US Embassy Singapore donates unusual object to the US Diplomacy Center collections, March, 2012
Our colleagues at the US Embassy Singapore were not quite sure what to do with this object they had had lying around for awhile. They first contacted the Department of State's Bunche Library who then referred the embassy to the USDC. The artifact is a kerosene-powered slide and film strip projector. It is a retrofitted Coleman camping lantern. USIA diplomats would use such devices in the 1950s in regions where electricity was not available or reliable to make their presentations. We can just imagine those early public diplomacy officers toting this lantern into the outer regions of their host country, meeting with local communities and using the device to present topics on life in America. We are proud to include it in the USDC collections.
Interview with USDC Education Specialist Lauren Fischer about new site Discover Diplomacy, December 7, 2011
On December 7th, radio channel The Student Operated Press (thesop.org) interviewed USDC Education Specialist Lauren Fischer about the new education website Discover Diplomacy. Listen to the interview here.
USDC acquires a Marine Security Guard uniform, November 4, 2011
With the assistance of Gunnery Sergeant Ismael Alvarado of the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, USDC installed a Marine Security Guard uniform in the Exhibit Hall of the Department of State.
The Marine Security Guard program is a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Marine Corps. Since 1948, Marine Security Guards have worked closely with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) to protect and safeguard United States diplomacy. Their mission is to provide internal security services at designated U.S. embassies and consulates, including preventing the compromise of classified U.S. Government information and equipment and, when necessary during exigent circumstances, to help protect U.S. citizens and property located at U.S. diplomatic facilities overseas.
Today, MSGs provide internal security for 153 U.S. embassies and consulates in 140 countries around the world.
USDC launches Discover Diplomacy website, October 11, 2011
What is diplomacy? At this new site, discover the people who conduct diplomacy, the places where the Department of State engages in diplomacy, and the issues diplomacy helps resolve.
Collecting Diplomacy at the State Department, February 11, 2011
USDC Senior Curator Priscilla Linn and USDC Collections Manager Katie Speckart met with Protocol Gift Officer David Solomon to review official gifts given to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently. Official gifts to the Secretary help illuminate how formal diplomacy is carried out among top officials. The future museum and visitors center will feature many gifts to Secretaries of State, as well as a wide variety of other artifacts that tell the story of the work of U.S. diplomats.
High school students participate in a diplomatic simulation at the US Diplomacy Center, January 20, 2011
25 high school students from around the country, participating in the Close Up Foundation’s Washington program, stepped into the world of diplomacy by simulating a negotiation. Students were divided into six stakeholder groups and asked to negotiate solutions to the problems facing Darfur. Mark Hove, USDC resident historian, briefed the students on the situation, who then went to work forming alliances and drafting agreements. The simulation is designed to teach about the process of diplomacy, the skills of being a diplomat and complicated and intriguing the world of foreign policy.
American University graduate students in Public Affairs visit the State Department, November 3, 2010
Over 40 graduate students from American University who are studying Public Affairs visited the State Department and received a briefing from a member of Secretary Clinton's policy and planning office. After a lively question and answer session, the USDC Senior Curator Priscilla Linn rounded out their visit with an engaging tour of the Preview Exhibit. The students offered their thoughts on what diplomacy means to them and what kinds of exhibit a museum of diplomacy would have.
Senior Curator tours USDC's Preview Exhibit with Foreign Service Nationals, October 7, 2010
USDC Senior Curator Priscilla Linn gave a spirited tour of the Preview Exhibit to a group of about 17 Foreign Service Nationals visiting the Department of State for training. A "foreign service national," or FSN, is a non-U.S. citizen, often a citizen of the host country, who is employed by the U.S. embassy or consulate. FSNs work in a wide variety of jobs at U.S. missions, and provide continuity for the changing U.S. staff. This group who toured USDC's Preview Exhibit were interested to hear about plans for the future museum and visitors center of the State Department.
Colors of Warka exhibition opens at the Iraqi Cultural Center, Washington, DC, September 24, 2010
The Colors of Warka, an exhibition by female Iraqi artists from Muthanna province, opened at the Iraqi Cultural Center in Washington, DC. Iraqi TV was on hand to capture the event. The U.S. Diplomacy center sponsored the exhibition's showing in Washington, DC at the State Department in March 2010, and at the Iraqi Cultural Center. [View the exhibit's brochure]. The paintings will be on view through the first week of November 2010.
The Memory Project debuts at the State Department's Exhibit Hall
Week of July 26, 2010
The Memory Project is a nationwide initiative that encourages U.S. art students to create portraits for children around the world who have faced significant life challenges. The purpose of the portraits is to provide the children with a special memory of their youth, to honor their heritage and identity and to help them build a positive self-image.
Students at Nashua High School South in New Hampshire created the ten portraits on display at the State Department under the guidance of art teacher Ms. Robin Peringer. All of the children who received the portraits reside in Pattaya, Thailand.
The Memory Project: A Portrait of Kindness will be on display at the State Department during the week of July 26, 2010.
  
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