for free and fair elections and for governance that can provide both human rights and fundamental economic needs spread from country to country and across the globe. TIME Magazine named "The Protester" as its Person of the Year. Whenever I traveled -- from Sudan to Russia to Burma to Bahrain -- I met with people who simply wanted to exercise their right to free expression, to have a say in how they would be governed, to practice their religion without fear, and to earn a decent wage.

For these reasons, last year was quite extraordinary for the men and women here at the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). They each worked in close partnership with offices and embassies throughout the State Department on these issues, three of which I'd like to highlight here:

Middle East transitions: We worked in close coordination with State Department colleagues on the many challenges and opportunities that have arisen this year. In her NDI speech, Secretary Clinton addressed American commitments to promote reform and support transitions in the Middle East and North Africa. In May, I testified on Capitol Hill about the state of these political transitions. In July, I did the same regarding human rights abuses in Syria; and, more recently, in December, I briefed key lawmakers on my trip to Bahrain and the government's response to the landmark Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry report.

Internet Freedom: Protecting the rights of individuals to exercise their fundamental freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, association and religion on and offline is a signature issue for Secretary Clinton, our bureau and the Department as a whole. Last year, Secretary Clinton delivered two major policy addresses on the topic -- most recently at the Freedom Online Conference in the Netherlands, which launched a coalition of 15 countries committed to joint action in support of a free and open Internet. I also had the privilege of talking about Internet freedom at the New America Foundation "Future Tense" Conference and at the Silicon Valley Human Rights Conference, where I emphasized the challenges and responsibilities the private sector has in this space. Since 2008, we have committed $70 million in programming to this cause. You can learn more about our continued efforts here.

LGBT: Integrating the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into American foreign policy has been a core priority for this Administration. In early December, Secretary Clinton delivered a historic speech in Geneva entitled "Free and Equal in Dignity and Rights," in which she addressed "one of the remaining human rights challenges of our time" and pledged to continue combating efforts to criminalize homosexuality. This speech followed on the heels of a June UN Human Rights Council session which passed the first-ever UN resolution on the human rights of LGBT people. Deputy Assistant Secretary Dan Baer later outlined the underlying American values and foreign policy rationales for the promotion of LGBT rights in this op-ed. A fact sheet about the Department and my bureau's collective work can be read here.

The year 2012 marks the 35th anniversary of the creation of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. As we embark on this new year, we rededicate ourselves to the American values and universal principles that guide our bureau, this government and this country. I look forward to working with you in 2012.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/year_in_review_2011_drl/ 2012-01-05T20:22:20+00:00 Bureau of Counterterrorism.

1. We build foreign counterterrorism capacity. We build international partner counterterrorism capacity in the civilian sector and contribute to efforts in the military and defense sectors. We develop and support implementation of antiterrorism assistance in the law enforcement, rule-of-law and counterterrorism finance sectors, on topics ranging from cyber-security to money laundering prevention to crisis response to prison de-radicalization.

2. We stood up and co-chair a new multilateral counterterrorism body. In 2011, we established the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF). With 30 founding members (29 countries and the EU), the GCTF is a major initiative within the Obama Administration's broader effort to build an international architecture for dealing with 21st century terrorist threats. Two major deliverables announced at the September launch demonstrate the GCTF's action-oriented nature. The first was approximately $100 million, contributed by several members, to develop rule of law institutions. The United Arab Emirates announced the second: its intention to host the first ever international center of excellence on countering violent extremism, slated to open in Abu Dhabi in the fall of 2012. The forum is co-chaired by Turkey and the United States.

3. We counter violent extremism. To defeat terrorists, we must undermine their ability to recruit. We work to delegitimize the violent extremist narrative, to develop positive alternatives for populations vulnerable to recruitment, and to build partner government and civil society capacity to counter violent extremism themselves.

4. We engage with foreign governments. We hold regular bilateral, regional, and multilateral dialogues on shared counterterrorism issues and consult with foreign governments on urgent and emerging threats. Through bilateral and multilateral engagement we work with our more capable partners to enhance the abilities of countries around the world to counter terrorism and to cooperate more effectively together. We exchange intelligence, information, and best practices and procedures to ensure that we all are in the best possible position to thwart terrorist plots and take and keep terrorists off the streets. We help draft foreign counterterrorism laws. We routinely advise foreign governments on best practices for counterterrorism crisis management, and maintain cooperative research and development agreements with partner nations.

