Department of State's Office of Global Partnerships

https://lnkd.in/eRTTk89n "After his stop at the embassy, Rubio traveled to Panama’s second-largest city, Colón, where he toured the facilities of AES Panama, the largest U.S. investor and energy generator in Panama. The U.S. LNG-powered electricity generator won the Department’s award for corporate excellence in 2022 for its innovative energy efforts."

We endeavor to promote peace around the world, because that's in our national interest.? Read Secretary Rubio’s full remarks to personnel: https://lnkd.in/eznv2wSU??

A great article by Dorothy McAuliffe about her experience revitalizing Partnership Opportunity Delegations - PODs - during her as Special Representative for Global Partnerships. Over the last two and a half years, she led eight PODs all over the world. https://lnkd.in/eS2FfvM4

Following the U.S. Women’s National Team’s (USWNT) match versus the Netherlands at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Wellington, New Zealand, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone announced a new partnership that is taking a two-decade-long collaboration to the next level and elevating soccer as a valued diplomatic tool both at home and abroad.?? ?? U.S. Department of State and U.S. Soccer Federation teamed up to use sport to boost shared peace and shared prosperity worldwide, with a focus on increasing educational access, economic equity, and social opportunity and inclusion for underserved groups, including youth, women, and people with physical and intellectual disabilities, in support of broader U.S. foreign policy goals.? The partnership comes at a historic time with U.S. Soccer hosting the upcoming 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup along with Canada and Mexico, and with the Federation bidding to possibly host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the United States and Mexico. ??? ? In addition, this initiative enhances the Department’s ongoing sports diplomacy programming, including the State Department’s Sports Envoy Program, which sends professional American athletes and coaches overseas to promote cross-cultural understanding and empower the next generation of athletes as leaders through sport. Around 75 alumni of U.S. Soccer’s National Teams are now Sports Envoy Program alumni including Alex Morgan, Brandi Chastain, Carli Lloyd, Cobi Jones, Julie Foudy, Lorrie Fair, Tony Sanneh, and U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone.? These Sports Envoys serve as ambassadors of American values, demonstrating the power of sports to bring people together and inspire positive change.??? ? Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, "Sports have the power to transcend borders and bring people together. Through this collaboration with U.S. Soccer, we were not only promoting the game but also fostering diplomacy and understanding among nations." U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone echoed these sentiments, highlighting the role of soccer in empowering individuals and communities. "Soccer is more than just a game; soccer is a force for good. By working with the U.S. Department of State, we expanded our reach and impact, bringing the joy and benefits of soccer to more people around the world."??

Featured Partnership ?? On the 40th Anniversary of Title IX in June of 2012, the U.S. Department of State and espnW joined forces, officially launching the Global Sports Mentoring Program, a public-private partnership to harness the positive power of sport and mentorship to engage international women in sport and American sports industry executives.? Now in its 13th year, the Department and espnW have created a global network of women in sports to support efforts to expand access to education, economic equity, and societal opportunity and inclusion.? ? In 2024, the Global Sports Mentoring Program paired American mentors with 15 emerging women leaders in the sports industries of Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Brazil, Croatia, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, and Zimbabwe.? This year’s American mentors are professionals from the U.S. sports industry, including the Big East Conference, Creative Artists Agency, Double Verify, ESPN, Monumental Sports and Entertainment, NFL Films and Green Bay Packers in coordination with the League office, the National Hockey League, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, New Balance, Saatchi & Saatchi, the University of Connecticut, the University of Louisville, and the United States Tennis Association.? ?? The mentorship program focuses on professional development, networking, and capacity building. When the international delegates return to their home countries, they will implement action plans created during the mentorship experience with ongoing collaboration from their American mentors.? These action plans focus on key issues of importance, from professional development opportunities in the sports industry to grassroots engagement with underserved youth and marginalized populations.? ?? With the inclusion of this year’s class of women, the Global Sports Mentoring Program has now welcomed 177 women from 74 countries.?

The U.S. Department of State is committed to promoting economic growth that benefits U.S. businesses and people, and global stability and prosperity through fostering economic development opportunities. Public-Private Partnerships with the private sector allow the State Department to advance these goals. In 2024, the Department and Amazon expanded our partnership from Mexico and Brazil to include a new Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) cohort in Costa Rica. The AWE cohort covered the basics of starting a business, and included relevant topics such as marketing, finance, accounting, and on-line marketing and sales.? This partnership expanded entrepreneurial education, driving global impact. "We are thrilled to celebrate the graduates of the 2024 Women Entrepreneurs Academy program in Costa Rica, thanks to the partnership between Amazon and the U.S. Department of State. We are committed to empowering small and medium-sized businesses with the tools they need at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey, and we are proud of our collaboration to support women entrepreneurs in Guanacaste," said Aura María Londo?o, Public Policy Manager for Amazon. (Link: Guanacastec Women Completed AWE Business Training Program - Guananoticias) Thank you to Amazon for partnering with us to support the more than 60 women who participated in the Amazon-sponsored Academy for Women Entrepreneurs in Costa Rica this year. #AWE #WomenInBusiness #AmazonEntrepreneurs #SmallBusiness #Innovation?Embajada de Estados Unidos en Costa Rica

