Submission Deadline Was April 15, 2012 - We Are No Longer Accepting Submissions!
The members of the Foreign Service are like the olive branches in the right talon of the American eagle, advising the president and Secretary of State about foreign relations and carrying out the president's foreign policies. The Foreign Service is our nation’s “First Line of Defense,” promoting and defending America’s critical interests around the globe. The members of the military service are like the arrows in the eagle's left talon, safeguarding our nation’s security around the world. Although these two groups work together and are both essential in order to promote and defend the national interest of the United States, the Foreign Service is not as well known as the military service.
A major objective of this contest is to help you and other young Americans better understand how the men and women of the Foreign Service serve and defend our critical national interests around the globe, possibly leading many participants to consider international careers in service to our country.
2012 Essay Contest Topic
In 1,000-1,250 words, discuss the following topic:
You are a Foreign Service employee posted to one of the nations/organizations listed below. Explain what you would do as a diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service to improve the relations between the U.S. and your country/organization of choice, and how the major foreign policy differences between them might best be handled in our national interest.
The nations/organizations on which you may choose to focus are:
- Afghanistan
- Cuba
- Egypt
- Japan
- Pakistan
- South Sudan
- The United Nations
- Venezuela
Some Guidelines:
-This paper requires that you research two issues: First, what are the resources a diplomat in the Foreign Service possess in carrying out U.S. foreign policy abroad? Second, what are the major issues of contention between the U.S. and the nation/organization you have chosen to focus on?
-Keep in mind the Foreign Service-related U.S. national interests include, among other issues: national security, countering terrorism, protection of American citizens, human rights, democratization, free market economics, free trade, sustainable economic development, foreign aid, commercial interests, agricultural promotion and trade, and international broadcasting.
-You may want to read up on the Foreign Service. A good way to start is AFSA’s book, “Inside a U.S. Embassy.” You can buy that online right here, but it is also available from most libraries.
PRIVACY POLICY: AFSA does not collect your information for any purposes other than for this contest. Your information will not be provided to a third party. Your e-mail will only be used for communication regarding this year's contest. You will not be automatically signed up to receive any updates or information from AFSA. The only e-mail you will receive from AFSA will be a confirmation that your submission has been received and a notification if you are the winner or an honorable mention.