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.

Dude, this diplomat’s no stiff

Suzanne Philion, a 34-year-old who works under Clinton as Senior Advisor for Innovation in the Bureau of Education & Cultural Affairs at the U.S. State Department, embodies that new era. Foreign Service in the 21st century is far cooler than many people realize, she says, and thanks to ever-changing job assignments, not to mention an ever-changing global political landscape.

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

South Africa: Why are we not branding our local music?

The SHOUT campaign is a great initiative...However, this should be done through chords, bass lines and rhythms that are proudly South African. We don't see Australians importing music for "Australia Day", so why do we import their music for usage in what is a SA challenge?

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, nation branding, public diplomacy, south africa, music diplomacy

What I learned at the Istanbul World Political Forum

I previously described the conference I attended -- the Istanbul World Political Forum -- as an illustration of Turkey's emphasis on "soft power." By creating a Davos-like annual meeting oriented towards issues central to emerging economies, the organizers sought to display Turkey's growing importance as a political player

Tags: united states, soft power, government pd, public diplomacy, turkey

State Department launches Center Stage bringing cultural diplomacy

The U.S. Department of State announced it will raise the curtain June 19 on its groundbreaking cultural diplomacy initiative, Center Stage(SM), which brings performing artists from Haiti, Indonesia, and Pakistan to the United States to engage American audiences in 60 medium- and small-sized towns and cities.

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

Layalina Productions celebrates 10 years of television diplomacy in the Middle East

The organization's efforts focus on promoting greater cultural understanding through award winning television shows, publications and educational exchanges. Layalina's Arabic and English language reality series, documentaries, and children's animated shows are broadcast in primetime throughout the Arab world and reach millions of viewers.

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, middle east, public diplomacy, tara sonenshine, television diplomacy

Layalina Productions Celebrates 10 Years of Television Diplomacy in the Middle East

On Tuesday, May 22, 2012, Layalina Productions will celebrate a decade of television diplomacy in the Middle East at its 10th Anniversary Gala, being held at the Newseum in Washington, DC. At the Gala, internationally acclaimed three time Pulitzer Prize winning author and journalist Thomas L. Friedman and The Honorable Tara Sonenshine, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, will provide remarks and highlight Layalina's efforts to strengthen U.S.-Arab relations.

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, middle east, public diplomacy, us department of state, television diplomacy

Afghan theatre group to stage Shakespeare’s ‘Comedy of Errors’

The Indian Council of Cultural Relations, which has brought the play to India, said in a statement: "The Afghan actors in the play are hoping to redefine Shakespeare - and public perception about theatre in Afghanistan by performing the play."

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, india, afghanistan, art diplomacy, theatre, shakespeare

India woos Africa for a shared future

India has reached out to Africa with an initiative to foster a People-to-People (P2P) understanding with Africa. “With 70 per cent of the population in Africa and India below the age of 25, promoting engagement between youth in Africa and India is imperative to pave the way for a shared future," said Navdeep Suri, the Joint Secretary, Public Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs, India.

Tags: india, africa, youth, culture, people-to-people, development

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