As a grade-school student in Yakima, Washington, Ambassador David H. Shinn little knew that his avid interest in National Geographic Magazine and in stamps from around the world would launch a journey that culminated in ambassadorships to Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.
Along the way, he encountered challenges and adventures in numerous African nations, explored nearly every mile of Ethiopia, and helped to set that country on a path to managing the HIV/AIDS crisis. He has received three State Department Superior Honor awards for substantial impact serving his nation.
A triple alumnus of the Elliott School and Columbian College, he recently made a generous gift to the Elliott School to establish the David and Judy Shinn Endowed Fund for Research on African Affairs. The fund supports faculty and graduate student research into African affairs.
We recently caught up with Ambassador Shinn, who explained his journey, why teaching inspires him, and what most surprised him in his nearly 40-year career with the Foreign Service.
What led you from your home state to GW, a university nearly 3,000 miles from Yakima?
I completed my first two years of college at Yakima Valley Community College. By the time I graduated, I knew that I wanted to join the U.S. Foreign Service. I may have been the only student in Yakima that year who had any interest in a Foreign Service career. Serendipitously, I received a partial scholarship to GW’s School of Government (the Elliott School did not exist in 1960) from a local Masonic organization.
How did you decide to focus on African affairs?
My interest in Africa goes back to National Geographic and stamp collecting. Some of the most intriguing articles and stamps dealt with Africa. The connection was underscored during my study at GW in the early 1960s. Many African countries were becoming independent, and it was apparent that the State Department had few Foreign Service officers knowledgeable about the continent. It seemed like an excellent career opportunity. My wife, Judy, was working at the State Department and able to provide me with some career guidance.
And your interest in China-Africa relations?
The China connection was again serendipitous. At a farewell party for departing Elliott School Dean Harry Harding, I met a young Sinologist, Josh Eisenman, who received his BA from the Elliott School and was then working for the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. He was looking for someone with African experience to make a presentation on China-Africa relations. I agreed and our relationship led to books on China-Africa relations, in addition to journal articles and book chapters.
What motivated you to establish an endowment to support research into African affairs?
I have been associated with GW in one capacity or another since 1960, and my wife, Judy, has accompanied me on this lengthy journey. With three degrees and having taught in the Elliott School since 2001, we are just trying to repay what GW has given to us over the years. This is our way, however modestly, of showing appreciation to GW and the Elliott School.
Do you have suggestions on crucial areas of research in the study of African affairs?
Priorities, issues, and interests on any subject constantly change. I would rather leave it to the Elliott School, students, and faculty to determine how this modest research funding is put to use.
In your decades-long diplomatic career, what surprised you the most?
In the mid- and late-1960s, I was serving overseas during the worst of the violence and civil unrest in American cities. Having attended the March on Washington in 1963, I thought I had a reasonable appreciation about minority groups and their concerns. I realized quickly that I actually had a poor understanding of the concerns of minority groups. As a result, I found it difficult to explain to foreigners what was happening as American cities burned.
When I joined the Foreign Service in 1964, global terrorism was not a serious concern, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. As the number of terrorist incidents increased in Africa and, especially, after the 1998 bombings of the American embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the situation changed dramatically. Many embassies then became fortresses. It became difficult for visitors to enter, and Foreign Service personnel faced severe restrictions on travel outside the embassy. This was the most negative development I encountered during my 37-year Foreign Service career.
A pleasant surprise was learning that I had the ability to make an important difference. While I was ambassador to Ethiopia, war unexpectedly broke out in 1998 between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Unfortunately, the Ethiopian government became convinced that Washington supported the Eritreans, and the Eritrean government, likewise, became convinced that we supported the Ethiopians. U.S. embassies in both countries immediately faced strained relations with the two governments.
I still had more than a year left on my assignment in Addis Ababa and concluded that if it were to be productive, I needed to find a project where I could support a U.S. interest acceptable to the Ethiopian government. At the time, HIV/AIDS was raging in Ethiopia and largely being ignored by the government. That became my project.
I convinced the president of Ethiopia to adopt HIV/AIDS as a critical issue. I promised financial and research support by USAID and agreed to devote much of my time to helping mobilize Ethiopian civil society. I met with the non-governmental organization community and the leaders of Ethiopian religious groups. They all understood the threat and enthusiastically responded to modest support from USAID.
By the time I left Addis Ababa in 1999, there was a strong organization in place for combating HIV/AIDS. After my departure, with American and international help, Ethiopia managed to get control of the problem and avert what could have been a social and economic disaster.
You published major books on China-Africa relations in 2012 and 2023. How have these relations changed in the decade between these books and over your career?
The big change in China-Africa relations has occurred since the beginning of the 21st century. China became Africa’s largest trading partner in 2009, moving from minimal trade in 2000 to passing the U.S as the major trading partner that year. China has become Africa’s largest bilateral source of loans this century and now has more diplomatic missions in Africa than any other country. Over the past decade, the relationship has tended to level off. Trade continues to increase modestly. Foreign direct investment and foreign aid are generally static, and loans have actually decreased significantly.
What does China understand about strategic engagement with Africa that the U.S. does not yet grasp?
China understands the importance of high-level personal contact across political, economic, and military sectors. For example, since 1991, the Chinese foreign minister has made his first overseas visit outside China every year to a country in Africa. This attention has been duly noted throughout Africa. China is also more welcoming of African officials in Beijing. Washington understands the importance of this high-level contact but has never managed to respond the way Beijing does, although some American administrations do better than others.
You remain highly active in your field. What motivates you?
As you age, it is important to exercise your mind as long as you are able to do so. Teaching keeps one in contact with challenging younger people. Writing and research forces one to keep current with events and a constantly changing world. Teaching and writing open doors and offer opportunities that just don’t exist for couch potatoes.
Any advice for current GW students who want to change the world for the better?
My advice is not particularly original, but it is important. Follow your passion, whatever it is, even if it is not the most remunerative option available to you. I realize many of you must pay off student loans. But you will not likely make any difference in this world unless you thoroughly enjoy what you are doing.