The goal of the State Department is to help create a world that is prosperous, secure and more free by managing the United States' relationships with foreign governments, international organizations, and people of other countries.
The management of these relationships is known as diplomacy. The State Department uses diplomacy to create and implement the President's foreign policy goals and to represent them to other nations.
The United States maintains diplomatic relations with 180 of the more than 190 countries in the world, as well as with many international organizations. The world's countries are more connected now ever before. This is a consequence of advances in trade, technology and travel. Thus, the United States' interactions with other countries and with its citizens have become increasingly important.
The State Department's essential duties consist of: - Representing the U.S. overseas and conveying U.S. policies to foreign governments and international organizations through American embassies and consulates in foreign countries and diplomatic missions; - Negotiating and concluding agreements and treaties on issues ranging from trade to nuclear weapons; - Coordinating and supporting international activities of other U.S. agencies, hosting official visits, and performing other diplomatic missions; and - Leading interagency coordination and manages the allocation of resources for foreign relations.
The four main foreign policy goals of the State Department are to: - Protect the U.S. and Americans; - Advance democracy, human rights, and other global interests; - Promote international understanding of American values and policies; and - Support U.S. diplomats, government officials, and all other personnel at home and abroad who make these goals a reality.
Protect America
The State Department uses diplomacy with other nations to protect the United States and the American people. Diplomacy enables us to successfully deal with a number of challenges that affect the United States but cross international boundaries. These include: - Terrorism; - The threat of weapons of mass destruction; - HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases; - Dangers of illegal drug trafficking and crime; - Humanitarian needs of migrants and refugees; and - Environmental degradation.
Americans at home and abroad face threats to their physical and economic well-being. The State Department protects the physical and economic well-being of Americans at home and abroad by helping to: - Defeat global terrorism by strengthening international alliances and preventing terrorist attacks; - Promote policies and practices to keep travel, trade, and important infrastructure safe and so preserve America's homeland security; - Provide guidelines for managing the entry of visitors to the U.S.; - Promote stability in all regions of the world; - Prevent enemies from threatening the U.S. or our allies with weapons of mass destruction; - Reduce the impact of international crime and illegal drugs on Americans; and - Protect and assist American citizens who travel, conduct business, and live abroad.
Fighting Terrorism
The attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 gave Americans firsthand knowledge of the threat to the United States from terrorists and the countries that support them. The terrorists who performed these attacks did not threaten only Americans; they threatened all people who believe in freedom and democracy. Terrorists do not respect national borders. They can be defeated only through the united action of nations throughout the world.
The State Department contributes to the fight against terrorism by working with other U.S. agencies and foreign governments to: - Identify terrorist organizations and countries that support terrorists; - Investigate the activities of terrorist organizations; - Shut down terrorist financial networks; and - Bring terrorists to justice.
Homeland Security
Security for Americans begins at home but extends beyond our borders. The State Department defends homeland security by securing America's borders, conducting visa operations and leading U.S. diplomatic efforts to gain international cooperation on measures to deter threats to the travel, communications, information systems, transportation, and energy infrastructure networks.
Weapons of Mass Destruction
The State Department works to ensure that more countries do not obtain nuclear, biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction. The State Department also has the task of verifying that other nations honor international agreements restricting the development of these weapons.
By doing this, the State Department addresses concerns that terrorists will acquire these weapons and use them against innocent citizens of the United States and other countries.
International Crime and Illegal Drugs
International crime and illegal drug trafficking affects Americans as well as people from countries throughout the world, and controlling illegal drug traffic requires cooperation from all countries.
The Department of State assists other countries in establishing and implementing anti-crime and anti-drug laws. It shares these countries' costs and political burdens, and strengthens their courts and government institutions so that it is easier for them to bring criminals to justice. It provides other governments with training programs and technical assistance.
The State Department has increased its support for law enforcement and assistance for developing countries, including Bolivia, Peru and Columbia so that they can prevent the production of illegal drugs and their shipment to the United States and other countries.
