House Resolution 569 Update

Great news...

The Center has just learned that two more cosponsors have been added to H.Res. 569.

This brings the total number of cosponsors to 28 and the total Foreign Affairs Committee cosponsors to 7. Only three more committee members are needed to bring the resolution to a vote in the committee so keep those letters urging your representative to sign on going!

Thanks for all your work so far!

News update

Due to a board meeting in DC and travel I have been out of the loop for about a week now, so I may be late in these articles (my apologies), but in case you haven't seen these yet, they are all worth a quick look! Enjoy.

Senate State, Foreign Ops Pushed to October

Norman Borlaug dies at 95; revolutionized grain agriculture and won Nobel Peace Prize

Passed: S. Res. 273: A resolution commemorating Dr. Norman Borlaug, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Congressional Gold Medal, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and founder of the World Food Prize.

Introduced: H.Res. 739: Honoring the life and achievements of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug for his many contributions to alleviating world hunger. (Rep. Boswell Resolution)

Introduced: H. Con. Res. 183: Recognizing the contributions of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug to the United States and the world

Passed: S. Res. 274: A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Day

As The Peace Corps Turns 50, What Now?

WHITE PAPER, "Public Diplomacy: A View From The Front Line"

Iranians Favor Diplomatic Relations With US But Have Little Trust in Obama

Next generation of Latin leaders doesn't have U.S. grudge

Obama's Worldwide Star Power Finds Limits

International students build bridges that help U.S. diplomatic interests

How Helpful Is Cultural Diplomacy?

Clinton Global Initiative to Include Special Programming Focus on Women, Girls

OECD’s “Education at a Glance 2009”

IHEC Blog’s Links of Interest

Noteworthy Articles from Mountainrunner.us

7 Cities Launch Sister Cities Africa Program

Public Diplomacy: sure bureaucracy is a problem but so is absent leadership

U.S. image has improved, but ...

Syracuse University symposium to explore cultural diplomacy

U.S Embassy Launches YouTube Channel For Indonesian Viewers

30 Mosques in 30 Days

A View from the Muslim World: Cairo After Obama

Enabling Public Diplomacy Field Officers to Do Their Jobs

Democracy Video Challenge winners on the Today Show, v2 launches today

Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams Delivers Welcome Speech to Peace Corps Staff and Current and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

Muslim Americans answer the call to serve

More Americans know their Muslim neighbours

Video: American Universities' Engagement in Global Health

The Virtual Student Foreign Service was recently launched by the State Dept

'Great Decisions' Taking Place in Muscatine

Sunday Links of Interest

Something new to the Center’s blog. We will now be providing weekly links of interest for you. The links will cover a wide range of articles, blogs, and anything else we think you might find relevant, important, worthwhile, etc.

Without further ado, here are the links for this week, enjoy -

Petition in Support of the Letter to President Obama Urging Him to Convene a National Summit on Citizen Diplomacy

Increase Engagement by Encouraging Employees to Volunteer

Public Diplomacy Film

International Higher Education Consulting Blog

Bringing Pigskin to Land of Ping-Pong

Kenya: UN Ambassador Angelina Jolie visits ‘dire’ camp for Somali refugees

Green Revolution Hero Norman Borlaug Dies at 95

Overseas Study at Indiana University Bloomington: Plans, Participation, and Outcomes

Where in the World is iDrop?

American Council on Education to Recognize Innovative Uses of Technology to Promote Internationalization

Institute of International Education CEO Allan Goodman makes the case for international education

Special thanks to David Comp and his blog for a few links.

I hope everyone had a great weekend and is ready for the new week. Take care!

Derek

400th IHEC Blog Post

Just read this on David Comp's latest blog post at International Higher Education Consulting Blog.

Next Monday will be the 400th post on IHEC Blog. I currently have 394 followers on Twitter. What are odds of 400th Twitter follower hitting the same day as my 400th post IHEC Blog post?

If you aren't following him on Twitter, I highly recommend it for great updates, news, and information regarding international education.

Three Fulbright Scholars from Ukraine/Russia Seek Housing in the DC Area

I was just alerted of this today. Three Fulbright scholars are looking for housing while they participate in the program. This would a great opportunity for citizen diplomats to extend a helping hand!

