January 2012
47 posts
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Op-Ed: ‘Why the Global Economy Needs Businesses To...
Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer and President of the Women in the World Foundation Kim Azzarelli co-authored an 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...
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Sharp Escalation of Regime Violence in Syria
Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State
Washington, DC January 30, 2012
The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the escalation of the Syrian regime’s violent and brutal attacks on its own people. In the past few days we have seen intensified Syrian security operations all around the country which have killed hundreds of civilians. The government has shelled...
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21st Century Statecraft Month: Digital Engagements...
The U.S. Department of State has designated January 2012 as 21st Century Statecraft month. Twenty-first Century Statecraft complements traditional foreign policy by harnessing and adapting the digital networks and technologies of today’s interconnected world. The U.S. Department of State and U.S. Missions abroad have developed a range of initiatives to showcase U.S. diplomatic leadership in...
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It’s All About You: ‘My State Department’ Launched
About the Author: Janice Clark serves as the Director of Electronic Information in the Bureau of Public Affairs.
I think just about everything on 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...
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Talking 2012 U.S. Foreign Policy Priorities
About the Author: Mike Hammer serves as Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs.
Public outreach and engagement with the American people and media to present and explain U.S. foreign policy is one of the key missions of the Bureau of Public Affairs. Last week, I had the opportunity to spend two days in Miami, Florida, where I visited our Media Hub of the Americas — one...
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WatchU.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton meets with Brazilian youths participating in the Youth Ambassadors Program at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. January 25, 2012.
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A Triumph of Coordination
About the Author: Ellyn Ogden serves as the Worldwide Polio Eradication Coordinator at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Western Uttar Pradesh was once seen as the world’s largest reservoir of polio virus. Four districts, namely Moradabad, Bareilly, Rampur and Badaun, were considered the “Hot 4” and for many years, people speculated that the last polio...
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Egypt’s Transition to Democracy
On January 24, 2012, the White House Press Secretary issued the following 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...
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Engaging Overseas Audiences on the State of the...
Dawn L. McCall serves as Coordinator of the Bureau of International Information Programs.
Last night, Americans gathered around their television sets — or computer monitors — to watch President Barack Obama deliver the 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...
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U.S. Passport Card Online Application Now...
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
January 23, 2012
On January 24, the Department of State’s Office of Passport Services will launch a 90-day pilot program allowing adult U.S. citizens living in the United States and Canada to apply for a passport card online. By applying online, customers will not be required to mail in their current passport book and necessary forms,...
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Secretary Clinton Chairs First Meeting of the...
On Tuesday, January 24, 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will host the first meeting of the International Council on Women’s Business Leadership (ICWBL) at the Department State in Washington, D.C. The meeting will be streamed live at 9:15 a.m. EST on www.state.gov and DipNote. The ICWBL serves the U.S. government in an advisory capacity on major issues in international...
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Can Mobile Money Transform a Country?
About the Author: Charley Johnson serves as a Presidential Management Fellow, and Priya Jaisinghani serves as a Supervisory Program Officer at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Two years after the earthquake, Haiti is rebuilding not just brick by brick, but click by click. The earthquake left behind a government in rubble, an economy in shambles, and a people living in...
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OECD Adopts Recommendation for Internet Policy...
About the Author: Karen Kornbluh serves as U.S. Ambassador to the OECD.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) finished 2011 with an important step in international efforts to ensure the Internet remains an open platform that is secure and reliable, continuing to spur free expression and association, innovation, prosperity and job creation. As part of its mission to...
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WatchU.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks on political and civic progress in Burma, at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., January 13, 2012.
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Investment: The Path to a Prosperous Future in...
About the Author: Kenneth H. Merten serves as U.S. Ambassador to Haiti.
Yesterday, Haiti commemorated two years since the earthquake of January 12, 2010. Those of us who went through the earthquake spent the day remembering the colleagues and loved ones we lost that afternoon and thanking God that we survived. Today, we are back at work, and we look to the challenges that remain: half of the...
