The Public Diplomacy Council
Advancing America's dialogue with the world

What's New


Engaging Iran Forum Report
Engaging Iran: Challenges and Opportunities for Civil Society, a forum organized by Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in cooperation with Meridian International Center and The Public Diplomacy Council, sought to assess the opportunities and obstacles for strengthening citizens’ dialogue and building exchanges and institutional linkages between Iran and America, in this time of intensified diplomatic action. Click here for the full report.



Students from George Washington University volunteer with international visitors for Washington Parks and People in Washington, DC.


[State Department Photo]

 

 

The Public Diplomacy Council is a non-profit organization committed to the academic study, professional practice, and responsible advocacy of public diplomacy. Its members believe that understanding and influencing foreign publics, and dialogue between Americans and the citizens of other countries, are vital to the national interest and the conduct of 21st century diplomacySince 2001, the Council has been affiliated with the George Washington University, which has established the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication.


Everyone can see Council documents and information under Our Work.


Rebuilding America's Public Diplomacy

Public Diplomacy Today and Tomorrow
Council Member Patricia H. Kushlis and Patricia Lee Sharpe examine some of the missteps that have brought American public diplomacy into disrepute and made it ineffectual,  look at some demonstrably successful best practices that may form the basis of a rehabilitated public diplomacy capacity and suggest organizational reforms that would integrate public diplomacy insights into the foreign policy process.

Renewing America's Voices- Ideas for Reform
On the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, Council members Walter Roberts, Barry Zorthian and Alan Heil present eight ideas to guide a review of U.S. international broadcasting, which they recommend.


Enabling Public Diplomacy Field Officers to Do Their Jobs
Ambassador William Rugh observes shortcomings in the performance of public diplomacy at field posts, traces them to organizational flaws at the State Department, and offers recommendations for a "fairly simple" internal restructuring.

Basic Principles for Improving Public Diplomacy 2008
Twelve premises have gained broad consensus among the members of The Public Diplomacy Council as pillars for initiatives to strengthen U.S. public diplomacy. View them at the link above or under "Our Work," Occasional Papers.

Reforming U.S. International Broadcasting for a New Era Nov 25 2008
By broad consensus of its members, the Public Diplomacy Council strongly recommends to the new Administration and Congress an urgent reform of America’s publicly funded international broadcasting.  View the paper at the link above or under "Our Work," Occasional Papers.  The paper was revised and reissued on November 25.

The public affairs sections at U.S. embassies are the critical link in effective public diplomacy, according to a new paper by Council Member Michael Canning, an experienced practitioner.  View his study
The Overseas Post: The Forgotten Element of Our Public Diplomacy.

"Public Diplomacy Begins With You," in the Christian Science Monitor, counters five "myths."  Read the article by the Public Diplomacy Council Member Sherry Mueller, who directs the National Council for International Visitors. 
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