Citizen Diplomat Academy
A free, virtual, international exchange program for high school and university students in Philadelphia and abroad who are interested in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.
Overview
The Citizen Diplomat Academy introduces students to new friends internationally. Students learn to be a Citizen Diplomat and apply the core skills of diplomacy, cross-cultural dialogue, STEM entrepreneurship, and social innovation from a rotating group of instructors from the top universities, start-up businesses, innovation labs, and cultural institutions in Philadelphia and around the world.
Ages 14-18, High School level, 25 from Philadelphia, US / 25 from outside the U.S.
How to Succeed as a STEM/Entrepreneur Innovator Track
Do you love science, technology, engineering, and math? Are you curious about entrepreneurship? This exchange will introduce you to entrepreneurs who turned technology, inventions, and scientific discoveries into businesses that reach all over the world.
Dates Pending
You get a behind-the-scenes look at Philadelphia's expanding innovation ecosystem. You learn critical leadership skills, like how to have informed dialogue, and respond to stereotypes and biases in the STEM workplace from the Dialogue Institute. The best part is meeting new friends all around the globe who share your passion for STEM!
Guest Speakers have included:
- Kareem Afzal, CEO, PDC Machines (Hydrogen Fuel Delivery)
- Suchit Bachalli, CEO, Unilog (Ecommerce)
- Helen Horstman Allen, COO, FastMail (Email Service)
- Karen Meidlinger, Director Innovation, Evoqua (Clean Water Technologies)
- Sylvester Mobley, CEO, Coded by Kids, (Tech Education)
- Kim Ramirez and Kevin Ramirez, CO-founders, FactSumo (Learning App)
- Karina Sotnick, Founder, World Upstart (Business Start-Up)
- Ashley Turner, Community Organizer, Philly Tech Sistas (Professional Network)
- Edgar Antístenes Vesga Arias, CEO, Philadelphia International Medicine (Global Medicine)
- Stephanie Humphrey, Actor, Technology & Lifestyle Coach, & Author; Entrepreneur -- Self Employed
- Dr. Jessie Guinn Jr., Arcadia University Associate Dean of STEM, Equity and Inclusive Excellence
Space is limited to 25 Philadelphia area and 25 international students per exchange. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Philadelphia - Open World International Exchange (8 WK), Saturdays, October 16 - December 11, 2021, 11 AM - 12 PM (PHL)
- Philadelphia - Sister City Frankfurt, Germany Exchange (4 WK), Saturdays, April 24-May 22, 2021, 11 AM - 12:30 PM (PHL)
- Philadelphia - Dubai, UAE Exchange (4 WK), Wednesdays, June 30 - July 28, 10 AM - 11:30 PM (PHL) / 6 PM - 7:30 PM (Dubai)
- Philadelphia - Open Open World International Exchange (4 WK), Wednesdays August 4 - 25, 10 AM - 11:30 AM (PHL)
- How to Succeed as a Social Innovator - Wednesdays, February 9 - April 6, 2022, 4 PM - 5 PM (PHL)
- How to Succeed as a Social Innovator - Saturdays, February 12 - April 9, 2022, 11 AM - 12 PM (PHL)
How to Succeed as a Social Innovator Track
Do you want to learn how to solve community challenges? This exchange explores UN Sustainable Development Goals. Shows how politics, design, and business are addressing social problems.
Dates Pending
We introduce you to innovators from Philadelphia and around the world. You learn critical leadership skills, like how to have informed dialogue and respond to stereotypes and biases. The best part is meeting new friends who share your passion for a more peaceful prosperous world.
