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.
U.S. State Dept and the Adobe Found to Launch Online Video Contest to Amplify U.S. Public Diplomacy
Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Goli Ameri, in conjunction with the Adobe Foundation, will launch an online video contest to amplify U.S. public diplomacy using web-based outreach campaigns and social media platforms on Monday, December 1, at 3:00 p.m. at a National Press Club Newsmaker. The “My Culture + Your Culture = ? Share Your Story” video contest is part of a Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) initiative to encourage cross-cultural community building and mutual understanding via the web and social media platforms.
Arab-Indian Cooperation Forum to be set up
On the fringes of the First Arab Cultural Festival 2008, Arab states and India are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding for the setting up of the Arab-Indian Cooperation Forum...
Yemen's participation in the 1st Arab cultural festival 2008, which would be held early next month in India's capital, New Delhi, will include artistic and dancing shows of Yemeni folklore as well as holding plastic art, heritage and images of various Yemeni areas exhibitions.
Voices of America: U.S. Public Diplomacy for the 21st Century
For generations, America’s standing in the world has been a source of strength, security, prosperity, and legitimacy. That standing is now in peril, according to a wide range of studies that span the political spectrum. America’s tarnished international reputation carries a price.
US Taps Online Youth Groups to Fight Crime, Terrorism
The US State Department announced plans on Monday to promote online youth groups as a new and powerful way to fight crime, political oppression and terrorism. Drawing inspiration from a movement against FARC rebels in Colombia, the State Department is joining forces with Facebook, Google, MTV, Howcast and others in New York City next week to get the "ball rolling." It said 17 groups from South Africa, Britain and the Middle East which have an online presence like the "Million Voices Against the FARC" will attend a conference at Columbia University Law School from December 3-5.
Experiencing America: Public Diplomacy at Its Best
Immediately after I was sworn into office, my team and I went to work surveying more than 180 foreign ambassadors serving here...When the surveys came back, there were five main areas of interest, or Five Pillars: The Economy--how our nations can forge deeper economic bonds; Health Care--how we can work together to eradicate worldwide diseases; Science and Technology--how innovation can create foundations for growth; Energy--how we can work together to find new, sustainable forms of energy; and Security--how we can work together to make the world a safer place.
Virtual vs Real Life
The State Department is one of several federal agencies now conducting business or holding events on the cutting edge -for all the world to see, " Bill May, US Department of State, Public Diplomacy IT Office, "We're really looking at engaging in mutual understanding, developing understanding between the American people and peoples of other countries."...The government recently sponsored a global jazz concert where musicians from places like Mexico, Australia and Germany participated at the same time...Sweden was among the first to setup a virtual embassy, a replica of its "real life" buildi
Obama: ‘Soft power’ and Hard Reality
The Obama presidency could be a good test for the theory that America's power to attract goodwill - its "soft power" - is a key element of its influence around the world...Joseph Nye, the Harvard academic who coined the term "soft power", agrees that Mr Obama has it in spades, but says it will not automatically lead to foreign policy triumphs. "The fact that you have an African-American son of an immigrant become president shows that the American democracy still works," he told the BBC News website.
Obama can Show Diplomacy on World Stage, Revive America’s Image
Effective public diplomacy lubricates our efforts to deal with important global problems such as terrorism, nuclear proliferation and economic crises. Unfortunately, in recent years, we have communicated with foreign audiences in ways that have not promoted understanding and support...One thing President-elect Obama can do quickly to change the game, and that would cost little or no money, is to make some significant gesture of humility.
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