Join the MLK Day of National Day of Service on... →
usagov:
Monday, January 16 is the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and national day of service, a time to re-commit ourselves to serving each other and our communities. On Monday, Americans across the country will honor Dr. King by helping their neighbors and communities.
Learn how you can get involved and find opportunities in your area.
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Embracing the New Year’s Opportunities for Change
About the Author: Jeffrey Feltman serves as Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.
When I served as Political-Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia in the late 1990s, noisy and crowded diplomatic events — dinners, receptions, national day parties — were the best place to meet with Tunisians who assumed that President Ben Ali’s mukhabarat had bugged...
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Ensuring Food Security Remains a High-Level...
About the Author: Jonathan Shrier serves as Special Representative for Global Food Security (Acting).
2011 saw many changes for the Secretary’s Office of Global Food Security and several advances in our international agenda. I joined the growing team in June, and am proud of our progress over the year. I eagerly anticipate more accomplishments as we take the reins of the L’Aquila...
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WatchU.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks with Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., January 12, 2012.
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Haiti—Two Years Post Earthquake: What You May Not...
About the Author: Cheryl Mills serves as Counselor of the U.S. Department of State and Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The power of Haiti’s heritage and its people is tremendous. For America, Haiti has held, and continues to hold, a unique and rich role in African-American history. Before and since the earthquake in 2010, Haiti has faced great challenges...
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Human Trafficking Awareness Day: 20 Ways You Can...
After first learning about human trafficking, many people want to help in some way but do not know how. Here are just a few ideas for your consideration.
Learn human trafficking red flags and ask follow up questions so that you can detect a potential trafficking situation.
In the United States, report your suspicions to law enforcement at 911, Department of Justice at 1-888-428-7581, and the...
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WatchAlec J. Ross, the U.S. Secretary of State’s Senior Advisor for Innovation, discusses social media, innovation, Internet freedom, and 21st Century Statecraft during a LiveAtState video web chat at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., January 10, 2012.
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Launch of the Frontline Healthcare Workers...
About the Author: Ambassador Eric Goosby serves as the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
Frontline health workers are an essential component of health systems worldwide — without them, there is no access to care for people living with HIV or anyone else. Yet in 2012, the World Health Organization estimates a shortage of at least one million frontline health workers worldwide, with Africa the...
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U.S. Condemns Iran's Announcement on Qom
Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State
Washington, DC
January 10, 2012
The United States condemns the Iranian Government’s decision to begin enrichment operations at its Qom facility, an act contrary to its obligations under multiple United Nations Security Council and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors resolutions. This step once again...
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Join a Discussion on Religion and Foreign Policy
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...
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Advancing U.S. Economic Statecraft in 2012
About the Author: Jose Fernandez serves as Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs.
This time last year, I made three, broad 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...
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The Year in 21st Century Statecraft
About the Author: Alec Ross serves as the Secretary of State’s Senior Advisor for Innovation.
Reflecting on 2011, it is obvious that connection technologies are playing an ever-greater role in shaping the world around us. The beginning of the year witnessed the events of the Arab Spring, with political movements organized and accelerated with the help of social media. This past fall, the...
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Photo of the Week: “Serving Abroad…Through Their...
About the Author: Hannah Johnson serves as DipNote’s Assistant Editor.
Each week, we will be highlighting a U.S. government photograph from around the world as part of our “Photo of the Week” segment. This week’s photograph comes to us from the Office of Art in Embassies. Taken by retired U.S. Army Lieutentant Colonel Richard A. Fisher, the photograph captures the descent...
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A Year of Women on the Frontlines of Progress
About the Author: Melanne Verveer is the Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues.
As we look back on 2011, it is inspiring to know that women have been on the frontlines of so many transformative events that have changed our world. From participating in peaceful protests in Tahrir Square, to winning the Nobel Peace Prize, women have been an indisputable force for progress. As we...
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Egypt: Reaffirming Respect for All at Coptic...
About the Author: Jeffrey Feltman serves as Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.
