Adelphi University Sends Student Delegates to First U.S. Summit for Global Citizen Diplomacy

Nov. 11, 2010 - PRLog -- The event is hosted by the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy (USCCD), in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. The historic event will run from Tuesday, November 16 to Friday, November 19, 2010. Adelphi is the only University from New York State to send a delegation to the Summit, which will convene leaders in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.

The USSCD defines citizen diplomacy as the concept in which the individual has the right and responsibility to help shape U.S. foreign relations, “one handshake at a time.” The purpose of this summit is to discuss modern global challenges and find new ways to resolve them through citizen involvement rather than partisan politics. The main goal is to double the amount of volunteer work and community engagement around the world by 2020. This is a significant step in promoting understanding between people from different backgrounds, as well as international cooperation across borders.

The Summit will include task force presentations, roundtable discussions, networking opportunities, and more. Adelphi students Hilda Perez ’11 and Stephanie Farkash ’12 will present original research and policy recommendations relating to women’s rights, while Rebecca Benison ’11 and Paige Hall ’12 will explore the role of new media in citizen diplomacy. While contributing to policy discussions on Capitol Hill, the students will provide status updates via Twitter and blog posts. Upon their return to campus, they will share their findings and experiences with the Adelphi community.

“We are trying to create a more engaged University locally, as well as an engaged University abroad,” said Peter DeBartolo, director of global and civic engagement and adjunct professor at Adelphi. “International service and study are in the nation’s and the University’s best interests. Not only are they a crucial part of today’s ‘smart power’ diplomacy, they are also a cost effective way to build cross-cultural bridges and foster global citizenship among young people.”

Participation at the Summit aligns with the University’s 2015 Strategic Goals, which include, “Relevance in a changing world.” This re-affirms current efforts to emphasize global learning across the curriculum and beyond the classroom.

To learn more about the U.S. Summit and Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy, please visit http://uscenterforcitizendiplomacy.org/summit/u.s.-summit.... For more information about Adelphi University, please visit www.adelphi.edu.

About Adelphi University: Adelphi University, chartered in 1896, was the first institution of higher education for the liberal arts and sciences on Long Island. Through its schools and programs—The College of Arts and Sciences, Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Honors College, Ruth S. Ammon School of Education, University College, and the Schools of Business, Nursing, and Social Work—the co-educational university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as professional and educational programs for adults. Adelphi University currently enrolls nearly 8,000 students from 41 states and 60 foreign countries. With its main campus in Garden City and centers in Manhattan, Hauppauge, and Poughkeepsie, the University maintains a commitment to liberal studies in tandem with rigorous professional preparation and active citizenship.

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Adelphi University, chartered in 1896, was the first institution of higher education for the liberal arts and sciences on Long Island.