Making a Difference: Public Diplomacy

Public Diplomacy Officers in Washington, DC work with Public Affairs Officers at U.S. embassies overseas to help the public in the host country better understand and support U.S. policies and society through exchanges of specialists, interviews, and cultural programming. In May 2002, Mr. Post helped plan a program for a group of Icelandic journalists and political party leaders visiting Norfolk and Washington to learn more about U.S. policy on NATO enlargement, relations with Russia, and Icelandic bilateral relations. In an interview organized by Mr. Post, Secretary Powell spoke on May 10 with an Icelandic journalist both on these issues and on the U.S. commitment to Iceland's defense. This interview helped set the scene in advance of the Secretary's participation in the Reykjavik NATO Ministerial. Such public diplomacy activities are critical in conveying both the respect that we have for our foreign partners and in creating a clear and positive attitude toward U.S. policy. 

(State Department photo by Mike Gross)