Why join?
Do you value Public Diplomacy? Do you try to understand and shape foreign audience opinions and actions? Do you work in public affairs for an international organization, manage educational exchanges, or measure the impact of public opinion? Are you involved in Defense Department’s strategic communication, information operations, or civil affairs?
Then, the Public Diplomacy Council is your professional organization and you should be a member.
Membership in the Council enables professionals to actively support, engage in, learn about, and network with others in the sector. The Council, a 501(c)(3) organization, supports the academic study, professional practice, and responsible advocacy of public diplomacy. The Council is based in the United States and focuses primarily on the U.S. Government’s employment of public diplomacy, especially by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. international broadcasting. However, our orientation is international and we also observe and learn from the experience of other nations. Foreign professionals and academics are especially prominent in Council activities.
The Board aims to draw at least 25 percent of the membership from professional backgrounds other than career service in the Department of State and the United States Information Agency.
To comply with our charitable organization status, we offer three types of membership:
Full members
Council members manage, sustain, and take part in all the activities of the Council. New full members are nominated by any existing member and approved by the Board. We seek diversity in professional backgrounds, skills and employment history. Demonstrated accomplishments in government, academic, professional, and non-governmental organizations are highly valued. The Board takes into account sustained distinguished and specialized service, demonstrated interest in public diplomacy, and a willingness to contribute actively to the work of the Council. Residence in the Washington, DC area and U.S. citizenship are not criteria for membership.
The Board aims to draw at least 25 percent of the membership from professional backgrounds other than career service in the Department of State and the United States Information Agency.
How to apply
If you would like to join the Public Diplomacy Council as a full member, please either contact a current member or complete our application form. Send it via email to the Membership Committee at publicdiplomacycouncil@gmail.com.
Associate members
Associate Membership is open to currently employed Foreign Service and Civil Service employees engaged in public diplomacy and strategic communication at the U.S. Department of State and other federal agencies. Associate members pay a lower annual contribution in the recognition that they neither take part in nor financially support the Council’s advocacy and lobbying activities.
How to apply
Prospective associate members may apply directly to the Membership Committee at publicdiplomacycouncil@gmail.com. Please fill and attach the online application form.
Rising Professional members
A subcategory of Associate Member called “Rising Professional” is open to current graduate students, interns, and research fellows and young colleagues with an interest in public diplomacy and to build relationships among PDC members. Rising Professionals will be nominated by a PDC member, pay annual dues of $25, and will be under the age of 35.
This membership category was established in 2020 after focus group discussions of PDC Board members and graduate students from area universities. It is designed to engage rising professionals interested in learning about and pursuing careers in public diplomacy. To learn more, please read our Rising Professional Membership Description.
How to apply
Prospective Rising Professional members may apply directly by submitting a completed online application form.
PDC Membership Dues
Annual membership dues are payable in November. Dues amounts are as follows.
* Full member $100
* Associate member $50
* Rising Professional member $25
* Member residing more than 50 miles from DC $50
* Lifetime member $1000
* Lifetime member residing more than 50 miles from DC $500
Payments may be made by PayPal or credit card by using the PayPal button below. This is the fastest way to pay. Please select the amount that applies to you in the drop-down box, and click on Add to Cart.
Members also may pay by personal check made out to the Public Diplomacy Council and mailed to Public Diplomacy Council, Robert Heath Executive Director, 2401 Calvert St NW Suite 902, Washington DC 20008-2678.