Franklin Center
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In honor of Benjamin Franklin
In 2002, the Public Affairs Office
changed its name from the United States Information
Service (USIS) to Franklin Center, to honor Benjamin
Franklin, who is considered one of the first
international American celebrities and one of the most
intriguing men of the 18th Century. He is also
considered to be the first American diplomat who
influenced scientific investigation, inventions,
education, political journalism, while at the same time
playing a very important role in the struggle for
American independence from Great Brittain. |
The main goals of the Public Diplomacy Offices of the Department of State
are to strengthen U.S. relations with other countries, to
support the development of democratic principles and to promote
greater understanding abroad of the thought, feelings, history
and culture of the American people.
These goals are achieved through a wide range of information and cultural
programs managed by the Franklin Center in Santo Domingo by three foreign
service officers: a Public Affairs Officer, a Cultural Attaché and a Press
Attaché. There are over 200 Public Diplomacy Offices in more than 140 countries.
In the Dominican Republic this office is called the Franklin Center, and
includes a
Press and Information Section and a
Cultural Section.
The Cultural Section manages various educational, cultural and information
exchange programs focused on issues of bilateral interest in support of American
foreign policy objectives, as well as local development goals.
The Information Section distributes many publications and electronic
information on political, economic, social and cultural issues. Through a unique
virtual library developed in 2004, the Information Resource Center at the
Franklin Center reaches out to Dominicans throughout the country who have access
to the Internet. World-wide there are also more than 100
Information Resource Centers with state of the art technology that offer
information services to government officials, journalists, researchers and
academics.
The State Department maintains a website that
provides both time-sensitive and in-depth information in five languages. The
site includes full transcripts of speeches, congressional testimony, articles by
Administration officials, and materials providing analysis of key issues. Other
materials include on-line publications dealing with democratic development,
trade, security, and other issues. Visit the International Information Programs
site at
http://www.america.gov/. |
