Public Diplomacy in the News: Chicano Cultural Encounter, Golf Diplomacy, & Dr. Jill Biden on Culinary Diplomacy

“Public Diplomacy in the News” is a CPD Blog series by Andrew Dubbins that spotlights noteworthy stories on public diplomacy topics such as cultural diplomacy, nation branding, exchange programs, international events and conferences, digital diplomacy, and strategic global communications.

Chicano cultural encounter unites Mexico and U.S. through art and activism. Mexico City is currently hosting its fourth annual Chicano Cultural Encounter, a vibrant event organized by Chicanxs Sin Fronteras to celebrate and connect Chicano identity with Mexican culture through art, workshops, and discussions. This event, spanning 10 venues and featuring artists, activists, and academics from both sides of the border, highlights themes of migration, identity, and community resilience, countering negative narratives surrounding Mexican migrant communities. This year’s program includes tributes to civil rights activist Armando Vázquez-Ramos and events on education, incarceration, and deportation in binational contexts, embodying the principles of “carnalismo” and community empowerment.

Mexico News Daily

First Lady Jill Biden highlights culinary diplomacy’s role in bridging cultures. In a heartfelt speech, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden emphasized the power of food and diplomacy to bridge cultures and build human connections. Reflecting on her Italian-American heritage and recent experiences with chefs like José Andrés in disaster relief, she illustrated how shared meals foster empathy and support. Dr. Biden praised the American Culinary Corps and the James Beard Foundation for uniting people across borders, noting that food tells the story of America's diversity. As she and President Biden prepare to leave the White House, she expressed gratitude for the role of culinary diplomacy in advancing a shared vision of peace and understanding worldwide.

The White House

South Korean president turns to golf for diplomatic ties with Trump. In a gesture of sports diplomacy, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is honing his golf skills for the first time in eight years, aiming to connect with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on the fairway. Inspired by the approach of Japan's late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who built rapport with Trump through golf, Yoon hopes to strengthen U.S.-South Korea relations amid concerns over potential tariffs, security alliance costs, and Trump's possible outreach to North Korea. Despite the challenges, Yoon’s proactive stance underscores South Korea's commitment to maintaining a robust alliance, using golf as a strategic diplomatic tool.

Stella Kim and Jennifer Jett / NBC News

Feds fought foreign disinformation during 2024 election. Federal agencies addressed a surge of disinformation and online threats aimed at disrupting the 2024 U.S. election, with bomb threats targeting swing state polling centers linked to Russian email domains. This election cycle saw unprecedented foreign influence, as disinformation from Russia, Iran, and China spread rapidly across social media, often amplified by partisan groups. U.S. intelligence and law enforcement responded faster than in previous elections, debunking false content within hours. Cybersecurity firms identified the Election Day bomb threats as part of a broader, ongoing hoax campaign, with prior links to threats at LGBTQ+ events and other locations in the U.S. and abroad.

Sean Lyngaas and Evan Perez / CNN

U.S. Sports Envoys empower female soccer players in Tunisia. In El Kef, Tunisia, U.S. Sports Envoys Bonnie Young and William John concluded a four-day soccer program focused on empowering female athletes through skills training, leadership, and club management workshops. Organized by the U.S. Embassy in partnership with the Tunisian Female Soccer League and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the initiative aimed to elevate women’s soccer and promote gender equality in sports. Deputy Chief of Mission Emily Katkar emphasized the program's role in fostering essential skills like teamwork and communication, aligning with the U.S. commitment to empowering young women in Tunisia and strengthening bilateral ties through sports diplomacy.

U.S. Embassy in Tunisia