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.
European Commission signs up UK media chief
Antonia Mochan moves to London this month to take up the role. The move follows more than three years as the European Commission spokeswoman for science and research, based in Brussels...As well as providing a service to British journalists on European issues, Mochan is also handling the European Commission's cultural diplomacy service, which involves organising film festivals and cultural events.
Africa: U.S. Military Set for a Long Campaign
Strident hostility towards a US military command centre for Africa (Africom) has prompted the US defense establishment to lobby civil society and key stakeholders in Africa, in a bid to garner support for the centre's planned relocation on African soil.
Candidates and language skills
Now, the leading candidates certainly have mentioned foreign languages. On the Democratic side, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois recently stressed that American students should learn one or two foreign languages to give them a competitive edge, and U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York has long advocated expanding access to foreign-language courses...But the candidates have yet to elevate the matter of foreign-language training and knowledge to the high priority that it deserves.
Games won’t be financial burden to Beijing
Despite being billed as the costliest Games ever, the Beijing Olympics won't be a financial millstone around the neck of the Beijing municipal government in the years to come, said Standard & Poor's Ratings Services in a report released here on Tuesday.
Hola, Denver; Guten Tag, Twin Cities
Hundreds of diplomats will descend on Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul this summer for the national political conventions. American elections always attract international attention...but the battle between Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) appears to have captivated audiences in Europe, Asia and Latin America even more than in the past, embassy sources said.
U.S. can be shining example to the world
We must get back to emphasizing the universality of our core ideals -- freedom, liberty and democracy -- by celebrating and practicing them at home and helping others attain them abroad...Public diplomacy, broadcasting, exchange programs and other tools of communication that can help enhance America's image abroad demand greater resources, both human and financial.
SYRIA: Former U.S. diplomat’s ‘mission improbable’—healing rift
When former ambassador and Occidental College international policy professor Derek Shearer first told colleagues he was going to Syria as a speaker on behalf of the State Department, he was sure that even if the authorities didn't shut down his appearances, people would boycott, maybe even hold demonstrations. But that’s not what happened, not by a long shot.
The world is ready for Barack Obama
Open diplomacy and a friendly face in the White House will improve America's image...The competition between Obama and Clinton, which has been covered live on global TV networks has shown American democracy at its best. As part of its public diplomacy, the US government should nurture this positive aspect of America's image and build on it.
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