5. We respond to crises. We lead an interagency crisis response team, known as the Foreign Emergency Support Team (FEST). Established in 1985, the FEST is ready to travel at four hours notice to the scene of an overseas emergency and provide round the clock advice and assistance to Ambassadors and foreign governments facing crises. The FEST's interagency team has responded to real-world bombings, kidnappings, and other crises around the globe, and also supports and participates in training exercises for such incidents. FEST training and response activities have occurred in Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe. We have deployed a FEST 31 times since 1989.

6. We strategize. We work closely with the National Security Staff and other agencies to develop, refine and implement U.S. counterterrorism strategy and operations to disrupt and defeat the networks that support terrorism.

7. We designate. We prepare designations that carry legal sanctions of State Sponsors of Terrorism, foreign terrorist organizations, entities and individuals, and countries not fully cooperating with U.S. counterterrorism efforts for consideration by the Secretary of State.

8. We support research and development. We co-chair (with the Department of Defense) the interagency Technical Support Working Group (TSWG). TSWG conducts the National Interagency Combating Terrorism Research and Development Program whose purpose is to enhance the counterterrorism technology and equipment capabilities of U.S. government agencies involved in counterterrorism activities.

9. We support the safe recovery of hostages. The Hostage Policy Subgroup refines and implements official U.S. government policy toward Americans taken captive abroad. We work closely with interagency partners to shape and guide implementation of hostage policy in a way that accomplishes the safe recovery of hostages, bringing of hostage-takers to justice, and the prevention of future incidents.

10. We strengthen homeland security. We work in partnership with DHS, as well as other agencies and bureaus, to strengthen international cooperation on a wide range of homeland security issues, including transportation security, the interdiction of terrorist travel, and critical infrastructure protection.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/bureau_of_counterterrorism/ 2012-01-04T20:34:12+00:00 Cooperativa Agricola Integral Mujeres Quatro Pinos (Integrated Women's Agricultural Cooperative) in the central highlands of Guatemala is a heartening example of what women can accomplish when they set their minds to it, work together and receive the necessary investment support.

I visited Quatro Pinos' vegetable production, processing, and marketing operation last month on a media tour of Guatemala as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations agencies in Rome.

In just six years, the cooperative has grown from a group of 35 women with small vegetable plots to a 350-member cooperative that manages 415 acres of land. Since the fall of 2010, they have quadrupled their production from 450,000 to 2 million pounds of vegetables. They grow snow peas, English peas, string beans, and mini carrots that they then process, package and export -- much to the United States.

What makes Quatro Pinos so succesful? I think the key ingredient is its core group of proud, dynamic, hard-working, and determined women coupled with some strategic assistance from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in the form of access to loans, markets, business training, and cooperation from the private sector -- in this case AGEXPORT, the Guatemalan exporters' association.

It was an uphill climb as these women struggled for the right to work and create their business in a male-dominated society. At the beginning (2004) the local governing council -- without a single woman on its board -- strongly resisted the formation of the coop and initially blocked all efforts to set it up. And later, even after granting permission to establish the coop, only men from the council could decide which women were admitted. But slowly, with determination, the women prevailed.

As I listened to these hardworking women explain the history of their coop, I was excited to hear how this initiative had changed their lives, by giving them an income and helping them achieve an unprecedented level of independence.

Piedad Flores, now the head of projects at Quatro Pinos, farmed just a quarter of an acre of land, but thanks to the co-op she was able to obtain a loan and purchase more land, "Now I am an owner!" she said proudly.

Two other projects we visited in Guatemala that day provide similar support to local communities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress program in Chimaltenango is supporting 3,291 local farmers with technology (greenhouses, combined irrigation and fertilizer systems, cold storage, and collecting centers), training in farming techniques such as composting, and help in the commercialization of their products. We watched them plant organic gardens, saw where they processed their produce and made jams, and visited a flower workshop where women were shown how to give added value to the flowers they grow by packaging them in appealing ways. The USDA project has benefited from the service of experts from the Borlaug Institute, part of the Texas A&M University system, and funds from USAID. It will be turned over to a local organization, SENDEC, at the end of the year.

