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.
On World Day, UN Hails Potential of Cultural Diversity to Boost Development
In a message marking the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), highlighted that celebrating cultural diversity is a way of recognizing that “the wealth of cultures is the constitutive power of humanity and an important asset for peace and development, the promotion of which is inseparable from the observance of human rights.”
Is the American Century Over?
Joseph Nye has been the preeminent thought leader on the issue of power dynamics and relationships connecting global actors. [...] What is the future of this American century? My guess is that among the range of possible futures, ones in which a new challenger such as Europe, Russia, India, Brazil or China surpasses the United States and precipitates the end of the American centrality to the global balance of power are not impossible, but not very likely.
France Starts Training Ugandan Diplomats, Students
Drafted by France to enhance the diplomatic communication and social media engagements of Uganda diplomats and foreign policy students, the French embassy has partnered with Victoria University to train diplomats in the country. The training, [...] will cover how social media is affecting diplomacy and also equip diplomats, mainly drawn from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the emerging digital concepts of diplomacy.
Tallinn Music Week: An Unexpected Lesson in How to Do a City Festival Right
Beyond its setting, Tallinn Music Week enjoys at least one advantage over festivals closer to home — the Estonian national government clearly has no problem providing state funding for such an endeavor, as well as getting involved in other, more hands-on ways. [...] Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, however, appeared delighted to DJ at one of the festival’s gala events, presenting a selection of songs from Teenage Wildlife, a compilation of favorite songs from his youth that he released last year for a charity.
Japan to Take in 150 Syrians as Exchange Students After Criticism of Harsh Refugee Policy
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday said Japan will accept 150 Syrians over five years, treating them not as refugees but as exchange students. The initiative accompanies other efforts by Japan to help stabilize conflict-stricken Syria and its announcement comes days before Group of Seven leaders gather for a summit in Mie Prefecture.
Music and Politics: Four Intersections
Among other projects, he founded Cuatro Puntos, the ambitious chamber music collective that has toured around the country and the globe in recent years as part of its declared mission of musical diplomacy and cross-cultural understanding. The group has also sponsored workshops here in Hartford called Chamber Music for Peace, with the goal of helping young musicians learn how to engage in their communities.
If You Can’t Beat Them, ‘Like’ Them
States should use the increasing power of social media networks and work with them to achieve foreign policy objectives. [...] However, there is much more room for states to cooperate with social media rather than seeing it as an enemy. Instead, there are ample opportunities to use social media’s features, low costs and high effectiveness as tools to promote a state’s foreign policy objectives.
Image Nation Abu Dhabi Partners with FilmAid for "He Named Me Malala" Screenings in Refugee Camps
Image Nation Abu Dhabi has partnered with FilmAid International to roll out a screenings program for "He Named Me Malala" in Syrian refugee camps in Jordan. The two month outreach campaign and screening series, which commenced in April, aims to leverage the power of Malala’s story to inspire and empower girls and parents to value and champion education in their homes and communities.
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