About 80 percent of Belarusians, who claim a religion, belong to the Belarusian Orthodox Church. Minority faiths include Roman Catholics, Protestants, other Christians, and Muslims. Jews account for 0.8 percent. Most groups show a high degree of mutual tolerance and emphasize charitable service. Because of this benevolent inclination, the Delegates were interested in looking at faith as the basis for community participation in the U.S.

As part of their Professional Program in Utah, the Delegates learned about legislative advocacy work at the Coalition of Religious Communities (CORC), intra-congregational cooperation at Family Promise Salt Lake, refugee and immigrant services at the Catholic Community Services, and service learning at the McGillis School. They also had an opportunity to visit Crossroad Urban Center's Food Pantry, and the Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center and Welfare Square. Martha Ball, Director, Utah Three Rs Project, hosted the group for dinner and conversation [pictured].

Dr. Sherry Mueller, President of the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV), makes a timely comparison between the work of citizen diplomats and the expectations of our popular culture, and reminds us of the importance to just be ourselves.  

 

"At a recent Washington, DC symposium on public diplomacy entitled "Public Affairs in a Global Information Environment," I joked to a Swedish colleague: "Success in public diplomacy will be getting Susan Boyle to sing your national anthem." That is not as far-fetched as one might think. What are the lessons all of us involved in practicing or studying public diplomacy can learn from the Susan Boyle phenomenon?