The Executive Committee of the ABAA meet with Ms. Carr Johnson on July 16 to discuss her office’s role and efforts to expand diversity, recruitment, retention, especially at the senior ranks. Ms. Carr Johnson assumed her position in April 2024. She said that challenges remain but there are some victories in reinforcing the importance of DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access) such as a recent administrative rule that bring DEIA criteria to the Department’s award criteria for Meritorious and Superior Honor Awards.
On July 10, International House in the Dupont Circle area brought International Affairs Program Fellows together from the Thomas Pickering, Charles B. Rangel, Donald F. Payne, and USDA Fellows together. Amb. Pamela L Spratlen represented support from ABAA
On June 5, at the Museum of American Diplomacy, housed in the U.S. State Department, ABAA and its partner, the Thursday Luncheon Group (TLG), hosted the annual summer reception for Fellows of the Department’s prestigious fellowships for recruitment and diversity – Thomas F. Pickering, Charles B. Rangel programs.
Bob Wekesa of the African Center for the Study of the US (CSUS), Paul Nantulya of the U.S. National Defense University, foreign policy analyst Sanusha Naidu, and former Ambassador J. Peter Pham join FPRI Africa Program Chair Ambassador Charles Ray for an in depth look at the future of South Africa post-election. This panel discussion is jointly presented by FPRI and ACSUS.
The event commemorated 100 years of modern American diplomacy while celebrating the dedication and sacrifice of the men and women of the Foreign Service. Invited guests included retired and active members of the Foreign Service as well as U.S. government officials, journalists, and leaders within the U.S. foreign affairs community.
Image Credit: National Museum of American Diplomacy
The Foreign Service Act of 1924, commonly known as the Rogers Act, established the modern U.S. Foreign Service as a career organization with employment based on competitive examination and merit. This change immediately affected the scope and impact of the Foreign Service. The merit-based system led to the personnel diversity we see today.
Celebration of the 80th birthday for Ambassador Ruth A. Davis held Friday, June 23, 2023 at the historic DACOR Bacon House in Washington, D.C.