The International Career Advancement Program (ICAP) stands as a pivotal initiative dedicated to fostering diversity within the upper echelons of international public service. Recognizing the vital need for varied perspectives in shaping global policy and leadership, ICAP targets its efforts towards empowering mid-career professionals from underrepresented groups. The program’s core mission is to pave the way for these talented individuals to ascend to senior management and policy-making roles across governmental bodies and non-profit international organizations.
ICAP operates on the fundamental belief that the strength of U.S. leadership on the global stage is intrinsically linked to reflecting the rich diversity of American society itself. While acknowledging the importance of programs that broaden the pool of minority candidates equipped for international careers, ICAP goes a step further. It addresses the critical gap in representation at senior levels, understanding that simply increasing the number of qualified professionals from diverse backgrounds is insufficient. ICAP is strategically designed to provide the necessary support and mentorship, guiding minority professionals as they navigate their path towards leadership positions in international public service. This proactive approach ensures that talent from all corners of society has the opportunity to contribute at the highest levels.
The Aspen Seminar Experience: A Catalyst for Growth
The cornerstone of the Aspen International Career Advancement Program is its intensive week-long seminar held at the Aspen Institute. This immersive experience brings together a select cohort of mid-career professionals from underrepresented communities with accomplished senior officials, distinguished faculty, and experienced Aspen Institute staff. Beyond the seminar itself, ICAP extends its commitment through ongoing activities aimed at amplifying the program’s long-term impact on participants’ career trajectories.
The seminar’s unique setting in the inspiring Aspen mountains provides a crucial respite from daily work pressures. This focused environment allows participants to fully engage with the program, delve into personal career reflections, and cultivate meaningful connections with peers and mentors. The ICAP seminar curriculum is thoughtfully structured, incorporating a blend of:
- Insightful Lectures and Seminars: Exploring pressing international issues and policy challenges that will demand the attention of future senior leaders.
- Engaging Discussions and Workshops: Analyzing the essential qualities, values, and experiences of effective leadership, and identifying pathways for acquiring these crucial attributes.
- Career Path Deconstructions: Examining the diverse career journeys of individuals who have reached senior positions, extracting valuable lessons and relevant strategies for mid-career professionals.
- Navigating Career and Life Stages: Addressing common professional and personal challenges, and fostering strategies for effective problem-solving and resilience.
- Addressing Specific Challenges: Openly discussing the unique obstacles faced by professionals of color in international careers and developing proactive solutions to overcome systemic barriers.
- Championing Diversity in Leadership: Underscoring the paramount importance of diversity for effective and high-caliber U.S. leadership in an increasingly complex global landscape.
- Inspiring Future Generations: Developing actionable plans to encourage more individuals of color to pursue careers in international affairs, including outreach initiatives to high school and college students led by ICAP participants.
- Mentorship and Networking: Facilitating impactful mentoring relationships between senior officials and mid-career professionals, while also nurturing a culture of peer mentorship among participants to extend beyond the Aspen experience.
- Building a Supportive Community: Fostering strong bonds and a network of mutual support among participants that will endure and provide ongoing professional encouragement long after the seminar concludes.
Furthermore, recognizing the individual nature of career advancement, ICAP provides each participant with personalized career counseling sessions. These one-on-one consultations offer tailored advice, career planning support, and strategic guidance to help participants achieve their professional aspirations.
Learn more about the ICAP Seminar at Aspen.
E. Thomas Rowe: The Visionary Behind ICAP
ICAP was founded by E. Thomas Rowe, Associate Professor at the Josef Korbel School and Director of ICAP. Professor Rowe’s motivation stemmed from his direct experience as Associate Dean and Dean, where he observed the persistent lack of diversity in senior international affairs leadership despite efforts to increase representation. He recognized that while graduate fellowship programs successfully produced talented graduates from underrepresented groups, true diversity at the leadership level remained elusive. The prevailing assumption that a larger diverse candidate pool and reduced overt discrimination would automatically lead to diverse leadership proved to be inaccurate.
Professor Rowe identified critical, often overlooked barriers hindering the advancement of professionals of color. These included the scarcity of mentors and relatable role models, limited access to crucial professional and social networks, inadequate support systems, and the subtle yet persistent presence of institutionalized discriminatory practices. ICAP was conceived as a direct response to these challenges, designed to provide targeted mid-career support, strategic advice, and a powerful network to empower underrepresented professionals to overcome these obstacles and ascend to leadership roles in international affairs.
