A curated selection of public diplomacy-relevant news from a global cross-section of English-language media outlets, including independent, corporate-owned, and state-sponsored sources. The stories featured don't necessarily represent CPD's views nor have they been verified by CPD.
Obama Should End Silence on Human Rights Abuses in Iran
Frustration is growing among the Iranian people over the Obama administration's silence on human rights abuses in Iran. Condemnations of Tehran's abhorrent treatment of its people have been few and far between. But before nuclear diplomacy moves towards a premature ending, the Obama administration must act quickly to reinvigorate its human rights agenda. Failure to do so may cause any future focus on Iran's human rights violations to be viewed solely as a means to punish Tehran, rather than a strategic imperative worthy of pursuit in its own right.
Canada and the World
With an admirable reputation and positive image, public diplomacy is Canada’s strongest comparative advantage in international relations. It is incomprehensible that this function has taken among the the hardest of hits in the recent round of resource reductions. Not only is this akin to shooting yourself in the foot when you are in a race, but if forces evern greater distortions and misallocations throughout the diplomatic network.
South Africa Signals Tougher Zimbabwe Stance
President Jacob Zuma's recent appointment of a team of envoys to monitor the unity government in neighboring Zimbabwe could mark a departure from the quiet diplomacy employed by South Africa under former President Thabo Mbeki. Analysts say that Zuma's team, which they described as "tough as nails," is likely to come up with recommendations that will put an end of Mugabe's obstructionism. Mugabe has previously taken advantage of South Africa's reluctance take a more muscular role in negotiations in order to maintain his grip on power, to the detriment of his coalition partners.
GSE team travelogue to RID-5240, California
The Group Study Exchange (GSE) programme of Rotary International is a unique vocational and cultural exchange opportunity for young professionals and businessmen/women in their initial stage of career. Reciprocity is the key to GSE. Each of the paired Rotary District sends and receives a team to each other's district consisting of five to six persons for four to six weeks. In this vocational and cultural exchange program we visited our related vocations, such as schools, universities, banks, chambers of commerce, private companies and hospitals etc.
One woman embarrasses Madrid and Rabat
Flying home to the Western Saharan capital of Laayoune after having won a prize in the United States, Aminatou Haidar allegedly committed the treasonous act of inscribing her nationality as Sahrawi rather than Moroccan on the immigration form. This was the kind of act of defiance the 43-year-old mother of two could be relied on to deliver after spending decades struggling against a state she perceives to be an occupying power, through periods of imprisonment in horrendous conditions, hunger strikes and other acts of civil disobedience.
Bid to create a cultural legacy that lasts beyond the Olympics
Cultural events in and around Derby are set to get bigger, better and more frequent as the city considers applying to become the UK City of Culture for 2017. Twenty-nine cities have already bid to become the first city to be awarded the status for 2013, with Derby delaying its bid in order to develop its portfolio of cultural activities. Derby believes it could become the perfect city to boast such a status as it has 182 nationalities living in the area.
Romanian ambassador expects major cultural exchange in 2010
Romania and Angola will increase existing cultural cooperation in 2010 under their friendship and trust said the European country’s ambassador in Luanda, Iacob Prada. Speaking to Angop, the diplomat said that the agreement was signed on 2008 between Angolan and Romania government. Under the agreement, he said, Angola wants to increase people training in areas like television, cinema and arts. Iacob Prada said that the agreement includes the area of architecture.
Clinton to address US-Pak Foundation
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who last month concluded her important tour of Pakistan, interacting intensively and extensively with the Pakistani political and military leadership, besides talking face-to-face with the media and select gatherings of citizens, will deliver as chief guest her keynote speech on December 11, 2009, in the scheduled important meeting of American-Pakistan Foundation (APF) at Cipriani, New York city.
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