American Councils’ Emeritus President and current Director of the American Councils Research Center (ARC), Dr. Dan E. Davidson, has been appointed to the International Advisory Council of America250. The appointment was made by the America250 Foundation and the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission that were established by Congress to inspire Americans to participate in the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026.
America250 represents a coalition of public and private partners all working to create initiatives and programs that recognize the United States’ first 250 years and inspire Americans to imagine our next 250. The International Advisory Council of America250 is one of 11 councils created across a variety of industries and specialties to increase inclusiveness, expand America250’s capacity and connection to partners and stakeholders, and facilitate program development, implementation, and social impact.
"It is an honor to serve along side our colleagues in government and the private sector to work to ensure that the perspectives of the U.S international educational exchange community can contribute to the planning and international outreach of this commemoration,” Dr. Davidson noted. “I hope that the 250th anniversary will represent an inclusive and comprehensive series of events for American Councils staff members, alumni, participants and overseas partners to reflect on America’s history, both the achievements and the challenges, in light of the highly interconnected world we inhabit today."
The current roster of Advisory Councils includes nearly 125 leading experts and professionals from across the United States who will assist America250 with its planning and preparations. Dr. Davidson’s fellow International Committee members include retired diplomats and ambassadors, corporate and nonprofit executives, and senior government and academic officials. The overarching purpose of the International Advisory Council is to engage friends of America worldwide in the 250th commemoration, and to support the activities of the Department of State to engage foreign nations in America250.