
Public diplomacy is a key function of the US State Department, with the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs currently held by Elizabeth M. Allen. The role is a top-ranking position in the US Department of State, tasked with leading America's public diplomacy outreach and strengthening the relationship between the US government and citizens of other countries. This involves promoting US interests abroad and enhancing national security by informing and influencing foreign audiences and policymakers. Public diplomacy officers engage in a variety of activities, including managing cultural and information programs, coordinating exchange programs, and serving as contacts for foreign media.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mission | Support the achievement of U.S. foreign policy goals and objectives, advance national interests, and enhance national security |
| Role | Inform and influence foreign publics |
| Action | Expand and strengthen the relationship between the people and Government of the United States and citizens of the rest of the world |
| Leadership | Led by the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs |
| Reporting Bureaus | Educational and Cultural Affairs, Global Public Affairs, Office of Policy, Planning and Resources for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, and the Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy |
| Public Diplomacy Officers | Communicate with and through a variety of media to promote U.S. interests abroad |
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What You'll Learn

The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs
The Under Secretary leads America's public diplomacy outreach, which includes messaging to counter terrorism and violent extremism. They are tasked with ensuring that public diplomacy is practised in combination with public affairs and traditional diplomacy to advance U.S. national interests. This involves strengthening the relationship between the people of the United States and citizens of other countries.
The Under Secretary oversees two bureaus at the State Department: the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Bureau of Global Public Affairs. They also participate in foreign policy development and receive legal advice and services from the Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.
The Under Secretary's office provides guidance on a wide range of matters, including countering foreign disinformation, cultural and educational exchange programs, sports diplomacy, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
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The mission of American public diplomacy
Public diplomacy officers have a strong knowledge of local government and customs in the countries they are posted in. They may coordinate exchange programs, oversee websites and new technologies, and act as a contact for local and international media seeking facts about the US. Legal advice and services are provided to public diplomacy offices throughout the Department and sections at posts abroad. This includes guidance on countering foreign disinformation, cultural and educational exchange programs, sports diplomacy, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs leads America's public diplomacy outreach, including messaging to counter terrorism and violent extremism. They oversee the bureaus of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and Global Public Affairs, and participate in foreign policy development. The Under Secretary also enhances national security by expanding and strengthening the relationship between the people and government of the United States and citizens of the rest of the world.
In summary, the mission of American public diplomacy is to promote US interests and values, strengthen national security, and foster mutual understanding with foreign audiences through a range of communication strategies and cultural initiatives.
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Public Diplomacy Officers
Officers in this role must have a strong knowledge of local government and customs, as well as a broad understanding of American values and policies. They are expected to develop close ties with foreign journalists, government officials, educators, and representatives from the arts, NGOs, and think tanks.
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The role of the Department of State
The Department of State plays a crucial role in public diplomacy, with the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs being a top-ranking position. This position was created in 1999 during the presidency of Bill Clinton. The Under Secretary leads American public diplomacy efforts and is responsible for overseeing the bureaus of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Global Public Affairs. They also participate in foreign policy development and work to advance national interests and enhance national security.
Public Diplomacy Officers within the Department of State have the important task of promoting US interests abroad. They do this through various media channels, explaining to foreign audiences how American history, values, and traditions shape US foreign policy. These officers manage cultural and information programs and coordinate exchange initiatives to strengthen relationships and improve foreign understanding of American society. Their work includes overseeing exchange programs, such as the Fulbright Program, and serving as contacts for international media seeking information about the US.
The Department of State's public diplomacy efforts aim to expand and strengthen relationships between Americans and citizens of other countries. This involves seeking to engage, inform, and understand the perspectives of foreign audiences. By doing so, the department contributes to the achievement of US foreign policy goals and objectives while also enhancing national security.
The Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs within the Department of State provides legal advice and services to the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. This office offers guidance on a range of matters, including countering foreign disinformation, cultural exchange programs, sports diplomacy, and the preservation of cultural heritage. The department's work in public diplomacy is, therefore, a multifaceted and vital aspect of its overall mission.
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Countering foreign disinformation abroad
Public diplomacy by the United States Department of State involves strengthening the relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other countries. The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs leads America's public diplomacy outreach, which includes messaging to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
To counter foreign disinformation, the State Department should consider a combination of offensive and defensive measures. Offensive measures include setting standards, norms, and definitions to limit the spread of disinformation, as well as imposing sanctions on foreign malign actors. Defensive measures, which have been more prominently covered in the literature, include capacity building and media literacy initiatives to enhance societal resilience against disinformation.
Policymakers should also consider the role of independent media support in countering disinformation. By promoting fact-checking, transparency, and accountability, independent media outlets can serve as trusted sources of information, helping to rebuild societal confidence and counter false or misleading information.
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Frequently asked questions
The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs is a top-ten ranking position in the U.S. Department of State. The role is to ensure public diplomacy is practiced in combination with public affairs and traditional diplomacy to advance U.S. national interests.
The Under Secretary leads America’s public diplomacy outreach, which includes messaging to counter terrorism and violent extremism. They also oversee the bureaus of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Global Public Affairs, and participate in foreign policy development.
The mission of American public diplomacy is to support the achievement of U.S. foreign policy goals and objectives, advance national interests, and enhance national security by informing and influencing foreign publics.
The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs advances national interests by seeking to engage, inform, and understand the perspectives of foreign audiences.
Public Diplomacy Officers communicate through a variety of media to promote U.S. interests abroad. This may include explaining to foreign audiences how American history, values, and traditions shape U.S. foreign policy.

























