Public Diplomacy Corner

I have spent most of my life as a Public Diplomacy specialist, first with the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) and then the Department of State. I've had the pleasure and honor of working in the Middle East, East Asia, Europe, and Washington -- yet most people I meet (even in my own family) aren't sure what Public Diplomacy is and what I actually do. 

So -- what is the job of Public Diplomacy (or "PD," as we often call it).  For the United States, let's start with the Mission Statement for Public Diplomacy, from the Department of State:

The mission of American public diplomacy is to support the achievement of U.S. foreign policy goals and objectives, advance national interests, and enhance national security by informing and influencing foreign publics and by expanding and strengthening the relationship between the people and government of the United States and citizens of the rest of the world. 

How is this done?  Through a variety of programs and activities, including communications with international audiences, educational and professional exchanges, student advising, English teaching, and on-line and broadcast media engagement.

For more on Public Diplomacy, I invite you to follow me on Twitter, at @PD_Dan, for regular items on the world of PD.