Celebrate DC’s Diplomatic Day of Kindness this Friday!

A note from Jan Du Plain, Executive Director, Co-founder, Washington Educational & Cultural Attache Association — We’d love for you to join us for a moderated panel discussion titled “Kindness in the World,” featuring embassy leaders representing Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The panelists offer their perspectives, share reflections, examples, or cultural traditions from their country that demonstrate how kindness builds understanding, strengthens relationships, and connects people across cultures.

The panel will last approximately 30 minutes, with time shared among the four panelists. Additional program highlights will include a keynote address on “Kindness: People-to-People Diplomacy,” from Sec Gen Francesca Donlan of the World Kindness Movement: the presentation of WECAA’s first Heart Award to Felis Andrade of Giant Foods, and recognition of Joan Brammer, former Cultural Attaché of Trinidad and Tobago and founder of DC Kindness Day, with the Founders Award.

Meet keynote speaker Francesca Donlan, Secretary General of the World Kindness

Francesa is the co-founder of the k20 Kindness Without Borders Summit, which held its inaugural event in 2026 at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) in Fort Myers, Florida. The first adjunct at FGCU to teach a course on the science and research of kindness, she also serves on the board of Roots of Compassion and Kindness Institute at FGCU. Francesca previously worked as a journalist and as Director of Communications for The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in Florida and Newport, Rhode Island. She now leads her own PR and communications firm, Francesca Donlan Communications.

DCs Mayor Muriel Bowser celebrates WECAA’s DC Diplomatic Day of Kindness

“A new initiative aimed at fostering goodwill and community engagement is set to take place,” proclaims Mayor Muriel Bowser. “The DC Diplomatic Day of Kindness was conceived as an opportunity for various foreign embassies to come together and make a positive impact in their home city of Washington, D.C. This event will mark the beginning of an ongoing annual tradition.”

Details: Guests arrive at 9:30 a.m., and the program begins at 10 a.m., followed by a light international buffet at noon.

Venue: Counterpart International • 1919 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 425, Washington, DC

About WECAA: Created as a non-profit, non-partisan, non-political organization, WECCA has the simple goal of providing a platform for diplomats to engage in professional development in Education and Culture, as well as encourage networking and information sharing.

Jan also serves as the CEO and President of Du Plain Global Enterprises, Inc., a global public relations and special events company that represents a variety of media, international, cultural and diplomatic organizations.

She began her career on her father’s award-winning weekly newspaper in California, followed by a stint at a well-known literary agency in Hollywood, representing authors, screenwriters and actors for motion picture companies. She also worked as the public relations liaison for CBS Cinema Center Films in New York City, public relations director of historic Ford’s Theatre, and for 15 years as the public relations director for WETA TV and Radio, the third largest public broadcasting station in the United States.

For decades, she has primarily served DC’s diplomatic and international community ”touted as the largest and most influential in the world. “ she served on Cultural Tourism DC’s executive team that launched Passport DC* and Around the World Embassy Tour noted as one of DC’s most celebrated festivals today—and continues her embassy work today with Events DC‘s Passport DC AWET, Cherry Blossom Festival Preview Day, Embassy Chef Challenge for which she won an Emmy, and with the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center/World Trade Center, DC’s executive team that launched the popular annual signature event, Winternational, a global embassy marketplace, among many others.

Jan is a longtime member of the International Correspondents Committee of the National Press Club (NPC) and serves on the Leadership Council of the Women’s Business Collaborative, as well as on the Board of Directors of the American News Women’s Club and Theatre Washington, representing over 90 theatres in DC.

She has received several awards, including the 2016 Bernie Krug Award, the National Press Club’s highest award presented to a Club member, as well as Vivian Awards in appreciation for her excellent service to the Club; the 2012 Alice Paul Award, Women & Politics Institute, School of Public Affairs, and “Alum of the Year”-2024 American University; and a Mayor’s Proclamation celebrating “Jan Du Plain Day” every January 1st in the nation’s capital.