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".
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: provide hope and opportunities in the core areas of education, culture, and information empower, educate, and inspire key audiences such as women, students, and educators engage under-served communities and grassroots organizations.US Department of State: Benjamin Franklin Award for Public Diplomacy
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, The Benjamin Franklin Award for Outstanding Diplomatic Service was established in 1992, with recipients as follows.
+ Individual Awards Year Date Recipient 1992 November 16, 1992 President George H. W. Bush 1994 April 25, 1994 The Honorable Michael J. Mansfield2003 April 29, 2003 The Honorable George S. McGovern2003 April 29, 2003 The Honorable Robert D. Stuart, Jr. 2008May 6, 2008 The Honorable James A. Baker, III 2013 May 6, 2013The Honorable William J. Vanden Heuvel 2013 May 6, 2013The Honorable Keith L. Brown 2013 May 6, 2013The Honorable Bruce S. Gelb 2013 May 6, 2013The Honorable Henry L. Kimelman2013 May 6, 2013The Honorable Ogden Reid
2016 Individual Category Winner: Eric Treene, Ehsan Zaffar, Catherine Newcombe – for their work on advancing religious freedom issues under United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18.
2008 Non-Profit Category Award Winner: Search for Common Ground Academic Category Award Winner: University of Southern California Corporate Category Award Winner: Johnson & Johnson Individual Category Award Winner: Dave Brubeck
See also Awards of the United States Department of State
References