Virtual Seminar Series
The “Inside U.S. Foreign Policy” series is a six-part virtual series that offers insight into how the State Department furthers U.S. foreign policy goals around the world and the Department’s efforts to combat climate change, secure the global food supply, foster entrepreneurship, and promote other important foreign policy priorities on behalf of the American people.
The series is offered by USA Study Abroad, part of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and its Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program and is open to all current recipients and alumni of the Gilman Program, the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, ECA exchange alumni, all interested U.S. undergraduate and graduate students, and U.S. higher education faculty and administrators.
From Study Abroad to the State Department: How Developing Global Perspectives Supports U.S. Foreign Policy
November 18, 2022
This webinar features an interview with Secretary of State Antony Blinken exploring how U.S. diplomatic work impacts the lives of the American people and how studying abroad furthers the State Department’s foreign policy mission, as well as a panel of American diplomats exploring how U.S. diplomatic work impacts the lives of the American people and how studying abroad furthers the State Department’s foreign policy mission. The webinar also highlights State Department fellowship and employment opportunities with a session presented by the Department’s Bureau of Global Talent Management, followed by interactive networking and breakout sessions focused on study abroad opportunities through State Department scholarships, life inside the State Department, and information on State Department career pathways.
Climate and COP 27
February 2, 2023
This seminar explores how the State Department advances U.S. foreign policy goals on climate change, with a specific focus on the process and outcomes of the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties of the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference or “COP 27” held in November 2022 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Attendees heard from Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Sue Biniaz and U.S. diplomats working in the State Department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. Attendees also had the chance to learn more about State Department career paths, along with internship and fellowship opportunities.
Refugees and Migration
April 7, 2023
This seminar explores the subject of refugees and migration and how the State Department advances U.S. foreign policy interests in providing protection, easing suffering, and resolving the plight of persecuted and forcibly displaced people around the world. Focus was on the humanitarian impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Attendees heard from technical experts and U.S. diplomats working in the Bureau of Population, Migration, and Refugees, the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, and the U.S. Mission to Ukraine. The seminar shed light on the inner-workings of American diplomacy connecting the State Department’s mission to the lives of the American people. Attendees also had the chance to learn more about State Department internships, fellowships and career opportunities.
Global Equity and Racial Justice
May 19, 2023
This seminar explores the subject of global equity and racial justice and how the State Department advances U.S. foreign policy interests in protecting and advancing the human rights of people belonging to marginalized racial and ethnic communities and in combating systemic racism, discrimination, and xenophobia around the world. The State Department strives to promote and protect the rights of individuals and communities who are oppressed because of their race or ethnicity and create a just world where all people are valued, included, and able to live up to their full potential. Attendees heard from technical experts and U.S. diplomats working with the Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice, the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, and the U.S. Mission to Peru. Attendees also had the chance to learn more about State Department internships, fellowships, and career opportunities.
