Task forces

In preparation for the summit, more than one hundred NGO leaders are working in twelve private sector task force groups 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 engagedwith the world.

The selected proposals will also be discussed as part of the Summit Task Force workshop presentations. The organizations selected will have the opportunity to present their program to potential funders, foundations, philanthropists, private & public sector leaders, and non-profit colleagues for possible collaboration across all sectors. Regardless of being selected, all submissions will be listed and given credit for participating.

Business

The Business Task Force strongly believes that the U.S. business community has a vested interest in encouraging Americans to become more involved in international affairs. Globalization has been the driving force behind many businesses’ growth and success in recent years, and the trend toward even greater global expansion of trade, investment and labor mobility is key to our long-term prosperity. At the same time, many of our most pressing challenges—whether it be promoting fair and transparent rules for trade, assuring the integrity of our financial institutions, preserving the environment, or fighting terrorism and piracy—are increasingly global in nature. An informed and mobilized American citizenry, seeking to build bridges of understanding and respect to other cultures, is a crucial foundation for progress in the world economy.

The Task Force is focusing on initiatives that can leverage the expertise of the business community to advance this strategic objective of better informed, more mobilized American citizens.

Members

Keith Reinhard, Co-Chair | President, Business for Diplomatic Action
Peter Tichansky, Co-Chair | President & CEO, Business Council for International Understanding
Thomas Miller | Vice President, Business for Diplomatic Action
Kevin Thompson | Senior Program Manager for Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs, IBM
Lorraine Hariton, Department of State Liaison | Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs, Department of State

Community Based Organizations

Community-based initiatives involve a wide range of individuals and locally-based organizations (both public and private) that are engaged in international affairs to increase mutual understanding and respect, and demonstrate how the United States and its citizens care about other cultures. Some are part of a national organization with branches throughout the country, others stand-alone and operate within a specific city or state such as local and state governments. The Task Force will make a strong case for the cause of global citizen diplomacy at the local and state level and demonstrate how citizens can be engaged globally both at home and abroad. They will also showcase opportunities for local and state governments to collaborate for greater impact.

Members

Patrick Madden, Co-Chair | President, Sister Cities International
Sherry Mueller, Co-Chair | President, NCIV
Frances Reimer | Sister Cities International
George Brown | President, Friendship Force International
Mary Eisenhower | President & CEO, People to People International
The Hon. Barbara Lawton | Lt. Governor, State of Wisconsin
Kirk Talbott | President & CEO, World Affairs Councils of America
Steve Vetter | President & CEO, Partners of the Americas

International Cultural Engagement

The Task Force will examine existing and proposed new international cultural diplomacy engagements that help enhance mutual understanding, respect, and trust. These include partnerships and collaborations among individuals and organizations in the U.S. and abroad, in the fields of dance; design; folk arts; humanistic study and publication; film, television and digital arts; literature; music; opera; music-theater; theater; and the visual arts; and the presenters, exhibitors, and networks of these artistic and humanistic endeavors. A special effort will be made to showcase best practices in these areas, including, in particular, connections and collaborations among local and regional citizen activities and established national and international programs that are working to improve mutual understanding, respect, and trust.

Members

Co-Chairs

Honorable Frank Hodsoll | Principal, Hodsoll & Associates | Principal, Hodsoll & Associates | President, Resource Center for Cultural Engagement
Ambassador Cynthia Schneider | Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy, Georgetown University

Federal Agency Liaisons

Department of State: Lea Perez (Director Public Diplomacy, European Bureau)
National Endowment for the Arts: Pennie Ojeda (Director International Programs)
National Endowment for the Humanities: Eva Caldera (Senior Adviser to the Chairman)
Institute of Museum and Library Services: Nancy Rogers (Senior Project Coordinator)

Members

Alicia Adams (Vice President, International Programming, Kennedy Center)
Ambassador Nicholas Burns (Professor Practice of Diplomacy & International Politics, Harvard Kennedy School of Government)
Adele Chatfield Taylor (President & CEO American Academy in Rome)
Elizabeth Daley (Dean School of Cinematic Arts, University of Southern California)
Sandra Gibson (President and CEO Association of Performing Arts Presenters)
Howard Gordon (Executive Producer and Show-Runner 24)
Richard Kurin (Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture Smithsonian Institution)
Mary Ellen Lane (Executive Director Council American Overseas Research Centers)
Steven D. Lavine (President California Institute of the Arts)
Wayne Lawson (Director Emeritus Ohio Arts Council)
Ellen Lovell (President Marlboro College)
Robert Lynch (President & CEO Americans for the Arts)
Laurie Meadoff (CEO Cancer Schmancer, Inc.; Founder Chat the Planet)
Christopher Merrill (Director International Writing Program University of Iowa)
Azar Nafisi (Writer; Executive Director, Cultural Conversations, Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University)

USCCD Staff

Jessica Rowe (Director of Programs & Initiatives, U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy Staff)

Development Assistance

The Task Force will address the world of development assistance, i.e. programs and world–wide outreach that require technical expertise in the building of civil, social, and economic institutions in developing nations throughout the world. The presentations will present creative and new ways to leverage the vast technical expertise in our civilian population to collaborate effectively with U.S. government agencies, such as USAID, and international institutions and governments.