We also observed similar projects supported by our UN partners down near the coast in the Rancho Alegre community in San Andres Villa Seca (Retalhuleu province). This is the site of a World Food Programme (WFP) Purchase for Progress (P4P) project working in conjunction with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), to support a local small farmers' organization (ASODINA). P4P encourages these farmers to produce a surplus of maize and black beans that the WFP then purchases for its emergency operations in the area, while concurrently helping them find other purchasers. As always in Guatemala, the Rancho Alegre farmers welcomed us enthusiastically, and I was proud to cut the ribbon for the inauguration of their new agro-storage facility there. Nearby, we met farmer Eliot Gonzales and his family of eight, who shyly posed for a photo with me in front of their healthy corn field sown with drought-tolerant seeds provided by the FAO, which also assisted Eliot with techniques to improve his production.

Guatemala undoubtedly faces great challenges in terms of inequality, security, and especially poverty and malnutrition -- largely among its big indigenous population. But as I told the many people I met there, I left Guatemala with a profound sense of hope, a real confidence that given the proper support, local communities already command the essential ingredients for a brighter future. These are proud and determined people who are eager to learn, and eager to improve their lot. The United States and the UN organizations, in concert with the government of Guatemala, must continue to give them an opportunity to reach their true potential.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/guatemala_better_future/ 2012-01-04T16:44:29+00:00 Art in Embassies (AIE) is pleased to partner with the Department of Defense on a historic exhibition of inspired photographs from overseas service, to be titled "Serving Abroad... Through Their Eyes," as part of AIE's year-long 50th anniversary celebration in 2012.

Any current or former military, civil, and Foreign Service officer may submit a single, compelling photograph from their service abroad for consideration as one of up to a thousand selected for inclusion in an expressive video artwork display. The image captured in the photograph should be of daily life, friendship, places, faces, loss, or triumph and taken since the year 2000. Submissions will be accepted now through February 20, 2012. Rules, entry forms, and guidelines may be found by visiting http://www.ourmilitary.mil/their-eyes/serving-abroad-through-their-eyes. The multi-venue video artwork will be on display during a private, evening reception on November 30, 2012 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and will then travel to the Pentagon, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, and other prominent international locations.

A jury selection panel of noted Americans, including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, Air Force General Richard Myers, Marine General Peter Pace, and General Colin Powell, who also served as Secretary of State; New York Times photographer Joao Silva; and David Gregory, of Meet the Press, will announce the selections on Armed Forces Day, May 19, 2012. The "Best in Show" photographers will be honored at the November 2012 opening celebration.

The direct submission form is here. Simply fill it out and email your image to be included!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/photography_exhibition_to_honor_service_abroad/ 2012-01-04T15:11:16+00:00
Many of our most exciting programs responded to the needs and opportunities generated by changes in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. Throughout these regions, ECA bolstered English teaching and the Fulbright Program. We also added new International Visitor Leadership Programs to give rising leaders in countries like Tunisia and Libya a look at American entrepreneurship and democratic, transparent governance.

Our cultural and historical preservation work also helped raise the U.S. profile abroad. For instance we restored the historical citadel of Herat, our largest-ever Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation project. ECA and Embassy Baghdad staff helped provide $650,000 in private funding for the Iraqi Institute for Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage. We also compiled a list of 242 critical heritage sites in Libya, which NATO safeguarded during its efforts there. And in Europe, Secretary Clinton signed an ECA-implemented bilateral agreement with Greece to protect its cultural heritage.

ECA also continued to advance its perennial mission of engaging with youth, women, and other underserved audiences. We were particularly excited by TechWomen, a new initiative that welcomed 37 women from the Middle East and North Africa to Silicon Valley technology companies for month-long mentorships with key women leaders. In partnership with the five leading U.S. women's colleges, we also launched the Women in Public Service Project, which aims to build a future where women are at least half of the world's political and civic leaders. ECA also celebrated the 100th university of International Women's Day in March with 100 women leaders from 92 countries, and we saw a second thrilling year begin with the African Women's Entrepreneurship Program.

On the youth outreach front, the State Department has welcomed high school and university students from all over the world, ranging from three dozen Brazilian Youth Ambassadors in January to almost 500 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program participants at the end of their time in the U.S. this summer. We also introduced the new J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program website and are reforming and better monitoring the programs that bring foreign students to the United States on J-1 visas.
To boost our internal efforts, ECA launched several new public-private partnerships that expand our outreach and technical capabilities. These included mEnglish, an English-teaching software program for cell phones in Tunisia that came about with the help of a local NGO and Tunisia's largest mobile service provider, reaching millions of subscribers.

