Our Values

The mission of U.S. Government public diplomacy – to inform, engage and persuade publics abroad and to build trust and mutual understanding in partnership with civil society – remains a vital element of U.S. statecraft.
We support:

Transparency, free and independent media, freedom of expression and assembly and open channels of communication as fundamental human rights,
Incorporation of the views and values of publics abroad as well as of U.S. public opinion in determining U.S. foreign policy,
U.S. Foreign and Civil Service officials who are key public advocates for U.S. policy and mutual understanding and who help shape and convey U.S. policies,
Educational, civic and professional exchanges that build personal and institutional linkages bilaterally and multilaterally across cultures and countries,
The showcasing of American creative talent in the performing and visual arts and promotion of American enterprise,
Credible U.S.-supported global broadcasting/multi-media networks that inform and engage people around the world,
A special role for public diplomacy to combat dis/misinformation by foreign actors and build international public trust in the United States through reliance on accuracy and truth in public communication.

We seek:

Greater leadership continuity in public diplomacy: an Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs who is a respected manager and communicator and who effectively represents the ‘public dimension’ of U.S. foreign policy within the Department of State and with the national security community, and who stays in the job for a sustained time,
Increased U.S. Government public diplomacy resources and personnel who can represent the United States in the public arena abroad,
Greater diversity and inclusiveness in the foreign affairs community in order to reflect a changing America and model such change for other societies.

We encourage:

Greater American citizen global engagement through education, civic involvement and travel abroad,
Partnerships in international education and cultural affairs between the U.S. Government and business and non-governmental organizations when there are shared interests.

We recognize that:

Publics are increasingly engaged in policy decisions,
Successful leadership relies on greater attention to public opinion and underlying social values,
New communication technologies in the digital age increasingly affect all aspects of public life and are re-shaping the way people perceive and relate to the world,
In an era of rapidly changing communication, today’s diplomatic practice requires ongoing professional education and a learning culture,
Democratic institutions and values, creativity and cultural vitality are the core of American soft power.