2014 marked the ninth annual Summer Institute in Public Diplomacy, ran by the USC Center on Public Diplomacy at the Annenberg School. 

This intensive two-week training program allowed professionals from across the globe to immerse themselves in the growing field of public diplomacy. The Summer Institute equipped students with tools to better understand the role of public diplomacy, analyzed the impact of new communication technologies, and employ innovative approaches for improving the image and impact of their country or organization.

Ambassador Rugh explains how Abu Dhabi's investment in education, medicine, art, and music constitutes a new kind of cultural diplomacy.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari throws down the gauntlet to the Taliban at the recent cultural festival in Sindh.

American Film Showcase, a joint project of the U.S. State Department and USC School of Cinematic Arts, held a private discussion with the members from APDS. AFS is a unique cultural diplomacy initiative which screens provocative (and often critical of the U.S.) documentaries abroad, and engages local filmmaking communities in 25-35 locations each year including China, Israel and Palestine, Pakistan, Algeria, Vietnam, Venezuela, Armenia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.

Cameron Munter, former U.S. ambassador to Pakistan (2010-2012), discussed the complicated relationship between the United States and Pakistan, as embodied in the most recent period of severe crisis, which included the capture of Osama bin Laden and the latest phase of the Afghan war. He shed light on the role of public diplomacy during these times of crisis.

mer·ce·nary 

noun \mr-s-ner-ē, -ne-rē\

: a soldier who is paid by a foreign country to fight in its army : a soldier who will fight for any group or country that hires him (Merriam-Webster)

Successful public diplomacy is based on providing foreign publics what they need, be it information, a vaccination program, or help in securing economic well-being.