Human Trafficking
The trafficking of human beings, a modern-day form of slavery, is increasing rapidly. Approximately 800,000-900,000 people, mostly women and children, are trafficked worldwide every year. This includes including 20,000 people who are trafficked into the United States
Criminals who are engaged in the trafficking of persons force or deceive their victims into labor or sexual exploitation. They often move them across national borders into other countries.
The State Department is working toward eliminating human trafficking throughout the world.
Regional Stability
The State Department encourages stability and economic prosperity through joint efforts with other countries in international organizations to promote stability and economic prosperity.
By using diplomacy, the State Department prevents local conflicts in regions around the world from escalating into large-scale wars that could be detrimental to the United States' interests.
Some of the regional issues the State Department manages are:
Middle East • Promoting and supporting the development of democracy in Iraq. • Continuing to work with Israel, Egypt, other Middle Eastern countries and the Palestinians to find a way for them to live peacefully together. . Western Hemisphere • Joining with other countries to confront terrorism and illegal drug trafficking while promoting institutions that support democracy and freedom. Africa • Helping fragile nations confront poverty, disease, and war that afflict the continent.
East Asia and the Pacific • Participating in organizations, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, which deal with a wide range of economic issues facing its member nations.
South Asia • Supporting developing democracy in Afghanistan. • Working with India and Pakistan and the international community to deal with problems between these countries, including the status of Kashmir and nuclear arms.
Europe and Eurasia • Promoting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and its expansion as keys to international cooperation and security
Visas: Welcoming Foreign Citizens
The Department of State reviews over 7 million visa applications per year. In order to enter the United States, immigrants and visitors who must apply for a visa from the State Department. Visa regulations help to make sure that foreign citizens who might do harm to our country cannot enter the U.S. At the same time, these regulations allow us to welcome citizens of countries around the globe.
The Department of State appreciates the many ways in which immigrants and visitors have enriched the culture of the United States.
Helping Americans
The State Department helps U.S. citizens conduct business, travel and live abroad safely by: - Providing information on traveling and living abroad, for example, in pamphlet and Travel Warnings. - Issuing passports to U.S. citizens; - Helping U.S. citizens obtain emergency funds; -Assisting in international child custody disputes and adoptions; - Checking on the welfare and whereabouts of U.S. citizens abroad; - Assisting U.S. travelers who become ill or are arrested while overseas; - Helping families with arrangements if a U.S. citizen dies overseas; and - Protecting and assisting U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad during crises.
Economic Prosperity and Security
The State Department supports economic prosperity and security by providing help for U.S. businesses at home and in foreign countries. U.S. embassies have officers who are experts on foreign markets and on business practices in foreign countries. These officers can identify opportunities for American companies and provide them with support, whether they are based within a foreign country or hoping to export their products or services to a foreign country.
Economic functions of the State Department include:
- Helping to ensure that American workers, businesspeople, and farmers can fairly compete for foreign investment and trade; -Supporting U.S. business interests overseas by pointing out potential problems and helping to make sure that American companies can sell products or services within a foreign country; - Negotiating trade agreements to open foreign markets to increase opportunities to sell American products and services abroad; - Helping other countries develop strong, free market economies that provide investment and export opportunities. - Working with international and U.S. organizations to represent business interests; - Promoting and licensing exports. These exports add tens of billions of dollars to the U.S. economy; and - Protecting American intellectual property rights, including copyrights and patents; and
Advance Global Interests
Democracy and Human Rights
The United States of America was created over 200 years ago in order to protect democracy and fundamental liberties. From that time onward, a central goal of United States foreign policy has been to promote respect for democracy and human rights throughout the world.
Human rights include freedom from torture, freedom of speech and other expression, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, protection of the rights of women and children, and protection of minorities Because human rights are essential for creating and maintaining democracy, the State Department makes a great effort to promote human rights in countries where democracy is not well-established.