Another exciting partnership is with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. We teamed up with the Met to spread the show of respect for -- and interest in -- all cultures and faiths found in the recently reopened Galleries for the Art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Later South Asia. 270 U.S. embassies -- including 25 in the Arab world -- will display exhibit highlights, and our English-teaching classrooms will use the museum's educational materials.

ECA also managed the higher education, study abroad, and other academic components of strategic bilateral dialogues with Brazil, India, Indonesia, Russia, and others. We held exciting and productive higher education summits with India and Indonesia in Washington, D.C. and launched new programs and engagement efforts in each of these countries.

All in all, 2011 was a successful year for ECA and public diplomacy. Together, our programs helped the State Department to shape the foreign policy narrative and to foster mutual understanding among Americans and the international community.

When formal relationships between governments are tense, public diplomacy can often forge a way forward. ECA programs continue to support U.S. policy in high-priority countries: our programs are key parts of every major bilateral Strategic Dialogue, and the people-to-people connections that are at the heart of our mission strengthen and expand our relationships with our allies.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/year_in_review_educational_and_cultural_affairs/ 2012-01-03T16:54:58+00:00 Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) assists persecuted and uprooted people through our support to international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and by advocating for their protection through humanitarian diplomacy. From the Arab Awakening to the crisis in the Horn of Africa, global political upheaval and conflict have presented many humanitarian challenges, and as 2012 begins, I'd like to take a moment to share a few examples of the work we did last year.

Refugee Admissions: The United States welcomed more than 56,000 refugees to re-start their lives thanks to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. English as a Second Language pilot programs provided basic language training to hundreds of U.S.-bound refugees in Kenya, Thailand, and Nepal. Our overseas partners reported a significant increase in basic skills and confidence. We anticipate increased enthusiasm for studying English after arrival in the United States -- a key skill for newly arrived refugees when seeking employment to become self-sufficient in their new communities.

Africa: In Africa, we supported international organization and NGO efforts to assist some 170,000 Ivoirian refugees in Liberia as well as hundreds of thousands of Ivoirians who were internally displaced as a result of conflict in that region. This spring, turmoil in Libya forced over one million persons to cross into Tunisia and Egypt. In response, PRM supported the emergency evacuation and repatriation of stranded third-country migrants, assistance and protection efforts for refugees and internally displaced persons, and emergency medical care and protection programs for conflict victims and detainees. Our partnership in this effort with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was a model of multilateral humanitarian action at its best. In the Horn of Africa, conflict and famine in southern Somalia forced another 300,000 Somalis to flee in 2011, bringing the overall Somali refugee population in the region to nearly one million. PRM funding to international organization partners and NGOs provided shelter, food, and other assistance to Somalis in need, and we sponsored a series of colloquia in the region to bring affected governments -- especially those who have played an important role in hosting large numbers of Somali refugees -- and service providers together to begin developing a unified strategic plan to address the crisis.

Middle East: Supporting Iraqi refugees in the Middle East continued to be one of our top priorities. Inside Iraq, PRM assistance programs help support voluntary returns and reintegration, for example, though home reconstruction, rehabilitation of water and sanitation systems, employment services and protection assistance. In neighboring countries, our funding supports a range of services for Iraqi refugees, including education, health care, and food assistance. In Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza, PRM's continued contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) supported vital programs in education, health, and social services to five million Palestinian refugees. UNRWA's commitment to peace and tolerance is a force for stability in the region and is an indispensible counterweight to extremism.

South and Central Asia: PRM supported UNHCR as it built its two hundred thousandth shelter for Afghan refugees returning to Afghanistan. We continued to advocate and provide assistance for the 2.7 million Afghan refugees outside Afghanistan as well as for Pakistanis displaced by conflict and flood. In Nepal, PRM supported UNHCR protection and assistance to Tibetan refugees transiting to India. We continued to support UNHCR assistance to 55,000 Bhutanese refugees, many of whom are in the process of resettlement to the United States. With PRM funding, UNHCR and the Turkmenistan government conducted a country-wide registration campaign, identifying approximately 8,000 stateless persons. More than 3,000 verified stateless people were granted Turkmen citizenship, with more expected in the coming months. Turkmenistan also acceded to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons.

