The Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Office of Policy and Public Outreach integrates oceans, environment, polar, science and technology and health issues into U.S. foreign policy, and develops and delivers key messages on these issues to the media, NGOs, the private sector and Congress.
The Office of Policy and Public Outreach coordinates OES bureau-wide strategic planning efforts. The office identifies gaps in policy, new problem areas, and emerging situations requiring policy attention and formulates policy to meet these requirements. It conducts analyses of cross-cutting issues and works with other offices in the bureau to align positions in various fora to advance U.S. interests. The Office of Policy and Public Outreach also coordinates and works with the Department of State’s Bureau of Public Affairs.
The Office of Policy and Public Outreach leads the bureau’s engagement in regional affairs through its engagement with regional bureaus and with Environment, Science, Technology, and Health officers overseas. It supports 12 regional hub officers located in embassies around the world as well as Environment, Science, Technology, and Health officers abroad, providing guidance aligning Hub work plans with the Department’s goals and objectives.
The Office of Policy and Public Outreach leads bureau efforts on strategic bilateral dialogues; represents the bureau and Department in regional processes that involve multiple OES issues, and serves as the bureau’s primary point of coordination with DOS and USAID regional bureaus. It collaborates with regional and functional bureaus in preparation of policy papers and briefing material for meetings and trips by OES principals and visits of senior foreign officials.
The Office of Policy and Public Outreach advises the Assistant Secretary and deputy assistant secretaries on public affairs, public diplomacy, and press relations relating to the bureau’s area of responsibility.
The Office of Policy and Public Outreach formulates, develops and implements public information outreach strategies in support of U. S. policy on issues for which the Bureau is responsible, including speeches, press guidance, and opinion-editorials. It implements public diplomacy strategies to inform and influence key foreign groups and opinion leaders on bureau policy and maintains and updates the OES internet Web site and social media sites.
