This year’s Award Ceremony on June 26th, 2012, was a triumph for AFSA and the Foreign Service. Ambassador William Lacy Swing delivered a humble address to the audience expressing his gratitude for a career in the Foreign Service which allowed him continuous learning, vital if one is to survive; essential if one is to advance our national interests and an opportunity to live history. See parts of the ceremony by clicking here.
Since 1968, AFSA has endeavored to single out those in the Foreign Service community who have demonstrated intellectual courage, exemplary performance, and outstanding service. We do this with pride, because we know that within our community there are so many who exhibit these characteristics on a daily basis. Each June, at an awards ceremony in the Benjamin Franklin Diplomatic Reception Room at the Department of State, we turn the spotlight on the winners of our various awards, and we do so with great pleasure. Additionally, each September AFSAnews covers the Award Ceremony winners (click here for the AFSAnews article on our most recent award recipients).
Constructive Dissent Awards
AFSA's Constructive Dissent Awards recognize Foreign Service members who work constructively within the system to change policy and performance for the better. Such dissents may be made in any non-public channel including meetings, e-mails to superiors, memoranda, telegrams, or via the State Department's formal Dissent Channel. Thus, AFSA's Constructive Dissent Awards may be given to, but are not restricted to, employees who send in Dissent Channel messages. The deadline for nominations is February 28 of each year.
Exemplary Performance Awards
These awards are meant to highlight the professionalism and spirit of service and volunteerism found within the Foreign Service community. The three awards honors community liaison officers, office management specialists and family members for their important contributions at work, at home and in the community at large. The deadline for nominations is February 28 of each year.
Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy
Each year, AFSA selects a truly inspiring and respected diplomat or public servant to receive our highest award for their contributions to the conduct and success of American diplomacy. The criteria call for a sustained commitment to the cause for a good portion of their professional lives; with a roster of previous winners ranging from President George H.W. Bush to Senator Sam Nunn to Ambassador Richard Parker, there is no shortage of patriots and practitioners of diplomacy from which to choose.
Sinclaire Language Awards
The study of hard languages is an important part of any Foreign Service career, and these awards celebrate those Foreign Service employees who have demonstrated the greatest facility and success in the learning and utilization of such languages. This learning may have taken place at FSI or individually. The awards are made possible through a generous bequest from former FSO Mathilda W. Sinclaire.
Kennan Writing Award
Each year, AFSA honors the State Department employee whose essay has been chosen as the best from among their cohort during the National War College graduation ceremonies. Named after George Kennan, AFSA is proud to sponsor an award in the tradition of a man whose writing skills literally changed American foreign policy.
All of these awards are administered by AFSA's Coordinator for Special Awards and Outreach Perri Green. She is available at green@afsa.org and 202-719-9700.