U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Marisol Molstre
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Denise Essman
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The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy Honors Greg Mortenson
with First-Ever National Awards for Citizen Diplomacy

Award Ceremony to be held February 12 in Washington, D.C.

Des Moines, IA (January 7, 2008) – Greg Mortenson from Bozeman, Montana, co-founder of the Central Asia Institute and Pennies for Peace, is one of six honorees for the first-ever National Awards for Citizen Diplomacy. Mortenson and the five other honorees from across the United States will be recognized at an Awards Ceremony at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. on February 12, 2008. The honorees will be recognized for inspiring others through their exemplary work as citizen diplomats and for promoting cross cultural understanding around the world.

“It is not only the right, but the responsibility of every American to be a citizen diplomat, of the highest quality, for our communities and our country,” said Harriet Mayor Fulbright, board member for the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy and the President of the J. William and Harriet Fulbright Center. “We are particularly proud to recognize Greg Mortenson for the first-ever National Awards for Citizen Diplomacy. Greg, through his various causes and programs, understands the need for citizen involvement in international relations. This award recognizes Greg’s efforts and highlights his national and international contributions.”

About Mortenson

As the co-founder for the Central Asia Institute, Mortenson has been a champion of rural education and literacy for children in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with a special emphasis on girls’ education. As of 2007, Mortenson raised funds to build 64 schools, 55 in Pakistan and 9 in Afghanistan, and has helped 25,000 children, including 14,000 girls. Mortenson believes the key to economic development, prosperity and peace is making girls’ education a top priority. From March 2006 through 2007, with his extensive cross-cultural experience in such a volatile part of the world, Mortenson visited over 110 cities to discuss his message of peace through education. Mortenson is also the co-author of The New York Times best seller, Three Cups of Tea.

In addition to the award, Mortenson will receive a $5,000 cash donation from the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy. Mortenson will donate this money to Pennies for Peace, a program of the Central Asia Institute. Pennies for Peace encourages American children, ultimately our future leaders, to be active participants in the creation of global peace.

Additional National Award Honorees

Anjali Bhatia of Kinnelon, New Jersey, founded Discover Worlds at the age of 16. This student-run, non-profit organization promotes relations between the U.S. and Rwanda. It focuses on eradicating poverty by enabling orphans of genocide and youth affected by HIV/AIDS to stay in school. Now 19, Bhatia continues to inspire young Americans to make a difference for at-risk students in Rwanda.

Tarik S. Daoud of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, stands out as a dynamic business leader and active philanthropist. Through organizations like the International Visitor’s Council of Detroit, he has championed cross-cultural understanding. Daoud has led international delegations and demonstrated a commitment to community service and diplomacy overseas.

Khris Nedam of Livonia, Michigan, is an elementary school teacher who has also taught in France, Turkey and Afghanistan. Nedam emphasizes world class citizenship and encourages students to investigate different cultures. With her 6th grade students, she founded Kids4AfghanKids which has help to restore schools and facilities in Afghanistan.

Jillian H. Poole of Arlington, Virginia, mentors with “an unquenchable drive” The Fund for Arts and Culture in Central and Eastern Europe which she founded in 1991. Her achievements have empowered international arts and cultural institutions that had long relied on government patronage to adjust to a free-market economy.

Donna Taborof Granada, Nicaragua, works with Building New Hope, a non-profit organization based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Together they have raised funds to start a school. Tabor has rallied volunteers and opened her home to street children in Nicaragua, feeding them, teaching them to read and providing medical care when needed.

National Awards Criteria

U.S. citizens were nominated based on accomplishments and/or activities that have increased mutual understanding, strengthened ties, promoted international cooperation and developed peaceful relations between people of the United States and other countries. The National Awards Advisory Committee evaluated nominees according to the following criteria:

Nominees must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old.
Activities/accomplishments are ongoing and have taken place since January 2006.
Activities/accomplishments must reflect a commitment to promoting global understanding.
Nominees represent excellence, diversity and vitality of citizen diplomacy.
Outstanding ability to attract, support and motivate people in the field of citizen diplomacy.
Evidence of dedication, originality and capacity for leadership and self-direction.

In addition to the Award and national recognition, a $5,000 cash donation will be awarded on behalf of each honoree to a non-profit organization of his/her choice.

2008 National Summit

The Awards Ceremony will be held in conjunction with the 2008 National Summit on Citizen Diplomacy, “The Power of Citizen Diplomacy in a Turbulent World.” The two-day Summit aims to recruit, engage and educate more Americans to serve as citizen diplomats, and to recognize and build awareness of citizen diplomacy work currently underway.

The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy

The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy was established in 2006 and is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The Center is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization. It promotes opportunity for all Americans to be citizen diplomats and affirms the indispensable value of citizen involvement in international relations. For more information about the Center, the Awards and the honorees, and to download photos, visit http://www.uscenterforcitizendiplomacy.org/media/index.php.

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