Dear Mike Sobol,

On behalf of the International Visitors Corps of Jacksonville, I would like to thank you for your involvement with our recent Foreign Service Nationals Training participants. The Foreign Service Institute sponsors the training of these participants and is also the Federal Government's primary training institution for officers and support personnel of the U.S. foreign affairs community, preparing American diplomats and other professionals to advance U.S. foreign affairs interests overseas and in Washington.

This program would not be possible without the dedication of people like you, who volunteer time and knowledge to these individuals. I hope you gained a greater perspective of the importance and benefits of citizen diplomacy during your meeting.

Familiarizing ourselves with the culture of citizens around the world is essential for the progress of the United States. Social interactions are the first step in developing relationships and world understanding. The importance of citizen diplomacy has recently been addressed by Defense Secretary Robert Gates as he urged for “a dramatic increase in spending on the civilian instruments of national security,” among others, is diplomacy. He further expressed that “soft power” tools including diplomacy are necessary to defend the interest of the United States.

In meeting with these participants, you have truly played a role as a Citizen Diplomat by extending friendship, knowledge and culture to these international guests. I am grateful for the time and expertise you and your colleagues offered and look forward to working with you in the near future.

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