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.

What’s That Smell? US Officials Chase Profits in ‘Tawdry’ Business Deals

Clark, who led the campaign to drive Serbian forces from Kosovo in 1999 and is now the chairman of a Canadian energy company called Envidity, was responding to questions regarding the outfit’s desire to turn Kosovo’s estimated 14 billion tonnes of coal deposits into synthetic diesel fuel.

Tags: united states, public diplomacy, public opinion, non-state actors, europe, non-state pd, foreign policy, kosovo

We can’t do effective diplomacy from a bunker

When you turn diplomatic missions into something resembling Fort Apache, and when diplomatic practice is limited by inordinate restrictions arising from concerns about personal safety, the establishment of vital local connections, and of relationships based on confidence, trust and respect, is next to impossible.

Tags: government pd, public diplomacy, social media, new technology, canada, security, diplomats

Internet-Driven Fame and Fortune for Mideast Comedians

While the world watched the demise of Egypt’s political leadership last year, some Egyptians were tuning online to YouTube clips lampooning the Egyptian state channel’s fumbling version of the events. In early 2011, Bassem Youssef began filming clips in his laundry room to provide comic relief amid a crumbling political situation in his home countr

Tags: soft power, media, arab spring, public diplomacy, social media, egypt, satire, comedy

Rwanda: Brand Rwanda, an Economic Value

In reality branding and marketing a nation encompasses many more activities than most people realize, and depends on a wealth of formal concepts, processes and models not implied by the soundbites just listed. At any rate, this is still a sophisticated subject to our society's level of establishment. Even a large section of influence makers might not be acquainted with how real nation branding would be operationalised to yield an economic value.

Tags: nation branding, africa, tourism, economy, rwanda

Angola’s Kuduro dance steps onto the world stage

The group Os Kuduristas is a kuduro-based roadshow/cultural exchange programme put together to raise the global awareness of Angolan dance, music, culture. It has been on an international tour.

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, public diplomacy, africa

Nigeria: Glamour at Korean Film Festival in Abuja

In a bid to continually improve its ties with Nigeria and promote cultural exchange, the Korean Cultural Centre in Abuja hosted its third annual film festival at the Silverbird Entertainment Centre.

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, public diplomacy, africa, nigeria, korea, the korean cultural center

Singapore A Global Hydrohub: From Water Insecurity To Niche Water Diplomacy – Analysis

Through strategic planning and investment in research and technology, as well as strong political will and effective governance, Singapore has emerged from water insecurity to become a global hydrohub... It has earned international recognition as a model city for water management. This has also led to its water diplomacy changing in character from being centred on securing water supply from Malaysia to a new direction in its water diplomacy.

Tags: government pd, public diplomacy, water diplomacy, singapore

Can Obama Improve America’s Reputation? (Debate)

Last week, the Pew Research Center released its annual survey of European attitudes to America. While anti-Americanism has declined in Europe, a large "values gap" remains between Europeans and Americans. Meanwhile, anti-Americanism in the rest of the world seems actually to have increased since 2009, with confidence in President Obama noticeably down, especially in Muslim countries. Will America's reputation and influence abroad improve under Barack Obama's second term?

Tags: united states, soft power, public diplomacy, public opinion, europe, pew

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