WR Congressional Award – The Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication

May 5, 2023December 16, 2024

U.S. Senator Risch Receives Award for Congressional Leadership In Public Diplomacy

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.

March 31, 2022April 23, 2024

IPDGC recognizes Connecticut senator for his support of US public diplomacy

2022 Walter Roberts Congressional award given to Sen. Chris Murphy

By Yvonne Oh, IPDGC Program Coordinator

Sen. Chris Murphy with the award plaque recognizing his outstanding contributions to Public Diplomacy through his active participation, advocacy, and legislative support for telling America’s story to the world.

United States Senator Chris Murphy, Connecticut’s junior senator, on Wednesday received the George Washington University’s Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication’s (IPDGC) annual Walter Roberts Award for Congressional Leadership in Public Diplomacy. William Youmans, director of GW’s Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication, also announced a $5000 grant from the Walter Roberts Endowment to the World Affairs Council of Connecticut to support a program that will highlight the benefits of public diplomacy to the local community.

Senior Official for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Jennifer Hall Godfrey, U.S. Agency for Global Media Acting CEO Kelu Chao, and World Affairs Council of Connecticut CEO Megan Torrey also spoke at the event about the importance of American public diplomacy.

“The array of challenges the world faces today are often immune to military hegemony,” Murphy said. “Misinformation campaigns, creeping corruption, pandemic disease, and climate change cannot be combatted by tanks and planes. As a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, my priority is making sure we invest in smart power and lift up diplomacy to help us tackle the challenges we face in the 21st century. I’m grateful and honored to accept this award from the George Washington University Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication and am pleased the World Affairs Council of Connecticut will receive a $5,000 grant to support their important work.”

“The Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication created this award for congressional leadership in public diplomacy because we want to celebrate support for this country’s efforts to communicate with the rest of world,” Youmans said.

“Sen. Murphy has been a leader in strengthening U.S. public diplomacy’s engagement with foreign audiences through times of challenge and opportunity. He has consistently provided a Congressional vision for the amplification of America’s story overseas.”

Murphy, the junior United States Senator for Connecticut, has dedicated his career to public service as an advocate for Connecticut families. He has been a strong voice in the Senate fighting for job creation, affordable health care, education, sensible gun laws, and a forward-looking foreign policy. First elected to the Senate in 2012, he serves on several committees in the 117th Congress, including Appropriations; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; Foreign Relations; and Democratic Steering and Outreach.

The grant to the World Affairs Council of Connecticut will be used to highlight the importance of public diplomacy to American communities.

Release issued by GW Media Relations on March 30, 2022.
For more information, please contact:
Tim Pierce (GW): tpie@gwu.edu
Rebecca Drago (Murphy): Rebecca_Drago@murphy.senate.gov

March 5, 2021April 23, 2024

In PDx: Vermont meets the world

Promoting global awareness and understanding

By Yvonne Oh, IPDGC Program Coordinator

In 1952, Vermont native Warren Austin, a former U.S. Senator and the first U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, founded the Vermont Council on World Affairs (VCWA) to promote awareness and understanding for world affairs through education and engagement.

For almost 70 years, VCWA has managed to welcome visitors from 75 countries and through these programs have contributed over $1 million in economic impact to Vermont’s economy.

In conversation with VCWA’s Executive Director, Patricia Preston (on left), PDx interviewer and SMPA graduate student Victoria Makanjuola learns more about how these public diplomacy programs build Vermont’s global reputation and enhances US interests by building relationships with leaders and communities overseas.

VCWA was also the recipient of a grant given to honor Sen. Patrick Leahy, the 2019 recipient of the IPDGC Walter Roberts Award for Congressional Leadership in Public Diplomacy. The grant of $5000 was used for a “reverse-exchange” program to Tanzania. Here are some of Patricia’s photos and recollections from that memorable program: 2019 Changemakers Summit in Dar Es Salaam.

To find out more about the Vermont Council of World Affairs and its programs, go to https://www.vcwa.org/

Enjoy the latest PDx podcast with Patricia Preston and the Vermont Council on World Affairs: Connecting the World to Vermont

February 5, 2021April 23, 2024

In PDx: Sports diplomacy and leadership

Using sports to change the world: one high-five at a time

By Yvonne Oh, IPDGC Program Coordinator

At the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards in 2000, former South African president and anti-apartheid revolutionary Nelson Mandela said, “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.”

In total commitment to that idea, the Center for Sport, Peace and Society plans to create a more peaceful, equitable, and inclusive world through sports. CSPS is based at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and led by Dr. Sarah Hilyer.

Through mentorship and exchange programs, CSPS has taught leaders how to develop Action Plans for sport-based social change in their communities. These plans have contributed to the creation of national sports leagues and federations for women and people with disabilities and impacted legislation to make countries more inclusive and accessible.

In 2018, as part of the recognition of Sen. Bob Corker’s support for U.S. public diplomacy, CSPS received a $5000 grant from the Walter Roberts Endowment to support a public diplomacy project. Read more about that project HERE.

This year’s recipient of the Walter Roberts Award for Congressional Leadership in Public Diplomacy is Sen. John Boozman (R-Arkansas). Read about his active backing of the Fulbright program, the globally recognized U.S. Cultural Exchange Program with the goal to improve intercultural relations, cultural diplomacy, and professional competence: HERE.

