Sec. 305. Office of Race and Ethnic Relations and Affairs
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Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall address continuing national security and humanitarian concerns emanating from racial and ethnic divisions and tensions by establishing, within the Office of the Secretary, the Office of Race and Ethnic Relations and Affairs (referred to in this section as the Office ). The head of the Office shall— be an individual with recognized distinction on international issues of racial and ethnic equality and empowerment, including possessing expertise on African descent, indigenous, and Roma populations; hold the rank and status of ambassador, or an equivalent position; be appointed by, and report directly to, the Secretary; and shall hold the title of Special Representative for Race and Ethnic Relations and Affairs (referred to in this section as the Special Representative ).
The Office shall be staffed by not fewer than 12 full-time personnel, including senior Foreign Service Officers, Senior Civil Service Officers, and support staff with relevant expertise. The Office shall— advise the Secretary and direct and coordinate activities, policies, programs, action plans, public diplomacy, and funding for all bureaus and offices of the Department relating to the improvement of race and ethnic relations, human rights, protection, and empowerment of members of marginalized or underserved racial, ethnic, indigenous, Roma, and African descent populations; represent the United States— in diplomatic matters relevant to the human rights of marginalized or underserved racial, ethnic, indigenous, Roma, and African descent populations in contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies; and at relevant multilateral conferences and meetings, including United Nations permanent forums; lead the coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of international policies and programs relating to the issues described in paragraph
(1)for all other Federal agencies, including multilateral and bilateral initiatives and agreements; lead efforts to promote an international focus on racial equality, equity, inclusion, and empowerment for marginalized or underserved racial, ethnic, indigenous, Roma, and African descent populations, including through— diplomatic initiatives with other countries; partnerships and regular and enhanced coordination with international and nongovernmental organizations and the private sector; and technical assistance to United States missions and foreign governments; develop and manage a global fund for race and ethnic relations that will invest in efficient and innovative solutions for members of marginalized or underserved racial, ethnic, indigenous, Roma, and African descent populations— to combat racial bias and discrimination; to support inclusive economic growth and entrepreneurship; to support physical and mental health, including support for victims of racially or ethnically motivated crimes; to protect and manage natural resources, and combat activities causing environmental harm in communities; and to promote international research and scholarship; develop a uniform set of indicators and standards for monitoring and evaluating United States and global foreign policy assistance for racial equity in Federal agencies; direct, as appropriate, the use of United States Government resources to respond to needs for protection, integration, resettlement, and empowerment of members of marginalized or underserved racial, ethnic, indigenous, Roma, and African descent populations, in carrying out United States Government policies and international programs, including programs designed to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence internationally; lead the development and coordination of United States Government international efforts related to the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent and follow on activities, including by submitting annual reports to Congress summarizing such efforts; lead the development and coordination of Department of State racial equity strategies, action plans, policies, public diplomacy, and other activities to fulfill the duties of the Office, including— presenting deserving individuals awards for anti-racism work; and establishing and supporting a global network of experts and youth leaders; coordinate and collaborate, as appropriate and necessary, with other bureaus and offices responsible for diversity, discrimination, and equity initiatives, including Ambassadors at-large, Special Representatives, Civil Rights Offices, Offices of Diversity and Inclusion, Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Businesses, and entities with similar responsibilities at other agencies; collaborate with the Director of the Foreign Service Institute to develop and provide, for all employees and persons under Chief of Mission authority, country-specific training regarding underserved, vulnerable, or marginalized racial and ethnic communities, including in the areas of economics, environment, health, education, cultural and religious practices, and United States foreign policy and assistance objectives; and coordinate and measure global strategies and initiatives to educate and recruit professionals, including those who are members of underserved racial, ethnic, indigenous, Roma, or African descent populations, in international careers that focus on race and ethnic relations. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, to carry out this section in fiscal year 2025 and in each subsequent fiscal year, $10,000,000, of which— $2,000,000 shall be allocated to support the implementation of racial equality agreements between the United States and other countries; and the remaining amount shall be expended to support operations of the Office and the development and implementation of a strategy with each regional bureau and any targeted regional initiatives or units involving race, ethnicity, or social inclusion. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of State is authorized to accept private contributions to carry out this section. Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a fund, which shall be known as the Fund for Global Racial Equity and Equality . Amounts deposited into the Fund shall be invested in efficient and innovative solutions for members of marginalized or underserved racial, ethnic, indigenous, Roma, and African descent populations— to combat racial bias and discrimination; to support inclusive economic growth and entrepreneurship; to support physical and mental health, including support for victims of racially or ethnically motivated crimes; to protect and manage natural resources, and combat activities causing environmental harm in communities; and to promote international research and scholarship. There is authorized to be appropriated, for fiscal year 2025 and each subsequent fiscal year, $2,500,000 to carry out this paragraph (1). Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of State is authorized to accept private contributions to carry out paragraph (1).