embassy events 2009

Secretary Clinton Congratulates the Public Affairs Team in Warsaw!

12 May 2009

Hillary Rodham Clinton

In a special cable message on May 9, 2009, U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, congratulated posts who participated in the Democracy Video Challenge for innovative, adaptive and enthusiastic work that helped to successfully launch this new public diplomacy tool and contest. “With over 900 video submissions from 95 countries, the Challenge surpassed expectations and even yielded entries from many nations where democratic practices are limited,” wrote Secretary Clinton.  The U.S. Embassy in Warsaw received special recognition as the most exceptional in the region in promoting and supporting the contest. “I’d like to congratulate the Public Affairs section for once again proving to be an exceptional team,” said U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Victor Ashe. “The Democracy Video Challenge was a demanding project and it turned out to be a great success.”  In Poland, the project included the “Democracy is…” photography contest and a two-day New Media, New Democracy forum. 

“In Europe and Eurasia, IIP recognizes Embassy Warsaw for its especially innovative approach to the Challenge,” said Secretary Clinton. “Embassy Warsaw organized and led a two-day New Media/New Democracy forum that provided a wired, multimedia platform on democracy and filmmaking, simultaneously translated in English and Polish, and featuring live bloggers.  This public event included the legend of Polish cinema, Academy Award-winning director Andrzej Wajda, along with American experts on new media and the political process, Polish journalists and Polish underground media organizers from the time of Solidarity.”

“Embassy Warsaw also combined new media with 20 historical exhibits on underground publications and radio broadcasts such as Radio Free Europe to emphasize the 90 years of diplomatic relations and U.S. support for freedom of speech and civil society development in Poland.  Embassy Warsaw also creatively devised and held a local photo contest as a parallel to the online video contest.  These efforts vastly increased participation in discussions on shared US-Polish values, Poland's unique contributions to democracy in Europe, and established a constructive