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.

A Guardian of Syria's Imperiled Cultural Heritage

At the time, the field of mosaic conservation and documentation was still very much in a nascent phase both at the University of Damascus and at Syria’s museums, and digital archiving [...] gradually replaced the antiquated system of index cards. It was an ambitious initiative that was moving apace until the sirens of war brought it all to a halt in 2011.

Tags: syria, Cultural Diplomacy, cultural heritage, houston texans, art & culture, archeology, museum diplomacy

Baku International Humanitarian Forum Discusses the Role of Media in Inter-Civilizational Dialogue

Organized by AZERTAC, the round table focused on the formation of alternative models of journalism in the information society, the role of modern journalism in ensuring intercultural, inter-faith and inter-civilizational dialogue, and the significance of virtual journalism and the role of social networks in the context of the challenges of modern society.

Tags: 47th international film festival of india, azerbaijan, international broadcasting, digital diplomacy & new tech, social media, dialogue of civilizations

How Virtual Reality is Changing the Way the UN Thinks

Last week's United Nations General Assembly made headlines for a new plan to double the number of refugees allowed into its member nations and to expand aid. But while politicians were making bold speeches about a proposal that may or may not be enforced, the first ever United Nations Creative Director was quietly introducing delegates to the new media technology that is changing how the 71-year-old institution makes decisions.

Tags: united nations, digital diplomacy & new tech, virtual reality, mobile app, advocacy, global aid & development, sri sri ravi shankar

How China Has Gone From Panda Diplomacy to New Silk Road Smart Power

Although China lacked the creativity to produce a soft power hit like the popular Disney movie, it seems to have the vision to shape something bigger: the “One Belt, One Road” initiative – the supreme mixture of soft and hard power, something similar to Joseph Nye’s idea of smart power. China has the power, now can ‘One Belt, One Road’ take it down the path to glory?

Tags: china, panda diplomacy, one belt one road initiative, history & theory, smart & soft power, international image, economic development

Pakistan Music Lovers in Bengal See Hope in Music to Defuse War Tensions

In spite of the jubiliation over surgical strikes inside PoK to 'avenge' Uri attack and flight of Pakistani artistes from India, Pakistani music lovers from Bengal see music and it's exchange as the only path in ensuring long-lasting peace between the two nations. [...] Exchange of artistes instead of kicking them out of the two antagonist countries is felt by some as a way to increase cultural exchange.

Tags: pakistan, india, Cultural Diplomacy, international exchange, peace initiative, music diplomacy, urdu

S. Korean Artists Bring Traditional Culture to Beijing’s Korean Cultural Centre

To promote cultural exchange between China and South Korea,  Korean Culture Day was held at the Korean Cultural Centre in Beijing on Wednesday. [...] As part of the activities, students from the Korea National University of Arts in South Korea, the Manhattan School of Music in New York and China's Central Conservatory of Music presented traditional Korean folk songs and classical Chinese music.

Tags: china, korea, Cultural Diplomacy, cultural exchange, art diplomacy, beijing, international exchange

Corporate Leadership Amidst the Global Refugee Crisis

Earlier this week, world leaders gathered at the United Nations to take action. So did 51 U.S. firms in a display of true corporate leadership because, simply put, a crisis of this scale requires all hands on deck --governments, foundations, international organizations, and, yes, the private sector.

Tags: economic opportunity, refugee crisis, Syrian Refugee, global aid & development, government pd, international organizations, united states, fashion entrepreneur, corporate diplomacy

The Central Role of Religion in Diplomacy

Secretary Kerry acknowledged in his remarks on religion and diplomacy [...] "Religion today remains deeply consequential, affecting the values, the actions, the choices, the worldview of people in every walk of life on every continent."  The Secretary's words speak to the State Department’s recognition of a growing need to assess religious dynamics in world affairs and engage religious actors across a wide range of foreign policies.

Tags: democracy, human rights, religious diplomacy, religion, foreign policy, faith diplomacy, onfucius Institutes, la crosse

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