The mission of the Global Diversity Initiative (GDI) in the U.S. Commercial Service is to increase the export of goods and services from women and minority business owners. GDI works to engage, educate, and advocate for U.S. women- and minority-owned businesses so that they can tap into growing export markets for their goods and services. Export markets, in addition to government markets and corporate markets, hold significant potential for women- and minority-owned firms to grow their business.

GDI approaches increasing women and minority firms in the US exporter base by integrating service delivery, education, advocacy, and workforce diversity.

Export Service Delivery:
GDI sponsors activities, such as videoconferences and workshops, in the worldwide Commercial Service network to promote the export of products and services of women and minority business owners.

Education:
Through partnerships with national women’s and minority trade associations, GDI facilitates and sponsors activities to increase the awareness of trade opportunities and export assistance programs among women and minority business owners. We can provide:

• Speakers and workshops for association meetings
• International business content for newsletters, e-zines, and articles
• Recognition of successful women and minority exporters.

Advocacy:
GDI complements its outreach activities by advocating for U.S. small businesses, particularly women- and minority-owned businesses, in U.S. trade policy development and in international organizations and negotiations, through the

• Small and Minority Business Trade Advisory Committee
• Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Working Party
• Advocating for the inclusion of women- and minority-owned businesses and networks in trade promotion programs.

Workforce Diversity
GDI coordinates the Ron Brown Internship program, which offers paid internships throughout the International Trade Administration to students who are interested in international trade. We also offer unpaid internships in our headquarters office.