Bureau of International Information Programs
Encyclopedia
The US Department of State
's Bureau of International Information Programs (also called IIP
) describes itself as follows:
Among other things, IIP operates the America.gov (Site no longer functional as of March 31, 2011) website to deliver "information about current U.S. foreign policy and about American life and culture."http://usinfo.state.gov/usinfo/about_usinfo.html. America.gov is the successor to the USINFO website, although some languages are still available only on USINFO.
The Bureau prides itself on using technology and alliances to improve its effectiveness. The Bureau's products and services--including web sites and other internet services, electronic journals, speaker programs, print publications, and CD-ROMs--uniquely are designed to support the State Department's initiatives, as well as those of other U.S. foreign policy organizations. It also manages Information Resource Centers overseas and offers reference specialists based in Washington, DC, to answer specialized information queries from abroad. The IIP was created from elements of the U.S. Information Agency when it merged with the Department of State on October 1, 1999.
In September 2006, a report by the department's Inspector General's Office said that U.S. officials screened the public statements and writings of private citizens for criticism of the Bush administration before deciding whether to send them on foreign speaking assignments. The screenings amounted to "virtual censorship" in the State Department's selection of speakers, said the 22-page report.
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
's Bureau of International Information Programs (also called IIP
IIP
IIP can refer to*I2P - the Invisible Internet Project, an anonymous communications network*Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia*International Ice Patrol*International investment position*Investors in People...
) describes itself as follows:
Among other things, IIP operates the America.gov (Site no longer functional as of March 31, 2011) website to deliver "information about current U.S. foreign policy and about American life and culture."http://usinfo.state.gov/usinfo/about_usinfo.html. America.gov is the successor to the USINFO website, although some languages are still available only on USINFO.
The Bureau prides itself on using technology and alliances to improve its effectiveness. The Bureau's products and services--including web sites and other internet services, electronic journals, speaker programs, print publications, and CD-ROMs--uniquely are designed to support the State Department's initiatives, as well as those of other U.S. foreign policy organizations. It also manages Information Resource Centers overseas and offers reference specialists based in Washington, DC, to answer specialized information queries from abroad. The IIP was created from elements of the U.S. Information Agency when it merged with the Department of State on October 1, 1999.
The Organization
Operating as a reinvention laboratory through its team-based management structure, the IIP comprises three offices:- The Office of Geographic Liaison is the first point of contact within IIP for missions overseas and the audiences they serve. Its teams' writer-editors, information resource officers, program officers, and translators provide regionally oriented products and services.
- The Office of Thematic Programs has multifunctional teams organized in one of two ways: along subject-matter lines, such as economic security, or along product lines, such as electronic media. The thematic teams work closely with the geographic teams in preparing products and services that support Washington initiatives and mission requests.
- The Office of Technology Services is responsible for developing, interpreting, and applying government-wide technology policies and procedures in support of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public AffairsUnder Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public AffairsThe Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs is a position within the U.S. Department of State that is intended to help ensure that public diplomacy is practiced in combination with public affairs and traditional diplomacy to advance U.S. interests and security...
, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural AffairsBureau of Educational and Cultural AffairsThe Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries around the world...
, and IIP.
Screening of speakers
The Bureau runs the U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program, which selects U.S. experts to deliver lectures, serve as consultants and conduct seminars, either overseas or from the United States via teleconferences. Vice President requested a review of the program after a December 2005 story in which State Department officials said that political litmus tests were being used to weed out speakers critical of the Bush administration.In September 2006, a report by the department's Inspector General's Office said that U.S. officials screened the public statements and writings of private citizens for criticism of the Bush administration before deciding whether to send them on foreign speaking assignments. The screenings amounted to "virtual censorship" in the State Department's selection of speakers, said the 22-page report.