Here is a description of the scholars and what they are looking for:

I.) IHOR POSHYVAILO:

Ihor Poshyvailo (ihorua@ukr.net) wrote:

"In September, I'm coming to Washington, DC, as a Fulbright Scholar. I am 42, ethnologist, art historian, have family, live and work in Kyiv as a deputy director of the National Center of Folk Culture 'Ivan Honchar Museum' and a chairman of the Kyiv branch of the National Union of Folk Art Masters of Ukraine.

"I'm affiliated with the Smithsonian Center for Folklore and Cultural Heritage and my project title is 'Interpreting Cultural Heritage in Museums: An American Experience for Ukrainian Practice.'

"I'm seeking housing for eight months from September 2009 till June 2010. I'm a non-smoker and quiet. In the US, I will stay alone. I need modest housing for a moderate price. My office will be near the Mall."

# # # # # # # # # # #

II.) GENNADIY DRUZENKO:

Gennadiy Druzenko (druzenko@ukr.net) wrote:

"I'm a lawyer (LL.M. in European Law) and Fulbright Scholar from Ukraine planning to carry out research in Washington, DC from the beginning of September 2009 to the end of February 2010.

"I'm looking for a one bedroom apartment (or comparable accommodation) in Washington, DC or vicinity for six months commencing from September 1, 2009.

"I am coming with my wife (Ukrainian philologist) and 10-year daughter, so I need a one-bedroom apartment, not just a room. It should be furnished and preferably within the boundary of an elementary school with a good reputation."

tel. + 380 50 3579922

# # # # # # # # # # #

III.) EVGENIY SOBOLEV:

Evgeniy Sobolev (sev1980@mail.ru) wrote:

"I will be a Fulbright-Kennan scholar and will be conducting research at the Woodrow Wilson Center's Kennan Institute from September 2009 till February 2010.

"I am from Ufa. It is a capital of Bashkortostan (Russia).

"I am interested in a room - not far from the Wilson Center (max. 60 minutes), about $500-700 per/month, with utilities, kitchen and bath available, short or long-term (six months). I am sociable."

_____________________

H. Res. 569 Update

A quick update for you on the House Resolution that was introduced on June 19. We now have 22 cosponsors, 4 of which are on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Our goal is to have a minimum of 25 Reps, 10 from the Foreign Affairs Committee. If a Foreign Affairs Committee member is a representative from your state, call or email them and urge them to sign on as a cosponsor! Shoot me a message for contact information and a form email if you'd like. We have everything set up for you to make it as easy as possible. Hopefully within the next month or two we can get this Resolution passed in the House and then on to the Senate!
Here is the list of cosponsors:
1. Jim Moran (D-VA)
2. Sue Myrick (R-NC)
3. Tom Latham (R-IA)
4. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
5. Harry E. Mitchell (D-AZ)
6. David Loebsack (D-IA)
7. Bruce Braley (D-IA)
8. Maurice D. Hinchey (D-NY)
9. James P. McGovern (D-MA)
10. John Conyers (D-MI)
11. Rush Holt (D-NJ)
12. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ - Foreign Affairs, Committee)
13. Leonard Boswell (D-IA)
14. John Olver (D-MA)
15. Bob Filner (D-CA)
16. Charles Rangel (D-NY)
17. Diane Watson (D-CA – Foreign Affairs Committee)
18. Gerald Connolly (D-VA – Foreign Affairs Committee)
19. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)
20. William Delahunt (D-MA – Foreign Affairs Committee)
21. Adam Smith (D-WA)
22. Steve King (R-IA)

First post

Welcome to the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy's blog. I'll be updating this frequently on any happenings at the Center, new developments on our House Resolution (19 cosponsors!), ways to get involved with citizen diplomacy, and organizations of interest. We will also highlight a "Citizen Diplomat of the Week" so if you know of someone that has been active in promoting cross-cultural understanding and making a difference feel free to nominate them! The Center will send the citizen diplomat of the week some pretty cool stuff too. Thanks for reading and I look forward to your comments, input, and opinions!