What makes the State Department amazing? For sure, the US State Department makes life better for all Americans and engages America to the rest of the world through diplomacy.
What do the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) do for the American people? Here are the ten amazing facts about the US State Department. Get ready to be amazed and be inspired!
According to the State Department, with just over one percent of the entire federal budget, it has a huge impact on how Americans live and how the rest of the world engages America.
Here are the ten facts one should know about the State Department;
1. The US State Department creates American jobs which support 20 million U.S. jobs by promoting new and open markets for U.S. firms, protecting intellectual property, negotiating new U.S. airline routes worldwide, and competing for foreign government and private contracts.
In October 2010, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced individual State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funding allocations for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories, which will support $15 billion in new small business lending through innovative local programs that help entrepreneurs expand their businesses and create new jobs.
2. The US State Department supports American citizens abroad which entails providing emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in countries experiencing natural disasters or civil unrest. It has assisted in 9,393 international adoptions and worked on more than 1,700 child abduction cases – resulting in the return of over 660 American children.
3. The US State Department promotes democracy and fosters stability around the world.
The US asserts that stable democracies are less likely to pose a threat to their neighbors or to the United States.
4. The US State Department helps to make the world a safer place. Together with Russia, under the New START Treaty, both countries have reduced the number of deployed nuclear weapons to levels not seen since the 1950s.
The implementation of the New START Treaty is well underway since it entered force on 5th of February 2011.
From that day and every day that has followed, the Treaty has been contributing to U.S. national security.
In 2010, the State Department helped more than 40 countries clear millions of square meters of landmines, according to the U.S State Department.
5. The US State Department saves lives. With its strong bipartisan support for U.S. global health investments, it has led to worldwide progress against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, smallpox and polio.
Global Health initiative is a six-year, $63 billion initiative to help partner countries improve measurable health outcomes by strengthening health systems and building upon proven results. It places a particular focus on improving the health of women, newborns and children. Pursuing a comprehensive approach, GHI includes programs addressing HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, nutrition, family planning and reproductive health, and neglected tropical diseases.
6. The US State Department helps countries feed themselves where it helps other countries plant the right seeds in the right way and get crops to markets to feed more people.
The US believes strong agricultural sectors lead to more stable countries.
President Obama’s Feed the Future Initiative promotes food security and helps reduce vulnerability to drought in Africa.
President Obama’s Feed the Future Initiative has committed $3.5 billion over 3 years
7. The US State Department helps in times of crisis. From earthquakes in Haiti, Japan and Chile to famine in the Horn of Africa, its dedicated emergency professionals deliver assistance to those who need it most.
8. The US State Department promotes the rule of law and protects human dignity. The US government helps people in other countries find freedom and shape their own destinies.
In addition, the US advocates for the release of prisoners of conscience, prevents political activists from suffering abuse, trains police officers to combat sex trafficking and equips journalists to hold their governments accountable.
9. The US State Department helps Americans see the world as well.
According to the State Department, in 2011, it issued 12.6 million passports and passport cards for Americans to travel abroad.
10. The State Department is the face of America overseas. US diplomats, development experts, and the programs implement the the source of American leadership around the world.
Diplomats are the embodiment of American values abroad.
The diplomats are a force for good in the world.
“For a very small investment the State Department and USAID yield a large return by advancing U.S. national security, promoting our economic interests, and reaffirming our country’s exceptional role in the world.” – US State Department
The United States Department of State is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States. It was created in 1789 and was the first executive department established.
The Department is lead by the Secretary of State, who is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate and is a member of the Cabinet.
