San Diego's Mayor Todd Gloria took to social media yesterday to announce the city's inclusion in the State Department's Reta Jo Lewis Local Diplomat Program for the upcoming year. In a moment of civic pride, Gloria shared that San Diego was selected as part of the inaugural cohort to participate in the program, aiming to bolster the city's global engagement efforts. "Thanks to the @StateDept and @SubnationalDip for selecting San Diego as one of the first cities in the Reta Jo Lewis Local Diplomat Program! We’re excited to welcome Ben Moore to our team to enhance our city’s global engagement," Mayor Todd Gloria expressed on social media.

Thanks to the @StateDept and @SubnationalDip for selecting San Diego as one of the first cities in the Reta Jo Lewis Local Diplomat Program! We’re excited to welcome Ben Moore to our team to enhance our city’s global engagement. #ForAllofUs

Read more: https://t.co/AGiCEybZVi https://t.co/5MwbyGzgeQ pic.twitter.com/AISMwkHDsU

— San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (@MayorToddGloria) September 4, 2024

The U.S. Department of State announced that San Diego is now part of a program that includes Chattanooga, Kansas City, and San Antonio. This program called the Lewis Local Diplomat program, places experienced foreign service officers in city governments. They aim to help improve the cities' global standing in areas like trade, education, and the environment. This move shows that local cities are becoming increasingly important in international affairs.

The State Department describes how diplomats will align with the priorities established by local leaders, working in concert with everything from businesses and non-profits to media and higher education institutions. It points to a multifaceted approach that mirrors the complexity of today’s international relationships, whereby local actions reverberate to impact global dynamics.