We love to see the growth of our CCE hubs! Check out the article on this Green Start-Up in Morocco:

Featured Partnership: Launched by Secretary Blinken in 2023, the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, is a worldwide effort to elevate music as a diplomatic tool to promote peace and democracy and support the United States’ broader foreign policy goals. This October we welcomed the inaugural cohort of the American Music Mentorship Program (AMMP), in partnership with The Recording Academy. This mentorship program brings together a cohort of 20 mid-level music professionals – producers, executives, lawyers, talent agents, and music tour and event promoters – from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria with Recording Academy experts, leveraging their knowledge and networks to expand access to economic opportunity and equity through the creative economy.? ? AMMP focuses on key industry topics such as intellectual property rights and the impact of artificial intelligence and feature a dedicated forum on women in the music industry. Following the Los Angeles portion, international mentees and their American mentors are continuing to engage virtually throughout the year, working together to strengthen their local music industries and contribute to the local, regional, and global creative economies.? To learn more about the Department’s music diplomacy efforts visit https://lnkd.in/d2i9_sUh.?

Featured Partnership: At the heart of the U.S. Department of State – YouTube Global Music Partnership are the U.S. Global Music Ambassadors, who represent a new generation of American music artists, ranging from emerging talent to established icons, who promote peace and democracy through music. Announced by U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Global Head of Music at Google and YouTube Lyor Cohen, the following American music artists, all of whom have demonstrated excellence in their field and a commitment to promoting peace, serve as U.S. Global Music Ambassadors: Chuck D, Grace Bowers, BRELAND, Kane Brown, Herbie Hancock, Denyce Graves, Jelly Roll, Teddy Swims, Justin Tranter, Armani White, and Lainey Wilson.? ?? In addition to the new U.S. Global Music Ambassadors, the U.S. Department of Statee and YouTube have joined efforts to enhance English language learning through music across the YouTube platform. This partnership supports opportunity and equity in the creative economy through in-country engagements with audiences and aspiring creators, as well as micro-grants to exchange program alumni around the world who use music as a means to expand access to education, economic opportunity, equity, and inclusion.? In 2024, U.S. Global Music Ambassadors engaged audiences in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, the People’s Republic of China, and South Korea, raising greater awareness and inspiring action globally around the unifying power of music.? ?? The Department’s partnership with YouTube was catalyzed by the bipartisan Promoting Peace, Education, And Cultural Exchange (PEACE) Through Music Diplomacy Act, signed by President Biden into law. The Act called on the Department to create public-private partnerships with American companies and nonprofits to use music to meet the moment, convey American leadership globally, and create connections with people worldwide. As part of the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, this partnership builds on a vast array of public diplomacy exchanges and programs that promote peace and create cross-cultural connections in support of broader U.S. foreign policy goals.? ?? This initiative not only highlights the cultural richness of American music but also underscores its potential to drive positive change and unity worldwide.

#NorthernGreecePOD Recap Post 3: Research, Innovation, and Upskilling Our morning at the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH) was another highlight of the trip. As one of the largest research centers in Greece, CERTH plays a crucial role in addressing societal challenges through science and technology. Our U.S.-based participants were fascinated by the research being conducted on energy, environment, transport, information and communication technologies, and health. Touring the labs and engaging with researchers provided valuable insights into how CERTH’s work is driving innovation and supporting Greece’s energy transition. ? We spent much of the afternoon at the gorgeous new campus of the University of Western Macedonia, a growing university set to be a center of excellence in the ongoing energy transition. Our discussions with university touched on a number of meaningful ways we can collaborate to share best practices, research, and innovation. All will be crucial in bolstering both of our countries as we set Greece on a path to model a sustainable energy transition that the rest of the world can follow. CluBE-Cluster of Bioeconomy and Environment of Western Macedonia gave us a great overview of their activities in bioenergy and environment and how they are reinforcing smart, green, circular economies in the region. The commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in this transition was a recurring theme, underscoring the importance of inclusive and equitable development. Upskilling the workforce in Northern Greece emerged as a critical element in the energy transition. By equipping workers with advanced skills in renewable energy and green technologies, the region can lead the way towards a sustainable future. This creates new job opportunities and attracts investment and fosters economic growth. A presentation by METAVASI S.A. highlighted the importance of educational and training programs in reskilling the local workforce, ensuring that they are prepared for new industries and opportunities. ? The trip underscored the importance of community engagement and transparency in the transition process. Building trust within the local community through transparent political commitment and active engagement is essential for success. Overall, the trip was a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in driving sustainable development. Dorothy S. McAuliiffe Owen Herrnstadt, Hazeen Ashby - Export-Import Bank of the United States | Sheri Givens - Smart Electric Power Alliance | Emily Beagle - The University of Texas at Austin | J Brady Gutta - West Virginia University | Cassidy Riley, MPA - Coalfield Development Corporation | Peter Muhoro - Rappahannock Electric Cooperative | Haralambos Vasiliadis - Columbia University, NYU Tandon School of Engineering | Irene Skoula - C40 Cities | Nidhi Krishen - City of Philadelphia | Scott Quillinan - University of Wyoming | Kostas Pappas - Texas A&M Energy Institute