Feb. 2: Strengthening Public Diplomacy: The Council of American Overseas Research Centers Join the State Department
The February 2 First Monday Forum will focus on the Council of American Overseas Research Centers.
Last year, the State Department acquired full oversight responsibility for the CAORC, formerly split between the Departments of Education and State. CAORC is a network of American overseas research centers (ORCs) assisting American scholars who conduct research in 29 countries across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. The consolidation represents a new public diplomacy opportunity to advance U.S. interests and our global image through a closer partnership with American scholar-specialists, engaging their domestic and international networks.
Many of the ORCs are venerable institutions that have long supported programs and services helping Americans conduct research and teaching abroad. The ORCs currently supplement State Department exchanges and cement long-term engagements with governments and institutions in regions that are critical to national security and economic stability. New patterns of funding, management, and innovative programs will be set in the next few months and deserve careful consideration.
The program will be chaired by PDCA Board Member Larry Schwartz. Speakers will include CAORC Executive Director Heidi Wiederkehr, Tangier (TALIM Morocco) ORC Director and former PD FSO Jennifer Rasamimanaa, and other representatives of the global CAORC community.
The event will take place at noon at GWU's Lindner Family Commons (1957 E Street, NW, Room 602, Washington, D.C. 20052) and will also be available via Zoom. For those who arrive before 11:40 a.m., a light lunch will be provided.
To register to attend in-person, click here.
To register to watch the Forum via Zoom, click here.
The First Monday Forum is co-sponsored by PDCA and its partners the USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy and the GWU Institute for Public Diplomacy & Global Communication.