How do Ukrainians and Armenians who live around the world contribute to the communities where they have settled? How do they engage with their countries of heritage? If your family originally came from Ukraine or Armenia, share your stories by joining a webchat with others like you and with top U.S. diplomats. The chat will be held on September 8 at 9 a.m. EDT.

Tags: ukrainian, armenians, ukraine, armenia, diaspora, diaspora diplomacy, heritage, immigration, migration, united states

The first direct commercial flight between the US and Cuba landed today in the city of Santa Clara, in the center of the island, after more than half a century of restrictions.  It marked a further step in the normalization process between the two countries, reported dpa news.

Tags: jet blue, santa clara, cuba, US, us-cuba relations, normalization, Cultural Diplomacy, airlines

People to people exchange has become a bright spot in and an important part of the friendly cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, said Korn Dabbaransi, former deputy prime minister of Thailand and chairman of the Thailand-China Friendship Association.

Tags: people-to-people exchange, asean, china, thailand, europe, united states, international exchange, dialogue, Cultural Diplomacy

The Ministry of Defence should be congratulated not only for taking this most important initiative to hold this Seminar and for the sixth consecutive year, but also for the deciding on a topic “Soft power and its influence on global issues” which is most relevant to the world at this particular time, for Soft Power is essentially the power of Diplomacy which lays absolute emphasis on persuasion, and is the need of the hour. 

Tags: soft power, economic aid, Cultural Diplomacy, think tank, Opinion, information age, international relations, foreign policy

The Japan Culture House opened to promote a cultural exchange between Japan and Myanmar and is sponsored by the Japan Foundation Asia Center and the Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni (MAJA). “We opened the culture house not only to people studying Japanese language, but for anyone interested to visit,” said Japan Culture House program officer Chinatsu Hyodo. 

Tags: japan, myanmar, Cultural Diplomacy, cultural exchange, international exchange, japan culture house, japan foundation

One of the Lebanese private sector’s strongest and most effective backers is the country’s vast diaspora, reckoned to be made up of anywhere between 4 million and 14 million people, pumping an estimated $7.5bn, 15 per cent of GNP, in remittances into the country each year.

Tags: lebanon, diaspora diplomacy, diasporas, global branding, nation branding, tourism, economic

Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry made a statement on the United States reaching President Obama's stated goal of increasing the number of Syrian refugees permitted to resettle in the United States through the U.S. Refugee Admission Program.  Secretary Kerry noted, "A year ago, President Obama set the goal of welcoming at least 10,000 of the most vulnerable refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria to the United States. 

Tags: population, refugees, migration, global aid & development, Syrian Refugee Crisis, US, john kerry, barack obama

Silk today not only embodies the history of contact between the East-West, it is also a symbol of modernity and fashion. "Today, you'll find silk-made accessories and garments displayed in many high-end fashion stores in the US and Europe," Zhao said. "Which proves that silk is a welcome symbol in East-West cultural exchange."
 

Tags: hangzhou, china, art diplomacy, fashion diplomacy, G20 Summit, silk, Cultural Diplomacy, cultural exchange