Embassies and Consulates Help Overseas U.S. Citizens To Vote

Posted by Jack Markey / October 06, 2012

This Jan. 31, 2012 file photo shows a woman voting at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections in Cleveland as early voting began in Ohio's March 6 presidential primary. [AP File Photo]

About the Author: Jack Markey serves as Deputy Director of American Citizen Services in the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Your vote counts, wherever you are! If you forgot to register and/or request a ballot, there's still time to cast your vote, but you'll have to act fast. Register and/or request a ballot today using the federal post card application at www.FVAP.gov. Select the electronic ballot delivery option, include your email address (and fax number) and send it to local election officials in your state. Almost every state lets you send it by email or fax. Once your application is processed, they will send you your ballot via fax or email, depending on your state's rules. Vote as soon as you receive the blank ballot. Registration deadlines vary and some are as early as October 7, so check your state's requirements and deadlines carefully.

From late-September through mid-October, U.S. embassies and consulates… more »

Posted under: Travel

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Accomplishments at the Human Rights Council 21st Session

Posted by Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe / October 05, 2012

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Esther Brimmer addresses the Human Rights Council Urgent Debate on Syria in Geneva, February 28, 2012. [U.S. Mission Geneva/ Public Domain]

About the Author: Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe serves as the U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Human Rights Council.

The United Nations' Human Rights Council in Geneva just concluded its 21st session. This also happened to coincide with the end of the United States' first term back on the council -- we rejoined in 2009. Working together, I think we made significant progress across a wide range of issues.

Early in the session, the United States along with the Czech Republic, Indonesia, Lithuania, the Maldives, Mexico, and Nigeria, presented a resolution on the rights of freedom of association and assembly. The resolution reaffirms the importance of respect for the rights of peaceful association and assembly as essential components of democracy. The resolution calls upon States to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom… more »

Posted under: Policy

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Happy World Teachers’ Day!

Posted by Ann Stock / October 05, 2012

A teacher speaks to students at the school of La Ronce in Ville d'Avray, west of Paris, Oct. 5, 2012. [AP Photo]

About the Author: Ann Stock serves as Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs.

To mobilize support for teachers worldwide and to ensure we can meet the educational needs of future generations, the State Department celebrates the 19th annual UNESCO World Teachers' Day. Whether through an alphabet lesson or a taste of astrophysics, teachers are at the start of every journey. Educators in and out of the classroom are responsible for so much good in the world, and it's only fitting that we honor their contributions.

This week, the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs hosted a two-day symposium for teachers interested in integrating global content into their lesson plans. Participants included 68 American… more »

Posted under: Behind the Scenes

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Burma’s Women Give Hope for Country’s Future

Posted by Melanne Verveer / October 05, 2012

Melanne Verveer, left, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, gestures to Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a press conference after their meeting at her residence, May 6, 2012, in Burma. [AP File Photo]

About the Author: Melanne Verveer serves as Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues.

2012 has been a remarkable year for Burma. Under President Thein Sein's leadership, we have seen electoral reforms, the release of hundreds of political prisoners, the formalizing of diplomatic relations between our two countries, and Aung San Suu Kyi's historic visit to the United States, all of which have brought immense hope and a sense of possibility to the people of Burma and all of us who care deeply about their future. Earlier this year, with colleagues from the State Department and private sector foundation leaders, we visited Burma to shine a spotlight on issues relating to women and girls at this crucial moment in history.

We have no illusions about the future. From a dearth of basic infrastructure, to the many political prisoners still languishing in jail, to the ongoing ethnic violence and continuing human rights violations against women, the road toward… more »

Posted under: East Asia and the Pacific

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“I Am Puerto Rican and American”

Posted by Vanessa Colon / October 04, 2012

Vanessa Colon, the author, jumps in front of the Statue of Liberty in New York, undated. [Photo Used by Permission]

About the Author: Vanessa Colon serves as Vice Consul at the U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

For a quick and surefire way to rankle a Puerto Rican, ask: "But Puerto Ricans aren't Americans, are they?" Heart rates quicken. Lips tighten to a thin line. Eyebrows rise above the hairline, and fingers are waved every which way as a Puerto Rican clarifies that we are very much American.

This question and its implications have followed me throughout my life, ever since I moved from Puerto Rico to Georgia at the age of 10. Learning to adjust to a school in which I was one of two Hispanics in my 5th grade class proved challenging.

"Do you have a green card?" "Does Puerto Rico have McDonald's? Cars?"

Initially, I barely tolerated these exchanges. In my mind, the other person's ignorance demonstrated a disregard for Puerto Rican culture, and the ways it formed a legitimate part of American society. With a cold civility, I'd answer the questions… more »

Posted under: Behind the Scenes

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