Thirty faculty members and administrators who counsel students on international affairs issues at Historically Black Colleges and Universities attended the inaugural gathering for such officials at Howard on March 1, 2002.

The Conference for Foreign Affairs Advisors was the first formal program to be held under the initiative facilitated by the advocacy of Congressman Charles Rangel, according to Ambassador H. G. Dawson Jr., conference director. "This program, named for the Congressman, has been launched to promote greater interest in international affairs among our students," Dawson said, "and to enhance diversity in the diplomatic service of the United States."

Toward this end, Howard and the State Department are operating "Principles of Cooperation" which are now funded by the Congress with a beginning appropriation of $1 million.

In addition, the MacArthur Foundation has awarded HU a grant of $1 million to support these efforts.

Mr. George Dalley, representing

the Office of Congressman Rangel; and Ambassador George E. Moose, representing the State Department and the Bunche Center, were luncheon speakers at the day-long event.

A panel discussion, "Diplomatic Readiness and Diplomats in Residence: Implementing the Vision," followed, with representatives from the State Department highlighting the importance of the initiative and discussing the supporting role of State Department officers in residence at universities and colleges.

President H. Patrick Swygert welcomed the visitors at the session chaired by HU DIR Ms. June Carter Perry, and featuring Niels Marquardt, coordinator of the Diplomatic Readiness Task Force; David Dlouhy, State Special Advisor; Dudley Sims, DIR at Morehouse College, and Kitty Ellison, Director of the Workshop in English.

Bunche Center Associate Director, Kali Jones, chaired the panel in which representatives shared information on international affairs programs at their institutions, including Florida A&M, Dr. Rose Glee; Georgetown University, Dr. Mary Gawronski;

Jackson State University, Dr. Ally Mack; George Washington University, Ambassador Ronald Palmer; and Clark Atlanta University, Dr. Herschelle Challenor.

Another session highlighting related programs, included presentation from Peace Corps, the Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellows Program, USAID, Fulbright, private business, and the Institute for International Public Policy. Bunche Center Deputy Director Dr. Harold A. Scott chaired this session.

Attending the inaugural gathering were representatives from Florida A&M, St. Augustine’s College, Mississippi Valley State University, University of the Virgin Islands, Morehouse College, Jackson State University, City College of New York, Norfolk State University, Bowie State University, Bethune-Cookman College, Savannah State University, Tougaloo College, Clark Atlanta University, Rust College, Southern University, Morgan State University, N. C. Central University, Lincoln University, Johnson C. Smith University, and Howard.