Recap of IPDGC activities: hosting the 2023 IWOC awardees
On March 10, 2023, IPDGC had the opportunity to host the recipients of the 2023 International Women of Courage Award at the GW Elliott School of International Affairs. Earlier that week, the U.S. Department of State announced the awards which recognize global women who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in acting to improve the lives of others.
At this event, IPDGC was able to speak with two recipients of the IWOC Award, Doris Rio (Costa Rica) and Yuliia Paievska (Ukraine).
IPDGC’s Nicholas Aguirre Zafiro spoke to Doris Rio for an exclusive interview. Doris is a recognized Cabécarindigenous leader and well-respected member of the China Kichá indigenous community in her country. She is involved in multiple influential initiatives to improve indigenous lives.
Doris Rio with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at the White House (epaimages)
In the interview, Doris talks about what can be done at domestic and international levels to protect women. As a member of the National Women’s Indigenous Forum, Doris advocated for the participation of women in issues of security, sustainable development, peaceful defense of human rights, and the recovery of indigenous land.
Her work includes advising government institutions, international organizations, and civil society about development and land use choices that are harmonious with the environment and affect the lives of indigenous communities.
Watch the full interview:
This interview is by GW undergraduate student Nicholas Aguirre Zafiro, who is majoring in Political Communication at the School of Media and Public Affairs.
IPDGC honors Idaho senator for his support of American global engagement
IPDGC Director Dr. William Youmans presents Sen. James Risch with the 2023 Walter Roberts Award for Congressional Leadership in Public Diplomacy. Mrs. Vicki Risch is on the left. (Official U.S. Senate photo by Joy Holder)
WASHINGTON (April 19, 2023) – The Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication at the George Washington University, together with the Walter Roberts Endowment, has given U.S. Senator James Risch
(R-Idaho) the 2023 Walter Roberts Award for Congressional Leadership in Public Diplomacy. The award was given in recognition for Sen. Risch’s role in protecting the security and interests of the American people and continuing to advance U.S. prosperity and leadership around the world. Sen. Risch is the ranking member and lead Republican of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Sen. Risch in his remarks notes, “As ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I understand the impact that diplomacy can have on the many challenges that exist around the globe. The United States is looked to for leadership on the world stage, and in many cases, our diplomatic tools are the best way to ensure an outcome that benefits the U.S. I am honored to receive this recognition.”
The 2023 Walter Roberts Award recognizes Risch’s efforts to promote U.S. public diplomacy, namely by holding hearings on the role of public diplomacy in countering authoritarianism and helping get language to support public diplomacy in last year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
“This award celebrates the Senator’s leadership in advancing ideals shared by Walter Roberts, who dedicated his career to the promotion of public diplomacy and international broadcasting,” says Dr. William Youmans, Director of the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication.
Speaking on behalf of the Endowment, Dr. William Roberts– eldest son of Walter Roberts – thanked Risch for his service and encouraged him to keep up the work on “current and future public diplomacy initiatives as you seek novel and innovative ways to connect with a diversity of people both locally and around the world”.
Sen. Risch ensured the passage of the State Authorization Act, which makes significant investments key to advancing U.S. national security and foreign affairs, including modernizing the State Department’s diplomatic corps and strengthening diverse recruitment and retention efforts. Recently, U.S. President Joe Biden nominated Sen.
Risch for Congressional Representative of the United States to the 77th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, a testament to his commitment to diplomacy.
The Institute also announced a grant of $5,000 from the Walter Roberts Endowment to the non-profit organization Global Ties Idaho for a public diplomacy program that serves its community.
From Boise, Global Ties Idaho Executive Director Carol Schroeder sent along congratulatory remarks, “Global Ties Idaho is appreciative of Sen. Risch’s long and distinguished political career in Idaho. Many of us consider him a close friend… (and) are delighted that he has been recognized. We extend our hearty congratulations to our good Senator.”
The Walter Roberts Award for Congressional Leadership in Public Diplomacy was created for recognizing congressional leaders for their work to support the important work of public diplomacy as well as to shed light on something that is invisible to many Americans, but crucial to U.S. interests.
The Institute of Public Diplomacy and Global Communication is generously supported by the Walter Roberts Endowment. Established in 2005 by Dr. Walter R. Roberts, former associate director of the U.S. Information Agency and distinguished figure in U.S. public diplomacy, the endowment supports activities, programming, and scholarship for the study of public diplomacy at the George Washington University.
Graduate students receive the 2023 Walter Roberts Public Diplomacy Studies award
By Yvonne Oh, IPDGC Program Coordinator
Sherilyn Harrington and Brandon Bell
This year, the Walter Roberts Endowment and the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication (IPDGC) are proud to announce that the annual student award for excellence in Public Diplomacy studies goes to graduate students Brandon Bell and Sherilyn Harrington.
Each year, the Walter Roberts Endowment recognizes a GW graduate student who shows exemplary performance in public diplomacy studies and has aspirations for a future career in this field.
Our two students this year, Brandon Bell and Sherilyn Harrington, are both in the MA program in Global Communication at the Elliott School of International Affairs. Their interviews with fellow grad student Mohamad Fayaz Yourish are coming soon – they both share their passion for careers in international affairs and being part of American engagement with the world.
During Women’s History Month, the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs is honoring and celebrating exceptional women from around the world who have showed fortitude and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equity and equality, and much more.
The Secretary of State’s IWOC Award honors women who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in acting to improve the lives of others. It is an extraordinary opportunity to bring international attention and support to women who have put their lives and/or personal safety at risk to improve their communities. The IWOC awardees will be announced March 8th in a live streamed ceremony with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden.
WHO:
Hosted by: Shirley Graham, director of the Gender Equality Initiative in International Affairs and Dr. Mary Ellsburg, founding director of the Global Women’s Institute
Moderated by: Elliott School students Beatriz Silva de Almeida Barros, Maya Nair, and Alka Pant
Awardees of the 2023 International Women of Courage
The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training’s Oral History Program.
Speakers Susan Rockwell Johnson, President of ADST; Donald M. Bishop, holder of the Donald Bren Chair of Strategic Communications at the Marine Corps University and President Emeritus of the Public Diplomacy Council; and Judith R. Baroody, former Executive Director of ADST, will discuss the oral history program and its relevance for Public Diplomacy.
https://youtu.be/8c2dQH8sBS4
12 PM EST March 6, 2023
Lindner FamilyCommonsRoom 602. the Elliott School of International Affairs 1957 E St NW, Washington, DC,
The event is part of THE FIRST MONDAY FORUM series, a collaboration between IPDGC, The Public Diplomacy Council of America and the USC Annenberg Center for Communication, Leadership, and Policy. .
On Wednesday, February 22, 2023, IPDGC sponsored “Career Chat: Opportunities at State.” Undergraduate and graduate students were invited to join an informational chat about career opportunities at the US StateDepartment. Sharing their experiences will be Christopher Teal and Sean O’Neill, Senior Foreign Service Officers currently teaching at GW. Teal is the IPDGC public diplomacy fellow. Special thanks to Teal and O’Neill for sharing their wisdom and experiences with our students.
