SMART LISTENING: SOLICITING OVERSEAS IDEAS TO

UNCLAS STATE 021427 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO OIIP SUBJECT: SMART LISTENING: SOLICITING OVERSEAS IDEAS TO Increase Mutual Understanding ¶1. SUMMARY: All overseas posts are encouraged to take advantage of the public diplomacy opportunities offered by the inauguration of President Obama to invite members of your target audiences to share their ideas for increased mutual understanding with the United States. The State Department's international public website, www.america.gov, now features a blog that allows readers to share their thoughts about the President's policies and initiatives during his first 100 days in office. In addition to publicizing this link, posts are encouraged to develop their own outreach strategy to emphasize that America's leaders value everyone's opinion and are listening to all perspectives. End summary. ¶2. In his Inaugural Address, President Obama stated, "To all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity." The President emphasized repeatedly during both the campaign and since taking office that openness to new ideas and listening to the views of others are vital parts of his vision for the future. As Secretary Clinton recently told audiences in Indonesia, "On behalf of the United States there is a commitment to smart partnership, to listening as well as talking with those around the world." ¶3. The start of a new Administration (provides an ideal opportunity to give added meaning to the President's and Secretary's words and to demonstrate America's new commitment to listen to what others have to say. We encourage all posts to publicize the new "First 100 Days" blog on www.America.gov and link to it from your public websites. ¶4. To capitalize further on the public diplomacy opportunities offered by the new Administration, posts may wish to promote this outreach effort in other ways. This is entirely optional, but we encourage creative thinking about new ways to reach out to the public, demonstrate America's interest in listening to other opinions and, at the same time, identify new contacts for future programming. ¶5. For example, posts could invite the public to answer the question, "What is the most important way, in your opinion, to enhance mutual understanding between your country and the United States of America?" Responses could be gathered via roundtable discussions, outreach visits, letters, emails, text messages/SMS, or in online discussion forums. Following the successful methodology of recent U.S. election campaigns, contact information for those responding could be gathered into a database for follow-up personalized responses from Embassy personnel, since those who cared enough to reply may also be eager to follow future developments in bilateral relations. ¶6. Posts with creative ideas to use this opportunity beyond publicizing the www.America.gov blog should send a description of their plans to their regional bureau's PD office. Posts that collect responses to the sample question in para 5 or other questions in their host country should choose a way to acknowledge the best comments at post (for example, a meeting with the U.S. Ambassador or PAO, or posting of the best ideas on the Embassy website). Posts may also send the best suggestions/comments to their regional bureau's PD office. ¶7. Regional bureaus will share a representative sample of the best submissions in their region with the new Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs R],who may then elect to share them further. Posts may choose to accept submissions in languages other than English, but if so, should provide an English translation of the top 20 entries when they are sent to the Department. ¶8. Posts may choose other ways to acknowledge public submissions as they see fit. Some possibilities would include sending a copy of recent IIP publications, such as "Barack Obama: the 44th President of the United States" or "Barack Obama in His Own Words," to some or all responders. Posts should rely on their own publication inventories for any prizes; additional funding from IIP is not available. ¶9. Posts that do not wish to organize their own PD events can still encourage members of the public to visit the "First 100 Days" blog at www.america.gov. This will offer respondents an opportunity to engage in a daily global discussion of President Obama's initiatives and policy directions. The First 100 Days website looks at new presidential policies on the economy, energy, environment and foreign affairs; reviews the new president's progress and governing style; takes a look at the challenges facing the President; and shares some fun moments as well. ¶10. We look forward to receiving your creative ideas to "carpe momentum" and encourage a wider two-way dialogue between the United States and the public in your host country. ¶11. Minimize considered. CLINTON