Edward P. Djerejian to Lead Review of Public Diplomacy

Former Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian, currently Director of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, has been named Chairman of a new group that will advise the Administration on public diplomacy and programs related to the Arab and Muslim world.

The advisory group is being assembled at the request of Congress, and will comprise of 10 to 12 members with background and expertise in public diplomacy, public relations, the media and the Arab and Muslim regions of the world. The group will study the efficacy of the Department’s public diplomacy efforts aimed at this region and recommend new ideas and policy initiatives. In addition, the advisory group will report their findings to Congress by early fall.

“I have accepted the invitation by Secretary Powell and Assistant Secretary Patricia Harrison to chair this important advisory group,” says Djerejian. “Public Diplomacy plays a vital role in the conduct of our country’s foreign affairs, especially as we relate to those countries with predominately Muslim populations. I look forward to this challenge and am eager to begin our work.”

Edward P. Djerejian began his Foreign Service career in 1962, serving in Lebanon, Morocco, France and Russia before serving as Ambassador to Syria, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, and then Ambassador to Israel. A leading expert on the complex political, security, economic, religious, and ethnic issues of the Middle East, Ambassador Djerejian has played key roles in the Arab-Israeli peace process, the U.S.-led coalition against Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait, successful efforts to end the civil war in Lebanon, the release of U.S. hostages in Lebanon, and the establishment of collective and bilateral security arrangements in the Persian Gulf.

“We are honored that Ambassador Djerejian has agreed to chair this advisory group. His expertise and experience in the Middle East will be invaluable as this group evaluates the public diplomacy programs and activities in that region and in other Muslim-majority areas of the world,” said Patricia S. Harrison, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs and acting-Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.