Western Hemisphere: PRM humanitarian diplomacy saw progress when the Panamanian government passed a law granting approximately 900 indigenous and Afro-Colombian refugees the ability to request residency and work permits. We promoted solutions to statelessness in the Dominican Republic. In Haiti, PRM focused on addressing the protection needs of earthquake-displaced Haitians and building government capacity to address gender-based violence and trafficking in persons, with an emphasis on assistance for vulnerable women and children.

Europe: Our diplomatic efforts and assistance programs in the Balkans worked towards a lasting solution for those displaced since the mid 1990s war. In November, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia signed a joint declaration aimed at providing durable housing solutions to the 74,000 most vulnerable refugees and internally displaced persons remaining in the four countries -- a landmark achievement.

Migration: PRM migration programs supported direct assistance to vulnerable migrants, government capacity building, and regional coordination and dialogues on migration issues. The United States played a leadership role in several regional and international governmental forums, chairing the Intergovernmental Consultations on Migration, Asylum and Refugees, the largest global forum for dialogue on migration and development issues.

Population: Last year, the global population reached 7 billion, providing multiple opportunities to highlight U.S. leadership in investing in women and girls as essential to solving the world's most challenging problems. Women and girls are the world's engines of change. When their rights are protected and promoted, when they are healthy and educated, and when they can participate fully in society, they trigger progress in families, communities, and nations. Promoting sexual and reproductive health, reproductive rights, and access to safe and effective voluntary methods of family planning are at the top of President Obama's global health agenda. PRM supported these goals by representing the U.S. government at meetings of the UN Population Funds' (UNFPA) Executive Board and at the annual session of the UN Commission on Population and Development.

Statelessness: Under the Secretary's leadership, the Department launched an initiative to promote women's equal right to nationality. At UNHCR's ministerial event in December commemorating the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1954 and 1961 Conventions on Statelessness, Secretary Clinton spoke about discrimination against women as a major cause of statelessness around the world. PRM also targeted statelessness of Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian descent in the Dominican Republic, addressing the issue in several public forums and supporting UNHCR and others as they seek solutions to this enduring problem.

What's in store for 2012? At the UNHCR ministerial, the United States renewed its commitment to displaced people by pledging to take concrete steps to address statelessness, women's nationality issues, protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) refugees and asylum seekers, and to improve detention and asylum practices. Our continued support to our international organization and NGO partners and our diplomacy in 2012 will help improve the lives of millions of persecuted people who have suffered through upheaval and tragedy.

Stay connected with PRM on Facebook: www.facebook.com/state.prm.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/refugees_prm_year_2011/ 2012-01-02T17:36:28+00:00 Civil Society 2.0 initiative two years ago to build capacity among grassroots organizations. Since then, the State Department has dedicated itself to increasing the digital literacy of those working in civil society through the TechCamp program, orchestrating half a dozen camps around the world with more planned for 2012.

Our most recent project, TechCamp: Bucharest, was held in the Romanian capital's historic Central Library and hosted in partnership with the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Romanian Ministry of Communications and Information Society, the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), and the National Democratic Institute (NDI). The agenda focused on helping working-level staff from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) serving Roma and other socio-economically disadvantaged communities, including people with disabilities and orphans, use technology and digital tools to advance their missions.

Staff from over 50 civil society organizations participated alongside local and international technology experts, as well as representatives from the Gates Foundation Global Libraries Project and the State Department's American Corners in Romania, to explore current challenges they face and understand how technology can help address them. For example, Eric Gunderson from Development Seed worked with Roma NGOs to find ways to collect more accurate data on Roma families to help better inform the communities in which they live. They started by mapping recent census data on the Roma, a population which participants agreed has been historically under-reported. Take a look at Eric's blog about the TechCamp and the map they developed here.

Other participants worked in small groups with technologists to discuss a variety of ways technology could be employed to help achieve their objectives. Examples included:

· Developing a jobs platform for the disabled;

· Working to change the image of the Roma in the media, including highlighting positive role models;

· Using technologies to decrease the high school dropout rate among Roma students;

· Engaging people through technology during emergencies such as earthquakes and floods to increase the efficiency of the response;

· Linking people leaving orphanages to those providing job training or housing; and

· Reaching isolated communities with limited access to technology.

