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.
Facebook, Google to Rally the Kids at Columbia
From December 3rd to 5th, Facebook, Google, YouTube, MTV, and Howcast will sponsor a summit to mobilize young people against violence and oppression at the Columbia Law School. The global network, called the Alliance of Youth Movements, aims to craft a "field manual" on how to create social change using online tools. (Yes we can... Twitter!) "The field manual will stand in stark contrast to the Al Qaeda manual on the basics of terrorism, found by Coalition Forces in Iraq," according to the press release. Whoopi Goldberg, Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, MSNBC's Luke Russert, the U.S.
Press and “Psy Ops” to Merge at NATO Afghan Headquarters
The U.S. general commanding NATO forces in Afghanistan has ordered a merger of the office that releases news with "Psy Ops," which deals with propaganda, a move that goes against the alliance's policy, three officials said. The move has worried Washington's European NATO allies -- Germany has already threatened to pull out of media operations in Afghanistan -- and the officials said it could undermine the credibility of information released to the public.
A Leader On Fighting Terrorism
Colombia has as much experience with terrorism as any country in the world...But the big story is that Colombia is relying not just on bullets and defoliants, but also on ideas. Colombia has developed an anti-terror model in our own hemisphere that has powerful applications in North Africa, South Asia and the Middle East.
USAID Participates in Global Civil Society Forum in Qatar
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) encouraged greater partnership with civil society organizations while participating in the Doha Global Civil Society Forum held Nov 26-27, 2008 in Doha, Qatar.
New Administration Must Undue RFE/RL’s Anti-Diplomacy Abroad
Not always is U.S. public money spent by RFE/RL in the best interests of the radio nor, accordingly, U.S. public image. Alarmed by reports of human rights violations by RFE/RL, Czech Sen. Jaromir Stetina sent a letter to RFE/RL's President Jeffrey Gedmin asking him to intervene in order to enhance “the reputation and integrity of RFE/RL in the Czech Republic.” Gedmin never answered the senator’s letter. This is just one example of (anti) public diplomacy that incoming Washington administration inherits and will have to undo.
Sound Off
Aside from a few key cabinet positions, we know little about Barack Obama's incoming administration, but that hasn't quashed a growing sense of optimism among leaders in the world-music community. They're hopeful that Obama's diplomacy will promote and maybe even advocate for their cause by making it easier for foreign-born musicians to enter and perform in the United States. Case in point: In 2006 Obama helped Kenyan members of the band Extra Golden get their visas to play a US tour.
Pak-China Friendship Center to be completed in two years
The ground breaking ceremony of Pak-China Friendship Center held here Wednesday will be completed in two years at an estimated cost of two and a half billion rupees.
MTV Latin America Sets Plans for World AIDS Day
MTV Networks Latin America will celebrate the tenth anniversary of its AIDS-prevention campaign, known as Se(x) Tu Mismo in Latin America, by airing a new documentary and launching a new website on World AIDS Day on December 1..."To celebrate Staying Alive's tenth anniversary is a tremendous milestone for all MTV's around the world," commented Mario Cáder-Frech, the VP of corporate social responsibility and public affairs for MTV Networks Latin America.
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