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News Release

Last modified: Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Herbert to address State Department public diplomacy summit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 9, 2007

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- At a U.S. State Department conference Wednesday (Jan. 10) in Washington, D.C., Indiana University President Adam W. Herbert will make a presentation on the growing role major American universities are playing in this nation's public diplomacy initiatives.

Herbert's remarks will come during a day-long "Private Sector Summit on Public Diplomacy" for some 150 senior corporate executives, leaders of non-profits and government officials. The summit will begin with a White House reception tonight (Jan. 9). Herbert is the only university president included among the list of speakers.

"Universities have a significant role to play in welcoming foreign students to our campuses, in fostering international partnerships and developing a workforce that appreciates cultural diversity," Herbert said. "This summit provides a forum from which will emerge productive new strategies for collaboration among higher education, government, business and the nonprofit communities that will strengthen the image of the United States on the global stage."

The conference was convened by Karen Hughes, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, whose responsibilities include finding ways to engage the American public in activities that promote a positive vision of the United States in countries around the world.

Herbert recently accompanied U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and Deputy Under Secretary of State Dina Habib Powell and 11 other higher education presidents on a diplomatic mission to Japan, Korea and China, where they delivered the message that the United States provides a welcoming environment to international students and wishes to send more American students abroad.

"At Indiana University, we are attempting to advance our nation's public diplomacy in multiple ways," Herbert said. "We are internationalizing our curriculum and expanding our research efforts through outstanding area studies programs. We are offering over 70 foreign languages, expanding our recruitment of international students, enhancing our international outreach efforts with overseas businesses, institutions and governments. We also are expanding the number of students participating in our study-abroad programs."

The conference is co-sponsored by the State Department and the PR Coalition.

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