Our Mission

To promote global understanding and respect between the people of Utah and other nations.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets with Jack Dahl,
Laura Dupuy and Rosemary Baron of the UCCD.


Citizen Diplomacy

As citizens we have the right – even the responsibility – to help shape U.S. foreign relations “one handshake at a time”.

The UCCD connects Utah to the world through a variety of exchange and educational programs.

  • UCCD is a private sector partner with the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program, an international exchange program that provides opportunities for professional exchanges between Utahns and mid-career international professionals. The majority of International Visitors have the opportunity to be a dinner guest in the home of a UCCD member.
  • UCCD is the Utah affiliate of the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA). The World Affairs lectures raise awareness of critical national and global issues and give Utahns the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of world affairs through lectures by the nation's foremost authorities.
  • UCCD's school outreach program matches Utah elementary and secondary classrooms with international visitors to learn first-hand about other cultures. This program uses a cultural themes approach which allows the integration of an international perspective across the curriculum, in a highly interactive context.

History

Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy was founded as International Visitors Utah Council in 1965 by Virginia Howard, Taza Peirce, Sterling Ryser, and Elmer Smith.

Salt Lake City and Utah had played host to hundreds of international visitors over the years but never under the coordination of a central council. In 1964, two volunteers from Boulder, Colorado's COSERV member organization provided the final inspiration during a visit to Salt Lake City. The purpose of their visit was to explore the potential interest of the city in hosting international visitors and the need for a coordinated community program to serve them. What they found was an overwhelming response of generosity and interest illustrated by the network of more than 300 volunteers ready to serve at the Council's inception.

So, after 11 years of discussion, the International Visitors Utah Council opened its doors. Officers of the newly created council represented a wide variety of organizations, including the regional Veterans Administration, American Field Service, and the Church Information Service. At the Council's dedication ceremony on May 5, 1965, Governor Rampton gave his support by stating: "I feel it is extremely important that Utah have a warm welcome for our international visitors and that this organization of interested citizens ... will best serve this purpose."

Since its inception, international visitor responses to the Council have been positive. Activities involving businesses, universities, museums, religious institutions, libraries, theater, symphony, and civic resources all contribute to an invaluable learning atmosphere for Utah's international visitors.

Remembering Taza Peirce

The Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy wishes to offer its condolences to the family and friends of Taza N. Armstrong Peirce, co-founder of the Salt Lake Council for International Visitors (today known as the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy) with Virginia Howard, Sterling Ryser, and Elmer Smith. Many international visitors to Utah came to know and love her including foreign royalty and exchange students. Taza loved to read and learn about other countries. We are forever indebted for her tireless work to promote global understanding and respect between the people of Utah and other nations. Learn more.