In recognition of the crucial impact of cities, states, and counties on global affairs, the U.S. Department of State announced on July 22 that four U.S. cities have been selected to participate in the first cohort of Reta Jo Lewis Local Diplomat Program class of 2024-2025: Chattanooga, TN; Kansas City, MO; San Antonio, TX; and San Diego, CA.
The Lewis Local Diplomat program will increase capacity of local governments to engage on global issues by embedding experienced civil service and foreign service officers from the State Department in local government offices for one-year tours as international advisors.
Hosting a Lewis Local Diplomat will allow these four cities to better serve their constituents through international engagement. Lewis Local Diplomats will carry out the priorities of the elected leader, including in areas of international trade and investment, education exchange, cultural connections, climate resilience and environment, diaspora engagement, sister city collaborations, hosting global events and more. The Local Diplomats may work with community groups, chambers of commerce, trade associations, local businesses, non-profits, the media, colleges, and universities, among others.
The high level of interest by U.S. states, counties, and cities in the Lewis Local Diplomats program reaffirms the value our local elected leaders place on foreign policy expertise and the desire of local officials to cultivate strong global ties to help boost economic growth, promote security, develop cultural connections, and help to solve global challenges affecting their communities. We look forward to a productive year for these local diplomats who bring decades of overseas and foreign policy experience to communities across the country.
The Lewis Local Diplomat program will expand for the 2025-2026 cycle. Cities, states, counties, and local offices are invited to apply now and submit their application by August 5, 2024.