Members

Charles MacCormack, Co-Chair | President, Save the Children
Sam Worthington, Co-Chair | President, InterAction
Adam Weinberg | President, World Learning
Barbara Bush Jr. | President, Global Health Corps
Thomas Fox | Chairman of Board, ELMA Philanthropies
Henrietta Fore | Chairman of Board & CEO, Holsman International
New Taskforce Members to be Announced*

Faith-based Organizations

The Task Force will look at how faith-based organizations play a role in addressing numerous global issues through their mission trips, outreach services, and other operations or programs. There will be opportunities to address ways to increase collaboration and partnership efforts with organizations of all religious backgrounds to augment the number of Americans engaged at home or abroad with faith-based organizations.

Members

Dee Froeber, Co-chair | Minister to Internationals Emeritus, Forest Hills Baptist Church
Maha ElGenaidi, Co-chair | Founder, President, Islamic Networks Groups
Kate Kroeger | Director of Grants, American Jewish World Service
Zeenat Rahman | Director, Strategic Partnerships, Interfaith Youth Core
Shireen Zaman | Director, Middle East & North Africa, Vital Voices
Richard Betts | Director , World Service Corps, Community of Christ
Stephen Donahoe | Campaigns Programs Assistant, Friends Committee on National Legislation; Outreach International
George Jones | Attorney at Law, USCDD Board Member
Hannah Rosenthal | Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, U.S. Dept. of State

Global Health

The Task Force will examine the critical role that Americans engaged in the health professions play throughout the world and the numerous private sector health organizations in the U.S. that are addressing critical health issues all over the world. This is an opportunity for health organizations to present innovative ways that private sector resources can be better coordinated through collaboration of the many different and separate groups. In particular, organizations will present ways to address health issues by utilizing the potential of the U.S. civilian capacity as a valuable resource. Contact Information: globalhealth[at]uscenterforcitizendiplomacy[dot]org

Members

Dr. Jeff Heck, Co-Chair | Professor, University of North Carolina
Dr. Yogesh Shah, Co-Chair | Associate Dean, Global Health, Des Moines Univ.
W. Dwight Armstrong, Ph.D. | Chief Operating Officer, National FFA Organization
Dr. Theresa Bernardo | Knowledge Management and Communication (KMC), Pan American Health Organization
John Howe, MD, | President & CEO, Project Hope
Nancy Kelly | Executive Director, Health Volunteers Overseas
Andrea Lindell | Dean and Professor of the College of Nursing at the University of Cincinnati
Dr. Michael McDonald | President, Global Health Initiatives, Inc.
Dr. Ed O’Neil | Executive Director, Omni Med
Suzanne Petroni | Senior Program Officer, The Summit Foundation
Dr. Greg Reinhardt | Vice President of Research and Nutrition, Mathile Institute for the Advancement of Human Nutrition
Dr. Richard Roberts | President Elect, Wonca
Brigadier General Ron Sconyers (USAF, Ret.) Ron Sconyers | President & CEO, Physicians for Peace
Professor Chris van Weel, FRCGP, FRACGP |President of Wonca
Dr. Anvar Velji | Co-founder, Global Health Education Consortium | Chief Infectious Disease, Kaiser Permanente, South Sacramento | Clinical Professor of Medicine, Univ. of California at Davis
Dr. Marijke Velzeboer-Salcedo | Gender, Ethnicity and Health (GEH), Pan American Health Organization
Wayne Waite | Board President, Shoulder to Shoulder
Daniel Fantozzi, Former Director, Office of International helath and Biodefense, U.S. Dept. of State(ret)
Edwin Brown, Director, Office of International Health & Biodefense, Department of State

Higher Education

The Task Force will present innovative, sustainable, and replicable programs or projects focused on engaging students, faculty, and/or staff in an international activity at home or abroad from collaborative partnerships between institutions of higher education, including universities, community colleges, and other non-profit international organizations.

The desired outcome for the Higher Education Task Force and the Summit is a renewed understanding of the critical role international education and faculty exchange play in citizen diplomacy. With more than 623,000 international students coming to the United States every year and more than 240,000 U.S. students studying abroad each year, in addition to countless faculty exchanges, higher education provides a critical infrastructure for supporting the creation of a globally competent and tolerant society.

Members

John Halder, Co-Chair | President, Community Colleges for International Development
Marlene Johnson, Co-Chair | President & CEO, NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Adria Baker | Executive Director, International Student and Scholar Services, Rice University
LaNitra Walker Berger | Director of Leadership & International Programs and Chief of Staff, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education
Rufus Glasper | Chancellor, Maricopa Community College
Meredith McQuaid | Associate Vice President and Dean, International Programs, University of Minnesota
Stephen Moseley | President & CEO, Academy for Education Development (AED)
Downing Thomas | Associate Provost and Interim Dean, International Programs, University of Iowa
Adam Weinberg | President, World Learning
Chunsheng Zhang | Vice Provost for International Affairs, Northern Alabama University
David Plack | Senior Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs, Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs, U.S. Dept. of State

International Voluntary Service

The Task Force will look at innovative projects, policies, overcoming market barriers, and lessons learned around the globe from volunteer citizen diplomats in order to increase not only the number of Americans participating in international service, but also the effectiveness of the volunteers through services of non-profit organizations, religious institutions, and professional associations abroad. These presentations should describe new, innovative and collaborative programs that engage multiple organizations and involve public/private partnerships both in the U.S. and abroad.

