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.
University of Queensland Set to Open Chinese Institute
"We're delighted to be able to complement existing Confucius institutes, focusing in particular on China's contribution to science, engineering and technology," said UQ senior vice-chancellor Michael Keniger, who signed the deal in Beijing this month...A controversial exercise in Chinese soft power, the institutes are jointly funded and run by local universities and Hanban, a Chinese government entity
Do the Balkans Belong to Europe?
There should be no doubt even for school students that the Balkans belong to Europe and consequently, that Turkey is as much European as it is Asian. When we come to the terms of the Balkan countries' accession to the European Union, however, there are people still trying to make the Balkans belonging to Europe dubious.
Frog-in-the-Well Branding
Armed with the 10-point action plan and fuelled by the Lee administration's trademark drive and ambition, Korea should have nearly caught up with the Czech Republic and Egypt, a place ahead of us jointly on the Anholt-Fgk Roper Nation Brands Index (NBI). Yet, one cannot help but worry that this laudable initiative could fizzle out due to our nation's frog-in-the-well thinking.
Outside-The-Box Ambassador?
Israeli diplomats should place “tremendous emphasis” on what Oren called “public diplomacy”, utilizing every modern media tool at their disposal to promote Israel’s agenda and image.
WhiteHouse.gov: Pragmatism and the Nobility of Public Service
WhiteHouse.gov is a great start, and is part of something much bigger which we're only beginning to understand. It's part of a number of social media efforts which also include recovery.gov, nationalservice.gov, the new HealthReform.gov, and the entirety of the accountability and transparency movement.
The Pope’s Photo-Op with Europe’s Last Dictator
Belarussian President Aleksandr Lukashenko's PR machine kicked into overdrive yesterday during a meeting with Pope Benedict. RFE/RL's Luke Allnut notes that the Belarussian strongman's adorable son Nikola stole the show at the event: "Resplendent in a white cardigan among the papal grays and purples... playing with a football and presenting the pope with his ABC's book." It certainly sounds like Lukashenko is getting his money's worth from his top-shelf British spin-doctors.
Tweet of Approval: Bush-Era Public Diplomat Likes Obama Nominee
Graffy is offering up a tentative seal of approval on McHale's nomination to succeed her old boss. "Very good meeting w U/S Designate Judith McHale to talk re Public Diplomacy at the State Dept," she tweeted. "She might be exactly who we need 4 that job."
All Pigs are Men: Why We Need to Learn to Manage Infodemics, Too…
Once again, the media is reacting to a potential threat with its usual calm, responsibly recognizing that sensational coverage of diseases can have far worse consequences than the diseases themselves. Or not.
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