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Public Diplomacy Fora
This half-day conference explored issues and options for U.S. engagement with Islamic nations in the Middle East and neighboring regions. The Forum provided an opportunity for assessing the impact of the October 2003 Advisory Group report "Changing Minds: Winning Peace;" examining the widening gulf between Arab/Islamic public opinion and U.S. policies; identifying points of agreement and disagreement on priorities and recommended steps for U.S. public diplomacy; and exploring avenues for sustaining fruitful engagement despite policy differences.
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The Public Diplomacy Council, The Public Diplomacy Institute of The George Washington University and The Elliott School of International Affairs of the University sponsered a forum on
"Engaging the Arab/Islamic World Next Steps for U.S. Public Diplomacy"
Friday, February 27, 2004.
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Previous Public Diplomacy Forum:
On April 13, 2004, The Public Diplomacy Council, The Public Diplomacy Institute of The George Washington University, and The Alliance for International Education and Cultural Exchange
sponsered a forum on
"Sustaining Exchanges While Securing Borders"
Conference Overview:
International educational exchange has long been a major means of building bridges between cultures. Cross-cultural dialogue and increased understanding, in turn, can support U.S. policies and interests. America?s self- identity and international stature have been profoundly influenced by events since 9/11 and the wars on terrorism and Iraq. Americans have a new desire to buttress the physical security of the United States and secure its borders against future terrorist attacks. Americans are concerned also about how our society and policies are viewed overseas, and they are engaged in a spirited debate about the nature and effectiveness of the nation?s public diplomacy.
This half-day conference, attended by an engaged audience of nearly 200, featured distinguished speakers and panelists. Participants examined the impact of 9/11 and subsequent changes in visa policies as well as new information requirements on international exchange students, scholars, professionals, exchange visitors, and trainees. It touched on the economic, political, and cultural implications for academic institutions, American businesses with training programs, and the economy as a whole. A rich discussion of the future and how guaranteeing security needs while encouraging exchanges might be more complementary, capped the event.
One of the results of the September 11 attacks and the subsequent "war on terrorism" was to ignite a spirited dialogue in America, for the first time in decades, on how our society and policies are viewed overseas. The hijackings also drove home the realization of what devastating effect those views -- especially fiercely negative ones -- could have upon us.
Now, many among us are struck anew by how grimly we are seen by so many. "Why do they hate us?" sums up the query many Americans have expressed about our current role in the world.
Such questioning in the aftermath of cataclysm has led to a discussion, unique in our time, about the nature and effectiveness of our public diplomacy. The term, relatively new, has been defined as seeking to promote the national interests of the United States through understanding, informing, and influencing foreign audiences. This is typically seen as a long-term, on-going effort using trained diplomats, sophisticated communications and media means, and pertinent cultural programs to talk about our country.
It goes beyond traditional diplomacy, wherein officials typically deal confidentially with other officials, to address openly a broad range of foreign publics. Its tools include the careful journalist?s briefing, the thoughtful lecture, the persuasive exhibit, the telling student exchange....
Public diplomacy aims at presenting our society in complete and complex terms rather than stereotypical ones. At best, it aims to make us as a people and a society better understood and less subject to misunderstanding or wrath. Public diplomacy also entails listening: it continually assesses overseas audiences and gauges foreign public opinion to help shape how we might better communicate to other cultures.
Although federal funding of public diplomacy has declined to regrettable levels, our citizenry can play an important role through interaction with other societies.
The new post-September 11 salience of public diplomacy is reflected in a journalistic outpouring ? some serious, some less so -- on the subject and its degree of effectiveness.
Academic interest in public diplomacy, in its techniques and outcomes, has been spurred. Media attention and public debate have sparked a high level of Congressional interest. The Executive, too, is newly confronted with public diplomacy issues and pressured to make its practice more relevant and effective, especially in the Muslim world.
It is this burgeoning interest in public diplomacy that the Public Diplomacy Council wishes to address and, in so doing, make public diplomacy?s practice more pointed and purposeful.
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