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.

From Timbuktu to Palmyra: France’s Preservation of Cultural Heritage

At a time when Islamic State militants around the world have sledgehammered antiquities, French President François Holland helped launch a cultural heritage initiative at the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meeting. [...] The French President announced the creation of a $100 million public/private fund, with the United Arab Emirates, to safeguard endangered cultural heritage sites. 

Tags: france, francois hollande, Cultural Diplomacy, government pd, cultural heritage, united arab emirates, syria, isis

Why China and Saudi Arabia are Building Bases in Djibouti

Both new players have made substantial economic and soft power investments in the country to boot. Since 2015, Beijing has poured over $14 billion into infrastructure development. Saudi Arabia, itself a prominent donor to Djibouti’s public works, has spent generously on social welfare projects for the country’s poor.

Tags: china, saudi arabia, djibouti, africa, smart & soft power, global aid & development, socio-economic development

Sport and Youth: Indonesia’s Great Unifier

United World talks to Indonesia’s Minister of Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi to discuss the country’s success at the 2016 Rio Olympics, as well as the importance of Indonesia’s youth-demographic bonus. [...] In principle, sport is a tool of unifying a nation, sport is unity, it also means diversity, and sport is a way to eliminate all differences. 

Tags: sports diplomacy, government pd, indonesia, 2016 Rio Olympics, youth empowerment, asian games

Challenges to Taiwan’s People-Centred Diplomacy

The measure has already generated a dramatically increased number of tourists not only from Thailand but from across Southeast Asia. They have now become a major source of Taiwan's foreign-currency earnings, economic growth and development. Most importantly, it has expanded people-to-people exchanges between Taiwan and a region previously little seen by outsiders. 

Tags: taiwan, asia, tourism, economic development, international exchange, people-to-people diplomacy, china, Cultural Diplomacy

Lebanon Wrestles with Identity Crisis

I did make it to the North America Lebanese Diaspora Energy Conference. There I moderated a panel discussion on "Branding Lebanon: Buy Lebanon and Lebanese Cuisine". LDE promotes entrepreneurship in Lebanon and the support was certainly there. The line-up of expatriate participants [...] represented all that is good about the Lebanese migrant tradition.

Tags: lebanon, international image, nation branding, ben cardin, culture, 9needs, blockchain

Asian Arts Centres Offer Opportunities for Australians

The conversation between Australia and our Asian neighbours is often one-sided [...] But the arts sector is developing a two way insight that has much more than just economic benefits. Delegates from across the Asia Pacific will gather in Adelaide this week to exchange information and ideas beneficial to the whole sector.

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, cultural exchange, australia, asia, asean countries, arts, cultural centers, bilateral ties

Julia Gillard and Rihanna Seal Their Friendship Onstage at Global Citizen Festival

Australia's former prime minister and the Work singer shared the spotlight in New York City on Saturday evening local time as part of the Global Citizen Festival. Their unlikely partnership is in aid of a new Global Citizen education initiative, which was officially launched at the concert after performances by Metallica, Chris Martin, Eddie Vedder, Kendrick Lamar and Bill Nye.

Tags: australia, u.s., music diplomacy, international advocacy, non-state pd, education, global citizen festival, julia gillard, rihanna

German Embassy Donates Clinic to IDPs to Combat Malaria

The German embassy in Nigeria has partnered with African Health Initiative and the National Youth Service Corps scheme (NYSC) to combat malaria and other diseases among the internally displaced persons in Abuja. The embassy, in its quest to achieving this objective, has established a clinic equipped with modern laboratory facilities at New Kuchingoro IDPs camp.

Tags: germany, nigeria, health diplomacy, indian-american, ngos, west coast rap, JFK, camelot

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