Who We Are

History of the Organization

In March of 2004, 33 national leaders from international exchange organizations — including the business and academic communities —convened in Racine, Wisconsin, with the expressed intent of pursuing strategies to strengthen America’s commitment to citizen diplomacy. From that meeting emerged a national campaign of state and local summits on citizen diplomacy, culminating in a national summit in Washington, D.C., July of 2006.

The Coalition for Citizen Diplomacy, representing more than 120 U.S. organizations, was formed to implement this campaign. This movement underscored the importance of positive and sustainable engagement of Americans in a host of international exchange and educational initiatives through innovative public and private partnerships.

At the same time emerged the need to turn a nationwide spotlight on the importance and value of citizen diplomacy. As a result, the only center of its kind in the nation—the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy—was formed as a strategic focal point for citizen diplomacy. Launched in July of 2006, the Center is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa.

U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy: Mission

The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy promotes opportunities for all Americans to be citizen diplomats and affirms the indispensable value of citizen involvement in international relations. In an era of increasing globalization, more and more people develop their most lasting impressions through face-to-face, personal encounters, when people visit the United States or when Americans travel abroad. In this context, the ‘citizen diplomat’ is a powerful force in defining the United States to the rest of the world.

What is Citizen Diplomacy?

Citizen Diplomacy is the concept that the individual has the right, even the responsibility, to help shape U.S. foreign relations 'one handshake at a time.' Citizen diplomats can be students, teachers, athletes, artists, business people, humanitarians, adventurers or tourists. They are motivated by a responsibility to engage with the rest of the world in a meaningful, mutually beneficial dialogue. Learn more.

Why is citizen diplomacy so important now?

In an era of increasing globalization, more and more people develop their most lasting impressions through face-to-face, personal encounters, when people visit the United States or when Americans travel abroad. In this context, the ‘citizen diplomat’ is a powerful force in defining the United States to the rest of the world.

Numerous polls and studies document that anti-American sentiment around the globe is dangerously high and has grown to unprecedented levels.

We need to dramatically increase our capacity to reach out to the rest of the world to foster common interests and values. America is falling behind in the race for engagement with the world, international competitiveness, and global education excellence.

In spite of these serious concerns, the United States spends 1/10 of 1% of its budget on foreign affairs and only 1% of that on the single most important facet of U.S. foreign policy — citizen diplomacy.

This pattern of neglect must be turned around to support global engagement at all levels of society in the United States.

Who are Citizen Diplomats?

Citizen diplomats...

Have a desire to be engaged with people around the world
Appreciate views other than their own
Are non-judgmental regarding cultural differences
Demonstrate respect for people of all nationalities
Collaborate with individuals from diverse cultures to solve problems
Effectively interact and communicate across cultures
Strive to understand and communicate in the language of others
Interact effectively with others both inside and outside of American borders.
Have open minds and natural curiosity
Have friendly and positive attitudes
Are good listeners
Have the ability to put themselves in another’s place
Have a general understanding of international relations and world economics
Have knowledge of other cultures

What is the difference between Citizen Diplomacy and Public Diplomacy?

Citizen Diplomacy is the engagement of individual American citizens in primarily voluntary, private sector programs and activities that increase cross-cultural understanding and knowledge between Americans and people from other countries, leading to greater mutual understanding and respect.

Public Diplomacy is conducted through specific activities and programs carried out under the auspices of the federal government that promote positive and credible perceptions of the U.S. generally, and of U.S. foreign policy specifically.

In today's global society, the two are interconnected. The U.S. Department of State supports some citizen-to-citizen exchanges that involve artists, scholars, professionals, government officials, and youth. Those programs are largely dependent on private sectors partners to carry them out. Non-governmental actors - business, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and individual citizens - play major roles in shaping the attitudes of foreign publics toward the United States.