The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy Announces Honorees of the First-Ever National...

The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy Announces Honorees of the First-Ever
National Awards for Citizen Diplomacy
Award Ceremony to be held February 12 in Washington, D.C.

DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Center for Citizen
Diplomacy has announced six recipients of the first-ever National Awards for
Citizen Diplomacy. The honorees will be recognized at an Awards Ceremony at
the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery in
Washington, D.C. on February 12, 2008. The honorees will be recognized for
inspiring others through their exemplary work as citizen diplomats and for
promoting cultural understanding around the world.
"It is not only the right, but the responsibility of every American to be
a citizen diplomat, of the highest quality, for our communities and our
country," said Harriet Mayor Fulbright, board member for the U.S. Center for
Citizen Diplomacy and the President of the J. William and Harriet Fulbright
Center. "We are particularly proud to recognize these six recipients of the
first-ever National Awards for Citizen Diplomacy. The honorees, through their
various causes and programs, understand the need for citizen involvement in
international relations. We established this award to shine a spotlight on
citizen diplomats and to recognize their efforts and highlight their national
and international contributions."
National Award Honorees
Anjali Bhatia of Kinnelon, New Jersey, founded Discover Worlds at the age
of 16. This student-run, non-profit organization promotes relations between
the U.S. and Rwanda. It focuses on eradicating poverty by enabling orphans of
genocide and youth affected by HIV/AIDS to stay in school. Now 19, Bhatia
continues to inspire young Americans to make a difference for at-risk students
in Rwanda.
Tarik S. Daoud of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, stands out as a dynamic
business leader and active philanthropist. Through organizations like the
International Visitor's Council of Detroit, he has championed cross-cultural
understanding. Daoud has led international delegations and demonstrated a
commitment to community service and diplomacy overseas.
Khris Nedam of Livonia, Michigan, is an elementary school teacher who has
also taught in France, Turkey and Afghanistan. Nedam emphasizes world class
citizenship and encourages students to investigate different cultures. With
her 6th grade students, she founded Kids4AfganKids which has help to restore
schools and facilities in Afghanistan.
Greg Mortenson of Bozeman, Montana, is the co-founder of the Central Asia
Institute and Pennies for Peace. Mortenson has raised funds to build 64
schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan and has helped over 25,000 children. He is
co-author of The New York Times best seller, Three Cups of Tea.
Jillian H. Poole of Arlington, Virginia, mentors with "an unquenchable
drive" The Fund for Arts and Culture in Central and Eastern Europe which she
founded in 1991. Her achievements have empowered international arts and
cultural institutions that had long relied on government patronage to adjust
to a free-market economy.
Donna Tabor of Granada, Nicaragua, works with Building New Hope, a
non-profit organization based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Together they have
raised funds to start a school. Tabor has rallied volunteers and opened her
home to street children in Nicaragua, feeding them, teaching them to read and
providing medical care when needed.
National Awards Criteria
U.S. citizens were nominated based on accomplishments and/or activities
that have increased mutual understanding, strengthened ties, promoted
international cooperation and developed peaceful relations between people of
the United States and other countries. The National Awards Advisory Committee
evaluated nominees according to the following criteria:
-- Nominees must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old.
-- Activities/accomplishments are ongoing and have taken place since
January 2006.
-- Activities/accomplishments must reflect a commitment to promoting
global understanding.
-- Nominees represent excellence, diversity and vitality of citizen
diplomacy.
-- Outstanding ability to attract, support and motivate people in the
field of citizen diplomacy.
-- Evidence of dedication, originality and capacity for leadership and
self-direction.

In addition to the Award and national recognition, a $5,000 cash donation
will be awarded on behalf of each honoree to a non-profit organization of
his/her choice.
2008 National Summit
The Awards Ceremony will be held in conjunction with the 2008 National
Summit on Citizen Diplomacy, "The Power of Citizen Diplomacy in a Turbulent
World." The two-day Summit aims to recruit, engage and educate more Americans
to serve as citizen diplomats, and to recognize and build awareness of citizen
diplomacy work currently underway.
The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy
The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy was established in 2006 and is
headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The Center is a non-profit, 501(c)3
organization. It promotes opportunity for all Americans to be citizen
diplomats and affirms the indispensable value of citizen involvement in
international relations. For more information about the Center, the Awards and
the honorees, and to download photos, visit
http://www.uscenterforcitizendiplomacy.org/media/index.php.

CONTACT: Marisol Molstre
m.molstre@essmanassociates.com
515.282.7145

Denise Essman
d.essman@essmanassociates.com
515.282.7145

SOURCE The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy

Marisol Molstre, +1-515-282-7145, m.molstre@essmanassociates.com, or Denise
Essman, +1-515-282-7145, d.essman@essmanassociates.com, both for The U.S.
Center for Citizen Diplomacy