U.S. in the World is a respected resource for communicators, advocates, educators, experts, and anyone else who wants to talk with Americans about a cooperative, constructive and effective role for the U.S. in the world. Working with a range of partners and drawing on the latest public opinion and communications research, U.S. in the World develops messaging advice that helps communicators build mainstream public support for this vision of responsible global engagement and for policy approaches that reflect it.
Since 2004, U.S. in the World has been at the leading edge of a major shift among advocates and opinion leaders in a wide range of issue areas toward a more strategic approach to communications, greater interest in networking and coalition-building across issue areas, and increased awareness of the big ideas and values that unite us and help us pull in the same direction, even when we differ over policy details. Today, influential communicators are applying our messaging recommendations in some of the nation’s most pressing policy debates – about reducing the nuclear weapons danger; mitigating climate change; and improving U.S. counterterrorism strategy, among other issues. Our multi-year Managing the Fear Factor project is helping advocates of responsible U.S. global engagement meet the unique communications challenges they face in times of public fear and anxiety, when the political playing field tilts toward leaders who offer zero-sum, shoot-from-the-hip responses to threats or perceived threats.
U.S. in the World is a project of Dēmos: A Network for Ideas & Action.
History and Mission
The U.S. in the World Initiative was launched at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in 2003, in response to a core insight about efforts to build constituencies for collaborative, constructive approaches to U.S. foreign policy: that advocates needed help and encouragement to come together around a shared story of responsible global engagement, create connections across issue areas, and take advantage of cutting-edge communications research to reach broader audiences.
In 2004, U.S. in the World’s initial multi-issue communicators’ guide – U.S. in the World: Talking Global Issues with Americans – was published to wide and bipartisan acclaim. It has become an invaluable resource for advocates and experts who want to talk with Americans about a cooperative, constructive, principled, and farsighted role for the US in the world.
Staff
Priscilla Lewis
Co-Director, U.S. in the World Initiative
Sue Veres Royal
Co-Director, U.S. in the World Initiative
Praise from the field:
“Whether you’re writing speeches for a policymaker, preparing for a CNN interview or planning an advocacy campaign, you’re probably not creating the most effective messages if you don’t have U.S. in the World’s messaging products at your fingertips. The U.S. in the World guide and many messaging memos are an indispensable tool for anyone creating or disseminating public messages about responsible U.S. global engagement. Based on exhaustive research coupled with broad engagement with experts and policymakers in the field, these tools are the cream of the crop for both experienced and new communicators in the foreign policy field.”
Heather Hamilton, Executive Director, Connect US Fund
“U.S. in the World provides the vital antidote to a disturbing spread of pugnacious disdain for healthy American engagement in global problems. The U.S. in the World package of framing expertise doesn’t ‘think for people’ — but gives Americans a portal through which they can work through on their own terms America’s key challenges and find ways to talk about these issues in a balanced way with others. I use U.S. in the World-influenced framing every day.”
Steve Clemons, Director, American Strategy Program, New America Foundation,
Publisher of the political blog, The Washington Note
“We all know instinctively that positive images evoke positive thoughts. It’s about time someone made it clear that U.S. foreign policy can be progressive and positive, plus make people feel good and up-lifted. U.S. in the World undertook serious research, thinking and writing to provide messages that matter, words that work, and ideas that inspire.”
Susan Shaer, WAND Executive Director
“U.S. in the World is a unique resource for anyone who wants to communicate effectively and honestly about the options for U.S. foreign policy. Nowhere else can you find insights from the worlds of policy, politics, neuroscience and journalism wrapped up in one user-friendly package.”
Heather Hurlburt, Executive Director, National Security Network
“U.S. in the World develops strategic, sound and sensible security messaging advice that addresses both long and short-term objectives. Based on extensive research and experience, U.S. in the World’s recommendations help experts communicate security policy in ways that allow the public to grasp our vision and goals, while promoting rational thinking and farsighted conversations. I often incorporate the guidance provided by U.S. in the World in my communications whether they be Congressional testimonies, media interviews or public speeches and conversations.”
Lawrence J. Korb, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
