What is Citizen Diplomacy?
It's the right - if not the obligation of the individual citizen to be personally engaged in international relations.
Cultural misunderstanding can lead to tragic results. IVC is dedicated to bringing people together to exchange ideas, make friends and gain an understanding of each other's culture and way of life. We do this through people-to-people exchange programs and 'citizen diplomacy.' We believe in the power of citizen diplomacy through international exchanges.
IVC was founded by a group of dedicated people. For our 50th anniversary in 2004 we asked several of them for their reminiscences.
International professional exchange programs put international relations into the hands of American citizens, giving each of us opportunities to make friends, contacts and peace. IVC's members have a personal and direct impact on the image of the U.S. and help interpret U.S. policies abroad. Every year the IVC of Philadelphia recognizes a few extraordinary individuals with the Citizen Diplomacy Awards.
The awards are presented at IVC's Annual Meeting.
All of the citizen diplomats across the United States were honored by a Nobel Peace Prize Nomination in 2001.
Listed below in alphabetical order are the Philadelphia awardees
who have been honored since 1995.
Jeffie & Paul Abbott
1997-Community Connections Award
The Hon. Lynne Abraham
1996-American Rule of Law Award
Mr. Ralph Archbold
2001-American History Award
Mr. George Arnold
1995-Professional Resource Award
Mr. Jack Asher
1996-American Business & Culture Award
Richard D. Atkins, Esq.
2000 Trustee of the Year Award
1995-Professional & Cultural Host Award
Professor Khalid Blankinship
2002 - Religion in Democracy Award
The Honorable Alex Bonavitacola
1998-American Rule of Law Award
C. Baird Brown
1996-American Business & Law Award
Mr. William Celenza
1996-Business for Russia Award
1998-Compass Award
Mr. Kirk Phillips & Ms. Kennerly Clay
2001-Citizen Diplomacy Hosts
Barbara J. Cohan, Esq.
1997-American Rule of Law
Ms. Josephine DiGregorio
1998-American Education Award
Mr. Lindsay Doering
1999-Compass Award
Ms. Sally Downey
1999-American Journalism Award
Jill Felix
2000-American Business Award
Douglas & Lois Fisher
2002- American Cultural Relations Award
Ms. Lisa C. Franks
1997-Community Connections Award
Mark Gaige, Ph.D.
1995-Professional Resource Award
Mr. Dan Goldberg,
1998-PMTI American Business Award
Mr. Dmitri Gordeev,
2000-Sister Cities Relations Award
Dr. K. Gordon & Dr. J. Taylor-Gordon
1999-Cultural Host Community Connections & Presidential Management Training Award
Mr. Bob Gorgone
1998- American Business Award
Mr. Neil Greenberg
1999- Outstanding Service Award
Mr. John Gregory
1996-Business for Russia Award
Dean Nicholas Hadgis
2001-American Education
Dr. Robert Hamilton
2001-Philadelphia Cultural Ambassador
Ms. Linda Hayes
2000-Community Connections Cultural Host
Paul & Barbara Henkels
1999-Cultural Host Award
Ronald G. Henry, Esq.
2001-Trustee of the Year
Mr. William Higgins
1995-Compass Award
Ms. Patricia Hunt & Jack Hagele, Esq.
1996-American Culture Award
Thomas and Katherine Jennings
2001 Citizen Diplomacy Hosts
Barbara & Edward Johnson
1995-Cultural Hosts Award
Mr. Ken Klein
2002- American Business Award
2002- Community Connections Award
Mr. Lazar Kleit
2002- Citizen Diplomacy Award
Mr. Marwan Kreide
2000-American Cultural Relations Award
Ms. Patricia Lenar
1997-Resource Liaison Award
Mr. Daniel Love
2001-Outstanding Service Award
Mr. Peter Loevy
2001-Outstanding Service Award
Richard Marencic & Sarah Vogt
1996-American Culture Award
Paul and Martha Matzko
1997-Community Connections Award
Mr. Thomas McCourt
1999-American Business Community Connections & Presidential Management Training Award
Ms. Teresa A. McFarland
1997-Resource Liaison Award
John T. McGann & Mahinda de Lanerolle
1997-Community Connections Award
Mr. Richard T. McSorley, Esq.
2002- Citizen Diplomacy Award
Arthur P. & Marjorie L. Miller
1998-Community Connections Cultural Host Award
Ms. Kristine Nilsson
1995-Cultural Hosts Award
Mr. Robert W. O'Donnell, Esq.
2002- American Political Process Award
Patrick and Debbie Owen
1997-American Culture Award
Herb and Fay Potter
1998-Community Connections Cultural Host Award
Mr. Harry Powers
1998-PMTI American Business Award
David Prejsnar, Ph.D.
1997-American Education Award
Stefan Presser, Esq.
2001-American Civil Rights Award
Ms. Christine Quinn
1998-Professional Resource Award
1997-American Government Award
Bradford Richman, Esq.
1999-American Rule of Law Award
Mr. Anthony W. Ridgway
1995-Business for Russia Award
Mr. Joseph S. Rizzello
1997-Free Markets Award
Franklin & Diane Schaffer
2002- American Cultural Relations Award
Jean Schmedlen
2001-Resource Liaison Award
John & Maria Schneider
1997-American State Government Award
Mr. Ihor Shust
1998-American Banking Award
Mr. Anthony Soslow
1999-American Business Award
Mr. William Spang
1999-IVC Trustee of the Year Award
The Spano Family
1995-Cultural Hosts Award
Ms. Theresa Sperduto
1997-Resource Liaison Award
Ms. Lillian Swanson
1997-Resource Liaison Award
David & Virginia Toliver
1995-Business for Russia Award
Mr. Howard Trauger
1998-Community Connections American Business Award
Hebert Ushewokunze
2000-Outstanding Service Award
Mr. Herbert T. Vederman
1996-Diplomat Extraordinaire
Joseph Vignola, Esq.
2000-Amerian Intergovernmental Relations
Mr. Fred Voigt
2000-American Civic Leadership Award
Ms. Bella Wilson
1998-Cultural Host
Ms. Melanie Wright
2002-American Education Award
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