U.S. Department of State

Jun 14

[video]

Secretary Kerry: Peace Corps “The Best Use of Citizenship”

During an intimate gathering before he addressed the staff of Embassy Guatemala City, the Secretary chatted with the incoming class of Guatemala Response volunteers. MORE

Poachers, Not Animals, Pose the ‘Real Danger’ in Victoria Falls National Park

“We’re going to fan out, like a ripple moving through the bush.”

With those instructions, our group of American diplomats made a long line, carefully stepping through the long, yellow grass of the Victoria Falls National Park. We were less than five miles from the spectacular Falls, but in the park it was hot, dusty, and dangerous. MORE

A Message to American International Exchange Host Families: Thank You

“The map of the world is more than just a big poster on the wall. It represents people our children have come to love in countries they may have never heard of otherwise,” according to the Strain family of San Antonio, Texas when we asked what being a host family meant to them.

As summer begins for families around the United States, we would like to say thank you to the volunteer American host families who generously provided a home-away-from-home for one of nearly 2,000 high school exchange students from over 50 countries that are on State Department-sponsored exchange programs this year. MORE

“State in 60 Seconds” Video — Nutrition

Why is nutrition on the global agenda? Watch our latest “State in 60 Seconds” video to hear Elizabeth Buckingham explain the impact of undernutrition on a child’s life and talk about why our efforts to promote nutrition for mothers and young children are so critical. MORE

Jun 13

Ten Ways To Combat the Worst Forms of Child Labor

No individual or organization acting alone can eliminate the worst forms of child labor, but together we can make a difference. Individuals, governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations, and civil society groups each have a unique and vital role to play. To reach our goal, we must focus our collective efforts on eradicating the root causes of child labor so that children can break out of the cycle of poverty.

Learn more about how we can meet this shared responsibility here.

Jun 12

[video]

World Day Against Child Labor

Each year since 2002, the international community has come together on June 12 to mark World Day Against Child Labor. According to estimates of the International Labor Organization (ILO), over 215 million children worldwide are engaged in child labor. This year, we call particular attention to the plight of those children – mostly girls – who are engaged in domestic work.

Globally, domestic workers comprise a significant part of the modern service economy, and all indications are that the number of domestic workers is increasing steadily in both developed and developing countries. Most domestic workers work for private households, usually without contracts or clear terms of employment. Because most domestic work is by informal arrangement, behind closed doors, and with no contracts or clear terms of employment, these workers are often invisible. This hidden crisis requires multiple strategies and forms of engagement. MORE

Jun 11

[video]