International Career Advancement Program (ICAP)

The 2017 Conference on Diversity in International Affairs (CDIA) was held at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, DC on April ,28- 29 2017. In its 5^th year, the conference continues to be a collaborative effort by the International Career Advancement Program, the Council on Foreign Affairs, and the Global Access Pipeline project.  As Jim Lindsay, senior vice president and director of studies for the Council on Foreign Relations, said in his opening remarks, this conference continues “to advance the effort to diversify the American foreign policy community so it looks like America.”

This year’s feature keynote speaker, Calvin Sims: President and Chief Executive Officer, International House; Former New York Times Reporter; Former Ford Foundation Executive, gave the audience some inspiration on how to create space and the need for mentors, "You also have to figure out what the game is, because a lot of times nobody is going to tell you. And you can’t get upset with those folks who are playing the game and being successful. You have to figure out what it is that actually impresses people… And you also have to think about, what is the mentor looking for in you? They’re going to invest in you, they’re looking for some return down the line. And so as well, when I do my mentoring, I make it clear to those who I mentor that I expect you to do the same thing.”

This year’s event included over 300 participants from across the country, including young people interested and studying international affairs, senior executives and foreign policy subject matter experts.  The two days concluded with the 2017 ICAP mid-year reunion and the announcement of ICAP Alumni Association Annual Diversity Award Recipient, Farrah Barrios, Staff Chief in Office of Budget and Program Analysis, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture,  (ICAP 09).   

Links:

• CFR CDIA link