In recognition of Human Rights Day, Secretary Clinton delivered a major address on LGBT rights on Tuesday, December 6 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

A Transcript of the Speech is also Available

We do automatically collect and store the name of the domain from which you access the Internet (.com, .edu, etc.); the date and time you access our site; and the Internet address of the website (such as a search engine or referring page) from which you reached our site. We use the information we collect to count the number of visitors to the different pages on our site, and to help us make our site more useful to visitors like you.

If You Send Us E-mail

You may choose to provide us with personal information, as in e-mail with a comment or question. We use the information to improve our service to you or to respond to your request. Sometimes we forward your e-mail to other U.S. government agencies who may be better able to help you. Except for authorized law enforcement investigations, we do not share our e-mail with any other outside organizations.

Third-Party Websites and Applications 

We link to social networking and other kinds of third-party websites. We use social networking websites to interact with the foreign audiences and to engage in public diplomacy worldwide. Social networking websites are used to publicize embassy events, and engage with members of the public. We also use web measurement and customization technologies to measure the number of visitors to our websites and their various sections and to help make our websites more useful to visitors. In some cases, the third-party application may request an email address, username, password, and geographic location for account registration purposes. We do not use third-party websites to solicit and collect PII from individuals. We do not collect or store any PII collected by any third-party website, and no PII will be disclosed, sold or transferred to any other entity outside the Department of State, unless required for law enforcement purposes or by statute.

We may use various types of online surveys to collect opinions and feedback from a random sample of visitors. Primarily, the State Department uses the ForeSee Results American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) online survey on an ongoing basis to obtain feedback and data on visitor satisfaction with our websites. This survey does not collect PII. Although the survey invitation pops up for a random sample of visitors, it is optional, and not all embassy websites carry the survey. If you decline the survey, you will still have access to the identical information and resources at our site as those who do take the survey. The survey reports are available only to web managers and other designated staff who require this information to perform their duties. We may use other limited-time surveys for specific purposes, which are explained at the time they are posted.

Information Collected for Tracking and Customization (Cookies)

A cookie is a small text file that a website transfers to your computer to allow it to remember specific information about your session while you are connected. Your computer will only share the information in the cookie with the website that provided it, and no other website can request it. There are two types of cookies:

• Session: Session cookies last only as long as your web browser is open. Once you close your browser, the cookie is deleted. Websites may use session cookies for technical purposes such as to enable better navigation through the site, or to allow you to customize your preferences for interacting with the site.
• Persistent: Persistent cookies are saved on a user’s hard drive in order to determine which users are new to the site or are returning, and for repeat visitors, to block recurring invitations to take the ForeSee satisfaction survey.

If you do not wish to have session or persistent cookies stored on your machine, you can turn cookies off in your browser. You will still have access to all information and resources on our website. However, turning off cookies may affect the functioning of some websites. Be aware that disabling cookies in your browser will affect cookie usage at all other websites you visit as well.

Links to External Websites

Our website has many links to other U.S. agencies, embassies, multilateral organizations, and private organizations in both the United States and other nations. When you follow a link to another site, you are no longer on our site and are subject to the privacy policy of the new site.

Every effort is made to provide accurate and complete information. However, we cannot guarantee that there will be no errors. With respect to documents and information on this website, neither the embassy nor its employees or contractors make any warranty, expressed or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to documents available from this website. Additionally, the embassy assumes no legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product, or process disclosed herein and does not represent that use of such information, product, or process would not infringe on privately owned rights.

For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, the State Department uses software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise cause damage. Unauthorized attempts to upload information or change information on this service are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986. Information also may be used for authorized law enforcement investigations. Except for the above purposes, no other attempts are made to identify individual users or their usage habits. Unauthorized attempts to upload information and/or change information on these web sites are strictly prohibited and are subject to prosecution under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and Title 18 U.S.C. Sec.1001 and 1030.

Click here (http://careers.state.gov/students/programs) and choose either Graduate/Post-Graduate or Undergraduate) for more information and to start the online application process.

Please note that the deadline to submit completed applications is July 01, 2011.

