Virtual worlds serve as global communication networks allowing individuals from around the world to connect and interact in a virtual society. With opportunities to create, foster and sustain intercultural dialogue through real-time interactions between people around the world, virtual worlds can be used effectively to help create better understanding between people of different cultures and nationalities. By exploring virtual worlds and engaging in virtual societies through the Virtual Worlds Project at USC's Center on Public Diplomacy has discovered innovative ways to practice public diplomacy and works to increase awareness of these opportunities by encouraging and facilitating others’ participation in virtual space.

USC Center on Public Diplomacy also extended its initiatives with the US State Department in their effort to explore the possibilities present in 3-D virtual world platforms like Second Life for showcasing and hosting International Information Programs (IIP) products and services. IIP engages international audiences on issues of foreign policy, society and values to create an environment that can be receptive to U.S. national interests.



PROJECT ADVISORS
Derrick Ashong
Richard Bartle
Cory Doctorow
Johanna Blakley
John Seely Brown
Manuel Castells
Alice Taylor
Henry Jenkins
Dan Gillmor
Peter Marx
Toby Miller
Cory Ondrejka
Evan Potter
Adam Powell

PROJECT PARTNERS
Meadan
The Norman Lear Center
Center for the Digital Future
Institute for Creative Technologies
Intergrated Media Systems Center