Plenary Speakers Stress Responsibility and Active Participation

In this morning's plenary of U.S. Summit and Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy, USCCD Board Chair Dr. David Roe said in his welcome, "We are not only citizens of our state and country, but also of our world."

Little did anyone know that the speeches proceeding his, including those given by Mary Jean Eisenhower of People to People International, Harriet Mayor Fulbright, Jess Rimington of One World Youth Project, and two ambitious high school students- Pippa Biddle and Ross Siedman- would focus on the responsibility of being citizen diplomats.

As Harriet Mayor Fulbright mentioned in her speech, "The difference between passive listening and active participation is the difference between looking through a keyhole at life beyond and opening the door wide to walk outside for the whole view. " Taking the responsibility and being accountable as an active participate followed the tone Dr. Roe set forth at last night's opening reception. Responsibility will continue to be a vital discussion point as the Summit progresses into the week, as well as into the coming years it will take to double the number of citizen diplomats.

Photo by Rod Oman

Posted Wednesday, November 17, 2010