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.
Winner: Mauritius. Loser: Somalia.
This morning in Cape Town, South Africa the Mo Ibrahim Foundation released its annual index of governance in Africa. Using four categories -- safety and rule of law, participation and human rights, sustainable economic opportunity, and human development -- the winners were the usual suspects: Mauritius first, followed by Cape Verde, the Seychelles, and Botswana. The equally predictable losers are Somalia, Chad, and Zimbabwe.
In Rural Africa, a Fertile Market for Mobile Phones
In an area where electricity is scarce and Internet connections virtually nonexistent, the mobile phone has revolutionized scientists’ ability to track this crop disease and communicate the latest scientific advances to remote farmers.Africa has the fastest-growing mobile phone market worldwide. Entrepreneurs and development organizations are eagerly seizing the opportunity presented by such growth. They are creating mobile phone applications for profitable and nonprofit ventures across the continent.
Embargo over Beethoven?
Despite a recent thawing of relations between the U.S. and Cuba, the New York Philharmonic was reminded last week that it’s still easier for an American orchestra to play in nuclear-armed North Korea than in the long-estranged Caribbean island next door. The Philharmonic announced Friday it had postponed a historic trip to Havana planned for later this month, after U.S. Treasury Department officials denied travel permission to the orchestra patrons who were financially supporting the performances.
Exploring Cultural Diplomacy Through the Aspen Institute
The Aspen Cultural Diplomacy Forum is a recent initiative of the Aspen Institute conceived in response to " an increasingly global interconnection of diplomacy challenges and opportunities ... where trends and approaches can be thoroughly analyzed and workable strategies developed." The first forum, held in Paris a year ago, was organized around the theme "Culture in Conflict/Culture on the Move." This year's focus of "Culture & Security" is a natural follow-up.
China: Spectacle of Power, Deep Insecurity
In a November 2008 interview, Liu said that for the Chinese media to achieve international status, it must transcend national boundaries and compete in the international market. Otherwise, Liu said, China would not be able to lead public opinion and would remain a country that lacks cultural soft power.
Can Brazil Truly Emerge as a Strong Nation?
Brazil has expanded its international influence by establishing diplomatic ties with 35 countries over the past six years. Yet many in the international community say the country has failed to boost its national brand despite the quantitative expansion of its influence.
U.S. most admired country globally: survey
The United States is the most admired country globally thanks largely to the star power of President Barack Obama and his administration, according to a new poll. It climbed from seventh place last year, ahead of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan which completed the top five nations in the Nation Brand Index (NBI).
The Sharing of Hula and Haka
Molokai enjoyed a special cultural treat last Saturday – a student performance of traditional Maori song and dance. About 20 high school students from New Zealand, or Aotearoa, as the indigenous Maoris call it, visited Molokai as part of a cultural exchange with students from Molokai High School’s Hawaiian Immersion program. Sharing their language and culture with fellow students and the community was a highlight of their trip.
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