77 South Carolina residents hosted or supported 108 International Visitor Leadership Program participants who visited the state, volunteering a total of 546 hours of service.
– More: https://eca.state.gov/ivlp
Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs partners with the University of South Carolina’s Rule of Law Collaborative (USC ROLC) to offer training, workshops, and symposium for rule of law practitioners under the Justice Sector Training, Research, and Cooperation (JusTRAC) and JusTRAC+ programs.
– More: http://rolcsc.org/
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
Charleston was one of 12 sites around the country (and 40 others internationally) that participated in the third annual Fishackathon from April 22-14, 2016. Fishackathon is a public-private partnership that aims to capitalize on the expansion of mobile phone and internet use across the developing world to address sustainable fishery challenges. The annual Fishackathon event calls on coders and science enthusiasts from all around the world to come together to create new applications and tools for use on mobile phones and other devices, which can help fishers work smarter and more safely in sustainable fishing.
– More: https://2017-2021.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-economic-growth-energy-and-the-environment/bureau-of-oceans-and-international-environmental-and-scientific-affairs/
Under the U.S.-China Climate Change and Forests Initiative we have set up a network of pilot sites to examine how mitigation and adaptation can be better integrated into forest management approaches. In the United States the two pilot sites are the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire and the Santee Experimental Forest in South Carolina.
– More: https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/news/609
A Researcher from Coastal Carolina University received a grant from the OES-supported U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) for joint a research project with an Israeli scientist. Selected through a peer-reviewed process, the BSF research funding advances our bilateral relationship and shared scientific priorities.
– More: http://www.bsf.org.il/
Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
The Department works with nine domestic non-governmental organizations, which place refugees with more than 325 affiliates in roughly 190 communities around the country. These local affiliates work closely with community partners, congregations, volunteers, and state and local officials to provide a successful start for refugees rebuilding their lives. Refugee communities have historically enhanced the economic dynamism and cultural vitality of our nation. Refugees contribute to the United States in numerous ways, including by starting businesses and joining the U.S. military. This program helps the world’s most vulnerable refugees find permanent homes, and it demonstrates the immense generosity of the American people.
– More: https://2017-2021.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-civilian-security-democracy-and-human-rights/bureau-of-population-refugees-and-migration/
In Fiscal Year 2017, the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) issued visas to 71 children who were adopted by U.S. citizens from South Carolina. Intercountry adoption is one CA's highest priorities. CA's Office of Children’s Issues plays an active role in the intercountry adoption process and works diligently to establish and maintain intercountry adoption as a viable option throughout the world.
– More: https://travel.state.gov/content/adoptionsabroad/en/about-us/statistics.html
Bureau of Diplomatic Security
Diplomatic Security Miami Field Office serves South Carolina: Diplomatic Security has offices throughout the United States staffed with special agents and contract investigators, who conduct criminal, counterterrorism and background investigations. Agents assigned to field and resident offices assist in providing support to the protection of the Secretary of State, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and visiting foreign dignitaries. Liaison with federal and local law enforcement, foreign mission personnel, local officials, and the private sector complements their major responsibilities.
– More: https://2017-2021.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-management/bureau-of-diplomatic-security/
Jobs and Economy
Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
In March 2017, Japanese rubber and plastic automotive part manufacturer Fukoku America announced it will invest nearly $14 million in its Laurens County operations, creating 65 new jobs.
The Department of State, in partnership with agencies across the federal government, creates jobs for American workers by opening markets and eliminating trade barriers overseas and by attracting foreign direct investment to the United States. In 2018, goods exported totaled $34.6 billion. Those exports supported approximately 156,598 South Carolinian s (2016) and foreign direct investment into South Carolina supports an additional 140,400 jobs (2016).
– More: https://www.trade.gov/mas/ian/statereports/states/sc.pdf
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
The Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs advocates in meetings of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) for conservation of pollinators, which contribute $24 billion to the national economy and $151 million to the economy of the state of South Carolina for cotton, and tens of millions more for other agricultural products like melons, tomatoes, and peaches. More information is available here.
– More: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/stateOverview.php?state=south%20carolina&year=2017
The Thomas R. Pickering and Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship Programs encourage applications from minority groups historically underrepresented in the U.S. Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need. Each fellowship provides financial assistance towards the completion of a two year master’s degree in a field related to the Foreign Service, academic funding, mentorship and two internships – one in the U.S. and the other abroad at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Fellows commit to a minimum of five years in the Foreign Service. Currently, there are 9 active participants from the state of South Carolina.
– More: http://www.global.howard.edu/ralph-j-bunche/fellowship/
Education
Bureau of Global Talent Management
Diplomat-in-Residence (Kathryn Crockart): Diplomats in Residence (DIRs) are career Foreign Service Officers or Specialists located throughout the U.S. who provide guidance and advice to students, professionals and the community about Department careers.
– More: http://careers.state.gov/connect/dir
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Twelve Scholars, Students and Teachers from South Carolina were awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, and 20 international students received a Fulbright to study in South Carolina.
– More: https://eca.state.gov/fulbright
139 exchange visitors from overseas visited South Carolina and 98 South Carolina residents travelled overseas as part of the Department’s educational and cultural exchange funded programs.
– More: https://exchanges.state.gov/
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
The Department of State's International Military Education and Training (IMET) program funds the education and training of international military students at various locations within South Carolina, including the Finance School, Adjutant General School and Chaplin School at Fort Jackson, the Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Academy in Charleston, and the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton. These training programs provide foreign students exposure to the culture and history of the United States and the State of South Carolina while also supporting the local economy.
– More: https://2017-2021.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-arms-control-and-international-security-affairs/bureau-of-political-military-affairs/
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
For the past four years, International Leadership in Education Program (ILEP) alumnae Sandra Jara has led a U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara-sponsored high school exchange program called Activa Tu Speaking. The program connects high school students in Jalisco and Aguascalientes, Mexico with their counterparts at JLMann High School in Greenville, South Carolina through weekly online conversations and subject-based joint projects. Over the course of the academic year, students have the opportunity to practice their foreign language skills in a real-life context using vocabulary relevant to future careers in hard science and social science. The exchange culminates in a select number of students traveling to visit each other’s high schools in person, thereby uniting these communities across borders.