Over the course of my career as a United States diplomat, I’ve spent many a Christmas holiday in countries across the Middle East. From Beirut to Tunis, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Baha’i, and peoples of all religions, celebrate and acknowledge the importance of faith, a hope for the...
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WatchU.S. Department of State Spokesperson Victoria Nuland holds the first @StateDept Twitter Briefing and answers questions submitted to the Department’s 10 official Twitter feeds, at the Department of State in Washington, D.C., January 6, 2012.
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January 2012 Designated "21st Century Statecraft...
The U.S. Department of State has designated January 2012 as 21st Century Statecraft month. Twenty-first Century Statecraft complements traditional foreign policy by harnessing and adapting the digital networks and technologies of today’s interconnected world.
The U.S. Department of State and U.S. Missions abroad have developed a range of initiatives to showcase U.S. diplomatic leadership in...
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Leveraging the Tools of 21st Century Statecraft
About the Author: Victoria Esser serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Digital Strategy in the Bureau of Public Affairs.
When I joined the State Department three short months ago, I was so pleased to be joining an institution that has been at the forefront of digital diplomacy; reinforcing our diplomatic leadership by using digital networks and technologies in service of U.S. foreign...
WatchU.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing with Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland in Washington, D.C., January 5, 2012.
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21st Century Defense Priorities
Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State
Washington, DC
January 5, 2012
This morning, President Obama and Secretary of Defense Panetta unveiled new strategic guidance that reflects our 21st century defense needs and secures America’s leadership for the future. The Defense Department and State Department continue to work side-by-side to bring the full range of American...
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Ten Things You Should Know About the Bureau of...
Rhonda Shore serves as Public Affairs Officer in the Bureau of Counterterrorism.
Keeping America safe from terrorism begins abroad. In the race to protect the United States and stay “one step ahead,” we must develop innovative strategies, creative diplomacy, and even stronger partnerships. How do we do it all? Here are ten things you should know about the new Bureau of...
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WatchAmbassador Daniel Benjamin briefs the press on the creation of the Bureau of Counterterrorism at the Department of State in Washington, D.C., January 4, 2012.
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Helping Guatemala Cultivate a Better Future
About the Author: Ertharin Cousin serves as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies in Rome.
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...
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Photography Exhibition To Honor Service Abroad
About the Author: Amanda Brooks serves in the Office of Art in Embassies.
The Department of State’s Office of 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...
RT @usmissiongeneva: Update: White House Press Secretary: It’s Past Time for Security Council to Act on Syria http://t.co/ePHNY8zp
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Year in Review: Educational and Cultural Affairs
About the Author: Ann Stock is the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) had a busy and exciting 2011, marked by a bevy of accomplishments, quick responses to foreign policy challenges, and a swath of new people-to-people exchange programs that help advance American standing and interests around...
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Twitter Questions To Be Taken During State...
January 2012 is the U.S. Department of State’s 21st Century Statecraft month, and the Department and its overseas missions have developed a range of initiatives to showcase America’s diplomatic leadership in harnessing digital networks and technologies in service of its foreign policy goals.
Throughout the month, officials in Washington and missions overseas will host digital engagements across...
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Protecting and Assisting the World’s Most...
About the Author: David M. Robinson serves as Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration.
With an estimated 40 million displaced people worldwide, up to 12 million who do not have citizenship to any country, and some 10.5 million refugees around the globe, the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) assists persecuted and...
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United States Contributes to the United Nations...
The United States is pleased to announce an initial 2012 contribution of $55 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The $55 million contribution will provide critical health, education, and humanitarian services to five million Palestinian refugees in the region. Of this contribution, $29 million will support UNRWA’s core services...
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TechCamp Goes to Bucharest
About the Author: Katie Dowd serves in the Office of the Secretary of State.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton launched the 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...
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2011: The Year in Global Partnerships
About the Author: Kris M. Balderston serves as Special Representative for Global Partnerships.
In 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton continued to champion cross-sectoral partnerships as a cornerstone of her 21st Century Statecraft. In support of her priorities, the Global Partnership Initiative (GPI) focused on four flagship initiatives last year: Global Alliance for Clean ...