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.
What Kind of Public Diplomacy?
Today, as Barack Obama formally announces his national security team, there is plenty of buzz over what his choices mean in the field of public diplomacy. Hillary Clinton, under whose State Department aegis public diplomacy falls, was not particularly vocal or articulate on this topic as a candidate. Robert Gates, whose Defense Department has no formal responsibility in this area, has spoken out repeatedly over the last year on behalf of increasing the State Department’s resources to deal with the faltering U.S. image.
US To Use Web 2.0 To Win “War Of Ideas”: US Image-Maker
The United States is embracing social networks and other Web 2.0 tools to win the "war of ideas" with Islamic militants and other extremist groups, a top US policy-maker said Monday..."The best way to achieve our goals in public diplomacy is through a new approach to communicating, an approach that is made far easier because of the emergence of Web 2.0 or social networking technologies...We call our new approach Public Diplomacy 2.0..."
Australasian delegates meet to discuss change, conflict and convergence
From December 2 to 5 at the Hotel Suisse in Kandy, academics from around the world have planned to convene for the 4th annual conference of the Association for the Study of Australasia in Asia (ASAA)...Delegates from Canada, China, Spain, Iceland, India, Australia, Sri Lanka and Malaysia are scheduled to spend three days engaged in extensive cross-disciplinary dialogue and debate around the theme of “Change, Conflict, and Convergence”...Ideally, the multiple panels and discussions will further establish the common heritage of these countries—such as their colonial past—and forge new socio-e
Ideas, Not Military Strength, are the Currency of Modern Diplomacy
In the past, a democratic, wealthy, militarily powerful country could count on having its voice heard on the international scene. Nowadays, a country's diplomatic effectiveness rests as much on the power of its institutions as its consistent promotion of human rights and values. It's becoming increasingly clear that a country's national prestige is tied to the quality of its universities...Canada has nothing to blush about regarding its own post-secondary education system, yet our country has not fully capitalized on the opportunities that our universities afford us on the world stage.
Cultural Exchange Never Tasted So Good
Although we recognize that there is a link between a people and their cuisine, food has yet to be truly and effectively utilized as a medium of cultural diplomacy.
National Strategy Crucial to Extend Latin America Ties
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith acknowledged in Lima the Government had some catching up to do to keep pace with increased Australian people-to-people, industry, educational and commercial exchanges with Latin America. A Government-led strategy could build on successful Australian business engagement with the region, and provide Australia with an outstanding opportunity to diversify and strengthen relations with an increasingly successful and influential region.
Media to Play Greater Role in Increasing the Region’s Environmental Awareness
The media will play a greater role in increasing the region’s awareness of green issues as CNBC Arabiya launches a weekly program focusing on environmental trends for both businesses and consumers in the region.
A “Smart Power” Cabinet
Even with the Bush Administration's second-term renaissance, the Department of State is fairly demoralized, understaffed and underfunded. It will have to learn to compete with the DoD when it comes to the arenas of public diplomacy and peacebuilding. Its foreign service officers need to figure out how to use 21st century technology to communicate with the public.
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