2008 AFSA National High School Essay Contest Contest Closed for 2008 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.

2008 Essay Contest Topic

In 750 to 1,000 words, discuss the following topic:

Analyze and explain what you think will be the Challenges Facing the American Foreign Service in the 21 st Century

In writing your essay, use the following as your guideline:

• Select one or several specific international issues that you think will be major challenges to the American Foreign Service in carrying out a successful U.S. foreign policy in the new century, and explain why you have chosen these issues.

• Describe and analyze the role of members of the United States Foreign Service in conducting
diplomacy to resolve one or more of these particular issues and discuss the immediate consequences.

• Keep in mind the United States national interests include, among other issues: national security, countering terrorism, protection of American citizens, human rights, democratization, free market economics, free trade, and sustainable economic development.

You might wish to follow as an example the 2007 winning essay , “ The Role of the Foreign Service in the Reconstruction of Iraq,” by Sumit Malik

Or the 2006 winning essay “ Empowering Women, Rebuilding Society: The Role of the Foreign Service in Promoting Women’s Rights in Afghanistan,” By Eva Lam