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.
Challenges remain as Olympics approach
As the clock ticks towards the Olympic Games, Beijing still faces awesome challenges as host city. "The situation is pressing, and the tasks are daunting," said Liu Qi, president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG), when visiting non-competition venues on Monday.
One U.S. envoy’s blunt diplomacy
For anyone accustomed to the stereotypes of risk-averse U.S. diplomats hunkering down in fortified embassies against an often hostile if not anti-American world, the barrel-chested McGee comes across as something of a shock: an activist diplomat who has virtually dared one of the world's most oppressive regimes to eject him as he embarks, video cameras in tow, on high-profile "field trips" to alleged torture camps, hospitals crammed with bloodied opposition activists and, most recently, the embattled slums of Harare.
What Others Think ...
There's some good news for America, but it might not cheer President Bush a great deal. The latest global attitudes survey by the Pew Research Centre reports that for the first time in this decade, America's approval ratings have shown improvement. It seems Bush's departure come January is playing its part. Except in countries that are deeply anti-American, people believe America's foreign policy will change for the better once Bush departs.
Waiting For Obama: The First Global Election
Nothing could be more accurate today than the political chant from Chicago in 1968: "The Whole World is Watching"...In the past month, I have seen this phenomenon first hand. I have traveled to Syria, Peru and Bolivia as a speaker in the State Department's public diplomacy program. In each country, I heard from US embassy staff about how a record number of foreign journalists have requested travel to the US to cover the elections.
Firm defends how it put up foreign pupils
Lawmakers raised the prospect of state oversight of foreign exchange programs Tuesday after a sometimes contentious meeting in which a Massachusetts company defended itself against reports of its shoddy living arrangements for foreign high school students.
Challenges Await Next President On Day 1
McCain and Obama have also repeatedly vowed to rebuild America's image abroad and rejuvenate public diplomacy. Either one will certainly have his work cut out for him.
Hawiya hosts branding workshop series
In an effort to raise the profile of branding amongst Oman's private and public sector, Hawiya, the newly formed Oman Brand Management Unit has recently launched a series of free-of-charge branding workshops targeting representatives from trade and finance, information communication technology, leisure and tourism, and education.
Beijing Olympics 2008: China’s government clamps down on entertainment
China is clamping down on entertainment for the Olympics, closing bars and clubs and making it more difficult for companies to lay on their usual lavish hospitality parties for clients.
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