Thanksgiving reminds us that sharing a meal brings communities closer together, at home and abroad. As a popular American holiday, it also helps us think about how important it is to give back and serve others. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs helps create these moments every day through exchange programs. Read about how exchange program participants spent Thanksgiving in the United States and find out how you can become involved in our exchange programs.
The idea of “citizen diplomacy” captures the notion that community influencers play a monumental role in creating genuine relationships and friendships abroad which help further foreign policy interests that advance global priorities. Sister Cities International, the largest network of citizen diplomats in the world, was created at President Eisenhower’s 1956 White House Summit on Citizen Diplomacy. Eisenhower’s vision for a network that fosters bonds between people from different communities around the world remains just as important in today’s interconnected world as it did 61 years ago.
https://go.usa.gov/xRQKh
— Secretary John Kerry on citizen diplomacy at a reception in honor of Eid al-Fitr.
![U.S. Department of State [archived]](https://static.tumblr.com/a08df147633bb80863453ca24f6bda45/3kqwpbo/NoEokal0e/tumblr_static_51ttzl3adw4cw4cgggww04kgo.jpg)
