On May 14, a group of experts from academia, labor, and NGOs joined us for a vibrant discussion on the role of women in the global economy. The conclusion was clear; we must continue to advocate for decent work for working women around the world -- especially for women in the informal sector.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton commented on this in 2010 at the United Nations in New York: "I remember once driving through Africa with a group of distinguished experts. And I saw women working in the fields and I saw women working in the markets and I saw women with wood on their heads and water on their heads and children on their backs. And I remarked that women just seem to… more »
Today, join Ambassador Susan E. Rice and New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof as they break ground on the frontier of social media and U.S. foreign policy. In a live Google+ Hangout, Ambassador Rice and Mr. Kristof will discuss the world's most pressing challenges and America's role in an increasingly interconnected world. They will be joined live by a selection of citizens who will ask questions from the U.S. and overseas.
About the Author: David Turnbull serves as Second Secretary, Political Officer at the U.S. Mission to NATO.
More nations will participate in NATO's Chicago Summit than ever before. This Sunday and Monday, almost 60 nations, including over 30 NATO partners, will come together in Chicago. With the help of many of these partners, the Alliance will define an important milestone in its operation in Afghanistan, and consider how to address future security challenges together.
You probably know that NATO has 28 Allies who are bound to collective defense. What you might not know is that over 40 other countries work with NATO on a broad array of issues from counter-piracy, to energy security, counter-terrorism, promoting the role of women in peace and security, and more. These countries are not members of the Alliance, but have decided to work with NATO to promote international peace and security,… more »
As Secretary Clinton's Senior Advisor for Civil Society and Emerging Democracies. I'm writing to extend an invitation: I'd like you to join us online tomorrow to take part in Secretary Clinton's Global Town Hall with Civil Society. This event will kick off the 2012 Summit of our Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society, and we want you involved.
"Civil society" is the term we use to describe activists, organizations, congregations, and journalists who work through peaceful means to make our countries better. In one way or another, you're probably a part of civil society already. Over the last year, we've watched as civil society has changed our world. Courageous young men and women have brought dignity… more »
One and a half million Colombian flowers were sent to the United States on May 14 as the first shipment under the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, which goes into force today. The United States is the largest market… more »
DipNote is the official blog of the U.S. Department of State —a place to share stories, discuss experiences, and inspire new ideas on the important foreign policy issues of the day. more »
Across the eastern Horn of Africa, more than 11 million people -- a number greater than the populations of Houston and New York City combined -- are now in need of emergency assistance to survive. Learn more about the current crisis, including how you can help.
May 23: The State Department, through its office of the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), is pleased to announce $1.5 million in funding to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to support open governance and political participation in the Middle East and North Africa. more »
May 23: Today, Russia was invited to join the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) at a ceremony hosted by its parent body, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris. ã more »
![Special Representative Barbara Shailor and Ambassador-at-Large Melanne Verveer meet on informal sector workers with a group of experts from academia, labor, and civil society. [State Department photo by Matthew G. Miller/ Public Domain]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0517_informal_sector_m.jpg)
![U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice speaks to reporters after a Security Council meeting on March 16, 2011, at UN headquarters in New York. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0810_rice_un_stakeout_m.jpg)
![Secretary Clinton's Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. [State Department image/ Public Domain]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/5_16Civil_Society_507replay_m.jpg)
![A shipment of flowers was the first commercial shipment from Colombia to the United States under the Free Trade Agreement between the countries, May 14, 2012. [U.S. Embassy photo/ Public Domain]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0515_colombia_roses_m.jpg)
