Event Recap: Russia’s War, Not Putin’s War Poland’s Perspectives on Security in Europe

by Celine Castel, AAFSW President His Excellency Marek Magierowski, the Polish Ambassador to the United States, shared in-depth insights into the United States special relationship with Poland, in response to the current conflict in Ukraine and the forced migration affecting the people of Poland.The Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) successfully launched the Ambassador Speaker Series program, in-person after a two year online-only event, due to the pandemic. The event took place on October 3, 2022, in the Burns Auditorium at the State Department in Washington, D.C.AAFSW was honored to host His Excellency Marek Magierowski, the Polish Ambassador to the United States. His Excellency enlightened multiple guests and AAFSW’s… Read More

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Wine and Chocolate Pairings

  Saturday, April 2, 2022 — University Club, Washington DC   On Saturday, April 2, 2022, at a sold-out event at the University Club, AAFSW Program Chair Sheila Switzer and AAFSW Fun For Funds Fundraising Events Chair Joanna Athanasopoulos Owen, PhD, welcomed wine expert Bill Stefan for a fabulous presentation of pairing fine wine with delicate chocolates.   Mr. Stefan offered wines from Italy, South Africa, Australia, North America, Japan, Greece, and Portugal and paired them with chocolates made of dark chocolate, key lime, raspberry ganache, dark cherry, caramel, coconut, almond, and more. Through this amazing trip of aromas and tastes, Mr. Stefan taught us that after weight and body,… Read More

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Celebrating International Women’s Day

On March 8, AAFSW hosted a vibrant panel of women in honor of International Women’s Day.  This year, the panelists included H.E. Ivonne A-Baki, Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador to the United States, Madam Angelique Gakoko Pitteloud, and Marion Kavallieros.  Each brought their own unique approach to the theme “Global History and Challenges of Women World Leaders”.  Below are some highlights from the panel discussions.  Ambassador A-Baki shared that she arrived in politics by mistake.  Born to Lebanese parents in Ecuador, she spent her teenage years living in Lebanon.  She said in the 1970’s women in the middle east had no voice so she found other ways to express… Read More

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Carnival and Mardi Gras Festivities Zoom Webinar on Feb. 16

CARNIVAL and MARDI GRAS FESTIVITIES AROUND THE WORLD AAFSW Virtual Webinar via Zoom Tuesday, February 16, 2021 The 2021 celebrations for Carnival and Mardi Gras are fast approaching, and we are all longing to get outside and enjoy these spectacular festivities full of music and dance! This year, the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) with the participation of the Embassies of Brazil and Trinidad Tobago as well as Venice and  New Orleans is happy to invite Welcome to Washington and all our international friends to the AAFSW program entitled: “Carnival and Mardi Gras Festivities Around the World.” The program will highlight the season’s musical and dancing traditions of… Read More

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From Underemployed EFM to Thriving Online Entrepreneur

Hi, I’m Dom and I’m a Success and Life Design Coach for creative high achievers and entrepreneurs living abroad. I started my coaching business in December 2018 with no MBA, no business experience (well, except for my failed startup in 2015), and no idea of how to sell anything. All I knew was that I was passionate about helping people discover their potential.  My decision to become a fulltime entrepreneur did not happen overnight, but through a decade of experimenting, questioning, and working through my own self-doubts, fears, and limiting beliefs around money, success, and personal achievement.  There were many moments in my Foreign Service life where I felt down… Read More

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