Diverse Voices Outside Washington

If the lack of diversity within our national security bureaucracy is one problem, the lack of diverse voices outside of Washington who play an active role in influencing our foreign policy might be another. That feeling, that voices outside the Washington, DC-New York “Acela corridor” are excluded, has led in recent years for calls to “democratize” U.S. foreign policy.

This conversation, hosted by Foreign Policy for America, Colombe Foundation, and Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation (WCAPS), lifted up some of the voices that have a powerful impact on issues of domestic policy, but tend to be left out of DC foreign policy debates.

Panelists included:

• Shailly Gupta Barnes, Policy Director, Kairos Center and the Poor People’s Campaign

• Joi Olivia Chaney, Executive Director, Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, National Urban League

• Amara Enyia, Policy and Research Coordinator, Movement for Black Lives

• Rev. Stephen Green, Chair, Faith for Black Lives

• Moderator: Maria J. Stephan, Senior Advisor, Horizons Project; Author, “How Domestic Civic Movements Could Reshape U.S. Foreign Policy”

Watch the event here.