Benjamin Franklin Award for Public Diplomacy is an American award by the United States Department of State which recognizes individuals, foundations, associations, and corporations that actively contribute to advancing America's ideals around the globe through public diplomacy. The award is named in honor of Benjamin Franklin because, as the nation's first envoy, he was "known for his creative ways of using culture, business and science to attract the attention of foreign audiences".[1]
The establishment of the award was announced by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in January 2007, as the most prestigious honor that the Department of State can bestow on U.S. citizens and non-governmental organizations, giving special emphasis to activities that:
The awards are presented in four categories:
Prior to the establishment of The Benjamin Franklin Award for Public Diplomacy in 2007,[2] The Benjamin Franklin Award for Outstanding Diplomatic Service was established in 1992,[3] with recipients as follows.
Year | Date | Recipient |
---|---|---|
1992 | November 16, 1992 | President George H. W. Bush |
1994 | April 25, 1994 | The Honorable Michael J. Mansfield |
2003 | April 29, 2003 | The Honorable George S. McGovern |
2003 | April 29, 2003 | The Honorable Robert D. Stuart, Jr. |
2008 | May 6, 2008 | The Honorable James A. Baker, III |
2013 | May 6, 2013 | The Honorable William J. Vanden Heuvel |
2013 | May 6, 2013 | The Honorable Keith L. Brown |
2013 | May 6, 2013 | The Honorable Bruce S. Gelb |
2013 | May 6, 2013 | The Honorable Henry L. Kimelman |
2013 | May 6, 2013 | The Honorable Ogden Reid |
2016