About the Public Diplomacy Alumni Association

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The Public Diplomacy Alumni Assocation (PDAA), formerly the USIA Alumni Association, a non- profit, voluntary organization, has more than 400 members who have worked in or with the information, education, and cultural programs which the U.S. Government incorporates into the conduct of its diplomacy abroad.

PDAA sponsors a speakers program for members and their guests three times a year; has completed more than 125 oral histories of distinguished USIA Officers; publishes a newsletter and directory and encourages members to write op-ed pieces and letters to editors and legislators about public diplomacy.

The association engages in social, education, and information activities related to the profession and discipline of public diplomacy. It actively promotes greater awareness in the United States of the public diplomacy dimension of American foreign relations.

PDAA or its predecessor organization have sponsored four major symposia ("Ike and USIA," "THE U.S. - Warts and All," "American Libraries Overseas - Their importance and Impact" and "Communicating With the World in the 1990s") and published the proceedings of three of them.

It has produced and sold more than 300 copies of a two-part, hour-long educational video on public diplomacy. Part I is entitled "Public Diplomacy - Telling America's Story." Part II is "Public Diplomacy - The Road Ahead." The video has been shown on public access TV in cities coast to coast.

Although USIA activities were transferred to the Department of State and USIA was abolished October 1, 1999, the Public Diplomacy Alumni Association will continue with its civic and social activities. Members receive the membership directory which is updated and published annually, as well as PDAA Today, published quarterly. The newsletter covers in pictures and text significant events in alumni affairs world-wide, information about individual alumni, and historic and contemporary articles concerning public diplomacy.

Topical conferences and dinners are held periodically. Luncheons are generally held three times per year. Speakers have run the gamut from senior U.S. Government officials to Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) to Robert Coonrod, president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.