The events of September 11, 2001, and other international situations have highlighted the vulnerability of national security, the growing anti-American sentiment around the world, and the lack of understanding among Americans regarding other countries and cultures. Resources are limited for initiatives to enhance international education and exchange programs, foreign relations, and citizen diplomacy, while the need for such activities is increasingly urgent. Thus, the Coalition for Citizen Diplomacy has generated a national movement with three overarching goals—The Three R’s:

1. Recruitment - Increase exponentially the number of Americans who are engaged internationally through their local organizations and see themselves as citizen diplomats;

2. Recognition - Increase the visibility of citizen diplomacy, both its impact and its potential, so that citizens recognize the importance of assuming their responsibilities in building positive and effective foreign relations;

3. Resources - Identify and secure appropriate financial resources—both public and private—for this vital work, as well as expand the role of the federal government in promoting and funding international exchange and education initiatives that advance economic, diplomatic, and social relations with the rest of the world.

The Coalition has launched three major activities in order to accomplish these goals:

1. Organizing a Congressional Symposium to garner support;

2. Encouraging our members and other groups across the country to collaborate on a series of Community

3. Summits on Citizen Diplomacy;
Holding a National Summit on Citizen Diplomacy.

• Facilitate and support a series of local, state, and regional forum on Citizen Diplomacy. The Coalition will also cooperate with Sister Cities in reaching out to American cities to conduct forums.

• Identify and work with a bipartisan Congressional Advisory Group to advance the mission of the Coalition, including a national summit.

• Get the Coalition’s message out through op-eds, advertisements, and articles in professional journals and other media, including the foreign press.

• Define and conduct a national leadership summit.

• Collaborate with the education community to create an international education environment in support of the Coalition’s mission.

• Support a citizen diplomacy leadership institute.