What We Do

Charged with a significant goal of doubling the number of U.S. citizens actively involved in citizen diplomacy, the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy takes a lead role in gathering and disseminating information that will help citizens find the program which suits them best.

Thousands of programs exist throughout the U.S., including government-sponsored organizations, non-profit groups, faith-based groups, business travelers, private individuals, and education exchange.

Web Site

To assist interested citizens, the U.S. Center has created this informative website listing many of the citizen diplomacy programs by type and providing links to the organizations’ websites. The current number of organizations listed on our site is greater than 1,440.

Center Vision

The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy promotes, partners, and cooperates with existing citizen diplomacy organizations and initiatives in the United States and abroad. By the next decade, USCCD seeks to double the number of Americans actively involved as citizen diplomats. To accomplish this vision, the U.S. Center: 

  • Increases private and public sector support for citizen diplomacy by expanding alliances with business, foundations, local and state governments, civic organizations of all types, and the U.S. government.
  • Strengthens and expands existing, time-tested programs and develops targeted, pilot programs and initiatives to address emerging needs.
  • Provides education and training programs to increase the leadership capacity of non-profit professionals and volunteers, K-12 educators, government and business leaders, and youth to conduct effective citizen diplomacy programs.
  • Convenes National Summits and special recognition events on Citizen Diplomacy.
  • Increases citizen access to U.S. based opportunities for global engagement by managing a national database and interactive web site of U.S. citizen diplomacy activities and programs throughout the country and world.
  • Encourages K-12 schools across the United States to increase international content in their curricula to equip students with skills they need to become future leaders in a global world.
  • Conducts research and develops publications on the impact of citizen diplomacy.
  • In consultation with the U.S. Department of State, works to support those countries throughout the world seeking to establish or expand their own capacity to conduct citizen diplomacy.

 

Download a pdf copy of our case statement