Leadership Forum on Citizen Diplomacy

Strengthening U.S. International Relationships

October 1-3, 2008, Wingspread Conference Center, Racine, Wisconsin

Sponsored by: The Johnson Foundation and The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy

Program Overview

There is vast and overwhelming evidence that America's greatest global asset is its people. Although many opportunities for mutually beneficial interactions between Americans and citizens of other countries are available, too few Americans are currently engaged. To help mobilize our greatest asset, the USCCD and the Johnson Foundation co-sponsored a Leadership Forum at Wingspread Conference Center in Racine, WI Oct. 1-3.

The forum brought together 40 experts in international relations and citizen diplomacy, who were invited to develop a strategic plan to dramatically increase the number of Americans who are engaged globally - via international education, business, volunteer service, and community-based exchanges and initiatives. The strategic plan will be presented to the new administration and congress and will serve as a four-year Call to Action - intended to increase the resources for and exposure of citizen diplomacy opportunities, energizing more Americans to become citizen diplomats of the highest quality around the world, for their communities and for their country.

Report:

Report of the Leadership Forum on Citizen Diplomacy on Strengthening U.S. International Relationships. Download a pdf copy of the report.

Mission Statement

Mission:

To develop a four year strategic plan that will dramatically increase the number of Americans who are engaged globally—at all ages and in all aspects of life.

The Strategic Plan Will:

  • Recognize and build upon all the numerous, excellent efforts that exist to engage Americans globally, whether through education, business, volunteer service, community based initiatives, professional exchanges, arts and humanities programs, sports, humanitarian and development assistance or international travel.
  • Identify innovative, new opportunities to engage all Americans globally.
  • Call for support of this plan at the highest levels of American government, including a Presidential Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy.
  • Call for a National Campaign on Global Citizen Diplomacy for all Americans.

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 populace embedded in the American psyche.

Initiative on Global Citizen Diplomacy

Following the Leadership Forum, the U.S. Center announced an Initiative on Global Citizen Diplomacy to be presented to the new administration.

Photos

View photos of the Leadership Forum/ participants.

News

Press Release: Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy Launched for More Americans to Become Engaged Internationally
Media Advisory: Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy
Press Release: National Presidents' Initiative Proposed to Address Global Diplomacy