Citizen Diplomacy vs. Global Citizenship

Many times, people feel the terms ‘citizen diplomat’ and a ‘global citizen’ are synonymous, but what separates them? What creates the difference between simply being a citizen of the world and a diplomat for the world? And why did the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy (USCCD) choose the phrase ‘citizen diplomacy’ over, say, cultural diplomacy or global citizenship?

While many of these phrases are similar in meaning, the founders of the USCCD adopted the term ‘citizen diplomacy’ as the most appropriate to describe the concept and broad range of programs and activities they were established to promote. The term “citizen diplomacy” includes an imperative distinction in that it inherently denotes the use of sensitivity and tact in interactions with others to be considered a good “diplomat,” versus simply being a “citizen,” where the only requirement is a birthright. We are all citizens of the world by birth, but the USCCD believes that we also have a further responsibility, as global citizens, to be good diplomats for our respective countries. Citizen diplomats are motivated to engage with other citizens of the world in a meaningful, mutually beneficial dialogue. ( Learn more: Who is a Citizen Diplomat?)

While many countries around the world, like Australia, have also embraced the term ‘citizen diplomacy,’ some are still wary of the word choice or simply find it doesn’t translate well in their culture.  The British Council, uses the phrase ‘cultural relations,’ and feels ‘diplomacy’ sounds much too governmental. But in the U.S., that is an important part of the idea. Part of our mission at the USCCD is to change the perception that the only folks who act as diplomats for the U.S. are government officials. We work to raise awareness that in today’s interconnected world, every American citizen has the right and even the responsibility to be a good diplomat for their country in their interactions with others around the globe. As advanced technology and increased access allows us to more easily interact with people of other cultures, diplomacy is not and should not be a role only for government officials, but more importantly for each individual citizen.

While many different terms and phrases are used across the world to describe activities and programs that connect people-to-people in meaningful interaction across borders, the fundamental idea and results are the same. Connecting people across borders and cultures increases mutual understanding, promotes friendship and goodwill, and allows us to work more closely together to resolve our common issues. This concept is each individual’s responsibility as an inhabitant of our fragile planet. At the USCCD, we call this “citizen diplomacy.”

What phrase or term do you prefer? Let us know by commenting below or by letting us know on Twitter at @USCCD or on Facebook at US Center for Citizen Diplomacy!

Posted Friday, July 29, 2011