Lois Roth Foundation board member Anne Barbaro recently wrote an article titled, “Locally Employed Staff Are the Lifeblood of Cultural Diplomacy” for the online journal, American Diplomacy about the Lois Roth Foundation’s annual Gill Jacot-Guillarmod Awards. These awards honor the achievements of local staff members working in cultural programs and exchanges at US embassies and consulates throughout the world. Recipients expressed gratitude for the worldwide recognition of their creativity and dedication that these awards bring. 

In honor of Lois’ work to promote cross-cultural understanding and cooperation, the Roth Foundation partners with the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) to provide the only three annual departmental awards honoring excellence in the field of cultural and educational diplomacy. The Gill Jacot-Guillarmod Award was born out of the recognition that the success of diplomatic programs overseas depends heavily on the advice and support of locally employed staff. This award reflects the immense accomplishments of its namesake and what’s more, the work continues: “In 2020, with another slate of outstanding nominees, the Roth Foundation created a new Career Achievement Award in Gill’s name to recognize outstanding local staff nearing the end of their careers.” 

As with all of our programs, donations from individual contributors make these awards possible. If you would like to show your appreciation for the work of locally-employed staff you served with, please donate HERE.

READ:
https://americandiplomacy.web.unc.edu/2021/05/locally-employed-staff/

Anne Barbaro retired in 2007 after 25 years with the U.S. Information Agency and the Department of State. She currently serves on the boards of the Lois Roth Foundation and the Public Diplomacy Council and works part-time as a pre-publication reviewer at the Department of State.