The USCCD would like to honor and recognize International Women’s Day by announcing a Round Table Discussion on U.S. Citizen Diplomacy’s Role in Global Women’s Issues at the U.S. Summit & Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy.

The discussion will focus on the current status of the citizen diplomacy efforts to advance women’s rights, dedicate itself to finding effective problem solving methods and develop recommendations for action in the 21st Century. The discussion panel (names to be released at a later date) will create a report prior to the Summit to serve as the foundation for discussion.

In a speech today, Secretary Clinton said, “One hundred and eighty-nine countries represented at Beijing adopted a Platform for Action that pledged to increase women’s access to education, healthcare, jobs, and credit, and to protect their right to live free from violence. We have made great progress, but there is a long way to go. Women are still the majority of the world’s poor, unhealthy, underfed, and uneducated. They rarely cause violent conflicts but too often bear their consequences. Women are absent from negotiations about peace and security to end those conflicts. Their voices simply are not being heard.”

By working together, we can alleviate women’s suffering around the world and be a part of a major movement for the betterment of women and the global society as a whole.

Ways to Get Involved During International Women’s Day

Search for an organization that focuses on Global Women’s Issues on the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy’s organization database

Attend or watch Global Innovators in Peacebuilding, the U.S. Institute for Peace’s event on March 11, 4:30pm EST

Join Amnesty International’s International Women’s Day event

Visit the International Museum of Women’s Women on the Map to honor women who have impacted your life

Visit the Red Cross’ website and engage in the many online activities they have going on throughout the week

Visit International Women’s Day website

Engage in the conversation on Twitter

Related Articles

Secretary Clinton’s Remarks on International Women’s Day

2010 International Women of Courage Award – State Department

Highlighting sexual violence on International Women’s Day – UNAIDS

Women and girls are key to security – Politico.com

Women’s Day 2010 – NATO – Youtube.com

World Marks International Women’s Day – VOA News

The House Foreign Affairs Committee will be holding a hearing of interest to citizen/public diplomacy advocates this Thursday at 2:00pm EST.  The topic will be “Restoring America’s Reputation in the World: Why it Matters.”  The hearing will bring Andrew Kohut, President of Pew Research Center and Joseph Nye, Ph.D., University Distinguished Service Professor, among many other titles, at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, as witnesses.  The hearing will take place in Room 2172 of the Rayburn Office Building.  No word on whether a webcast will be provided, but I’m sure there will be ways of tapping into the hearing.

Should be an interesting event to follow. Will try to post updates.

More to come on the Summit as well. Have been putting together quite the group to lead this historic event. Check back soon for updates.

America’s Best Asset: American Citizens

Partnering with the World to Address Major Challenges of the 21st Century

The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy (USCCD), in partnership with the U.S. State Department and in support of more than 1000 U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) conducting citizen diplomacy activities, will convene a historic U.S. Summit for Global Citizen Diplomacy on November 16-19, 2010 in Washington, DC. The goal of the Summit and ten year Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy is to double the number of American volunteers of all ages involved in international activities at home or abroad, from an estimated 60 million today to 120 million by 2020.

The U.S. Summit & Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy supports current efforts of President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Judith McHale to make global citizen diplomacy a national priority. Secretary of State Clinton will serve as Honorary Summit Chair alongside an Honorary Citizen Diplomat Chair. The President is being called upon to speak at the event, the first since President Eisenhower addressed a similar gathering on September 11, 1956 to call Americans to greater involvement in international relations. Fifty-four years later in an increasingly globalized world, the call is as relevant and urgent as ever.

