2008 WHA CONFERENCE PROVIDES ENTRY LEVEL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SAN SALVADOR 001215 SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA, FSI AMD HR/CDA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT ES SUBJECT: 2008 WHA CONFERENCE PROVIDES ENTRY LEVEL PROFESSIONALS WITH NEW PERSPECTIVES ¶1. Summary: Embassy San Salvador hosted the 2008 WHA Entry Level Professionals Conference from October 8-10. Speakers led discussions on creative approaches toward diplomacy, the importance of focusing on democratic governments and free trade despite vocal opposition in the region, and the future of the Foreign Service. Guest speakers encouraged participants to develop humor, compassion, flexibility, bureaucratic courage, and interpersonal skills in order to maximize their Foreign Service careers. The program also included sessions on interagency cooperation, service in Iraq, bidding strategies and the economic challenges facing the region. Several conference participants also took advantage of individual and small-group sessions with key presenters. End Summary. ¶2. Embassy San Salvador hosted 78 Entry Level Professionals from 33 WHA posts for the 2008 WHA Entry Level Professionals Conference, from October 8-10. ¶3. Keynote speaker Salvadoran Foreign Minister Marisol Argueta de Barillas spoke about key moments in diplomatic history when the course of U.S. foreign policy was altered by individual diplomats like George F. Kennan. Argueta said that the new realities of today,s world require a creative reinvention of diplomacy that addresses the unique challenges of a post 9/11 world. She also used the occassion to highlight the excellent relations between the GOES and USG. ¶4. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Craig Kelly discussed important initiatives that are defining U.S. relations throughout the region, including the Merida Initiative and Pathways to Prosperity. Kelly focused on the need for ELOs to concentrate on doing their job well and taking care of their families. He said that emerging powers like Brazil and India will be important players even after the dust settles in current political hotspots. Kelly discussed the need for ELOs to seek outreach opportunities that will allow diplomats to personalize U.S. policy and make contact with foreign nationals. ¶5. Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli, Director of Career Development and Assignments for Entry Level Officers, spoke about the realities of today,s Foreign Service, including challenges posed by hardship posts like Iraq and Afghanistan. He said that the number of officers with prior service in these areas is growing, which may make it more difficult to promise follow-on posts. Officers must learn to delicately balance both leadership and an appreciation for current systems without feeling obligated to encourage change when it is not necessary. Mussomeli reiterated that early promotion and admission to the Senior FS are not correlated, and said overinflated EERs made it difficult for promotion and tenure boards to identify deserving officers. ¶6. Lt. Gen. Glenn Spears, Deputy Commander, U.S. Southern Command, gave a presentation on the role of Southern Command and the relationship between the Departments of Defense and State. General Spears stressed the diversity of the Western Hemisphere and its importance to U.S. Foreign Policy. General Spears emphasized the important humanitarian role the U.S. military plays throughout the region, including the use of USS Comfort to provide medical services and disaster relief, especially after the recent hurricane strikes and subsequent flooding in Haiti. ¶7. U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador Charles L. Glazer spoke about U.S. / Salvadoran relations and mentioned close bilateral cooperation in counter-narcotics, other law enforcement, and free trade. Ambassador Glazer highlighted the USG policy emphasis on public security, which is a priority for all the USG agencies represented at Embassy San Salvador. He also hosted an event on the Embassy compound that offered participants a chance to tour the facility with the hope that some will consider working here in future assignments. ¶8. U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala Stephen McFarland related his recent experience as a team leader on a PRT in Anbar Province, Iraq. McFarland said that expeditionary diplomacy has a long history within the Foreign Service. Service on PRTs and other expeditionary units will provide officers with unique service opportunities in non-traditional fields like humanitarian and refugee services, advising foreign forces, and government reconstruction. Security is a serious concern, and officers should consider their own ability to cope with security risks before they volunteer for high risk expeditionary posts. ¶9. Ambassador Rose Likins, Deputy Director, FSI, encouraged officers to look closely at distance learning opportunities SAN SALVAD 00001215 002 OF 002 with FSI. She said, via video conference, that officers who found a job within the service that they loved and performed it well were most likely to move ahead. ¶10. Steve Kashkett, VP of AFSA, and Mira Piplani, Post Management Officer, both discussed bidding strategies and career advice. Kashkett said officers should be working hard to change negative perceptions of the Foreign Service from recent media reports, and encouraged officers to write to their Congressman and local papers regarding pay disparities and challenges that diplomats face today. Piplani identified two distinct bidding strategies for third tour officers. She said officers can either pursue a post they really want by networking and lobbying or wait for the last-minute posts that come up late in the cycle after many people have already accepted an offer. ¶11. Throughout the conference attendees were able to meet individually with AFSA and CDA representatives. Small group discussion were available to further address professional issues such as EERs, outreach, working with LES, and unaccompanied tours. Other guests and speakers - including leading Salvadoran economists and a representative from the Heritage Foundation - addressed regional economic concerns, changes in consular workflow, and evolving political trends. ¶12. The 2008 WHA ELP Conference was an excellent opportunity for generalists and specialists from across the region to enhance their understanding of both career concerns and regional policy issues. The conference succeeded in attracting well informed and high profile speakers from both inside and outside the department. A majority of posts in the bureau were able to send at least one participant to the conference. ELOs left the conference with a better understanding of the challenges they face as officers in a changing region. Participants broadly agreed that this and similar ELP conferences can help new officers better understand how to navigate difficult processes within the Department. The conference also enhanced networking opportunities for officers within the region and provided each officer with a regional perspective on U.S. policy. ¶13. Embassy San Salvador ELP's would like to thank speakers and participants for their contributions that made this event a success. GLAZER