2014 Annual Report on U.S. Public Diplomacy

The U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy just published their congressionally-mandated 2014 Comprehensive Annual Report on U.S. Public Diplomacy and International Broadcasting Activities, which details the cost, origin and scope of these activities worldwide. This report itemizes major public diplomacy and international broadcasting activities conducted by the State Department and the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). The report is based on data collected from every office at the State Department in the public diplomacy cone, the six regional bureaus in the State Department, and the Public Affairs Sections (PAS) of all U.S. embassies worldwide. It was compiled by ACPD staff with the close help and coordination of public diplomacy and BBG officials. 

The report includes the cost per participant for 89 academic, professional, youth, cultural and sports programs; the cost and focus of public diplomacy activities at more than 180 embassies; in addition to the cost and programs for 74 international broadcasting services. To add some depth to the challenges and opportunities for implementing public diplomacy programs on the ground, the Commission visited the U.S. embassies in Czech Republic, Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, Ukraine and Vietnam. 13 key findings and 35 recommendations are summarized on pages 14-28. The report focuses mainly on Fiscal Year 2013 data, as it provided the most complete accounting of public diplomacy and broadcasting activities’ funds while the report was compiled. Wherever possible, it also reviews FY14 planned and actual spending, in addition to FY15 budget requests, strategies, and activities.

To download the full report, click here.