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.

A night of rhymes and rhythms

Hip-hop music is becoming increasingly popular in Saudi Arabia with the rise of young artists who are mainly influenced by American hip-hop culture. To enhance mutual understanding through cultural exchange, the US Embassy held a workshop by two American hip-hop artists Edan and Paten at the US Consulate General here recently. Both have received international attention and critical acclaim.

Tags: soft power, Cultural Diplomacy, middle east, public diplomacy, public opinion, non-state pd, saudi arabia

Gangnam points to our future

For many decades a notable exporting powerhouse in manufacturing, South Korea has become a significant cultural exporter in recent years. ''K-Pop'' music enjoys enormous popularity in Asia, as do Korean television dramas. The latter have even found a foothold in places such as Egypt, Iran, Turkey and Eastern Europe.

Tags: soft power, Cultural Diplomacy, public diplomacy, public opinion, non-state pd, south korea

Culture in verse: Poetry the new tool of soft diplomacy

New Delhi : Cultural and linguistic boundaries blurred as Rabindranath Tagore's poetry was set to a dance and Hungarian poetry composed by national icons like Endre Ady was recited in Hindi and in Hungarian.

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, public diplomacy, india, people-to-people

Don’t cry for Saakashvili

Saakashivili is the only person in the entire post-Soviet space who was not afraid to challenge and clean the ossified post-Communist system, remove its cronies and build the country of his dreams, even if many of his own fellow citizens discovered that it was difficult to find their place in the newly transformed state.

Tags: public diplomacy, public opinion, non-state pd, celebrity diplomacy, ukraine

Japan to Step Up PR Campaign in Isle Spat

Japan has decided to change tack in promoting its claim to disputed islands in the East China Sea amid an escalation of tensions with China over the territorial dispute, highlighted by a recent verbal tit-for-tat with Beijing at the United Nations. Instead of taking the view that there's no need to proactively promote its cause, Japan plans to step up a PR campaign outlining its claim to the disputed Senkaku Islands.

Tags: china, public diplomacy, public opinion, japan

China’s Afghan moment

Until recently, Beijing’s policy in Afghanistan could be characterized as masterful inactivity: It sat on the sidelines of a war that it wanted neither side to win. But the late September visit by security chief Zhou Yongkang, the first by a senior Chinese leader in almost five decades, is the most visible sign that the US 2014 withdrawal date is bringing that spectator status to an end.

Tags: china, soft power, Cultural Diplomacy, government pd, public diplomacy, afghanistan

Embassies and Consulates Help Overseas U.S. Citizens To Vote

From late-September through mid-October, U.S. embassies and consulates around the globe are hosting voting events to help overseas citizens participate in the 2012 presidential elections. These events are a great opportunity for voters to drop off their voted ballots for return to the United States.

Tags: united states, Cultural Diplomacy, government pd, public diplomacy, us department of state, embassies, election 2012

Sierra Leone Accelerates Business Diplomacy

Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation Hon. Mrs. Ebun Jusu has said Energy, Infrastructure & Reforms are the key priority areas of the President Ernest Bai Koroma led government. The Hon Minister made this statement on Wednesday October 4,2012, when she paid a one day official visit to the U.S Department of States, Washington DC.

Tags: united states, government pd, public diplomacy, africa, us department of state, corporate diplomacy, sierra leone

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