The  Department of State, through a variety of programs, sends many of these citizen diplomats overseas to teach in schools, conduct research with local scientists, work with local artists and athletes, and perform alongside local actors, dancers and musicians. Their direct interaction with people of all ages and cultures sows new seeds for understanding. 

And while few of us will ever be named  ambassador to a foreign country, every time we travel abroad or even meet a foreign citizen in the United States, we are citizen diplomats, reflecting and representing the United States. 

The make-up of the 21st Century State Department mirrors the face of a changing America. 

 “In order to represent the United States to the world, the  Department of State  must have a workforce that reflects the rich composition of its citizenry. The skills, knowledge, perspectives, ideas, and experiences of all of its employees contribute to the vitality and success of the global  mission ” –  Former Secretary of State John Kerry 

As the demographic composition of the United States has changed over the last 50 years, the State Department has worked hard to keep pace. Former Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice, both of whom are African-American, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, all made it a top priority that the State Department should reflect the diversity of the American people. 

Embracing the diversity of the United States is far more than a matter of social justice; it allows for a wide range of ideas and perspectives to find creative solutions. The new, more diverse generation of American diplomats is culturally aware, adaptable, well-rounded, and agile. They are problem-solvers who can effectively reach out to people of other nations in pursuit of American interests.