Young People Mobilize for Global Youth Service Day

Posted by Ronan Farrow / April 20, 2012

About the Author: Ronan Farrow serves as Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Global Youth Issues and Director of the State Department's Office of Global Youth Issues.

This weekend marks the 24th annual Global Youth Service Day. In 100 countries, across six continents, young people between the ages of 5 and 25 will participate in their communities, leading grassroots projects in health, education, service, human rights, and the environment. In the past year, young people have played an unprecedented role in transforming their realities -- unseating repressive regimes, championing democracy, and innovating in technology, science, and business.

The United States wants to see the story of youth empowerment told for years to come. That's why, to tap the potential of this remarkable generation, we've built Embassy Youth Councils in nearly 40 countries. Each council convenes a cross-section of local young people on a regular basis to discuss shared challenges -- developing new policies and initiatives that reflect their concerns and ideas.… more »

Photo of the Week: Advancing the Era of Open

Posted by Hannah Johnson / April 20, 2012

About the Author: Hannah Johnson serves as an Assistant Editor for DipNote.

This week's "Photo of the Week" comes to us from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's recent trip to Brasilia, Brazil. A staff member captured a photo of Secretary Clinton as she prepared to address the staff and families of the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia on April 16, 2012.

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

Recognizing a Bahamian Exchange Alumna for Society-Strengthening Contributions

Posted by Erica N. Thibault / April 19, 2012

About the Author: Erica Thibault serves as Public Affairs Officer at U.S. Embassy Nassau.

Each month, the U.S. Department of State honors an alumnus from one of our academic, cultural, sports, and professional exchanges in more than 160 countries. All of us at the U.S. Embassy in Nassau are so pleased that the Department of State selected Ms. Christine Campbell as April's State Alumni Member of the Month in recognition of her leadership and commitment to public service. Last night, we had an opportunity to applaud Ms. Campbell at a reception hosted by U.S. Charge d'Affaires John Dinkelman for all State exchange program alumni in The Bahamas.

Throughout her career, Ms. Campbell has been a central force in the prevention of drug abuse,… more »

Walking Six Kilometers in Her Steps

Posted by Katie G. Kirkpatrick / April 19, 2012

About the Author: Katie G. Kirkpatrick is a program analyst in the Under Secretary of Management's Office of Policy, Rightsizing, and Innovation. She also serves as the events coordinator for the State Department's Greening Council, which helped organize the 6K Walk for Water.

Yesterday, despite the gray skies and light rain, a crowd gathered outside the State Department's 21st Street entrance, where Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanne Verveer kicked off the second Annual 6k Walk for Water.

Most of us in the United States take for granted clean and accessible drinking water. But, for millions of people -- mostly women and girls -- around the world, they must walk an average of six kilometers to collect water for their families. The task of collecting water keeps children out of school and prevents women from engaging in more productive economic activities. Water resources have widespread implications for gender equity, as well as for the global environment, health, economy, and food security.

Clean water resources are essential for a healthy planet. Experts estimate that by 2025, nearly two-thirds of the world's… more »

Travel Diary: Secretary Clinton Attends NATO Ministerial in Brussels

Posted by DipNote Bloggers / April 19, 2012

More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map

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

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

"As difficult a week as this has been in Kabul and other parts of Afghanistan, the big picture is clear. The transition… more »