National Awards for Citizen Diplomacy
The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy (USCCD) is proud to present the 7 recipients of its 2010 National Awards for Citizen Diplomacy. Honorees are recognized for their extraordinary work to increase American citizen engagement in international affairs and their outstanding contributions in fostering cross-cultural understanding. The USCCD will make a $5,000 donation to a citizen diplomatic program or non-profit organization "of choice" in each honoree's name. In addition, honorees will be recognized at a ceremony on Wednesday, November 17 in Washington, D.C. The event, entitled Inspire! Diplomacy, will take place during the U.S. Summit and Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy, November 16 - 19, 2010.
Each of this year's honorees are inspirations for us all and we congratulate them. These citizen diplomats are making positive impacts every day by facilitating one-on-one dialogues with people of different cultures, religions and ethnicities. Through their efforts, these citizen diplomats are building a reservoir of sustainable goodwill among the citizens of the United States and other nations and are excellent examples of citizen diplomacy at work.
The 2010 Citizen Diplomat Award Honorees are:
Scott Beale
Atlas Service Corps
Scott Beale, founder & CEO of Atlas Service Corps, Inc., an international organization that administers an overseas exchange of skilled nonprofit professionals. Read more.
Jenny M. Buccos
ProjectExplorer.org
Jenny M. Buccos is the director, producer and founder of ProjectExplorer.org, a non-profit that produces free education-based, online global travel series designed for families and classrooms. Read more
Judith Jamison
Alvin Ailey Dance Theater
Judith Jamison is the artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a New York-based organization that brings the spirit of dance to people worldwide. Read more
Robert Redford
Oscar-winning actor, environmental activist, film director and founder of The Sundance Institute
Robert Redford is an Oscar-winning actor, environmental activist, film director and founder of The Sundance Institute. Read more
James Rolfe
Afghanistan Dental Relief Project, Inc.
James Rolfe, D.D.S., is the founder of Afghanistan Dental Relief Project, Inc. which provides dental treatment facilities in underserved areas of Afghanistan. Read more
Sahar Taman
Consultant and former director, Religion and Society Program of the National Peace Foundation
Sahar Taman is a consultant and former director of Religion and Society Program of the National Peace Foundation who hosts experiential tours for individuals focusing on the place religion has in American and Muslim societies. Read more
Richard Webb
ProWorld
Richard A. Webb is the founder of ProWorld, a social enterprise that matches individual volunteers and university groups with community projects in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Read more
The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy received more than 40 award nominations this year. A committee of representatives from a range of sectors including business, education, academia and the foreign service selected the honorees.
The first of its kind in 54 years, the U.S. Summit on Global Citizen Diplomacy is in partnership with the U.S. State Department and in support of more than 1,000 U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) conducting citizen diplomacy activities. The goal of the Summit and a subsequent ten year Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy is to dramatically increase efforts to help resolve major global challenges of the 21st century by doubling the number American citizens of all ages engaged in international activities at home or abroad, from an estimated 60 million today to 120 million by 2020.
Established in 2006, the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that promotes and expands opportunities for all Americans to be citizen diplomats and affirms the indispensable value of citizen involvement in foreign relations.
Learn more about the Awards Selection Criteria
Archive: 2008 National Award Winners