The opening statement of the US Foreign Service Act of 1980 establishes “a career foreign service, characterized by excellence and professionalism” as being essential to US foreign policy (source: AFSA). Yet, the US Foreign Service has since been severely diminished, leaving many US foreign officials and diplomats feeling “frustrated and powerless.”

And now, faced with Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, nuclear threats and state-endorsed hostage-taking, Hong Kong and Taiwan’s fight to remain independent from the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) dominion and a growing need to revamp US strategy in the Middle East, what does the future of foreign service look like? And how will the coming generation of American diplomats be equipped to fully engage with the new realities facing the world?

Join World Affairs, in collaboration with the Foreign Service Association of Northern CA and the Japan Society of Northern California, in-person on Thursday, November 17 at 5:30 PM PT for a behind-the-scenes look at the state of American diplomacy with President of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) Ambassador Eric Rubin.

Ambassador Eric Rubin joined the Foreign Service in 1985 and has spent the last 37 years advocating for the vital role of diplomacy over an exclusive reliance on political-military clout. As a serving senior foreign service officer and president of the union for the diplomatic corps, he will present an overview of America’s main diplomatic challenges.

Stick around after the program for the opportunity to meet and mingle with Ambassador Eric Rubin during a wine and cheese reception.

SPEAKER

Ambassador Eric Rubin, President of the American Foreign Service Association

MODERATOR

Philip Yun, President & CEO of World Affairs

*Up-to-date vaccination is required to attend this event. For more information, please visit our COVID Safety page.