New York City is not only the largest and most diverse city in the United States, but also a global hub of culture, commerce, and innovation. With one out of three New Yorkers foreign-born, and over 200 languages spoken in our homes and on our streets, we are honored to host the United Nations Headquarters and the largest diplomatic corps in the world in our lovely state.
These international connections enrich our State and help us address the most pressing challenges of our time, such as climate change, public health, human rights, and economic development.
However, in recent years, we have seen the federal government fail to uphold its leadership role in the world and engage effectively with our allies and partners. From withdrawing from international agreements and organizations, to imposing tariffs and sanctions, to undermining democracy and human rights at home and abroad, the federal government has damaged our reputation and credibility as a global leader. This has not only harmed our national interests and security, but also our local communities and businesses that depend on global cooperation and trade.
That is why Albany needs to step up its own diplomacy and forge stronger ties with the international community. As the Mayor's Office for International Affairs states, "through its services and unique programming, [it] provides a global platform from which the City promotes its goals for a more equitable and inclusive society. The office cultivates critical partnerships with the international community that strengthen our abilities as a global leader"³. Some of the key programs and initiatives that the office runs include:
NYC Junior Ambassadors: This program empowers 7th graders in all five boroughs of New York City to learn about the UN and its mission of addressing the most pressing challenges in the world¹.
Global Vision | Urban Action: This program fosters a platform through which local governments engage to share information and forge innovative solutions to challenges using the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals¹.
Economic Development: This program helps international businesses come to NYC and helps NYC-based businesses expand internationally¹.
These are just some examples of how New York State is leading locally and globally on issues that matter to us and the world. By doing so, we are not only advancing our own interests and values, but also supporting the US foreign policy objectives and filling the gaps left by the federal government.
However, there is still more that we can do to enhance our diplomatic capacity and influence. Here are some suggestions that I have:
-Get smart on tech: Technology is transforming every aspect of our lives, from how we communicate, work, learn, shop, travel, entertain, to how we govern, fight, cooperate, innovate, and create. As the Atlantic Council argues, "US diplomacy should adapt to meet twenty-first-century challenges" by "cultivating a creative workforce with diverse skills, improving training on technology and science, and investing in the potential of new technologies for diplomacy"². New York City has a vibrant tech ecosystem that can provide valuable resources and expertise for our diplomats. We should leverage our tech talent and innovation to enhance our diplomatic outreach and engagement.
Build more bridges: New York State is home to people from all walks of life, backgrounds, cultures, religions, ethnicities, nationalities, and identities. We have a wealth of diversity that can be an asset for our diplomacy. We should build more bridges between our local communities and the foreign consulates that serve them⁴. We should also encourage more cultural exchanges and educational programs that foster mutual understanding and respect among different peoples. We should celebrate our diversity as a source of strength and inspiration for our diplomacy.
Speak up for our values: New York State is known for its openness, tolerance, freedom, democracy, justice, equality, and solidarity. These are values that we share with many people around the world who aspire for a better future. We should speak up for these values when they are threatened or violated by authoritarian regimes or extremist groups. We should also support those who are fighting for these values in their own countries or regions. We should stand up for our values as a moral compass for our diplomacy.
In conclusion: New York State has a unique role and responsibility to play in the world. We have the opportunity and the duty to use our diplomacy to make a positive difference for ourselves and others. We have the vision and the action to lead by example and inspire others to follow. We have the courage and the conviction to challenge the status quo and shape the future. We are New York State, and we need more diplomacy.
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(1) Mayor's Office for International Affairs - NYC.gov. https://www.nyc.gov/site/international/index.page.
(2) About - Mayor's Office of International Affairs - NYC.gov. https://www.nyc.gov/site/international/about/about.page.
(3) Twenty-first-century diplomacy: Strengthening US diplomacy for the .... https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/issue-brief/twenty-first-century-diplomacy-strengthening-us-diplomacy-for-the-challenges-of-today-and-tomorrow/.
(4) OFM New York - Regional Office - United States Department of State. https://www.state.gov/ofm-regional-office-new-york/.
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