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.
Nigeria Tries to Change Image with Marketing
Nigeria on Tuesday launched a new branding effort aimed at luring international investors and tourists to the chaotic country. Information Minister Dora Akunyili told reporters that the government had earmarked more than $1 million for the "Nigeria. Good People, Great Nation" campaign. She said that the goal was to interest tourists in Nigeria and boost investor confidence, which would eventually increase employment for Nigerians.
Saudi-Cuba Cultural Co-op Accord Inked
The governments of Saudi Arabia and Cuba signed an executive program of cultural cooperation and expressed interest in strengthening and expanding links in that field, informed Cuban diplomatic sources. The document based on the Gen eral Cooperation Agreement signed in 2004 between the Saudi kingdom and the island was inked on occasion of the visit of Culture First Deputy Minister, Rafael Bernal to this capital.
Korea to Upgrade Global Image
The government aims to raise Korea's standing in the Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands Index, one of the most widely accepted measurements of a country's global image, from the current 33rd among 50 countries to 15th place by 2013.
Government 2.0 Meets Catch 22
Organizations of all sorts have been trying to figure out how they can adapt social networks, blogs, wiki’s and other Web tools to their traditional operating methods in order to connect to customers and partners. But it is tough.
Iran Is Unlikely to Give Up Its Nuclear Enrichment Program
Do you think this administration has too much public diplomacy right now?
Much too much. They think they have to convince the world that they aren't George W. Bush, but everyone knows that. They don't have to convince the world. Barack Obama is significantly different from George Bush, and people understand that.
Asia-Pacific Strategy
The Obama administration should broaden and deepen diplomatic, economic and cultural engagement; invest in professional competence/capacity building; provide leadership in addressing climate change and energy security; and rebuild America's public diplomacy capabilities.
Lebanon opens its first ever embassy in Syria
Monday's move seals the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the two countries for the first time since they gained independence from France in the 1940s. Syria opened an embassy in Beirut in December.
After 10 years of leader’s heroic struggle, pizza comes to North Korea
An obsession with pizza stretching back at least 10 years prompted the isolated nation's dictator, Kim Jong-il, to authorise North Korea's first Italian restaurant, which opened in December, according to a pro-Pyongyang newspaper published in Japan. "General Kim Jong-il said that the people should also be allowed access to the world's famous dishes," the restaurant's manager, Kim Sang-Soon, was quoted as saying in Choson Sinbo, a Tokyo-based newspaper seen as a mouthpiece for the regime.
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