Guest Speakers have included:
- Fatima Al-Qubaisi, Alumna, U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)
- Albert Carter, Founder, Hip Hop University / AudioSwim (Education/Music)
- Samantha Grant and Jessica Lowden, Geneva Global (Philanthropy)
- Derek Green, At-large Member, Philadelphia City Council (Civic Leader)
- Ellen Harrington, Director, DFF – Deutsches Filminstitut & Filmmuseum (Cultural Leader)
- Timothy McDonald, CEO, Onion Flats (Green Urban Architecture)
- Sharmain Matlock-Turner, CEO, Urban Affairs Coalition (Civic Leader)
- Isaiah Thomas, At-large Member, Philadelphia City Council (Civic Leader)
- Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman, Founder, THINK.Urban (Urban Anthropologist)
- Genfer Baxter and Marco Locatelli of Aula Future (interdisciplinary research and STEAM program) and IMRSV Arts (interactive art installations)
Space is limited to 25 Philadelphia area and 25 international students per exchange. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Philadelphia - Sister City Frankfurt, Germany Exchange (4 WK), Saturdays April 24-May 22, 2021, 9 AM - 10:30 AM (PHL)
- Philadelphia - Dubai, UAE Exchange (4 WK), Tuesdays, June 29 - July 27, 2021, 10 AM - 11:30 AM (PHL) / 6 PM - 7:30 PM (Dubai)
- Philadelphia - World Wide Exchange (4 WK), Tuesdays, August 3 - 24, 2021, 10 AM - 11:30 AM (PHL)
- Philadelphia - World Wide Exchange N (6 wk): (8 WK), Saturdays, October 16 - December 11, 2021, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (PHL)
- Philadelphia - World Wide Exchange (9wk) Tuesdays, February 8 - April 5, 2022, 4 PM - 5 PM (PHL)
- Philadelphia - World Wide Exchange (9 wk) Saturdays, February 12 - April 9, 2022, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (PHL)
- Philadelphia - World Wide Exchange N (6 wk) Saturdays, November 5 - December 17, 2022, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (PHL)
The main concept that I learned from the Citizen Diplomat Academy was how to have a proper dialogue. My personal favorite is 'To have a conversation both listen and learn.' This is a tool that I now live by and try to teach my peers.
Surayah, Chester, USA Girard College Citizen Diplomat Academy Participant
FAQs
The program is open to high school students in the greater Philadelphia area between the ages of 14 - 18 years old. International students from anywhere in the world can apply, but students from our Sister Cities will have preferred admission.
There are no costs for students to participate. It is free.
Students will need a broadband internet connection for four hours per program week. This program primarily uses a learning platform called Canvas and a live video application called Zoom. Students can use smartphones, laptops or tablets to connect to the course content and the live sessions.
Students dedicate roughly 2-3 hours per week to the program: a 60-minute live, online session one day per week plus one to two hours of asynchronous content and activities that can be done anytime during the week.
No, the entire program will be conducted in English.
You can contact YouthPrograms@cdiphila.org with any questions.
Yes, students will spend a significant amount of their time in their program interacting with and learning from their international peers.
All students who complete our program receive a certificate indicating their status as a young citizen diplomat. Students also have the option to enroll in the Citizen Diplomat Academy alumni program. The alumni program provides an opportunity for young diplomats to stay connected through in-person and virtual events.
As part of the application process, we’ll collect parent/guardian contact information and be in touch about the information we need.
The application form can be accessed here. We ask that parents/guardians review their child’s application before submitting. As part of the application we’ll ask for parent/guardian information.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and space is limited to 25 students per exchange - so don’t wait to apply.
Education Sponsors
Major start-up funding for the Citizen Diplomat Academy was provided by The MidDay Foundation, with additional generous support provided by the City of Philadelphia Sister Cities Program, Connelly Foundation, The McLean Contributionship, Chris and Ellen Maguire Fund, the Longview Foundation, PA SHARP a program of the PA Humanities’ supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021; s well as our corporate partners, Imagine360, Volpe Koenig, Spangles Custom Jewelry Designs, JR Resources, and generous donations from individuals.
The Citizen Diplomat Academy program is a legacy Citizen Diplomacy International program. As the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and Citizen Diplomacy International merge into a united organization, we are proud to offer this program to Council and CDI networks.