You must be a U.S. Citizen and a student (a full- or part-time continuing college or university junior, or graduate student – including graduating seniors intending
to go on to graduate school) to be eligible. Please read the program description and vacancy announcement for more information and for all requirements and qualifications.

We appreciate your interest in a career with the U.S. Department of State.

Distribution: UNO, ILO, WHO, WIPO, UNHCR, IOM, ITU, WTO, and Permanent Missions.

The United States Mission is conducting a sale of the following items in “as is” condition.  The U.S. Mission offers no warranties or guarantees for the items sold.

1)      Office and Residential Furniture

2)      Large quantity of new and used flat screen computer monitors, used printers and CPU’s (no hard disks or  memory)

3)      Three sets of Professional clothing washers and dryers.

All items are free of customs duty, as they are more than three years old.

The sale items will be available for viewing for one day, Wednesday May 18^th at the sale site:

11, Route de Pregny

1292 Chambesy

Viewing hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

A list of all items will be available at the sale site. The list is also the bid form: you may enter your bid for any item (or items) directly on the form and deposit it in the bid box on site not later than 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 18^th.

Successful bidders will be informed by telephone on Friday May 20^th.  Cash payment must be made in advance of picking up the sale items, which must be removed from the sale site not later than Tuesday May 24^th at 5:00 p.m.

NOTE: No parking available at the Mission compound. Please present your ID card at the gate.

For any additional information please call the Mission at 022- 749-47-00.

General Services Office

Palais des Nations, Geneva.

As the largest financial contributor to the United Nations, the United States has a vested interest in ensuring that qualified Americans are well-represented within the ranks of the UNand its varied agencies and organizations. One important way in which young professionals join the UN is through the National Competitive Recruitment Examinations, an annual process through which the UN seeks to hire citizens from Member States that are underrepresented at the UN. In that context, the Department of State encourages interested Americans to explore UN employment and a career in multilateral affairs by learning more about the examination here.

###

http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/un_national_competitive_recruitment

The Armillary Sphere presented to the UN by the Woodrow Wilson foundation and the Palais des Nations in the background (Photo: U.S. Mission/Dominique Nicolas)

July 7, 2010

For U.S. citizens seeking junior professional posts.

EXAMINATION CRITERIA: (all must be met) 2010

1. Be no more than 32 years old as of December 31, 2010 (UN requirement).

2. Have at least an undergraduate degree (advanced degree is an advantage, but is not required) in one of the following occupational fields or related areas:

* Administration

* Demography

* Economics

* Human Rights

* Legal Affairs

* Radio Producer (only for Arabic, Chinese, and French)

* Security

* Statistics

* Web Design/Development

3. Be fluent in English and/or French, the two working languages of the Secretariat. Knowledge of additional official languages of the UN (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) could be an advantage.

NOTE: Admission to the exam may be limited to the 40 most qualified Americans per occupational group.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 19, 2010

Detailed information and application forms may be obtained at: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/examin/ncrepage.htm

Examination will be held on December 1, 2010, in New York City and San Francisco.

Travel expenses to and from exam site will NOT be paid by the UN or U.S. Government.

International Women's Day 2010: Empowering Women At Home and Abroad

Every year since 1911, International Women’s Day on March 8 has focused global attention to the continued need for improving women’s status and opportunities everywhere in the world. Because of their roles in raising families, providing and seeking care, and managing household needs, the health of women is fundamental to healthy communities. And because healthy, productive communities are essential for global economic growth and regional security, the health of women is critical to global prosperity.

USG Resources & Official Texts

• Presidential Proclamation – Women’s History Month
• Remarks by the President and the First Lady at International Women’s Day Reception
• Secretary of State Clinton’s International Women’s Day Message (Video Clip)
• Sec. Clinton Announces the Winners of the 2010 International Women of Courage Award
• Michelle Obama, Secretary Clinton recognize champions of human rights
• USAID’s Commitment to Women’s health and welfare
• Ambassador Melanne Verveer at the Fifty-fourth session of the Commission on the Status of Women
• Office of Global Women’s Issues
• March 16: African-American Women’s Entrepreneurship: Webchat with business strategist Sharon Freeman
• President Obama Announces White House Council on Women and Girls (2009)

Press Release from the Internal Revenue Service

WASHINGTON — People who give to charities providing earthquake relief in Haiti can claim these donations on the tax return they are completing this season, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Taxpayers who itemize deductions on their 2009 return qualify for this special tax relief provision, enacted Jan. 22. Only cash contributions made to these charities after Jan. 11, 2010, and before March 1, 2010, are eligible. This includes contributions made by text message, check, credit card or debit card.

