In 2018, the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication launched an initiative to honor members of Congress who have been outstanding in their support of public diplomacy. Together with this recognition, the Walter Roberts Endowment grants funding to deserving public diplomacy projects implemented by institutions in the member of Congress’s district.

2024 – Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)

On December 3rd, 2024, the Walter Roberts Endowment and the GWU Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communications presented the 2024 Walter Roberts Award for Congressional Leadership in Public Diplomacy to Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). Accompanying the award was a grant to the World Chicago organization to help sustain their vital people-to-people exchange and outreach programs. The annual Walter Roberts Award honors leaders who have made significant contributions to Public Diplomacy, but this year’s award brought the added opportunity to honor an accomplished GWU Elliott School of International Affairs alum!

Previous Walter Roberts Congressional Award Winners

2020 – Representative Nita M. Lowey (D-NY)

Public Diplomacy Grants

In honor of the recognition of these Congressional leaders, the Walter Roberts Endowment also awards an organization in the recipients’ constituency a micro-grant to conduct a public diplomacy program to benefit the community.