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 discovers 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 is also extending 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.

THE INSTITUTE FOR NETWORK CULTURE

The Institute for Network Culture at the USC Annenberg School for Communication is an initiative that explores how philanthropy might function in virtual worlds such as Second Life and There.com, collaborating the fields of digital media and learning. The Institute for Network Culture has also been awarded an unprecedented grant of $550,000 by The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. One of the key tenets of this grant is to explore how technology can be used to build bridges between cultures, promoting genuine dialogue with the residents of virtual worlds about what really matters, taking the conversation beyond branding, marketing and profits.