[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 51 (Friday, March 14, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13944-13945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5187]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 6134]


Advancing Democracy Around the World

AGENCY: International Information Programs, State Department.

ACTION: Request for Submissions.

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SUMMARY: The State Department's Bureaus of International Information 
Programs (IIP) and Democracy Human Rights and Labor (DRL) invite U.S.-
based civil society and private-sector groups and American citizens 
engaged in democracy promotion abroad to partner with us on innovative 
programs that develop Internet-based multi-media materials for non-U.S. 
audiences relevant to democracy.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties should respond to Outreach Coordinator 
Lori Brutten, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International 
Information Programs, 301 4th St. SW., Room 849, Washington, DC 20547 
or by e-mail at [email protected] no later than March 28, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Lori Brutten, (202/453-8777) at the 
above address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is the first of a series of Federal 
Register notices by IIP on specific America.gov thematic program areas. 
As part of America.gov, the Department's premier Web site for engaging 
with foreign audiences, IIP in partnership with DRL developed a 
``Democracy Around the World'' page, to engage the global community in 
a substantive discussion about the principles, implementation and 
benefits of democracy (including rule of law, and participation and 
dissent). The IIP-DRL partnership will also help ensure the State 
Department meets the ``Advancing Democratic Values Act's'' (Pub. L. 
110-53, Section 2132) requirements for enhancing its Internet presence 
on global democracy and human rights (e.g., streaming video and audio 
and other media regarding democratic principles, practices and values 
and the promotion of strengthening democracy).
    IIP and DRL invite U.S.-based civil society and private-sector 
groups and American citizens engaged in democracy promotion abroad to 
partner with us with the goal of enhancing the site's democracy content 
by providing Internet-based innovative programs and multimedia 
materials for non-U.S. audiences. Programmatic opportunities for 
cooperation could include:
     Broadening existing online youth dialogues;

[[Page 13945]]

     Featuring voices of democratic courage, award recipients 
or themes raised in annual reports;
     Convening online roundtable discussions among 
international experts/leaders;
     Providing access to alumni of training programs, 
partnerships or exchanges for webchats, blogs or other outreach 
efforts; and
     Highlighting the results of partnerships and/or other 
democracy-related programs.
    Using the following format, provide a written commentary, limited 
to 1,000 words, on how your cooperation could help us implement the 
goals and opportunities delineated above. In your commentary include 
the (1) Name of Organization; (2) Point of Contact (Name, Title, 
Address, Phone, E-mail, and/or Fax). Please include any mission goals 
and international partnerships that would enhance your participation 
with IIP and DRL. The Department will evaluate submissions based on, 
but not limited to, the following criteria: Suggested areas of 
cooperation; Reputation; International connections/networks and; Fiscal 
responsibility.
    In early 2008, the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of 
International Information Programs (IIP) launched ``America.gov,'' a 
new interactive Web site for international audiences that offers the 
latest in multimedia, video, forum discussions, polls, articles, etc. 
The site (http://www.america.gov) highlights the people and 
institutions that make America a force for progress, engages 
international audiences in a dialogue on important issues, and explains 
the core values that underlie and shape U.S. policies.
    America.gov has the design and interactive features expected by 
younger Web-savvy users, and the substantive material that attracts 
traditional opinion leaders. The site is organized into multilayered 
packages that are visually engaging and easy to navigate. Topics 
include: Foreign Policy, U.S. Politics, American Life, Democracy, 
Science and Health. Language versions of America.gov will be developed 
during 2008 in Arabic, Chinese, French, Persian, Russian and Spanish.

    Dated: March 10, 2008.
Jeremy Curtin,
Coordinator, International Information Programs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. E8-5187 Filed 3-13-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-45-P