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.

Swedish Human Rights Ambassador Annika Ben David Visits Myanmar

Protecting and promoting human rights is a cornerstone of Swedish foreign policy. Sweden strives to be a strong voice and a global leader that stands up for and defends human rights, democracy and the principles of rule of law through foreign policy. This is also central to our engagement in Myanmar. I will meet with representatives from the government, civil society and international organizations to get a good understanding of the situation.

Tags: government pd, human rights campaign, myanmar, sweden, political engagement, development aid, democracy, bilateral ties, bilateral relations

Soft Touch And Hard Results

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his second year in office visited the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar and Turkey, taking diplomatic activism in the region to newer heights, including the special outreach to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, it became clear that Modi’s foreign policy was a studied departure from the outdated ideas of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Tags: op-ed, Opinion, smart & soft power, soft power, PM Modi, Arab-Israeli conflict, government pd, India-China relations

Indigenous Art Curators Off To Venice

The Australia Council for the Arts has announced that nine established Aboriginal Art Curators are taking part in an international exchange program at the 57th Biennale in Venice. Ozco's Executive Director Strategic Development and Advocacy, Dr Wendy Were explained that the First Nations Curators Program at the 2017 Venice Biennale builds on the First Nations Curators Exchanges held at 8th Asia Pacific Triennial in 2015 and in New Zealand in 2017 involving Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians.

Tags: international exchange, non-state pd, art diplomacy, indigenous people, australia, venice, first nations, new zealand, canada

China Restates Resolve to Offer More Assistance to Nigeria

The People’s Republic of China has restated her resolve to transfer technology and other competences to Nigeria through continuous training. This dominated the discourse at an exhibition tagged, ‘China through the eyes of Nigerians’. The event held at the china cultural center in Abuja. It was a delightful testimony of mutual relationship transcending more than 50 years between Nigeria and China.

Tags: technology exchange, foreign aid, foreign assistance, bilateral relations, bilateral ties, art exhibition, nigeria, china

Conducting 'Quiet Diplomacy'

Izumi Nakamitsu took office as U.N. undersecretary general and high representative for disarmament affairs — the highest U.N. post dealing with disarmament affairs — on May 1. She is currently the highest-ranking Japanese official at the United Nations. In a recent interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nakamitsu revealed her intention to “quietly” support discussions between member nations on reducing armaments.

Tags: non-state pd, united nations, disarmament affairs, quiet diplomacy, nuclear policy

Statement By High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogheri

Today we celebrate the international day of cultural diversity. Since the very start, cultural diversity has been at the core of the European project. Unity in diversity is the motto of our Union, because Europe has never been just one but many. It is thanks to our cultural diversity and our commitment to dialogue that for the last 60 years we have been able successfully to face new challenges and obstacles, to change and progress.

Tags: cultural diversity, european union, government pd, multilingualism, artistic freedom, international broadcasting

Dance Diplomacy: In Saudi, Trump Shakes A Leg During Traditional Sword Ceremony

The mood in Riyadh was in sharp contrast to Washington where pressure is building after fresh claims over the President Donald Trump team’s alleged links to Moscow. On his first foreign tour as the US President, Donald Trump joined in a traditional sword dance welcome ceremony ahead of a banquet at the Murabba Palace in Saudi Arabia. Video of the dance shows Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross dancing with swords perched on their shoulders as part of a line of men in traditional Saudi garb, CNN reported.

Tags: dance diplomacy, government pd, cultural pd, saudi arabia, Donald Trump, cultural tradition, riyadh

Geneva-Based Rights Centre Urges Move From Cultural Diversity To Cultural Pluralism

The Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue celebrated the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, an occasion it described as an opportunity to achieve the goals set by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, and move from cultural diversity to cultural pluralism to build sound inter-cultural relations.

Tags: unesco, geneva, cultural diversity, Cultural Diplomacy, cultural pluralism, human rights awareness

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