Under the U.S. Department of State’s U.S. Speaker Program, Jeffrey Soule, director of Outreach and International Programs for the American Planning Association (APA), engaged a wide range of Chinese audiences in Beijing, Chengdu, Shenyang, and Wuhan on urban planning and the benefits of densification. As a direct result of his program, 26 planning officials from Chengdu traveled to the United States for a September 2017 training session, and a group of leaders from the Beijing Planning Commission visited the United States in January 2018.
Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
The Department works with nine domestic non-governmental organizations, which place refugees with more than 325 affiliates in roughly 190 communities around the country. These local affiliates work closely with community partners, congregations, volunteers, and state and local officials to provide a successful start for refugees rebuilding their lives. Refugee communities have historically enhanced the economic dynamism and cultural vitality of our nation. Refugees contribute to the United States in numerous ways, including by starting businesses and joining the U.S. military. This program helps the world’s most vulnerable refugees find permanent homes, and it demonstrates the immense generosity of the American people.
– More: https://www.state.gov/j/prm/index.htm
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
274 Louisiana residents hosted or supported 569 International Visitor Leadership Program participants who visited the state, volunteering a total of 1,774 hours of service.
– More: https://eca.state.gov/ivlp
Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
The U.S.-China EcoPartnership program between Tulane University and East China Normal University developed a global model for the sustainability of coastal cities, focused on restoration, conservation and enhancement of environmentally sensitive wetland areas.
– More: http://ecopartnerships.lbl.gov/
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
Researchers from Tulane University received grants from the OES-supported U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) for joint research projects with Israeli scientists. Selected through a peer-reviewed process, the BSF research funding advances our bilateral relationship and shared scientific priorities.
– More: http://www.bsf.org.il/
The United States Coast Guard hosted an international meeting for the Arctic Council’s Emergency Prevention Preparedness and Response working group in New Orleans in December 2018. The workshop included a panel discussion with local indigenous populations and small communities affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill sharing lessons learned and best practices working with responders.
– More: https://www.eppr.org/
In Fiscal Year 2016, the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) issued visas to 24 children who were adopted by U.S. citizens from Louisiana. Intercountry adoption is one CA's highest priorities. CA's Office of Children’s Issues plays an active role in the intercountry adoption process and works diligently to establish and maintain intercountry adoption as a viable option throughout the world.
– More: https://travel.state.gov/content/adoptionsabroad/en/about-us/statistics.html
Diplomatic Security Miami Field Office serves Louisiana: Diplomatic Security has offices throughout the United States staffed with special agents and contract investigators, who conduct criminal, counterterrorism and background investigations. Agents assigned to field and resident offices assist in providing support to the protection of the Secretary of State, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and visiting foreign dignitaries. Liaison with federal and local law enforcement, foreign mission personnel, local officials, and the private sector complements their major responsibilities.
– More: https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-management/bureau-of-diplomatic-security/
Jobs and Economy
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
In FY17, Louisiana-based companies received approval to export $2,270,282 worth of defense articles and services licensed by the Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.
– More: https://www.state.gov/t/pm/
The Department of State, in partnership with agencies across the federal government, creates jobs for American workers by opening markets and eliminating trade barriers overseas and by attracting foreign direct investment to the United States. In 2018, goods exported totaled $66.2 billion. Those exports supported approximately 128,623 Louisianan jobs (2016) and foreign direct investment into Louisiana supports an additional 67,700 jobs (2016).
– More: https://www.trade.gov/mas/ian/statereports/states/la.pdf
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
The Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs advocates in meetings of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) for conservation of pollinators, which contribute $24 billion to the national economy and $139 million to the economy of the state of Louisiana for cotton and another $51 million for sweet potatoes.
– More: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/stateOverview.php?state=louisiana&year=2017
The Thomas R. Pickering and Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship Programs encourage applications from minority groups historically underrepresented in the U.S. Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need. Each fellowship provides financial assistance towards the completion of a two year master’s degree in a field related to the Foreign Service, academic funding, mentorship and two internships – one in the U.S. and the other abroad at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Fellows commit to a minimum of five years in the Foreign Service. Currently, there are 8 active participants from the state of Louisiana.
Education
Bureau of Global Talent Management
Diplomat-in-Residence (Tanya Anderson): Diplomats in Residence (DIRs) are career Foreign Service Officers or Specialists located throughout the U.S. who provide guidance and advice to students, professionals and the community about Department careers.
– More: http://careers.state.gov/connect/dir
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Fourteen Scholars, Students and Teachers from Louisiana were awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, and 35 international students received a Fulbright to study in Louisiana.
– More: https://eca.state.gov/fulbright
632 exchange visitors from overseas visited Louisiana and 161 Louisiana residents travelled overseas as part of the Department’s educational and cultural exchange funded programs.
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
The U.S. Fulbright Commission awarded scholarships to 30 Peruvians to travel to the United States to participate in different programs at 24 U.S. universities. One Fulbright graduate student began a two-year program studying marine biology at Iowa State University in 2018.
– More: http://www.fulbright.pe/
Louisiana State University and the Universidad Nacional de Agricultura in Honduras received a grant for both schools to offer study abroad opportunities for students from low-income, rural, indigenous, and Afro-Honduran populations who study agriculture. These exchanges were part of the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund, the dynamic public/private sector collaboration between the U.S. Department of State, Embassies, NGOs, companies, and foundations that inspires U.S. universities and colleges in the United States to team up with higher education institutions in the rest of the Western Hemisphere region.
– More: http://www.100kstrongamericas.org/
