The 2022 Excellence in Diplomacy Award as presented to the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) in recognition of the role that the men and women of the American Foreign service perform in support of U.S. foreign relations. The Award was a celebration of AFSA and the vital work it does to aid those who represent America’s first line of defense for U.S. security, prosperity, and democratic values. AFSA, which over 85 percent of active-duty Foreign Service members have joined, provides services as both a labor union and professional association. AFSA protects the interests of American diplomats and supports their work, which involves crucial issues of war and peace, as is seen in the on-going conflict in Ukraine. It involves humanitarian relief efforts as well as negotiating and monitoring trade and business relations to strengthen and grow our domestic economy.
The Award was presented by the Diplomacy Center Foundation on October 20, 2022, at DACOR Bacon House and accepted on behalf of AFSA by Ambassador Eric Rubin, President of AFSA. The evening featured special remarks from Ambassador Marcia Bernicat, Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Global Talent Bureau of Global Talent Management.
