The University of Iowa International Writing Program (IWP) has been recognized as a model for arts-based cultural diplomacy programming by the International Cultural Engagement Task Force and the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy (USCCD). The IWP's activities will be highlighted as a "Best Practice" at the upcoming U.S. Summit for Global Citizen Diplomacy, which will be held Nov. 16-19 in Washington, D.C. IWP Director Christopher Merrill will represent the UI at the summit, where he will be featured on a "Best Practices" panel. In preparation for the summit, task forces in nine sectors -– business, community-based organizations, development assistance, global health, higher education, international cultural engagement, international voluntary service, K-12 education and youth service -- were created to highlight ways in which organizations can expand existing initiatives and offer new and innovative programs to encourage more engagement of Americans in global citizen diplomacy. The task forces vetted hundreds of program profiles before selecting those that represent "Best Practices." The IWP was one of the "Top Ten" organizations selected by the International Cultural Engagement Taskforce, along with the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, American Voices, the Asia Society, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Cultures in Harmony, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Silk Road Project, the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, the Sundance Institute and the World Monuments Fund. Read more >> Cultural Diplomacy