U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy Blog

The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy has launched a new web page highlighting public remarks of Barack Obama, John McCain, Joe Biden, and Sarah Palin in addition to reviewing the party platforms set forth by the Democrats and Republicans. By reading the words of the candidates and their parties - paying particular attention to the time they dedicate to foreign policy -  a better understanding can be pieced together as to how these individuals view the world and America’s role in it. Click here to read the words and videos!!!

To dramatically improve international relations throughout the world, the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy (U.S. Center) announced today a National Presidents’ Initiative for Citizen Diplomacy. The National Presidents’ Initiative was launched as a result of discussions by 40 U.S. leaders, associated with more than 90 organizations in international affairs, who attended a Leadership Forum on Citizen Diplomacy. A National Presidents’ Initiative Steering Committee plans to meet with members of the U.S. Center’s Board, forum participants, nationally recognized leaders in foreign affairs, members of Congress, members of the new administration’s transition team on foreign policy, and with the president-elect in early December to discuss this strategic plan and its implementation. The Leadership Forum, co-sponsored by the Johnson Foundation, convened October 1-3, 2008, at the Wingspread Conference Center in Racine, Wisconsin. Read full version of this press release here.

Read the September issue of our newsletter. Highlights: Iowa Global Education Institute, spotlight on k-12 international exchange organizations, 2008 AABF Program announced 24 finalists, Board and Advisory updates, new staff at the U.S. Center, 20088 Goldman Sachs Foundation Prizes for Excellence in international education.

Read the August issue of our newsletter. Highlights: Nurturing Hope and Health in Nicaragua, Spotlight on National Organization: NCIV, US-Mexico Diplomacy Opportunities, Arad American Business Fellowship program.

Read the July issue of our newsletter. Highlights: Panwapa Island, National Award Videos, YAL Call for Nominations 

June issue of our monthly newsletter is out. Grab your copy here.

A new research report by the Pew Global Attitudes Project concludes that “the image of the United States has improved slightly in many countries over the past year, the poll results show. But the new optimism appears to be driven largely by the fact that Mr. Bush will soon be leaving office.”Read the whole article about this report in the New York Times web site. 

The day of the forum is coming closer (May 27th in Des Moines, and May 28th in Omaha, Nebraska). Please visit this page to RSVP for this event. It is free and open to public, but RSVP is required.

Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is the largest service event in the world, organized by Youth Service America and a consortium of U.S. and international organizations. GYSD is an annual global event that highlights and celebrates the year-round contributions of youth to their communities through volunteer service. During Global Youth Service Day, young people organize highly visible community service projects to address local and global needs. Events will take place on April 25-27, 2008 (save the date for GYSD 2009: April 24-26!). GYSD is celebrated in over 100 countries in every region of the world. For more information, visit www.ysa.org/gysd.

April 2008 issue of the Foreign Service Journal has picked our website as their “Site of the Month”. They say that the Center acts ” as a clearinghouse for the thousands of programs that offer opportunities for citizen diplomacy and helping citizens of any age locate the program or activity best suited to them. The Center’s user-friendly Web site also offers information on education and training programs, seminars and workshops related to diplomacy, a well as such useful advice as “Ten Things You Can Do To Support Diplomacy.” We would like to thank the Journal for this recognition.To read the article, please click here. It is under the Cybernotes section.