Over the few last years, U.S. international broadcasting has come under intense scrutiny. The Broadcasting Board of Governors has been labeled as “dysfunctional” by many including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing on June 26 titled, “Broadcasting Board of Governors: An Agency ‘Defunct,’” in which former BBG Governors and Congressman debated the effectiveness of the VOA and the BBG. Although no solutions have been agreed upon, a new strategy is needed to revamp U.S. international broadcasting.

In one of her final speeches as U.S. Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Tara Sonenshine emphasized the importance of Public Diplomacy in the 21st century at a recent CSIS event. She asserts that the U.S. Department of State has been “proactive and responsive in the fast-breaking, constantly evolving global conversation” on public diplomacy.

Coca-Cola installed new high tech vending machines in Lahore, Pakistan and New Deli, India inviting citizens in both countries to put their political differences aside and communicate with each other while drinking a Coke. Participants are “encouraged to complete a friendly task together – wave, touch hands, draw a peace sign or dance – before sharing a Coca-Cola.” The idea behind the machine is to ease tensions and promote mutual understanding between the two peoples and countries.

Public diplomacy scholar and CPD Blogger, Robert Albro, discusses cultural diplomacy in the United States and the way that cultural has shaped foreign policy. Specifically, Albro looks at the relationship between culture and diplomacy, pointing out successful case studies like the United States’s Jazz Ambassador program.

The Czech Centre in New York and the Aspen Institute in Prague joined together for an all day event focusing on cultural diplomacy. Specifically, panelists discussed the ways in which Central Europe can use culture to positively impact the regions image abroad. Looking at the United States and the Czech Republic, who have both incorporated culture into their public diplomacy priorities, The Czech Centre and the Aspen Institute analyze the best practices for Central European policy makers. 

The former Senior Advisor for Innovation to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Alec Ross, reflects on his time working at the U.S. Department of State.  Ross’s biggest take away after four years of working for Hillary Clinton is that “the Internet has become a battlefield,” leading to increased conflict worldwide.

CPD co-sponsored the Association of Public Diplomacy Scholars’ (APDS) annual conference on the new and traditional frontlines of public diplomacy. The May 3rd event featured panels on conflict management, domestic perspectives, consular diplomacy, and Diaspora engagement.

The Institute for Public Policy and Global Communication hosted a conference titled “Hillary Clinton and Global Women’s Issues: An Enduring Legacy?” Distinguished panelists including Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer, each discussed the tremendous impact that the former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had on women and girls worldwide.