Find out more about the Center for Sport, Peace and Society and its programs, go to https://sportandpeace.utk.edu/

Enjoy the latest PDx podcast with Dr. Sarah Hilyer: HERE

January 27, 2021April 18, 2023

Boozman Receives Award For Congressional Leadership in Public Diplomacy

Senator John Boozman with the Congressional Leadership in Public Diplomacy award

Senator honored by George Washington University Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication

WASHINGTON (Jan. 27, 2021) – U.S. Senator John Boozman, Arkansas’s senior senator and the dean of the state’s congressional delegation, on Wednesday received the George Washington University’s Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication’s (IPDGC) annual Walter Roberts Award for Congressional Leadership in Public Diplomacy. IPDGC
director Janet Steele also announced a $5,000 grant from the Walter Roberts Endowment to Global Ties Arkansas, which will be used to support a competition to bring select International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alumni back to Arkansas for follow-up projects with American
mentors.

Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Matthew Lussenhop, Global Ties Arkansas Executive Director Toni Carr, Global Ties Arkansas board chair Vernon Markham also spoke at the virtual event about the importance of American public diplomacy.

“We can be proud of the initiatives developed and advanced by the United States to aid and uplift people around the world. I’ve seen first-hand how our investments in diplomacy have had positive impacts on the economic, education, health and nutrition needs of individuals across the international community. I appreciate this recognition from the George Washington University’s Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication. By working together, we can continue to share our American values globally,” U.S. Senator John Boozman said.

“The Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication created this award for congressional leadership in public diplomacy because we wanted to highlight the importance of something that for many Americans is largely invisible,” said Janet Steele, director of GW’s Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication. “As a staunch supporter of the Fulbright program and other kinds of educational and cultural exchanges, Senator Boozman has been a tireless advocate for the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills.”

Boozman has been a U.S. Senator for Arkansas since 2011. He previously represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001-2010 where he was a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. As a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Boozman continues to advocate for investments abroad. The senator serves on the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, commonly referred to as the Helsinki Commission. He is a member of the Congressional Study Group on Europe (CSGE), a bipartisan organization dedicated to frank and candid dialogue between American lawmakers and their peers in European capitals and Brussels, and is a leader of the Senate Delegation to the British-American Interparliamentary Group. In the 117th Congress Boozman will serve as the ranking member of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

The grant to Global Ties Arkansas will be used to invite alumni of three international exchange programs to submit proposals either to expand their original projects or create new ones with the help of American mentors. Former IVLP grantees will be invited to submit proposals either to expand their original projects or create new ones with the help of American mentors.

For more media information, contact:
Maralee Csellar (GW) at 202-994-6460 or gwmedia@gwu.edu.
Sara Lasure (Boozman) at 202-224-2420
Toni Carr (Global Ties Arkansas) at 501-940-9743

January 17, 2020April 23, 2024

Representative Lowey Receives Award for Congressional Leadership in Public Diplomacy

Nita Lowey speaking at her award ceremony with four others sitting beside her

Nita Lowey receives award standing with Janet Steele

Nita Lowey and award panel stand for a photo with the award

By Yvonne Oh, IPDGC Program Coordinator

On Wednesday, January 15, 2020, the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication awarded Congresswoman Nita M.Lowey (NY-17) with the IPDGC Walter Roberts annual award for Congressional Leadership in Public Diplomacy.

In presenting Congresswoman Lowey with the award, IPDGC Director Janet Steele noted that “the award was created to highlight the importance of something that for many Americans is largely invisible.”

Rep. Lowey and IPDGC Director Janet Steele.

“As Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Lowey has been a tireless advocate for international education and exchanges. Her fostering of learning and indeed her commitment to education at all levels has helped the United States to put its best foot forward, to lead with our values, and to enhance our international leadership.”

In receiving the award, Congresswoman Lowey said, “I have long believed that our national security is strongest when development, diplomacy, and defense are all well-funded and equally prioritized. That is why I’ve served proudly in leadership roles related to foreign affairs. I thank the George Washington University Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication for honoring me and accept this award not for a job well done, but as a reminder of our shared and ongoing commitment to doing everything we can to build a better world for all.”

At the event to congratulate her was U.S. State Department Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce who said, “Chairwoman Lowey has been a champion for American leadership and diplomatic engagement around the world. Thank you, Madam Chair, for your enduring support of people-to-people exchange programs as a core element of our foreign policy.”

To accompany the Congresswoman’s award, the Walter Roberts Endowment presented a $5000 grant to Battery Dance of New York for public diplomacy outreach in her constituency.

Others at the intimate ceremony were National Public Radio President and CEO John Lansing, Voice of America’s News Center Director Yolanda López, Battery Dance Vice-President and COO Emad Salem, members of the Walter Roberts Endowment – Thomas Miller, Patricia Roberts and Shawn Powers, and even GW student Helen Jiang from Lowey’s constituency

Jiang who grew up in Scarsdale, NY, first met with Congresswoman Lowey on a 5^th grade trip to the Capitol. This time, she was able chat with the Congresswoman, and share about her own public diplomacy effort – as a Peace Corps Education volunteer in China (photo on right).

The grant to Battery Dance will be use to organize dance workshops, panel discussions, and screenings of the short film, “Moving Stories” for youths and students at schools in Westchester and Rockland counties, NY.

All photos by Harrison Jones/ GW University