About the Author: Robert D. Hormats serves as Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment.
What a tremendous day. Secretary Clinton brought us all together for the first State Department-hosted Global Business Conference. This was a great opportunity for over 200 leaders of companies and business support organizations, such as the American Chambers of Commerce, from around the world to come together with senior U.S. government leaders. We discussed issues ranging from American competitiveness to ways the U.S. government and the private sector can work together to help find new export opportunities, boost inward investment and in so doing, accelerate America's economic renewal, and put more Americans back to work. As Secretary Clinton explained in a speech to conference attendees,… more »
On February 23, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton begins a four-nation trip to London and North Africa. In London, the Secretary will attend a conference hosted by Prime Minster David Cameron, dedicated to building stability and peace in Somalia. Heads of state and foreign ministers from over 50 countries as well as representatives of the United Nations and the African Union will attend. The timing of the conference is significant as it convenes six months prior to the end of Somalia's… more »
About the Author: David Huebner serves as U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and the Independent State of Samoa.
I am in Christchurch participating in services marking the one-year anniversary of the tragic February 22, 2011 earthquake. I have been joined by several of my American colleagues including Al Dwyer from USAID, who headed the large U.S. disaster response team that quickly airlifted into Christchurch to assist with search and rescue operations. I asked Al to return to New Zealand to lead our delegation with me because of the critical role he played in the days immediately following the quake.
Yesterday, I attended the unveiling of the Tomb of the Unknowns. This morning, Al and I participated in a commemoration service at Latimer Square,… more »
About the Author: Christine Dal Bello is a Foreign Service Officer who is working as a Pearson Fellow in the U.S. Senate.
As a Public Diplomacy Officer, as well as a former exchange student, I am a firm believer in the power of citizen diplomacy. In the week when China's Vice President Xi traveled to Iowa to visit his hosts from an exchange trip in 1985, one cannot underestimate its impact -- on the exchange participant as well as on his host and home communities -- and effectiveness. As Under Secretary Maria Otero tweeted recently, "The need for people to people exchanges is more compelling than ever. Nothing substitutes for living in a different culture."
Now working in the U.S. Senate as a Pearson Fellow, I've had the opportunity to view citizen diplomacy from an entirely different angle. On February 17, representatives from organizations belonging to the National Council of International Visitors (NCIV)… more »
The annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) concluded on President's Day after five days of scientific discussions around the conference theme, "Building a Global Knowledge Society." The meeting, held in Vancouver, British Columbia, brought together over 5,000 scientists, students, journalists, policy practitioners, and university administrators from more than 50 nations, every state of the United States, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C, and more than 6,000 citizens who participated in "Family Science Days." With the spotlight on innovation and international collaboration, it came as no surprise that there was a palpable buzz at the meeting, one fueled by the many exchanges among scientists taking place during the formal sessions as well as in the coffee shops and corridors throughout the convention hall.
DipNote is the official blog of the U.S. Department of State —a place to share stories, discuss experiences, and inspire new ideas on the important foreign policy issues of the day. more »
Across the eastern Horn of Africa, more than 11 million people -- a number greater than the populations of Houston and New York City combined -- are now in need of emergency assistance to survive. Learn more about the current crisis, including how you can help.
Cultural exchange is a great experience that allows the participants to shape their lives and future. As a PELI-2011 participant I experienced the cultural…
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On February 23, Secretary Clinton begins a four-nation trip to London and North Africa. She wil visit the United Kingdom, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. More on Travel Briefing Previewing Conference on Somalia more »
Feb. 22: The United States of America and the Republic of Iraq are committed to expanding and strengthening education and cultural cooperation. Fact Sheet more »
![Secretary Clinton boards plane in Beirut, Lebanon, April 26, 2009. [State Department Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2009_0716_clinton_departs_m.jpg)
![A woman photographs the skyline of downtown Vancouver in Vancouver, British Columbia, on February 3, 2010. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0222_vancouver_skyline_m.jpg)
