Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy to visit Krakow

September 10, 2008

Colleen P. Graffy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy during interview for TVP3 at American Corner in Wroclaw. (photo gallery)

“Bringing diplomacy to people” is how Colleen P. Graffy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, described her work during her visit to Poland September 4-9, 2008.  During her various public appearances and media interviews, Ms. Graffy talked about how the State Department is reaching out to Europeans in new ways such as through web chats, blogs and video conferences.  In Krakow, Ms. Graffy visited the National Museum to discuss the “American Dream” planned exhibition scheduled to open in July 2009.  She also visited High School #5 to hear about their plans to implement a new American Studies program.  At the consulate, Ms. Graffy met with Internet journalists and bloggers.  In Ruda Slaska, Ms.Graffy visited the Hoover School, named after President Herbert Hoover in honor of his humanitarian efforts in Poland after both world wars.  Ms. Graffy toured the American Corner in Wroclaw, which is located on Wroclaw’s main square in the Dolnoslaska Regional Library.  At the American Corner, Ms. Graffy met with high school students from Wroclaw to talk about the U.S elections. “The students had an excellent grasp of our upcoming presidential race—I was very impressed with their questions!’ noted Ms. Graffy.