Communities

State and Local Officials

Overview

The CFR State and Local Officials initiative is a nonpartisan, independent resource on pressing international issues that affect the priorities and agendas of state and local governments, including the economy, trade and competitiveness, homeland security, public health, energy supply, and climate policy.

NGA Haas Pritzker
Montana Governor Steve Bullock, Former Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, and CFR President Richard N. Haass at the National Governors Association Winter Meeting, February 23, 2019. Don Pollard/CFR

 

CFR Featured Content

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico: A U.S. Territory in Crisis
The Caribbean island, which shares a close yet fraught relationship with the rest of the United States, faces a multilayered economic and social crisis rooted in long-standing policy and compounded by natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, migration, and government mismanagement.

Backgrounder by Amelia Cheatham and Diana Roy September 29, 2022

Cybersecurity

Confronting Reality in Cyberspace

Task Force Report by Nathaniel Fick, Jami Miscik, Adam Segal, Gordon M. Goldstein and Anya Schmemann July 12, 2022

The early advantages the United States held in cyberspace have largely disappeared as the internet has become more fragmented, less free, and more dangerous. The United States needs a new foreign policy for cyberspace to secure its economic and security interests. 

United States

Renewing America by Improving College Completion Rates

Discussions about President Biden's recent student debt relief announcement should shine a light on the growing problem of low completion rates in higher education. 

Blog Post by Roger W. Ferguson Jr. October 11, 2022 Renewing America

State and Local Officials Programming

Webinar and Conference Call Series

Led by a CFR expert, policy leader, or scholar, this invitation-only virtual programming series for state and local officials gives participants the opportunity to benefit from discussions of major international issues of local importance, such as responding to pandemics, protecting cities from terrorist threats, and the economic impact of immigration. Email [email protected] for more information.

Recent Webinars

Climate Change

Adapting to a Changing Climate

Play

Virtual Event with Leslie Chapman-Henderson and Alice C. Hill October 18, 2022 State and Local Webinars

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Expertise

Fellows

CFR is home to over seventy regional and topic-specific scholars who cover a wide range of international issues of local importance. Many fellows have extensive experience in policy and government.

Briefings

CFR can arrange for a fellow to brief an official or group of delegates—in person or via videoconference—prior to trade missions abroad, major international meetings, or other events. CFR fellows have spoken to groups such as the California Energy Commission, National Association of Secretaries of State’s Standing Committee on International Relations, and Texas House Committee on International Trade and Governmental Affairs.

Commissioner of the California Energy Commission Carla Peterman and Mayor of San Jose Sam Liccardo speak at CFR’s National Symposium.
Commissioner of the California Energy Commission Carla Peterman and Mayor of San Jose Sam Liccardo at CFR’s National Symposium. Sherman Chu

Conference Appearances

CFR fellows and senior staff members are available to speak at annual meetings and gatherings of state and city government representatives. CFR experts have participated in events for organizations such as the Council of State Governments, National Governors Association, and State International Development Organizations. For more information on expert briefings or inviting a CFR fellow to address your organization, email [email protected].

Fellowships

State and local leaders are encouraged to apply for a CFR international affairs fellowship, which offers a year of research and writing or service in a policy-oriented environment. The international affairs fellowship is designed for mid-career professionals. For more information, visit Fellowships.

Access to Meetings and Events

CFR hosts world leaders and policymakers at hundreds of meetings and events each year in New York, Washington, DC, and across the country. State and local officials can register to receive invitations for select CFR meetings, as well as participate remotely via phone or webinar. Many on-the-record events at CFR are available via livestream on our website at Events.

Resources

Publications

CFR Task Force reports, books, and other special publications offer analysis on major topical and regional issues facing state and local governments. CFR can provide materials free of charge at the request of officials and their staff.

CFR.org

CFR’s award-winning website provides daily analysis of current events by CFR fellows and the CFR.org editorial team, interviews with experts, in-depth Explainers, and Emmy Award-winning multimedia interactives, as well as podcasts and downloadable video and audio files of CFR on-the-record meetings.

Commissioner of Health for the City of Baltimore Leana Wen
Commissioner of Health for the City of Baltimore Leana Wen Don Pollard

Foreign Affairs

America’s most influential publication on international affairs offers accessible in-depth analysis of current issues. CFR offers a discounted subscription to state and local officials. Please get in touch to claim your discount.

Newsletter

The CFR State and Local Officials newsletter highlights CFR resources of interest to leaders in the public sector, including upcoming sessions of the CFR State and Local Officials Webinar series, timely new publications, and analysis. To subscribe, please visit Newsletters.

For CFR Programming in New York, Washington, DC, or Across the Country

Email [email protected] if you are interested in receiving invitations to select CFR meetings in your area. These sessions are by invitation only, and seating is limited.

Contact Information

For more information about CFR’s State and Local Officials initiative, please contact [email protected] or 212.434.9615.