“If we are going to take advantage of the assumption that all people want peace, then the problem is for people to get together and to leap governments – if necessary evade governments – to work out not one method but thousands of methods by which people can gradually learn a little bit more of each other.” -President Eisenhower, September 11, 1956

The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy was established as a national resource to promote, honor and strengthen the vast network of U.S. organizations dedicated to providing opportunities for Americans to engage as global citizen diplomats. Citizen Diplomacy is defined as the concept that the individual has the right, even the responsibility, to help shape U.S. foreign relations “one handshake at a time.” Citizen diplomacy involves volunteers, and occurs through cultural, professional and educational exchanges, study abroad, international voluntary service, connecting classrooms around the world through new technologies, and more. Reaching out across borders via person to person programs and activities, U.S. citizen diplomats create a reservoir of goodwill and relations among the United States and other nations that is sustained even during times of foreign policy disagreements, and are a critical private sector component of our national foreign policy.

The Case for a 2010 U.S. Summit on Global Citizen Diplomacy

National Leadership, Grassroots and World Wide Support

The 2010 U.S. Summit broadens the momentum generated from the work of hundreds of citizen diplomacy organizations and the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy.

Since 2004, over 80 community-based meetings have recommended national action to increase citizen activity in international relations.

In 2009, over 200 leaders in international affairs throughout the country met in forums funded by the Gilman Foundation and Johnson Foundation. All strongly endorse the national initiative. Reports conducted by the Brookings Institution and CSIS, among others also urge a revival of citizen diplomacy as a critical private sector component of U.S. public diplomacy.

Thousands of Americans representing all 50 states and citizens throughout the world have signed a letter to the President urging his endorsement of the summit and initiative. Signatures include leaders, faculty, and students from prestigious universities and colleges around the nation, top executive leadership, staff, and members of corporations and organizations around the world, and individuals representing over 60 countries.

House Resolution 569, supporting the work of citizen diplomacy organizations and encouraging the President’s endorsement of the U.S. Summit & Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy, has been signed by 31 members of the United States Congress including members of both political parties and the Foreign Relations Committee.

Components of the Summit

A Challenge to Citizen Diplomacy Leaders

In preparation for the summit, more than one hundred NGO leaders are working in twelve private sector task force groups and to solicit proposals from citizen diplomacy organizations to be presented at the summit. These organizations will respond to a challenge for new, innovative best practices that will increase the number of Americans engaged with the world. They represent international organizations working in the sectors of Business, Community-based Organizations, Development Assistance, Faith-based Organizations, Global Health, Higher Education, International Cultural Engagement, International Voluntary Service, K-12 Education, Sports, Travel & Tourism, and Youth Service.

Reports on five critical issues impacting citizen engagement in international affairs will be prepared and presented.

In response to President Obama’s 2009 call to action to the American people “to take our share of responsibility for global responses to global challenges,” six global challenges will be addressed by summit proposals and participants:

Preserving the Environment, Reducing Poverty and Disease, Increasing Respect for Human Rights, Creating a Globally Competent Society, Encouraging Cultural Engagement, Achieving Food Security, and Securing U.S. & Global Financial Security.

“Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.” -President Barack Obama, November 2009

Outcomes of the Summit

The U.S. Summit for Global Citizen Diplomacy will:

• Focus national and international attention on the impact of citizen involvement in international activities and demonstrate why citizen diplomacy is a vital public diplomacy tool in America’s outreach to the world;

• Establish the United States as a collaborative world leader in the promotion of international understanding through the interaction of Americans with people throughout the world;

• Showcase 120 new innovative and collaborative programs by U.S. citizen diplomacy organizations that enhance current best practices, leverage new technologies to expand involvement, increase opportunities for international volunteer service in the United States and abroad and engage international partners;

• Energize and inform the private sector and connect potential funders with innovative citizen diplomacy programs and initiatives;

• Establish a set of measurable outcomes in twelve sectors of citizen diplomacy activity by which to track progress and growth; and

• Provide a launch point for the ten year marketing campaign and Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy.

By 2020, the U.S. Summit & Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy will double the number of global citizen diplomats in the U.S. to 120 million and create an American citizenry dedicated to solving global issues through collaboration with their counterparts around the world…one handshake and two smiles at a time.

