Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy

Global Diplomacy Initiative

National Launch of the Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy

During a special event held on February 5, 2009 at the National Press Club in Washington DC, the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy and a national coalition released a Letter to President Barack Obama asking for his endorsement of and involvement in a campaign to mobilize and engage more Americans in building strong person-to-person relationships with citizens from other countries. A "Call To Action" was announced to encourage Americans of all ages and backgrounds to join with the President and become citizen diplomats of the highest order for their communities, our country and the world.

Sign the Letter to President Barack Obama

Click here to read the Letter to the President and to sign it in support of this initiative.

CALL TO ACTION!

Click here to read the Call to Action

There is vast and overwhelming evidence that America’s greatest global asset is its people. Unfortunately, resources for mobilizing and capitalizing on that asset are meager and shrinking. Opportunities for mutually beneficial interactions between Americans and the peoples of other nations have been reduced. Additionally, Americans’ knowledge about the world is woefully inadequate at all ages, especially at the K-12 level.

America needs a new and compelling CALL TO ACTION that will energize and motivate its citizenry to become globally engaged—to become citizen diplomats. This CALL is akin to a Marshall Plan for the 21st Century that will sow the seeds of a new mentality in the collective American psyche.

Videos from the National Launch Event in Washington D.C.

Dr. David Roe	Amb. Ronald Neumann	Amb. Uri Savir
Harriet Fulbright	Doug Wilson	The Hon. Barabara Lawton
Amr Badr	The Hon. James Leach	Aaron Williams
Anicet Dologuele	Ann Schodde

National Launch Invitation and Speakers List

The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy

invites you to attend the National Launch of the non-partisan

INITIATIVE FOR GLOBAL CITIZEN DIPLOMACY

Thursday, February 5, 2009
5:30-7:30pm
National Press Club
First Amendment Lounge & Library
529 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20045

Space is limited. RSVP is recommended.

...

National Launch: Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy

Join us for a reception and program as we launch this initiative, combining the knowledge and expertise of more than 40 leading organizations in the field of citizen diplomacy. Featuring commentary by:

David H. Roe, Ph.D., Host
President, Board of Directors, U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy

Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann President, American Academy of Diplomacy

Ambassador Uri Savir President, Peres Center for Peace, Tel Aviv, Israel

Ms. Harriet Mayor Fulbright President, J. William and Harriet Fulbright Center

Mr. Doug Wilson Board of Directors, The Howard Gilman Foundation

The Honorable Barbara Lawton
Lieutenant Governor, State of Wisconsin and Chair, National Lieutenant Governors Association

Mr. Amr Badr
Managing Director, Egypt and Middle East, Abercrombie and Kent, Cairo, Egypt

The Honorable James A. Leach (TBC)
John L. Weinberg Visiting Professor of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University

Mr. Aaron S. Williams
Vice President, International Business Development, RTI International

Mr. Anicet G. Dologuele (TBC)
President, Central African States Development Bank, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

Special thanks to our generous co-sponsors:

The Johnson Foundation for their support of the Leadership Forum on Citizen Diplomacy held at Wingspread Conference Center in Racine, WI

The Howard Gilman Foundation for their support of the National Launch event.

U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy
Every citizen a diplomat.

News

Press Release: National Presidents' Initiative Proposed to Address Global Diplomacy
Media Advisory: Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy

Click here to listen to Ann Schodde's Interview with VOA reporter Susan Koster: Citizen Diplomats Seek President's Initiative

“Talk @ 12, 02/6/09” from Iowa Public Radio: Interview with Center's President Ann Schodde

“Talk @ 12, 11/6/08” from Iowa Public Radio: Katherine Perkins speaks with Ann Schodde and Former Ambassaor Mark Johnson about the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy and the National President's Initiative. Listen to the interview!
Missoulian: The world around us is closer than we realize
Missoulian: International Choir Festival brings world to Missoula

Leadership Forum on Citizen Diplomacy

This Initiative was originally a strategic plan developed by 40 experts in international relations and citizen diplomacy. To read more about the history of the Initiative, please visit our Leadership Forum on Citizen Diplomacy page to get a full picture.

Reading List

The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy created a reading list for the Leadership Forum participants. Click here to view it!