About Us
The Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) is a membership-based and accredited 501(c)(3) association within the American Foreign Affairs Community that has evolved to include Foreign Service and Civil Service employees, spouses, partners, members of household and retirees since our establishment in 1960.
AAFSW became a Department of State (DOS) Employee Organization in 2018 and an Employee Service Organization in 2023. You may know AAFSW for its annual Art and Book Fair, which raises funding for scholarships and programs, the Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA) annual ceremony, and advocacy for family members that led to the creation of the Global Community Liaison Office and Overseas Briefing Center, now the Transition Center at FSI.
Our Mission
The Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) was established in 1960. AAFSW is a membership-based association within the American Foreign Affairs Community, including Foreign Service and Civil Service employees, spouses, partners, members of household and retirees. AAFSW promotes the goals and serves the needs of our community through Advocacy, Outreach, Awards, Scholarships, Services, and Networking Events.
We are dedicated to upholding our vision to serve the needs of Foreign Service and Civil Service employees, spouses, partners, members of household and retirees through our resources and support.
Some of Our Programs and Events
AAFSW cultivates and encourages a vibrant community through our programs and events. Some highlights can be explored below:
- A Salute to the Long Swiss and American Special Relationship
- Event Recap: Russia’s War, Not Putin’s War Poland’s Perspectives on Security in Europe
- Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King’s Legacy Readings Worldwide, more details, and event recap.
- AAFSW Celebrates Nowruz Bayram/First Day of Spring
- Event Recap: Valentine’s Day Gala 2023 – Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide
- A Cultural Event to Celebrate 30 Years of U.S. and Azerbaijan Diplomatic Relations – Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide
- “Fearless Young Iranian Women Uprise” – Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide