Foreign Service Nationals: USAID’s Key Partner in Success

Please join us for a public panel discussion on the importance role of USAID's foreign service nationals.

Foreign service nationals (FSNs) are local, non-U.S. citizens employed by USAID and the State Department. Many USAID FSNs are extremely qualified, having received advanced degrees in their respective fields and having worked at the most senior levels in government, business or civil society before coming to USAID. They are the largest component of USAID's workforce and an integral part of USAID’s in-country missions because they speak the local languages and have contacts throughout the country enabling the U.S. Embassy to advance its agenda. Many even go on to hold political offices in their countries as Ministers of Health or other elected positions. The State Department uses FSNs differently, rarely in senior positions. As these agencies move closer and closer together, the differences between how the two agencies use FSNs should be addressed, with lessons to be learned from both approaches.

Please join us for this important discussion on June 1st. 

This event was made possible through general support to CSIS.