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.
#DevCouples: 7 Global Development Power Couples
As we gear up for Valentine's Day, Devex is celebrating power couples making an impact on today’s most pressing global issues. Check out our list of seven top power couples in development, and chime in with any we missed using the hashtag #DevCouples.
Soft Power of Bollywood
The myriad emotions that Bollywood evokes and the chord it strikes across the border undeniably makes cinema the glue that binds people, transcending barriers of culture, geography, even a chequered past.
Pakistan to Resurrect Kashmir ''Cause'' at UN Through High-Profile Diplomacy
Signaling a new diplomatic push to refurbish its battered image and win friends and influence nations, Pakistan is sending Maleeha Lodhi, a high-profile envoy, who has asserted that "her prime focus will be creating a clear line on Kashmir cause," to the United Nations.
China to Expand Soft Power Push Through Overseas Cultural Centres
China plans to spend 360 million yuan (HK$454 million) on expanding its overseas cultural centres this year - nearly double last year's amount - amid government efforts to bolster its soft power abroad. But observers are sceptical whether the centres, which are different from the Confucius Institutes, can improve the nation's image overseas, especially given similar efforts have attracted criticism.
Mark Twain, American Diplomat?
As his fame as an author and humorist grew, Mark Twain increasingly gained access to the most glittering palaces and persons in the world.(...)He was, as he was fond of saying, “not an American, but the American,” and during his many trips abroad he functioned as a one-man diplomatic corps, employing his characteristic blend of self-deprecation and understated wit on foreign people everywhere.
Indonesia Urges RI to Pioneer Moderate Islam
The Foreign Ministry has been called on to advance its diplomatic role in promoting Islam as a tolerant religion amid growing global concern over the Islamic State (IS) organisation, which has sparked hate crimes against Muslims. The country's soft approach has been said to have contributed to false perceptions of Islam, which holds the basic value of rahmatan lil alamin (grace for all people).
Another Over of Cricket Diplomacy? Modi Talks With Sharif
In a statement on Twitter, Mr. Modi said he conveyed “best wishes” to the Pakistani prime minister for the 2015 Cricket World Cup, as well as to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “Cricket connects people in our region & promotes goodwill,” Mr. Modi said in another tweet.
CCTV 4 to Hold International Spring Festival Broadcast on Chinese New Year’s Eve
As the Spring Festival holiday approaches, CCTV 4, China's international channel, plans to provide a special TV feast aimed at both domestic and overseas Chinese-speaking audiences.
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