This summer I had the pleasure of working at the State Department in the Office of Oceans and Polar Affairs (OPA). OPA was within the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (which seemed to me like a giant global environmental advocacy organization), but it was still under the umbrella the U.S. government. It was an amazing experience seeing the inner workings of our nation’s global ocean policy, as well as witnessing both bilateral and multilateral marine conservation efforts. Secretary Kerry has a special interest in the ocean, and one of the major things I was working on this summer was helping to plan the third annual “Our Ocean” conference, to be held in Washington D.C. this September 2016. This project involved bringing together people from around the world such as environmental ministers, leading scientists, and inspiring individuals taking real action to conserve our ocean. I helped to solicit proposals for new and expanded marine protected areas, as well as anti-nutrient and pollution projects, all of which could be announced at the conference.
My other main role was helping with the official diplomatic process for marine scientific research clearances that is facilitated through OPA. As one of the point people for the Research Application Tracking System, I acted as a liaison between foreign scientists and diplomats in US embassies by helping the scientists obtain the proper permissions for continued study and the advancement of oceanographic research. Other people in the office focused on research surrounding climate change in the Arctic and Antarctic, fisheries treaties, and marine mammal conservation.
All in all I had a great summer working at the state department. I worked with a staff that was half civil service and half Foreign Service officers, and all were extremely passionate about the issues on which they focused. This summer gave me new insight into the many avenues from which one can enter the field of conservation- this one in particular through the U.S. government with a focus on foreign affairs.
My other main role was helping with the official diplomatic process for marine scientific research clearances that is facilitated through OPA. As one of the point people for the Research Application Tracking System, I acted as a liaison between foreign scientists and diplomats in US embassies by helping the scientists obtain the proper permissions for continued study and the advancement of oceanographic research. Other people in the office focused on research surrounding climate change in the Arctic and Antarctic, fisheries treaties, and marine mammal conservation.
All in all I had a great summer working at the state department. I worked with a staff that was half civil service and half Foreign Service officers, and all were extremely passionate about the issues on which they focused. This summer gave me new insight into the many avenues from which one can enter the field of conservation- this one in particular through the U.S. government with a focus on foreign affairs.
