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.
Serious Play Conference launched
Knowledge Oasis Muscat's (KOM) annual eGames: Serious Play Conference was officially launched yesterday with an impressive line-up of leading international experts and developers of serious games...."Serious gaming can potentially revolutionise the way in which Oman attracts tourists, promotes and protects its cultural assets, attracts inward investment, teaches school and college students and brands the nation."
Michelle Kwan’s Diplomatic Skills
A change in the White House hasn't changed Michelle Kwan's status as a U.S. public diplomacy envoy. Kwan, the five-time world figure skating champion and nine-time U.S. champion, got the diplomacy appointment during the George W. Bush administration. Although he's out of office, she's still serving, and her blog discusses her latest trip for the State Department.
Hollywood’s Journey to Tehran
A Hollywood delegation's visit to Iran may be strictly non-political, but the swirl of media attention around their journey is anything but...In fact, it didn't take long after the delegation, organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, landed late last week at Iman Khomeini Airport to great press attention overseas and in Tehran, before Iranian prexy Mahmoud Ahmedinejad’s arts advisor Javad Shamghadri called on them apologize to the Iranians "for their 30 years of insults and slanders.” He cited films such as Zack Snyder’s “300” and Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler,” whic
A Promising Approach to US-Asian Relations
Both showmanship and substance were on display during Clinton's tour. The showmanship was essential to underscore that a different approach is in effect...In fact, her statements went to the heart of the creative engagement that is necessary for the United States to continue to lead in Asia.
Watch Your Language
In January 2009, less a year after its launch in March 2008, BBC Arabic TV started broadcasting 24 hours a day (it previously aired for 12 hours daily). Based in London and with 35 correspondents across the globe, BBC Arabic is now a serious player in the Arabic TV industry, competing with the likes of Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya, and France 24 Arabic.
IOC Seeks Stronger UN Links
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) wants to strengthen its partnership with the UN by gaining observer status at the UN General Assembly. The UN confirmed an application had been received from the IOC, and said that a decision could be expected by the beginning of September. An IOC spokeswoman said yesterday: “The IOC has been campaigning for more than a century for the values of peace, dialogue, solidarity and humanity. An observer seat in the UN General Assembly would allow the IOC to build synergies and strengthen its partnership with the UN.”
Cellphone Game Aims To Bridge US-Mideast Culture Divide
X-Life Games from US-based MetroStar Systems, available as a free download on www.xlifegames.com, is designed to introduce users in the Gulf to American culture by acquiring skills from everyday experiences...“X-Life, the game, is a series of interrelated adventure modules which explore one idea - what unites us, rather than what divides us,” said Ali Reza Manouchehri, CEO of MetroStar Systems, Inc.
Space Weapons: Soft Power versus Soft Politics
Brown quite rightly points out that in a dangerous world “There is, therefore, no question of whether to proceed with space weapons—only a question of how to do so with the requisite political skill in order to retain soft power while expanding hard power.” The problem is not with the goal but rather with the nature of soft power. If it is essentially political, then perhaps clever diplomacy can help reconcile places like Europe to the reality of American space weapons. On the other hand, if this is a cultural concept then the tools of politics and diplomacy are almost entirely useless.
Pages
Visit CPD's Online Library
Explore CPD's vast online database featuring the latest books, articles, speeches and information on international organizations dedicated to public diplomacy.