U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy
This organization promotes opportunity for all Americans to be citizen diplomats and affirms the indispensable value of citizen involvement in international relations. In an era of increasing globalization, more and more people develop their most lasting impressions through face-to-face, personal encounters, when people visit the United States or when Americans travel abroad. In this context, the ‘citizen diplomat’ is a powerful force in defining the United States to the rest of the world.
Why is ‘citizen diplomacy’ so important now?
In an era of increasing globalization, more and more people develop their most lasting impressions through face-to-face, personal encounters, when people visit the United States or when Americans travel abroad. In this context, the ‘citizen diplomat’ is a powerful force in defining the United States to the rest
of the world.
Numerous polls and studies document that anti-American sentiment around the globe is dangerously high and has grown to unprecedented levels.
We need to dramatically increase our capacity to reach out to the rest of the world to foster common interests and values. America is falling behind in the race for engagement with the world, international competitiveness, and global education
excellence.
In spite of these serious concerns, the United States spends 1/10 of 1% of its budget on
foreign affairs and only 1% of that on the single most important facet of U.S. foreign policy — citizen diplomacy.
This pattern of neglect must be turned around to support global engagement at all levels of society in the United States.
History of the Organization
In March of 2004, 33 national leaders from international exchange organizations — including the business and academic communities —convened in Racine, Wisconsin, with the expressed intent of pursuing strategies to strengthen America’s commitment to citizen diplomacy. From that meeting emerged a national campaign of state and local summits on citizen diplomacy, culminating in a national summit in Washington, D.C., July of 2006.
The Coalition for Citizen Diplomacy, representing more than 120 U.S. organizations, was formed to implement this campaign. This movement underscored the importance of positive and sustainable engagement of Americans in a host of international exchange and educational initiatives through innovative public and private partnerships.
At the same time emerged the need to turn a nationwide spotlight on the importance and
value of citizen diplomacy. As a result, the only center of its kind in the nation—the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy—was formed as a strategic focal point for citizen diplomacy. Launched in July of 2006, the Center is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. |
