Korea-US Public Diplomacy Ideas Contest

CPD and the Center on Media Diplomacy at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (Seoul, South Korea), with sponsorship from South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is pleased to present the Korea-US Public Diplomacy Ideas Contest with several cash awards open to undergraduate and graduate students.

Below, please find information provided by the Center on Media Diplomacy:

2022 marks the 140th anniversary of Republic of Korea (ROK)-U.S. diplomatic relations. An almost one and a half century-long diplomatic relationship between the two countries has developed into a 'comprehensive alliance' involving partnership in multiple areas of military, political, economic, social and cultural relations. While traditional diplomatic relations have been strengthened, the rapidly changing global context of this century—and the roles of the two allies that should adjust to this change—makes Seoul and Washington pay more attention to and effort in promoting mutual communication and shared understanding between the publics of the two countries. 

Given the imminent global and regional issues we are facing today, it is imperative for the ROK-U.S. alliance to enhance cooperation over such common issues as global warming, human rights, peace, and economic and political order at both global and Northeast Asian regional levels. We believe that, particularly in democratic societies, diplomacy starts from home on the basis of the public’s consent, support and participation. We thus believe that strategic practices of public diplomacy should be a solid basis of our alliance that is heading toward a new era.

Public diplomacy will provide valuable means and avenues for improving the ROK-U.S. relationship and promoting peace and development of Northeast Asia. We hope that every student, whether or not they are majoring in public diplomacy and who is interested in Korea, will join and provide innovative, creative and constructive ideas. 

We encourage prospective applicants to watch the Korea-US Public Diplomacy Forum 2021 on YouTube, linked here.

Both undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged submit proposals in one of the following categories:

• Public diplomatic approach aimed at strengthening ties between Republic of Korea (ROK) and the U.S.

- Ideas to promote the recognition and image of ROK

- Ideas for enhancing ROK-U.S. public diplomacy

- Plan for promoting public diplomacy based on ROK and the United States' 140-year diplomatic relationship

• ROK-U.S. Public Diplomacy Strategy for Asia-Pacific Peace and Prosperity 

- Strategy for ROK-U.S. public diplomacy to address Asia-Pacific tensions and conflicts 

- Measures of ROK-U.S. public diplomacy to realize common values, such as the revitalization of political and economic solidarity in the Asia-Pacific region, etc.

• Plan for implementing ROK-U.S. public diplomacy through media and culture 

- Cultural and media diplomacy strategies to improve mutual understanding

○ Application

Applicants may enter the contest by filling out the Google Form here.

○ Deadlines

Submission opens October 22 and closes November 15.

○ Eligibility

Anyone who is an undergraduate or graduate student interested in public diplomacy or the alliance between the Republic of Koreas and United States. 

○ Proposal Requirements 

Proposals must be submitted in the form of a single PDF file. The document must be no more than three pages long, with standard font sizes (>11 pt.) and margins (1 in.). The listed categories above are recommended for the proposal, but the specific structure and flow are flexible.

○ Awards

Contest winners will be announced on November 25. 

• First Place (one award): $1,000 USD
• Second Place (one award): $500 USD
• Third Place (two awards): $250 USD

○ Judging Criteria

Entries will be judged according to the following criteria:

• Innovation: 40%
• Impact on Public Diplomacy: 30%
• Practical Applicability: 20%
• Proposal Quality: 10%