Last week, President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton each submitted profound articles to Newsweek Magazine, encouraging American citizens to contribute in any way possible to the people of Haiti. Their calls to action have resonated throughout the United States as Haiti has seen an influx of foreign aid from daily supplies such as blankets, food, water, and toiletries to direct humanitarian action in the form of religious organizations and other international nongovernmental organizations. However, both leaders have emphasized the need for continued aid and the increased efforts of citizen diplomats.

President Obama declared that “governments alone are not enough” in the effort to restore hope and provide aid to Haiti. This is a void that only citizens can fill! In the past weeks in the aftermath of the earthquake, the American people have exemplified the kind of generosity needed to provide the Haitian people relief. Nevertheless, the need is great and only with the help of the international community can the people of Haiti overcome the immeasurable obstacle ahead of them.

Obama and Clinton’s messages have come at crucial point, not only in direct regards to the catastrophe in Haiti, but also at a time when the need for citizen diplomats has been the greatest. Just as President Clinton declared a call to action in 2008 after the disastrous hurricanes hit Haiti, so does the U.S. Center call all citizens to action in 2010 and beyond. 2010 may very well be the year of the citizen diplomat, culminating with a Summit on Global Citizen Diplomacy, in which the U.S. Center is actively promoting and gaining sponsors who are pledging their support on Capitol Hill. Therefore, a call to action could not have come at a more vital time. Citizen diplomats: what will YOU do to change the world in 2010?!?!

Please visit the new comprehensive site launched by the U.S. Center to see how you can help.

The U.S. Center would like to alert our readers of the status of our efforts to promote of organizations, provide relevant updates of news feeds/articles and events in Haiti, and to encourage donations to help support the aid, relief, and reconstruction of Haiti.

We will continue to update the web page with relevant information and breaking news, however, due to the U.S. Summit that is ahead and limited staff capacity, we will ease off the blogging and coverage of Haiti.  If your organization or yourself personally has donation information, news related to your work in Haiti or other information, feel free to continue to send us information at outreach@uscenterforcitizendiplomacy.org.

The Center will continue to promote long-term development and reconstruction long after the coverage has turned elsewhere as it is essential our efforts are forward and long-term oriented in order to help Haiti emerge from this devastating natural disaster.  We want to thank you for utilizing the resources we have provided and if you have any comments/suggestions, we encourage you to contact us regarding any feedback you have.

It is official, you are able to apply any donations to Haiti toward your 2009 taxes.  The President signed H.R. 4462 into law on Friday afternoon.  For many organizations still accepting donations via text, online or phone, visit our Haiti webpage.

Some encouraging news from Capitol Hill today for those following the Haiti earthquake.  Amid the events and reactions surrounding the recent Massachusetts election to fill the late Senator Kennedy’s seat, over 150 Representatives put together a bill that will allow donations that were made to Haiti (even by way of text messaging!) to receive 2009 tax benefits. The bill (H.R. 4462) passed unanimously by voice vote early this afternoon and is expected to pass quickly through the Senate in order to be on the President’s desk by the end of the week.

If you have already donated, make sure to keep any records, receipts, or your phone bill that show you donated and include it when filing your taxes.  For those who haven’t donated, now would be a great time to do so in order to receive 2009 tax benefits.  The cutoff date (in the House bill) is March 1, 2010.

For those who have already given or want to help advance this bill, CARE has set up an advocacy site for you to contact your Senators to urge them to pass the bill that encourages additional donations to Haiti and provide 2009 tax benefits to any donations made between December 31, 2009 and March 1, 2009.

An event that may be of interest to public/citizen diplomacy and soft power aficionados.

Joseph Nye will be speaking at the Portcullis House in London tomorrow at 1:30pm EST. As part of the British Council’s 75th Anniversary celebration, Nye will be a part of the Lecture Series: Talking without Borders, focusing on Soft Power and Public Diplomacy.

