Washington, DC - Congressman Charles B. Rangel joined Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton at the State Department on October 2, 2012, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program.

“It's such a great honor to have Secretary Hillary Clinton recognize the numerous contributions this program has made globally,” Rangel commented. “I'm very proud of the outstanding young people who are in or have completed the Rangel Fellowship program. Their backgrounds truly reflect what America looks like, and I'm glad the world is able to see the beautiful mosaic that comprises our nation's diversity."  

The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program is an initiative involving the U.S. Department of State, the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center of Howard University, and the U.S. Congress. Congressman Rangel created the program in 2002 to diversify our Foreign Service and to give young people, especially minorities, exposure to careers of international service.

In the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program, 20 graduate students and 15-20 college undergraduates gain exposure to Foreign Service and other international careers. Selected in a rigorous national competition, Rangel Graduate Fellows receive a fellowship valued at up to $90,000 for two years of graduate study, internships, and professional development activities, followed by employment in the State Department Foreign Service. Undergraduate Rangel /Scholars do a six-week program to learn about international affairs issues and careers at Howard University. This includes coursework at Howard University, intensive professional development activities, and exposure to fellowship and graduate school opportunities. They visit and meet with foreign affairs professionals in government and non-governmental organizations around Washington.

“Foreign Service is the best kept secret in Washington,” Rangel continued. “I am confident that these Fellows are making a difference in U.S. embassies around the world and I encourage anyone who is interested in foreign affairs to pursue a career in diplomacy.”

There are currently more than 140 outstanding young people who are in or have completed the Rangel Fellowship program. Of those, 100 are in the Foreign Service and 41 are in graduate school. Currently, there are Fellows pursuing U.S. and global interests in Indonesia, Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Guyana, Honduras, Colombia, Panama, Peru, Barbados, Brazil, Nigeria, South Africa, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Kingdom, and Spain. In addition there are Fellows serving at the State Department in Washington who are working on critical U.S. foreign policy issues such as development finance, human rights, religious freedom, refugees, and crisis management. While these outstanding young people serve in diverse locations, they share a common commitment to serving the American people and making a difference in the world.

To recommend an outstanding candidate for the Rangel Fellowship, or to find out more information about the application process, which opens on October 15, visit http://www.rangelprogram.org.