Our Impact
We foster connections that serve as powerful tools to reinforce American security and build a more civil, peaceful and prosperous world.
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In 1954, Citizen Diplomacy International hosted its first international exchange programs inspired by this idea—empowering individuals to connect one-on-one with peers worldwide will transform Philadelphia into a global hub of business, education and culture.
Relationships Matter
Over the past six decades, thousands of passionate Citizen Diplomats have answered the call to forge relationships and promote the best of Philadelphia through conversations, dinners, tours, events, and exchanges.
Citizen Diplomacy International has served over 30,000 Philadelphians and 50,000 emerging leaders worldwide, equipping them with leadership skills and a global peer network. Today, we introduce 1,200 influential international professionals and students to their Philadelphia counterparts each year. These connections continue to be powerful tools to reinforce American security and build a more civil, peaceful and prosperous world.
Diplomacy Requires the Long GAme
Relationships are cultivated for years, or even decades, with long term gains. Because of you, 99% of our international guests return to their countries inspired to create change in their communities so that:
2021 Impact in Numbers
Stories of Impact
Citizen Diplomacy International Impact Report 2021 – 2022
Message from President & CEO Thank YOU for reaching out to international peers during our virtual year in 2021 and our return to in-person programming…
Impact: IVLP Profile A Global Moment in Time: Ya Fav Trashman
In one of our largest exchanges of the year, 70 global participants gathered on zoom to speak with Philadelphia sanitation hero Terrill Haigler AKA Ya Fav…
Impact: Citizen Diplomat Academy Year 1: March 2021-April 2022
Because of Covid-19, most school exchange programs have been put on hold since March 2020. Resulting in a loss in cross-cultural learning and international exposure….
Impact: Sister Cities Profile – Jewish Heritage Museum in Frankfurt
Matthias Thoma is CEO of the Eintracht Museum in Frankfurt, one of our Sister Cities. His research is focused on educating the world about the…
Impact: IVLP 2021 Program on Community Policing
If you asked us what an ideal exchange looks like, we would say “one that touches Philadelphians from every walk of life – government representatives,…
Impact: Promoting Higher Education
La Salle Supports International Students through College Admissions With nearly 200 international students from more than 50 nations, La Salle knows how important small class…
Impact: Empowering Youth to be Global Citizens
Thanks to you, we embarked on a new journey to support an expanded high school exchange program in 2017. With your help, the program has…
Women in Diplomacy Ami Bharat Chheda
Ami Bharat Chheda is an emerging leader who wants to change the lives of youth in India. Ami visited Philadelphia for a month-long fellowship with…
Sports Diplomacy with American Football and Coaches from Russia
In October, Marla Axelrod, director of Legal and Government Affairs for the Philadelphia Eagles gave Russian football coaches and managers the experience of a lifetime…
Impact: Creating Mutual Understanding
Promoting Social Change Through the Arts “I realize that I’ve just had an experience of a lifetime. I am not going to be the same…
Impact: Expanding Business
Eds and Meds continue to be the sectors that attract international businesses and delegations. Philadelphia continues to reach out to China and Japan to expand…
Women in Diplomacy Lauren Swartz
Lauren Swartz’s goal is to position Philadelphia as a global destination for business, talent and investment. As the senior director of International Business for the…
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