These insightful discussions lead to detailed participant-generated action plans with dates for follow-on activities. We anticipate innovative initiatives from TechCamp alumni in the months to come that yield tangible results for the communities they serve. In the long run, many of the NGOs are now connected with new resources and services available in local libraries that will help them advance their causes, and we see terrific potential for the TechCamp network built among activists, librarians, and American Corners staff to provided a valuable forum for relationships that create new avenues for cooperation -- a critical facet of every TechCamp's success.

Learn more about Bucharest and other State Department hosted TechCamps at techcampglobal.org.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/techcamp_bucharest/ 2012-01-02T05:40:20+00:00 Global Partnership Initiative (GPI) focused on four flagship initiatives last year:

Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves

Over the past year, our work on clean cookstoves has continued to thrive. In 2011, we built the Alliance infrastructure and strategic base, launched major communications initiatives, and began a wide range of operational priorities, much of which was either led by the U.S. government or made possible because of our strong commitment.

In May, actress Julia Roberts joined the Alliance as Global Ambassador. Throughout the year, she has helped to elevate this issue to the world stage through awareness raising efforts, including a Mother's Day Op-Ed co-authored by Secretary Clinton, and a statement issued in recognition of World Pneumonia Day.

Over the past year, it has been a privilege to continue to work with Secretary Clinton on this effort. As I have said previously, her support has been steadfast. In July, I joined her as she hosted a clean cookstoves event in Chennai, India and she never misses an opportunity to raise the issue with foreign leaders from around the world.

In September, I also had the opportunity to stand on stage at CGI as the Alliance's Culinary Ambassador Jose Andres provided a report to President Clinton and Secretary Clinton on the progress on the Alliance, including new commitments by the U.S. government and our partners.

And in December, the Alliance received UNDP's 2011 South-South Cooperation Award for Partnership, presented to the development solutions that best show the cooperative spirit of South-South cooperation, in a broad-based and egalitarian collaboration.

2011 also saw a number of operational advancements for the Alliance, including the publication of a first ever sector-wide strategy.

Clearly, it has been a busy and productive year for the Alliance. Our joint efforts have positioned the cookstoves sector to achieve unprecedented global progress and, more specifically, positioned the Alliance to achieve its ambitious goal of 100 million households adopting clean and efficient cookstoves by 2020.

Looking forward to 2012, I am confident that this momentum will continue, under the leadership of Alliance Executive Director Radha Muthiah, and with the continued support of our ever-expanding team of cross-sectoral partners.

Partners for a New Beginning

In 2011, Partners for a New Beginning (PNB) established local chapters in nine countries: Algeria, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Tunisia, Turkey, and the West Bank/Gaza. These chapters met in June at the State Department and in December at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Istanbul, and provided support for over 70 projects based on local priorities. All of these efforts support PNB's mission to develop new business opportunities and public-private partnerships to promote economic opportunity, education, exchange, and science and technology.

We are also seeing strong commitment from the U.S. private sector to redouble efforts for economic opportunity and job creation across the MENA region. For example, in December, PNB Vice-Chair Muhtar Kent announced that the Coca-Cola Company is spending $980 million on the largest-ever investment by a multinational company in the Middle East's consumer goods sector. This was the first investment stemming from plans Kent had announced at the World Economic Forum Dead Sea Special Session to invest $5 billion in the region over the next 10 years.

As we look forward to 2012, we will continue to work with the U.S. private sector and the PNB local chapters to further deepen ties, while seeking new business opportunities. We will also focus on ensuring that PNB and related efforts become self-sustaining.

Diaspora Engagement

In May, we convened the first annual Secretary's Global Diaspora Forum, where Secretary Clinton launched the International Diaspora Engagement Alliance -- or IdEA. This innovative partnership platform brings together diaspora communities, the private sector, and public institutions in a collaborative process.

In June, Secretary Clinton announced that we are partnering with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), United Kingdom Department of International Development (DFID), Digicel, Scotiabank, and others on the Caribbean IdEA Marketplace. The U.S. government, through the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), is providing $50 million in support for this business plan competition for emerging diaspora entrepreneurs that will officially "open for business" on March 1.

In November, the State Department joined the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Univision Networks, Kauffman Foundation, and m-Via to host Unleashing IdEA, a diaspora event launching Global Entrepreneurship Week. At the event, Secretary Clinton announced that we are now partnering with the IDB, Univision Networks, m-Via, and others to engage diaspora entrepreneurs from Central America and Mexico to support the development of diaspora-centered partnerships that promote trade and investment, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the region.

