Secretary Clinton's Virtual Student Foreign Service Program

In his weekly address to the nation yesterday, President Obama stated that the ways of Washington are changing. What's particularly heartening is that the change can be seen in a variety of areas. One such change is a program Sec. of State Clinton announced at NYU's commencement ceremonies on May 13th at Yankee Stadium.

The program would encourage millennials to flex their diplomatic muscles.

Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) Internships, announced by Secretary Clinton at the 2009 New York University commencement speech, are part of a growing effort by the State Department to harness technology and a commitment to global service among young people to facilitate new forms of diplomatic engagement. The VSFS Internships will be developed over the next year and will seek to harness the energy of a rising generation of citizen diplomats.

Working from college and university campuses in the United States, American students will partner with our embassies abroad to conduct digital diplomacy that reflects the realities of our networked world. By combining the talents of young people across America and the right technology, we can forge the solutions that our century demands.

What a difference a new administration makes. This effort highlights the hallmarks of millennials -- technology, service, and a participating in constructive dialogue among diverse groups of people. It also takes advantage of the enthusiasm of millennials for working through institutions to pursue a common good. Finally, this trains young people already interested in foreign service early in their careers, encouraging more effective service later in life. Another win-win situation for youth and the future of the country.