The orientation of U.S. public diplomacy is changing from telling America’s story to direct dialogue in an interconnected world. With this shift has come a need to revitalize a core pillar of public diplomacy strategy: international exchanges. Although traditional exchange programs have been effective in expanding access to cross-cultural educational opportunities beyond those that study-abroad programs reach, participation remains limited. Developing the next generation of Exchange 2.0 initiatives—that is, technology-enabled programs embedded in curricula and with a cross-cultural educational purpose—will improve the number, diversity, and experience of international exchange participants.

Across 2009 and 2010, the United States Institute of Peace hosted a series of events entitled "Media As Global Diplomat" that explored the changing orientation of public diplomacy and the importance of international cross-cultural exchange to public diplomacy. This event will explore how access to international study and cultural exchange could be broadened by combining new media with crosscultural dialogue.

View photos from the event:

See what others are saying online:

• DipNote (State Department Blog)
• Meedan (English-Arabic Live Blog)
• TechChange

If you are interested in this event, you may also be interested in the following Academy courses:

• Building Bridges through Intergroup Dialogue
• Cultural Adaptability in Complex Operations
• Overseas Religious Engagement

Partners

9:00 a.m. Welcome and Framing the Day: What Is Exchange 2.0?
Sheldon Himelfarb, Director, Center of Innovation: Media, Conflict and Peacebuilding, USIP

9:10 a.m. Introduction for Keynote Speaker
Ambassador Richard H. Solomon, President, USIP

9:30 a.m. Keynote Address
Judith A. McHale, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State

10:00 a.m. Impact of Exchange 2.0 Programs
Moderator: Tara Sonenshine, Executive Vice President, USIP
Personal Stories:

• Ingrid Inema, Rwanda, Global Nomads Group
• Professor Osama Madany, Egypt, Soliya
• Dmitry Savelau, Belarus, iEARN

11.00 a.m. Break

11:15 a.m. Next Generation International Exchanges
Moderator: Sheldon Himelfarb, Director, Center of Innovation: Media, Conflict and Peacebuilding, USIP

• Allan Goodman, President & CEO, Institute of International Education
• J. Adam Ereli, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State
• Michael Galvez, Product Manager, Google Translate
• Shamil Idriss, CEO, Soliya
• Losira Okelo, Director of Online Professional Development, iEARN-USA
• Matthew Taylor, ICT Strategist and Architect, World Ahead Program, Intel

12:45 p.m. Closing Remarks