DiplomacyRISE (Readiness, Innovation, Skill, and Equity)
DiplomacyRISE is Meridian’s investment in the future of diplomacy and strengthening of America’s international relations talent ecosystem by developing the next generation of global affairs practitioners that reflect America’s diversity and are equipped with 21st-century statecraft skills and knowledge. The inclusive professional development initiative provides college students and young professionals with greater access to critical skills training, career guidance networks and emerging issue area expertise.
Since launching DiplomacyRISE in April 2021, Meridian has partnered with the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program, National Science Policy Network, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Una Chapman Cox Foundation, Women in Science Diplomacy Association, the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, and the Washington Program Consortium on building out their career development programs, while routinely speaking with college and university groups on professional pathways to diplomacy and global affairs positions.
Since summer 2022, Meridian has partnered with the National Science Policy Network on a Diplomatic Skills Training for Emerging Scientists course to provide scientists, doctors, engineers and similar professionals interested in becoming international affairs practitioners with education focused on soft skills that are central to diplomacy. In summer 2024, Meridian hosted the third annual Diplomatic Skills Training for Emerging Scientists.
In summer 2023, Meridian offered a paid summer enrichment and mentorship program in an effort to expand access to global education opportunities and international affairs careers to community college, transfer, and non-traditional students. The Community College Global Affairs Fellowship (CCGAF) was held in partnership with Global Community College Transfers and Community Colleges for International Development (CCID) through the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Our Latest Fellowship
In summer 2024, Meridian hosted the Meridian-Cox Foreign Service Fellowship for Emerging Leaders, a fully-funded enrichment and training program seeking to expand awareness and access to Foreign Service careers to students from underrepresented communities across the United States. See full details here.
Meridian continues to build a network of diverse, passionate international affairs professionals and share opportunities through our DiplomacyRISE LinkedIn group. If you would like to be added or have an opportunity to share with the group, please email DiplomacyRISE@meridian.org.
For more information on DiplomacyRISE, please email diplomacyrise@meridian.org.
Recommendation Report on Diversity in Diplomacy
Recommendation Report on Critical Issue Areas
Recent Articles
Learn More about DiplomacyRISE's Impact
Watch Here: Impact of the Community College Global Affairs Fellowship
Watch Here: Student Testimonial
LinkedIn Post by Dr. Karina Vega-Villa
MeridianX@SciPolNetwork’s #DiplomaticSkillsTrainingforScientists participants met w/ @SciDiplomacyUSA’s Act. A/S JR Littlejohn & Act. Sci&Tech Advisor Allison Schwier on the vital role of scientists in public-private partnership at the @3M Innovation Center. #DiplomacyRISE pic.twitter.com/WvxIE869gX
— Meridian International Center (@MeridianIntl) September 5, 2023
Good to join @StateDept & @USAID colleagues at @MeridianIntl, where we talked to high schoolers from @Georgetown's National Security & Intelligence Academy about careers that involve diplomacy, development and security. Learn more about UN jobs at: https://t.co/44DKDsd7ky pic.twitter.com/NKTPcbo5hz
— UN in Washington (@UNinWashington) August 3, 2023
75 students participating in @Georgetown’s National Security & Intelligence Academy heard from Lydia Nylander @USAID,@brendenvarma @UNinWashington and Nicholas Snyder @StateDept, on careers in diplomacy and development and how those can relate to national security. #DiplomacyRISE pic.twitter.com/TyWnoDgYWr
— Meridian International Center (@MeridianIntl) August 5, 2023
@Meridian’s DiplomacyRISE initiative to celebrate the Community College Global Affairs Fellowship (CCGAF) program, Rangel Summer Enrichment Program, scholars from the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, and the fellows of the Community College Global Affairs Fellowship, pic.twitter.com/jpQyYGJEbe
— USAID Counselor (@CounselorUSAID) July 7, 2023
Thank you for a great session @meridianintl, @StateDeptDEIA, & @lonestarcollege! I really enjoyed talking about how to get our young people engaged in the work of city and state diplomacy & how local leaders can help students access opportunities. #SXSWEDU23 #SXSWEDU pic.twitter.com/6HVYZwn4Tr
— Special Representative Nina Hachigian (@SubnationalDip) March 9, 2023
Excited to promote the Community College Global Affairs Fellowship & share how community college students can join the intl affairs workforce at this year's @ccidglobal conference. #CCIDINDC #ccgaf #DiplomacyRISE Apply to Fellowship here: https://t.co/ahylta6U7o pic.twitter.com/qlt89NVPTG
— Frank Justice (@FrankJusticeMIC) February 11, 2023
It was our pleasure to partner with @MeridianIntl to provide diplomatic training to our members #sciencediplomacy #science #TrainingandDevelopment #skills
together with @WhiteHouse, @SpainInTheUSA and @StateDept https://t.co/PhRzKYrpM6— ECUSA (@comunidadECUSA) February 7, 2023
It was a pleasure to continue the @MeridianIntl @scipolnetwork collaboration on #sciencediplomacy today by moderating a conversation with Iraqi Ambassador to the U.S. Fareed Yasseen on the power and promise of science for advancing international relations. #DiplomacyRISE pic.twitter.com/Mcm1A88P0s
— Frank Justice (@FrankJusticeMIC) February 8, 2022
We're Live! "American Diplomats Should Look Like America" has kicked off at @SXSWEDU with Natalie Jones of @MeridianIntl, @THopeNavas of @HUBuncheCenter and Desiree Cormier Smith of @State_IO.
They are discussing how to champion greater diversity in U.S. global affairs! #SXSWEDU pic.twitter.com/277J11zZgM
— Meridian International Center (@MeridianIntl) March 10, 2022
As part of our #DiplomacyRISE initiative, Meridian is entering classrooms to talk about careers and our work in #diplomacy.
It was wonderful to meet with students interested in #foreignservice. Thank you to @RooseveltGSDA & @NAFCareerAcads for having us 🌍💙 https://t.co/lTzUmZ7B9v
— Meridian International Center (@MeridianIntl) October 6, 2021
As part of our new #DiplomacyRISE initiative, Meridian partnered with @RangelProgram to engage their scholars with international diplomats based in Washington, DC and learn about their career paths and work in embassies #RangelSEP pic.twitter.com/HG5FufSTIk
— Meridian International Center (@MeridianIntl) July 21, 2021