Here is the information from the British Council website (where you are also able to live stream the event):

On the first anniversary of President Obama’s inauguration, US political theorist Joseph Nye will give a lecture at Portcullis House, London, available to view live here on 20 January 2010. The talk begins at 1830 (GMT) [1:30pm EST]. The player will be active a few minutes before that.

Join the Conversation

Submit your questions live to the speaker: Please click on the top left-hand link in the player.

Suggested Twitter hashtag: #nyebc

Themes

• What is “Smart Power” and how can it influence international strategy in Afghanistan?
• Can a country build trust and engagement while simultaneously fighting wars?
• How are technology and democracy shaping international relations?
• Will ‘soft power’, ‘hard power’ or ‘smart power’ emerge as the defining form of 21st century diplomacy?

Ideas, cultures and people are mixing with unprecedented frequency and speed. Formal politics is increasingly unable to manage connections between people now free of geographical limitations. Under such conditions, the primary challenge for traditional institutions of public diplomacy is to engage people internationally in a meaningful way. In his speech for the British Council, Professor Nye will examine the concepts of public diplomacy, both formal and informal, and their contribution to contemporary and future international relations.

Joseph Nye is University Distinguished Service Professor and former Dean of the Kennedy School. He has served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Chair of the National Intelligence Council, and Deputy Under Secretary of State for Security Assistance, Science and Technology. His most recent books include Soft Power; The Powers to Lead; and The Power Game: A Washington Novel.

With relief efforts voraciously being organized by several international organizations and countries supplying funds for relief, people around the United States are wondering how they can be of assistance to the citizens of Haiti. There are a variety of ways you can help, from a simple text message to direct donations to international relief organizations such as the American Red Cross and UNICEF.

Text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 through the American Red Cross.

Text “YELE HAITI” to 501501 to donate $5 to Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund (Wyclef Jean’s Foundation).

MSNBC.com has a list compiled with phone numbers if you would like to get involved in any way.

UNICEF is also accepting donations that will go directly to relief efforts in Haiti.

President Obama also urges American citizens to visit the White House website where you will find a link to donate and contribute to the disaster relief efforts which are ongoing.

Major news agencies such as CNN, , Reuters, NPR, and FOX Newsall have full coverage of the story and links to where you can find ways to help and donate.

Read Idealist.org’s article on Disaster Relief volunteering

The U.S. Center also has an extensive list of international organizations who work to provide disaster relief. To find one that services Haiti and is currently providing relief assistance, visit the U.S. Center’s Development Assistance page and see how you can help!

Also, if you have family members or loved ones living or working in Haiti and are unable to contact them, the Red Cross urges you to call the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens. The number provided is 1-888-407-4747.

The thoughts and prayers of all of us at the U.S. Center go out to our brothers and sisters in Haiti. It is often during these times of cataclysmic events that we find the opportunity to reach out to other people of other nations and cultures to provide a helping hand in the name of humanity. The work of citizen diplomats cannot be lauded more than during the aftermath of these types of events.

*Note: The Center is not endorsing these organizations, but giving you information to start you out.

A quick update for those located in or around Des Moines.

The Greater Des Moines Committee on Foreign Relations will be holding their January meeting at the Wakonda Club on Thursday, January 28.  The meeting will begin with a reception at 5:30pm, a speaker, and end with an optional dinner.

Jeremi Suri, the E. Gordon Fox Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and Director of the European Union Center of Excellence will speak at 6:30pm on “Recent U.S. Diplomacy and the Influence of Kissinger.”  Professor Suri specializes in the history of American foreign relations and has published  a number of books, including The Global Revolutions of 1968. His latest book, Henry Kissinger and the American Century details Kissinger’s political life while serving as Secretary of State and received enthusiastic reviews by the Times, calling it “the best book yet published about Henry Kissinger.”

The meeting will end with an optional dinner at 8:00pm.  To attend the speech and reception is $20.  The Committee asks you RSVP to mprimus@assoc-mgmt.com.