University Diplomat


Connecting youth from around the world via University students volunteering in the US and abroad

The University Diplomat Program (UDP) was launched in the fall of 2003 at Santa Clara University (SCU) with the intent of encouraging university students who are working in low-income schools or youth service programs to participate in Paintbrush Diplomacy art exchanges.  With the help of SCU students volunteering in the Bay Area and studying abroad, the program brought together underprivileged schools from each country they visited.  At the heart of this idea is a program that is dedicated to connecting underprivileged or marginalized communities all around the world.  With the help of university students, PBD has been able to target certain schools or countries that need their voices to be heard.

The procedure of the University Diplomat Program at SCU is a simple three-step process:

  1. Students go abroad, taking with them the following, which are provided by SCU’s UDP coordinator:
    1. A Teacher’s Guide
    2. A Diplomatic Pouch (containing pieces of art from children around the world)
    3. Fundraising ideas for art supplies
  2. Once at the location, students spend a couple of hours at the art project site.
    1. The Diplomatic Pouch filled with international art is given to the children as a gift, and the students take the opportunity to talk about the different artwork and to ask the children to share their ideas.  The countries from which the artworks were received could be located on a map, which help to get the children excited about making art for people in other countries.
  3. Once back in the USA, the art is returned to the UDP coordinator, and they too will be sorted into Diplomatic Pouches to be sent back out to other children abroad.

We at PBD would like to invite your university to become involved by implementing the UDP at your university.  With your help, we can further our missions of encouraging friendliness and fostering a sense of community among children of the world through the universal language of art.

If you are interested, would like more information, or have any questions, contact us at paintbrushdiplomacy@gmail.com.  We look forward to working with you!