This partnership -- aptly called "La Idea" -- will establish a regional business competition initiative to support business and social entrepreneurs from the Latin American diaspora. Aimed to promote trade and investment between the United States and the region, this competition will support innovators whose projects meet the policy and credit requirements of all the partners. The U.S. government is committing $100 million from OPIC to support La Idea.

Building on these efforts, I am confident that 2012 will prove to be an even more exciting year for diaspora. There is great anticipation for the 2nd Global Diaspora Forum, which will be held in Washington, D.C. next June. We are also working on a number of initiatives to engage diaspora communities via innovative means -- including the development of a diaspora volunteer corps and a platform for diaspora philanthropy.

Impact Investing

In January, we convened over 80 leaders from government and the investment, corporate, NGO, and academic communities to discuss the current state of impact investing. Based on the recommendations garnered from this convening, we designed an initiative focusing on four areas: policy change and advocacy, thought leadership, building the next generation of leaders, and developing an operational model that will showcase true cross-sectoral engagement.

In the first quarter of 2012, we will convene a Global Impact Economy Forum to launch deliverables associated with our efforts around investing with impact. The forum will also highlight how and why trend-setting corporations, investors, governments, and innovators are deploying smart investment and business strategies and models that yield sustainable commercial, social and environmental returns.

In 2011, GPI also advanced a number of other meaningful partnership activities, including:

· SIFE World Cup: In October, I served as a judge at Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) World Cup 2011 in Kuala Lumpur, where Secretary Clinton announced that we are partnering to co-host SIFE World Cup 2012 in Washington, D.C. The SIFE World Cup is an opportunity for students around the world to present the results of their community outreach projects to a group of prestigious, international business leaders.

· World Food Program: In October, GPI partnered with the World Food Program to host the George McGovern Leadership Award Ceremony and Global Hunger Conference at the State Department. Vice President Biden and Secretary Clinton joined World Food Program USA in honoring Howard G. Buffett and Bill Gates for their contributions to reducing global hunger through the Partnerships for Progress (P4P) program.

· Tunisia Partnerships Forum: In November, the State Department convened the Tunisia Partnerships Forum. This forum brought together top innovators, investors, diaspora leaders, and 21 Tunisians to discuss opportunities in the three sectors that the Tunisian private sector and the new government suggested: tourism, franchising, and information communications technology. In 2012, we plan to develop a stronger network of Tunisian-American leaders by working directly with the Ambassador from Tunisia to the U.S. along with colleagues at OPIC, USAID, and elsewhere in the U.S. government.

· LAUNCH: In partnership with the State Department, NIKE, USAID and NASA, LAUNCH identifies and showcases innovators through a series of competitions and forums. In November, GPI helped to facilitate, and supported communications efforts around the LAUNCH: Energy Challenge at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. GPI will continue to support LAUNCH efforts in 2012, specifically for the upcoming Health challenge.

· Global Entrepreneurship Summit: In December, at the second Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Istanbul, Turkey, Vice President Biden announced that the State Department is partnering with the Kauffman Foundation to make future summits the signature event of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

· LGBT Fund and Forum: In December, Secretary Clinton announced the creation of the LGBT Global Equality Fund. GPI is partnering with others within the State Department to convene a related forum in the Spring of 2012.

· Partnership Database and Online Toolkit: GPI has developed a comprehensive partnership database and online toolkit that aims to streamline the partnership development and vetting process for the State Department.

· NeXXt: GPI is assisting the Office of the Science & Technology Advisor on NeXXt, an initiative designed to bring young women from Muslim-majority countries to the U.S. for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education at women's colleges.

· Tomodachi Initiative: GPI is supporting the Tomodachi Initiative that Secretary Clinton announced in the aftermath of Japan's earthquakes and tsunami. This initiative will focus on partnerships and programs to empower Japan's youth and entrepreneurs.

· Country Expos: Building on the Shanghai Expo in 2010, GPI continues to support future expos in Korea in 2012, Italy in 2015, and the United States in 2020.

As these examples illustrate, 2011 has been an extremely successful and productive year for partnerships throughout the State Department. As I reflect on our mutual accomplishments, I am impressed by the breadth and depth of our efforts, and energized by the possibilities that lay ahead for 2012 and beyond.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/2011_the_year_in_global_partnerships/ 2012-01-01T16:45:42+00:00 http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/happy_new_year_2012/ 2012-01-01T15:25:59+00:00