The State Department: -Promotes democracy as a way to achieve security, stability, and prosperity for the entire world; -Helps establish and assist newly formed democracies; -Identifies and denounces regimes that deny their citizens the right to choose their leaders in free, fair elections that are free and fair; - Promotes greater respect for human rights.; -Holds governments accountable to their promises to uphold universal human rights; - Promotes the rule of law, such as fair judicial and voting procedures; - Helps reform and strengthen the UN Commission on Human Rights; and - Coordinates support for human rights with our allies; and
Other Transnational Issues
The State Department also deals with many issues that cross national borders. Examples of such issues are:
Health
The spread of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS endangers the political and economic stability of countries throughout the world. The State Department works with other U.S. Government agencies and with other countries overseas to monitor the spread of threatening diseases and to prepare for and respond to world health problems and monitor the spread of potentially dangerous diseases.
Environment
Many problems with the environment are a threat to America's health, prosperity, and national security. Pesticides in food and water, polluted air, and invasive plant and animal species can hurt America's economy and the welfare of Americans.
Lack of access to a livable environment, food and clean water, and a lack of availability of sources of energy can lead to economic instability and political unrest in foreign countries. This could threaten the security of the United States.
The State Department works with other countries to lessen the impact of climate change by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. For example, it shares clean technologies with developing nations.
Refugees, Migration, and Population Growth
Every year, the State Department assists millions of victims of conflict or natural disasters around the world and provides aid to millions of refugees. Tens of thousands of refugees come to live in the United States permanently every year.
The State Department is concerned with the effects of population growth. As the world's population increases, people must live in more places that are more crowded and they require more food and more fuel. It becomes harder for governments to provide services to all of their citizens. This can lead to political unrest.
Gain International Understanding
Every country in the world affects the lives of Americans, and America affects people in every country in the world.
The American principles of democracy, freedom, tolerance, and opportunity provide inspiration for people throughout the world. We share these values with the people of other countries. By understanding and recognizing that we hold these values in common, we increase the chances of resolving differences and arriving at agreeable solutions by increasing the amount of trust that exists between ourselves and other nations.
The State Department aims to increase understanding between the United States and other nations by explaining its own policies while listening to the views and the concerns of other nations. The most effective way to get the people of other countries to pay attention to what we have to say is to welcome and listen to their ideas.
The State Department uses television broadcasts, videos, print publications, and the Internet to enable people in foreign countries to learn about the United States. It often communicates in foreign languages. The State Department also arranges for speakers to visit foreign countries.
The State Department has shared its values of freedom and religious tolerance with Arab and Muslim nations by placing announcements on international television programs.
The Department of State uses educational and cultural exchanges to increase understanding between Americans and the people of other countries. Every year, the State Department sponsors over 35,000 exchange - Americans traveling abroad as well as visitors to the United States. Through these programs, Americans are able to directly experience other cultures and gain an understanding of ideas that might be foreign to them, while foreign visitors get to experience American art and culture and learn about the lives of Americans. Through these intercultural exchange programs, American and foreign visitors experience the common values of human rights, freedom, equality and opportunity which civilized nations share.
Support Foreign and Civil Services
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the diplomatic presence and programs of the U.S. Foreign Service and the U.S. Civil Service have become more crucial than ever before.
The Foreign Service and Civil Service together constitute a group of people who are enthusiastic about achieving the United States' foreign policy goals. They put U.S. foreign policy into practice, working together in the United States and at U.S. missions abroad
The Foreign Service is made up of over 11,000 employees who represent the United States in other countries. Members of the Foreign Service can be sent to any embassy, consulate, or other diplomatic mission anywhere in the world, at any time, to serve the United States' diplomatic needs. Therefore, a career in the U.S.A. Foreign Service requires an extremely high level of commitment. However, it also offers incomparable rewards.
Most of the 8,000 employees that make up the Civil Service are located in Washington, DC. They provide support, expertise, and continuity, which enable the Department of State to fulfill its mission.
Some Civil Service employees are the domestic counterparts to consular officers abroad. They issue passports and assist U.S. citizens abroad and at home.
The State Department team overseas also includes more than 31,000 Foreign Service National employees who are citizens of the country in which an embassy or other post is located. These employees provide continuity by remaining in their jobs, while the Foreign Service officers move in and out of the country and play an important role in the State Department.
Diplomacy: The U.S. Department of State at Work