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.

Chibok, #BringBackOurGirls & the Power of Social Media Activism

Undoubtedly, the #BringBackOurGirls vibe and heat must have at best fuelled the use of social media, particularly Twitter, to push for social change and global action. The #FeesMustFall (South Africa) and #Justice4Liz (Kenya) trends among others have followed the lead of #BringBackOurGirls.

Tags: #bringbackourgirls, chibok girls, social media activism, Digital Diplomacy & New Technology, boko haram, nigeria, twitter

Engaging Academics in Public Diplomacy

The professors come from different backgrounds and academic specialities [...] Now they are volunteering their time and experience to help MOFA develop new ideas and improve existing outreach efforts and programs. By bringing a fresh perspective, combined with extensive personal experience in Korea, we hope to get constructive criticism and new ideas to improve our work — strengthening Korea’s image and helping to attract more interest abroad in learning about Korea as a country, along with its rich culture, language and heritage.

Tags: mofa, east asia, south korea, Nation Image, Cultural Diplomacy, academics, academic view

Malala Yousafzai Becomes Youngest U.N. Peace Messenger

Teenager Malala Yousafzai — who earned a Nobel Peace Prize for promoting the rights of girls — now holds the highest honor bestowed by the U.N. chief on a global citizen. “It is important for girls to realize that their action and their voice is important, and it is needed right now,” the 19-year-old said after an April 10 ceremony where she was officially designated a U.N. Messenger of Peace. She is the youngest person to be so honored.

Tags: united nations, malala yousafzai, non-state pd, girls empowerment, global citizen, activism, messenger of peace, human rights

Pair of Giant Panda Cubs from China Greeted in Netherlands

Two giant panda cubs are being prepared for a new life at a zoo in the Netherlands following a long airplane flight from China. [...] For decades, China gifted friendly nations with its national mascot in what was known as "panda diplomacy." The country more recently has loaned pandas to zoos on commercial terms.

Tags: panda diplomacy, china, netherlands, cultural exchange, Cultural Diplomacy, soft power

After Escaping Boko Haram, Farmers Begin a New Season with Hope

There are thousands of Nigerian farmers who suffered similar fates — displaced by the Boko Haram terrorist organization — who are cultivating again. [...] USAID partners, including state and local government agencies, helped ensure distribution occurred ahead of this year’s planting season.

Tags: boko haram, development assistance, global development, agricultural production, usaid, food security, global aid & development, nigeria

Fulbright Scholarship Programme for Emiratis

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program competition for the 2018-2019 academic years is now open to applicants until May 13, 2017, the US embassy in the UAE announced on Thursday. The academic exchange programme is funded by the US Department of State and provides Emirati students and young professionals the opportunity to pursue graduate-level study in the US.

Tags: fulbright, emiratis, foreign student exchange, united states, academic exchange, international exchange, uae

The Case for Engaging North Korea

A hard-line strategy is not likely to persuade the DPRK regime to give up its missiles and nuclear weapons. Nor will it garner the support of the South Korean public, which is poised to elect a centrist or center-left president in the May 9 election. Most importantly, preemptive strikes or enhanced sanctions will delay ongoing economic reforms in North Korea and set back its integration into the global economy. Internal economic and social change is ultimately the only path to moderate the DPRK regime and its policies.

Tags: north korea, east asia, geopolitics, ngos, marketization, engagement, foreign policy, south korea, social change

Finland Portrayed Largely in Positive Light in World Media

Finland’s education system, basic income experiment, appeal as a travel destination and possible membership in Nato were the most dominant themes in global media reports about the country in 2016, finds a survey conducted by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Tags: finland, media, Nation Image, nation branding, education, tourism, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

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