Members

David Caprara, Co-Chair | Director, Int'l Volunteering & Service Initiative, Brookings Institution, Building Bridges Coalition
Steve Rosenthal, Co-Chair |Executive Director, Cross Cultural Solutions
Matt Clausen |Vice President, Partnerships and Programs, Partners of the Americas
Abigail Falik | Founder & CEO, Global Citizen Year
Miriam Parel | Global Peace Service
Kevin Quigley | President, National Peace Corps Association
The Hon. Harris Wofford | Senior Advisor | Building Bridges Coalition

K-12 Education

The Task Force strongly believes that K-12 education can play a vital role in creating a more globally competent society and workforce and to encourage students to become more engaged with the world around them by participating in international exchanges, study abroad programs, and other programs that connect American students to students around the world. The globalized and connected world we live in requires our students to compete not only with fellow Americans, but students around the world as well. An informed, global and culture literate American citizenry, seeking to build bridges of understanding and respect to other cultures, is a crucial foundation for progress in the world today.

The Task Force will address the innovative and creative methods for developing globally competent students in American schools, by focusing on ways in which global education can be presented to millions of children beginning in preschool through secondary education. Selected presentations will showcase what has been accomplished in several states and demonstrate how quality global competency can be achieved through new collaborations.

Members

Edwin Gragert, Co-Chair | Executive Director, iEARN-USA
John Hishmeh, Co-Chair | Executive Director, CSIET
Renee Shull, USCCD Co-Chair | Director of Education, U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy
Marty Abbott | Director of Education, American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
Shari Albright | Executive Director, International Studies Schools Network, Asia Society
Genevieve Brown | Executive Director, International Volunteer Programs Associations
Kristin Hayden | Founder & Executive Director, OneWorld Now!
Brenda Lilienthal Welburn | Executive Director, National Association of State Boards of Education
Paul Miller | Director of Global Initiatives, National Association of Independent Schools

Sports

The Task Force will address all levels of sports, both individual and team, professional and amateur and examine how sports, like the arts, have a universal language that can be the most powerful way to both bridge cultural differences when sharing them in a non-threatening and positive atmosphere. Youth sports organizations, both state-based and national, will be especially encouraged to showcase collaborative efforts between and among a variety of non-profit sports organizations that encourage the exchange of sports groups between the United States and countries throughout the world.

Members

Jake Sullivan, Chair | President, Kingdom Hoops Foundation
Pam Kirby Marshall | Director of Volunteer/Partner/Sponsor Services, Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)
Michael Evans | Founder, Full Court Peace
Sharm Scheuerman | Founder & CEO, Basketball Club International, Inc. (BCI)
Denise Jobin Welch | Program Specialist | SportsUnited | Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs | U.S. Department of State

Tourism and Travel

The Task Force will examine the barriers facing international visitors and guests who arrive at U.S. airports and new, collaborative ways in which TSA and the private sector can work together with the travel and tourism industries – both national and state - to create a more welcoming environment for incoming guests and travelers to the United States. The Task Force may also present partnerships between travel agencies, national advertising associations, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations to educate Americans who travel abroad on best practices in citizen diplomacy.

Members

Amr Badr, Co-Chair | Managing Director, Egypt & Middle East, Abercrombie and Kent
Deirdre White, Co-Chair | President & COO, CDC Development Solutions

Youth Service

There is a wide range of organizations in the U.S. devoted to international volunteer youth service outside of the formal K-12 school system. These groups involve all ages of youth from kindergarten through high school. Increasingly, major national youth organizations that have traditionally focused on local concerns and needs are rapidly expanding their international outreach. Of special interest is the way in which youth are using all forms of technology and social networking to engage with counterparts around the world, both as part of a formal organization and as individuals and informal virtual social groups.

Members

Steve Culbertson, Co-Chair | President & CEO, Youth Service America
Jess Rimington, Co-Chair | Director & Founder, One World Youth Project
Kent Schescke | Director of Strategic Partnerships, National FFA Organization
Phil Aroneanu | Youth Programs Director, Africa/Middle East Organizer, 350.org
Marisol Becerra | Bill & Melinda Gates Millenium Scholar, DePaul University
Mike Buscemi, M.Ed. | Senior Youth Advisor, Lions Club International
Saul Garlick | Executive Director , ThinkImpact
Mellisa Golladay | Director for Youth Exchanges, Partners of the Americas
Sarah K. Henry | Executive Director, World Connect
Jim Kielsmeier, Ph. D. | Founder, President & CEO, National Youth Leadership Council
Chase Pickering | Executive Director, The Jane Goodall Institute
Susan E. Stroud | Executive Director, Innnovations in Civic Participation
Dev Tayde | Executive Director, IndiCorps