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.

Country brand an endless bore

Some players in the tourism industry are of the opinion that Namibia’s branding and slogan as a tourism destination are neither representative, nor are they very effective. “‘Endless Horizons’ – does it actually represent Namibia’s unique essence?” asked London-based Hidden Gem PR Director, Rinaani Musutua.

Tags: nation branding, tourism, public relations, national identity, namibia

How SA won with ‘2010”

“South Africa’s brand image shot up considerably. It is now ranked 36th out of the top 50 nation brands and voted the most valuable country brand in Africa by the Brand Finance Nation Brand Index.” ...“The perceptions of South Africa as a dangerous destination have been dispelled once and for all. Even the domestic media have moved away from beating the crime drum..."

Tags: nation branding, tourism, south africa, fifa world cup

Sweden project lets citizens tweet for nation

Trending on Twitter is a big deal—and the @Sweden experiment has been doing just that. It started as a government-backed venture to promote, through Twitter, a new, exciting, and diverse image of Sweden worldwide. Since its inception, @Sweden has spurred a tweeting trend that’s achieving global reach, dubbed Rotation Curation by its founders.

Tags: government pd, public diplomacy, social media, new technology, twitter, swede

Malaysia to get pair of baby pandas from China

Malaysia says it will receive a pair of baby pandas from China to mark four decades of diplomatic ties...China regularly sends the prized animals abroad as part of "panda diplomacy" to signal strong relations.

Tags: china, Cultural Diplomacy, public diplomacy, malaysia, panda diplomacy

Confucius Institute in Britain promotes better understanding about China

China opened its first Confucius Institute in 2004. Many mushroomed since then. By the end of last year, China has set up 358 Confucius Institutes and 500 Confucius Classrooms in 105 countries and regions. In Europe, there are 129 and 104 Confucius Institutes and Classrooms respectively, scattered in 34 countries and regions.

Tags: china, Cultural Diplomacy, public diplomacy, united kingdom, confucius institutes, confucius institutes project

Pakistani cookie monster no more - Sesame Street leaves Pakistan

After agreeing to underwrite a local Pakistan version of the ubiquitous children’s television show, Sesame Street, USAID officials pulled the funding for this project after corruption rumours began to appear in local newspapers.

Tags: united states, Cultural Diplomacy, public diplomacy, pakistan, usaid, sesame street

Swedes’ Twitter voice: Anyone, saying (blush) almost anything

Chances of embarrassment are unusually high when you are @Sweden, the nation’s official Twitter spokesperson...If there is anything to be learned from the @Sweden experiment, a government initiative that entrusts the country’s Twitter account to a new citizen every seven days, it is that there is no such thing as a typical Swede.

Tags: government pd, public diplomacy, new technology, twitter, swede

Activists to promote alternative diplomacy at Earth Summit

Taipei, June 11 (CNA) A Taiwanese delegation will try to help expand the country's participation in international affairs by promoting "climate diplomacy" during the Earth Summit slated to take place in Brazil later this month, environmentalists said Monday.

Tags: public diplomacy, taiwan, non-state pd, climate diplomacy

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