The Power of Citizen Diplomacy
As a Public Diplomacy Officer, as well as a former exchange student, I am a firm believer in the power of citizen diplomacy. In the week when China's Vice President Xi traveled to Iowa to visit his hosts from an exchange trip in 1985, one cannot underestimate its impact -- on the exchange participant as well as on his host and home communities -- and effectiveness. As Under Secretary Maria Otero tweeted recently, "The need for people to people exchanges is more compelling than ever. Nothing substitutes for living in a different culture."
Now working in the U.S. Senate as a Pearson Fellow, I've had the opportunity to view citizen diplomacy from an entirely different angle. On February 17, representatives from organizations belonging to the National Council of International Visitors (NCIV)… more »
Posted under: Behind the Scenes
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