“Americans have opened their hearts to help those affected by the Haiti earthquake,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman.” This new law provides an immediate tax benefit for the many taxpayers who have made generous donations.”

Taxpayers can benefit from their donations, almost immediately, by filing their 2009 returns early, filing electronically and choosing direct deposit. Refunds take as few as ten days and can be directly deposited into a savings, checking or brokerage account, or used to purchase Series I U.S. savings bonds.

The new law only applies to cash (as opposed to property) contributions. The contributions must be made specifically for the relief of victims in areas affected by the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti. Taxpayers have the option of deducting these contributions on either their 2009 or 2010 returns, but not both.

To get a tax benefit, taxpayers must itemize their deductions on Schedule A. Those who claim the standard deduction, including all short-form filers, are not eligible.

Taxpayers should be sure their contributions go to qualified charities. Most organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible donations are listed in a searchable online database available on IRS.gov under Search for Charities. Some organizations, such as churches or governments, may be qualified even though they are not listed on IRS.gov. Donors can find out more about organizations helping Haitian earthquake victims from agencies such as USAID.

The IRS reminds donors that contributions to foreign organizations generally are not deductible. IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, provides information on making contributions to charities.

Federal law requires that taxpayers keep a record of any deductible donations they make. For donations by text message, a telephone bill will meet the recordkeeping requirement if it shows the name of the donee organization, the date of the contribution and the amount of the contribution. For cash contributions made by other means, be sure to keep a bank record, such as a cancelled check, or a receipt from the charity showing the name of the charity and the date and amount of the contribution. Publication 526 has further details on the recordkeeping rules for cash contributions.

This year’s special Haiti relief provision is modeled on a 2005 law that, in the wake of the Dec. 26, 2004, Indian Ocean tsunami, allowed taxpayers to deduct donations they made during January 2005 as if they made the donations in 2004.

Related Item: Notice 1396, describing this deduction, is printed in English, Spanish, French and Haitian Creole.

Additional Department of State career resources are available on http://www.careers.state.gov

]]> http://geneva.usmission.gov/2010/01/13/fsot-spring-2010/feed/ 0 http://geneva.usmission.gov/2009/12/29/official-holidays-2010/ http://geneva.usmission.gov/2009/12/29/official-holidays-2010/#comments Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:01:16 +0000 admin http://geneva.usmission.gov/?p=2564 During calendar year 2010, the U.S. Mission in Geneva will be closed for normal business on the dates indicated below, in observance of the following American and Swiss holidays.

January 1 (Friday) - New Year’s Day – American/Swiss

January 18 (Monday) - Martin Luther King – Day American

February 15 (Monday) - President’s Day – American

April 2 (Friday) - Good Friday – Swiss

April 5 ( Monday) - Easter Monday – Swiss

May 13 (Thursday) – Ascension – Swiss

May 24 (Monday) - Whit Monday – Swiss

May 31 (Monday) - Memorial Day – American

July 5 (Monday) - Independence Day – American

August 1 (Sunday) - Swiss National – DaySwiss

September 6 (Monday) - Labor Day – American

September 9 (Thursday) - Jeune Genevois – Swiss/Cantonal

September 20 (Monday) - Bettagsmontag – Swiss/Cantonal

October 11 (Monday) - Columbus Day – American

November 11 (Thursday) - Veterans Day – American

November 25 (Thursday) - Thanksgiving – American

December 24 (Friday) - Christmas – American/Swiss

December 25 ( Saturday) - Christmas – American/Swiss

December 26 (Sunday) - Boxing Day – Swiss

December 31 (Friday) - Restoration Day/New Year Day – American/Swiss