The Foreign Service Journal

In 1962, U.S. Ambassador William A. Crawford and his wife founded the American School of Bucharest (AISB) in a small apartment with just six students. This initial idea has since evolved into a cornerstone of education and cultural exchange in Romania, thanks to the vision and collaboration of countless individuals. Fast forward six decades and AISB has transformed into a thriving international school that now serves nearly 900 students from over 60 different nationalities. This vibrant and diverse community is situated on a beautiful 10-hectare campus. This remarkable transformation is documented in the article "Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow" (originally published in The Foreign Service Journal, December 2024) by retired Foreign Service Officer Jonathan B. Rickert, who reflects on AISB's humble beginnings and the visionary leadership that laid the groundwork for its growth. At AISB, our journey exemplifies our unwavering commitment to providing a rigorous and balanced education that nurtures ethical and open-minded thinkers. Discover how our roots have shaped our future and continue to inspire excellence. 🔗 Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dpYMnbeD

“On his first day at the U.S. Department of State, then Secretary-designate Colin Powell asked me to visit him in the transition space on the first floor. Secretary Powell asked what we most needed to support American diplomacy. “Thanks to the fantastic work done by a team in the DG’s office, I had an answer: more people.” Ambassador Marc Grossman reflects on his time as U.S. #ForeignService Director General, his contributions to the American Foreign Service Association, and his post-retirement accomplishments [including his current position with the The Cohen Group] in the December #FSJ Focus article, “2024 Award for Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy: A Conversation with Ambassador Marc Grossman.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/emw8Yqnk

“The #ForeignService will, of course, remain engaged representing the U.S. to the world. The American Foreign Service Association will remain on the job representing you and supporting our professional, nonpartisan institution. And the FSJ will remain a place for your voices, as it has been for more than 100 years.” #FSJ Editor in Chief Shawn Dorman introduces the December edition—and for those interested in submitting an article, the 2025 #FSJ editorial calendar of topics to cover—in the Letter from the Editor, “What’s Next?” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eGTa4Nke

Throughout December, we’ll highlight the sessions, speakers, and moments that made November's National Conference unique, starting with the International Service Award, which is presented at the opening dinner of the conference. The award is the highest recognition bestowed by the World Affairs Councils of America and celebrates outstanding achievements in strengthening international cooperation and understanding in furthering peace, humanitarian awareness, human rights, social justice, and world prosperity. The 2024 International Service Award honored the U.S. Foreign Service in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Foreign Service Act. While presenting the award, WACA Vice Chair Barbara Stephenson remarked, "As we recognized the Foreign Service, we also look forward to the next century of service, collaboration, and impact. Together, we will continue to share a more connected, peaceful, and prosperous world." WACA was honored to host dignitaries from the The American Academy of Diplomacy, the American Foreign Service Association, the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training, the DACOR and DACOR Bacon House Foundation, The Foreign Service Journal, and the Una Chapman Cox Foundation, all of which support the Foreign Service ecosystem.

#ForeignService members: active-duty and retired, we want to hear from you. As a part of our “Notes to the New Administration” compilation for the March 2025 edition, we welcome your thoughts in response to this prompt: How can diplomacy and development practitioners of the Foreign Service best serve and advance America’s foreign policy interests for the new administration? What are your specific recommendations? ✍ Share your recommendations (400 words or fewer) by sending them to journal@afsa.org with the subject line: "Notes to the New Administration" by December 23.

“We serve as the institutional link between outgoing and incoming administrations and carry out the foreign policy of the duly elected president. “I am hopeful that the #ForeignService will be accorded respect and proper funding, and that internal, constructive dissent will continue to be prized as a means to arrive at the best outcomes possible.” American Foreign Service Association President Tom Yazdgerdi reflects on this year’s dual centennial while looking to the future in the December #FSJ President’s Views. Read “An Eventful Year Comes to a Close” here: https://lnkd.in/eB3x4UUc

2024 American Foreign Service Association award winners’ stories are here! Closing out AFSA’s and the #ForeignService’s centennial year, the December #FSJ profiles this year’s awardees, honored for their tenacity, professionalism, and dedication to diplomatic work—even, or especially, during crises. In this issue: ➡️ A conversation with Award for Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy winner Ambassador Marc Grossman on “Building a Better Diplomatic Service” ➡️ Search for Common Ground founder and veteran FSO John Marks discusses “Social Entrepreneurship and the Professional Diplomat” ➡️ A copy of the FSJ reaches adventurous new heights (!) with regional refugee coordinator Nathan Tidwell in Tanzania. + more. Read (and share) the full edition here: https://lnkd.in/e6bA2xai #diplomacy #globalaffairs #internationalrelations

How do you & your friends *really* feel about the #FSJ keeping up with “Service Trends” these days? Let us know by taking our reader survey! 👉 👉 👉 https://lnkd.in/eu_KJVwH We are committed to remaining a print + digital publication; your survey responses will help us to build the best of both. #readersurvey #powerofprint #foreignservice

“The sport was invented, or at least formalized, in England in the 1800s. One could say, however, that watching the game was perfected in Côte d’Ivoire in the 21st century. “Plenty of people are out, many only half watching the game, the last one of pool play for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) soccer tournament, which Côte d’Ivoire is hosting for the second time.” FS family member Seth Luxenberg recounts the energy and geopolitical dynamics surrounding Côte d’Ivoire’s national soccer team’s performance in the most recent #AFCON tournament. Read “The Elephants Make a Comeback” here: https://lnkd.in/eSfikQuZ #internationalrelations #sportsdiplomacy

Team #FSJ, represented by Editor in Chief Shawn Dorman and Managing Editor Kathryn Owens, was proud to be a part of this moment honoring and celebrating the #ForeignService as we close out the centennial year.   Hats off to our fellow organizations “in the Foreign Service ecosystem” also honored: DACOR and DACOR Bacon House Foundation, the Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training, the Una Chapman Cox Foundation, and The American Academy of Diplomacy | World Affairs Councils of America 🎉