U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy

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Marisol Molstre
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Denise Essman
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The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy Honors Local Business Leader
Tarik Daoud with First-Ever National Award for Citizen Diplomacy

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

Des Moines, IA (January 7, 2008) – Tarik Daoud from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is one of six honorees for the first-ever National Awards for Citizen Diplomacy. Daoud and the five other honorees from across the United States will be recognized at an Awards Ceremony in the Smithsonian American 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 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 Tarik Daoud for the first-ever National Awards for Citizen Diplomacy. Tarik, through his various causes and programs, understands the need for citizen involvement in international relations. This award recognizes Tarik’s efforts and highlights his national and international contributions.”

About Daoud

A native of Iraq, Daoud came to the United States at a young age. From early on he chartered his own course, leading to a degree in civil engineering. Little did he know when he began selling cars that the job would lead him to forming one of Michigan’s largest Ford dealerships. Today, Daoud is a Detroit business leader and one of Michigan’s most active philanthropists.

“International relations are more important than ever in this unsettled world. Being a foreign-born American has taught me the lessons about diversity and the necessity for kindness to all of mankind, no matter race, religion or anything else that divides us from each other,” said Daoud.

Daoud has promoted cross-cultural understanding through his work with the International Visitor’s Council (IVC) of Metropolitan Detroit and the Arab American Chamber of Commerce. Daoud has led international delegations and is devoted to community service and diplomacy overseas.

In addition to the award, Daoud will receive a $5,000 cash donation from the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy. Daoud will donate this money to the IVC of Metropolitan Detroit, which promotes excellence in citizen diplomacy.

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.

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.

Greg Mortenson of Bozeman, Montana, is the co-founder of the Central Asia Institute and Pennies for Peace. Mortenson has raised funds to build 64 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan and has helped over 25,000 children. He is co-author of The New York Times best seller, Three Cups of Tea.

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.

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.

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 Kids4AfganKids which has help to restore schools and facilities in Afghanistan.

Greg Mortenson of Bozeman, Montana, is the co-founder of the Central Asia Institute and Pennies for Peace. Mortenson has raised funds to build 64 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan and has helped over 25,000 children. He is co-author of The New York Times best seller, Three Cups of Tea.

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 Tabor of 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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