Today’s communication environment is remarkable for its speed, ubiquity, and diversity. This diversity is found in the global publics the U.S. Government engages and within the government. Whereas in the past a single agency was responsible for facilitating and shaping public awareness and perception of the U.S., today this is a whole-of-government affair. Today’s rapidly evolving global communication environment is characterized by the speed, ubiquity, and mobility of human interaction. U.S. foreign policy activities are increasingly the subject of public discourse that extends beyond traditional borders and boundaries of politics, geography, time, language, and technology. This provides significant opportunities for representatives of the United States, regardless of their department or agency, to interact directly with key publics and increase global awareness and understanding of our values, policies and activities.
Since 1948, the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy (ACPD) had been charged with appraising U.S. Government activities intended to understand, inform, and influence foreign publics and to increase the understanding of and support for these same activities.
The ACPD accomplished this through reports and symposiums that provide honest appraisals and informed discourse on these efforts. The ACPD conducted studies, inquiries, and meetings, and disseminates white papers, reports, and other publications with the approval of the chairperson and in consultation with the Executive Director.
The ACPD's seven members were nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They were selected from a cross-section of professional backgrounds, served 3-year terms, and could be reappointed. Not more than four members were to be from any one political party. View Member bios»
The ACPD reported to the President and the Secretary of State.
The ACPD was established under Section 604 of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, commonly known as the Smith-Mundt Act, as amended (22 U.S.C. 1469), as the U.S. Advisory Commission on Information. In 1977, this Commission was merged with its sister Commission, the U.S. Advisory Commission on Educational Exchanges, and became the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy.
The ACPD was supported by the office of the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.
The operating budget for FY2011 was $135,065. Expenses included meeting and conference costs, travel for Members, staff and invitees, office supplies, equipment, and improvements.
