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Introduction
Over the last several decades, governments have collectively pledged to slow global warming. But despite intensified diplomacy, the world is already facing the consequences of climate…
Celebrating a Decade of the Conference on Diversity in International Affairs
The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) has hosted the Conference on Diversity in International Affairs (CDIA) in collaboration with the Global Access Pipeline (GAP) and International Career Advancement Program (ICAP) since 2013. An annual event, the conference connects students and professionals from diverse backgrounds with career opportunities in international affairs.
Explore this site to learn more about the conference and celebrate marking the tenth anniversary in 2022.
Highlights From a Decade of CDIA
Keynote Speakers
Keynote speakers have included then-U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice (2014), former minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives Stacey Abrams (2019), former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson (2018), actor and former associate director for White House Office of Public Engagement Kalpen Modi (2016), president of the Ford Foundation Darren Walker (2021), Morgan Stanley vice chairman and managing director Carla Harris (2015), president and CEO of the International House Calvin Smith (2017), and NASA administrator Charles Bolden (2013). The keynote speaker for 2022 will be Roger Ferguson Jr., Steven A. Tananbaum Distinguished Fellow for International Economics at CFR, former president and CEO of TIAA, and former vice chairman of the board of governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve System.
CDIA by the Numbers (2013 - 2021)
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8 keynote speakers
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20 foreign policy plenaries
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59 career development breakout sessions
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125 career counseling appointments
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420 mentor matches
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5000+ conference registrations
Reflections From Conference Participants
"Participating in the conference reinforced the need to have more discussions with family, friends, and colleagues about diversity and inclusion in U.S. foreign policy circles."
"We need more of these gatherings to ensure our foreign policymakers reflect the diversity of the American public."
"The conference is an excellent opportunity to meet and connect with similarly minded and ambitious professionals. The conference topics are interesting and relevant, and the speakers are appealing and knowledgeable."
"I find the plenaries and breakout sessions to be full of knowledge and practical ideas. This has helped me advance diversity efforts at the institutions I am affiliated with. This is why I love coming back to the conference."
Featured Discussions
The murder of George Floyd iin 2020 catalyzed an anti-racism protest movement that echoed around the world. Global protests, mostly in support of Black Lives Matter, lasted for months and were reigni…
The murder of George Floyd iin 2020 catalyzed an anti-racism protest movement that echoed around the world. Global protests, mostly in support of Black Lives Matter, lasted for months and were reigni…
ZARATE: Welcome to the Council on Foreign Relations. Great group. What a—what a great crowd. This is the opening plenary of this important conference on leading organizational change for diversity an…
ZARATE: Welcome to the Council on Foreign Relations. Great group. What a—what a great crowd. This is the opening plenary of this important conference on leading organizational change for diversity an…
Speakers discuss how leaders from different sectors are spearheading organizational change in their respective fields, both through their experiences championing diversity at high-value levels and na…
Speakers discuss how leaders from different sectors are spearheading organizational change in their respective fields, both through their experiences championing diversity at high-value levels and na…
AYRES: Good morning. Good morning. It’s great to see so many people here today. I understand we have a full house. That’s terrific. We have what I am certain is going to be an excellent discussion fo…
AYRES: Good morning. Good morning. It’s great to see so many people here today. I understand we have a full house. That’s terrific. We have what I am certain is going to be an excellent discussion fo…
CFR's Commitment to Diversity
More information on CFR's longstanding commitment to making the foreign policy community in the United States more representative of American society as a whole can be found here.