Benjamin Franklin Award for Public Diplomacy

Benjamin Franklin Award for Public Diplomacy is an American award by the United States Department of State which recognizes individuals, foundations, associations, and corporations that actively contribute to advancing America's ideals around the globe through public diplomacy. The award is named in honor of Benjamin Franklin because, as the nation's first envoy, he was "known for his creative ways of using culture, business and science to attract the attention of foreign audiences".[1]

The establishment of the award was announced by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in January 2007, as the most prestigious honor that the Department of State can bestow on U.S. citizens and non-governmental organizations, giving special emphasis to activities that:

  1. provide hope and opportunities in the core areas of education, culture, and information
  2. empower, educate, and inspire key audiences such as women, students, and educators
  3. engage under-served communities and grassroots organizations.[2]

The awards are presented in four categories:

  • Individuals
  • Corporations
  • Academic institutions (schools, universities, etc.)
  • Not-for-profit organizations (non-governmental organizations, foundations, associations, etc.)

Benjamin Franklin Award for Outstanding Diplomatic Service

Prior to the establishment of The Benjamin Franklin Award for Public Diplomacy in 2007,[2] The Benjamin Franklin Award for Outstanding Diplomatic Service was established in 1992,[3] with recipients as follows.

Individual Awards[3]
Year Date Recipient
1992 November 16, 1992 President George H. W. Bush
1994 April 25, 1994 The Honorable Michael J. Mansfield
2003 April 29, 2003 The Honorable George S. McGovern
2003 April 29, 2003 The Honorable Robert D. Stuart, Jr.
2008 May 6, 2008 The Honorable James A. Baker, III
2013 May 6, 2013 The Honorable William J. Vanden Heuvel
2013 May 6, 2013 The Honorable Keith L. Brown
2013 May 6, 2013 The Honorable Bruce S. Gelb
2013 May 6, 2013 The Honorable Henry L. Kimelman
2013 May 6, 2013 The Honorable Ogden Reid


2016

2008

See also

References

  1. ^ Glenn Kessler (10 January 2007). "U.S. Overseas Image Gets New Focus". The Washington Post. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  2. ^ a b US Department of State: Benjamin Franklin Award for Public Diplomacy
  3. ^ a b "Awards". June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.