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Charter of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy

Pursuant to P.L. 101-246, Section 206, and in fulfillment of the requirements of Section 9(c) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (P.L. 92-463), as amended, the following information is furnished as the charter of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy (hereinafter the Commission).

I. PURPOSE

The United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy provides oversight of U.S. Government activities intended to understand, inform, and influence foreign publics.

II. AUTHORITY

The Advisory Commission was originally established under Section 604 of the United States Information and Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 1469) and Section 8 of Reorganization Plan Numbered 2 of 1977. It was reauthorized pursuant to H.R. 3427 (State Department Authorization Bill, 2000).

III. FUNCTIONS

The Commission:

A) Formulates and recommends to the President, the Secretary of State, and Members of Congress policies and programs to carry out the public diplomacy functions vested in the State Department, Broadcasting Board of Governors and other government and private sector entities.

B) Appraises the effectiveness of the public diplomacy policies and programs carried out by government agencies and the private sector.

C) Submits reports to the Congress, the President, and the Secretary of State on the public diplomacy programs and activities. These reports, based on on-site assessments and interviews with relevant personnel, include recommendations by the Commission concerning the role of public diplomacy in policy-making and the private sector. The Commission's reports also include assessments of the degree to which the scholarly integrity and nonpolitical charter of the educational and cultural exchange activities vested in the Department of State have been maintained, and assessment of attitudes of foreign scholars and governments regarding such activities.

D) Submits other reports to the Congress, as it deems appropriate.

E) Makes reports available to the public in the United States and abroad to develop a better understanding of and support for public diplomacy programs.

IV. ORGANIZATION AND MEMBERSHIP

The Commission is a seven-member, bipartisan, presidentially appointed panel. The President designates its chairman. It has a paid staff of two -- an executive director and a support officer.

V. OPERATIONS

A) Function of the Chairman

The Chairman (or his or her designated representative) shall:

1) Call and adjourn meetings of the Advisory Commission;
2) Prepare and approve the agenda for meetings;
3) Preside at meetings;
4) Provide for the keeping of transcripts or minutes of meetings;
5) Provide for the maintenance and retention of the Advisory Commission as required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

B) Operations of the Advisory Commission

The Advisory Commission may conduct studies, inquiries, and meetings, as it deems necessary. It may assemble and disseminate information and issue reports and other publications, subject to the approval of the Chairman or his designated representative. The Advisory Commission may undertake foreign travel in pursuit of its studies and coordinate, sponsor, or oversee projects, studies, events, or other activities that it deems desirable and necessary in fulfilling its functions.

C) Meetings of the Advisory Commission

The Commission as a whole meets approximately six times a year. All meetings of the Commission will be open to the public unless a determination has been made in accordance with Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Commission Act that a meeting or a portion of a meeting should be closed to the public. Timely notice of each meeting, whether open or closed, shall be published in the Federal Registry stating the name of the Advisory Commission, the time, place, and purpose of the meeting, and whether the meeting is open or closed, as well as the name and contact information of a designated Commission employee for members of the public to contact.

D) Records of the Advisory Commission

The Advisory Commission's records will consist of all papers, documents, and other materials pertinent to its establishment and activities, including its charter, agendas of meetings, determinations for closed meetings, transcript, reports, and all documents related to these proceedings, including working papers, drafts, studies, or other documents related to these proceedings. These records shall be available for public inspection and copying to the extent required by the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552. These records shall be maintained by the Advisory Commission for the term of its operations and shall be deposited with the Department of State upon the termination of the Commission.

E) Minutes of Meetings

A transcript shall be kept of each meeting of the Advisory Commission, and shall include a record of Advisory Commission members and staff, Government employees, and participating members of the public present, a complete and accurate description of matters discussed and conclusions reached, and copies of all reports received, issued, or approved by the Advisory Commission. The Chairman (or his or her designated representative) shall certify the accuracy of the transcript.

F) Public Participation

At any meeting of the Advisory Commission open to the public, but not closed meetings, interested persons shall be permitted to attend and, at the discretion of the Chairman, make an appearance before the Advisory Commission.

VI. COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMISSION

Members serve without compensation but are reimbursed for travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707).

VII. FUNDING

The Commission's estimated annual operating cost for FY 2005 is approximately $280,000.

VIII. TERMINATION OF THE ADVISORY COMMISSION

Congress must reauthorize the Commission by October 1, 2005

IX. FILING OF CHARTER

The Advisory Commission shall not meet or take any action until this charter has been filed with the standing Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives having legislative jurisdiction over the Department of State. Copies of this Charter shall be furnished to:

1) Advisory Committee Management Secretariat, General Services Administration, Washington, DC; and

2) Federal Advisory Committee Desk, Federal Documents Section, Exchanges and Gift Division, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20540.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed and filed this charter on behalf of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy on the 18^th day of February 2005. 

Christopher T. Burnham
Acting Under Secretary of Management
Department of State