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.

Australia leads Syrian aid charge

Australia will commit a further $8 million to humanitarian aid in Syria, leading a charge while other global players lack urgency, Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr says. The plan aims to ensure medical care reaches an estimated 2.5 million Syrians in need of aid in the conflict-ravaged Arab nation where more than 30,000 have died.

Tags: public diplomacy, australia, aid diplomacy, syria, international community

Foreign Office to embrace a ‘digital way of working’

The department, which has been embracing digital technologies like Twitter and Facebook to deliver services, engage with people and to extend UK influence, has seen ministers including William Hague directly praise the role social media can play in the day to day functions of the department.

Tags: public diplomacy, social media, crisis coverage, digital diplomacy, human rights, britain, social networking

Google exec arrested in Brazil, will appear in court

Google‘s head of operations in Brazil, Fabio Jose Silva Coelho, was arrested yesterday for disobeying authorities to take down YouTube videos that criticized a local politician. He was released today after signing a document saying that he promised to show up in court on a date that has yet to be determined.

Tags: brazil, technology, google, censorship, youtube, corruption, political rights

Nigeria suspends Hajj flights over women deportation

Nigeria has suspended all Hajj flights to Saudi Arabia after the authorities there deported more than 170 women who had arrived without a male escort... A Nigerian government delegation is going to Saudi Arabia to complain.

Tags: public diplomacy, public opinion, islam, religion, saudi arabia, women, nigeria

Thein Sein: Burma ‘Now Part of Family of Nations’

Thein Sein, a former general-turned-civilian, was sworn in as Burma's president just 18 months ago, and said he is guiding his country away from its authoritarian past towards democracy.

Tags: public diplomacy, united nations, hillary clinton, democracy, trade diplomacy, myanmar, burma

Sudan and South Sudan Sign Cooperation Deal

The presidents of Sudan and South Sudan signed a long-awaited cooperation agreement on Thursday, paving the way for the resumption of oil exports and casting their ailing economies a desperately needed lifeline. But several analysts said the deal came up far short.

Tags: public diplomacy, trade diplomacy, sudan, oil diplomacy, trade agreements, south sudan, economic cooperation

Putting 21st Century Statecraft Into Action

During the recent crisis in Libya and the events surrounding the online dissemination of a hateful video, many asked: what tools does the State Department have to respond to audiences and engage people around the world in real time?

Tags: middle east, media, government pd, public diplomacy, social media, new technology, us department of state

Water Should Be a Priority in Every Nation’s Foreign Policy

I was glad to see more than 200 people in the audience for a discussion on water, peace, and security on the margins of the 67th meetings of the UN General Assembly yesterday. The United States, the European Union, and UN-Water co-sponsored the event, which drew senior representatives from governments, UN agencies, and international financial institutions.

Tags: soft power, government pd, public diplomacy, united nations, us department of state, water diplomacy, european union

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