EST issues are often negotiated in multilateral forums, and various international organizations are tackling these topics with greater enthusiasm. Today's EST officer acquires a unique appreciation of the relationship between bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. Testing the pulse of the host country on issues assists U.S. negotiators, adds a new dynamism to the EST function and encourages a closer working relationship between missions and Washington. Coordination is critical, and EST officers have excellent opportunities to experience the mission at work from a variety of foreign policy perspectives. In Paris, my ties are not only with government officials but also with legislators and representatives from industry, academia, nongovernment organizations and other private interest groups.
Creative opportunities abound.
My colleagues and I organize informational seminars and videoconferences, official visits, joint research and even business advocacy. In the Department, EST topics frequently overlap geographic and functional bureaus. The EST officer often communicates with several bureaus to support a negotiating objective. These unusual groupings of nations encourage EST officers to be more attentive to the interests and actions of other countries within and outside their regions. As an experienced traveler on this career path, I recommend it highly to others.