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.

Citizens urged to promote nation

Chichi Maponya, the IMC board deputy chairman, said every South African should embrace the concept of building and enhancing the nation’s brand. She urged every citizen to rally behind Team South Africa, and help the IMC to fulfil its mandate. “A nation brand is a promise made. A successful nation brand is one that is kept,” she said.

Tags: nation branding, south africa, globalization, brand south africa

China ties provide Taiwan with line of defense: president

He said Taiwan needs also to combine its economic power with diplomacy to show the world the country's national strength and soft power....Over the past three years, he noted, Taiwan has participated in many international humanitarian aid projects in countries struck by natural disasters.

Tags: china, soft power, taiwan, humanitarian aid

America’s Soft Power Secret Weapon in the Iraq War Was a Young Army Captain Named Travis Patriquin

...Doyle focuses on the "soft power" applied in negotiations between American forces and Sunni Sheiks in forming an alliance to kick al Qaeda out of Iraq. This narrative in the story should be evaluated in understanding how we ought to employ U.S. military and diplomatic resources in the Middle East today.

Tags: united states, iraq, al qaeda, books, bush administration

Border Opening A Boon To Israel?

Israeli officials are already trying to use the opening of the crossing for public diplomacy, arguing that a planned new flotilla of pro-Palestinian activists with supplies for Gaza is a political provocation rather than a humanitarian mission.

Tags: government pd, public opinion, egypt, israel, gaza, borders

Have you visited Singa-planet?

The ubiquitous Housing Board flat, home to the majority of the population in Singapore, has become part of the art of a contemporary Japanese artist. In Akira Yamaguchi's book, Singa-planet, HDB blocks are seen as historical monuments sprouting out of their green natural setting.

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, japan, asia pacific, art diplomacy, singapore

Confucius Institutes face uphill battle in development

There are 82 Confucius Institutes and 39 Confucius Classrooms in 31 countries and regions in Asia. Despite great achievements, Confucius Institutes still face serious challenges. For example, there is the question of how to help Chinese volunteer teachers better adapt to the foreign environment, especially the living environment in developing countries.

Tags: china, Cultural Diplomacy, language, confucius institutes, educational exchange, confucius institutes project

How France Lost Africa to the U.S.

The presence of a growing number of French-speaking Africans reflects a monumental shift in the relationship of sub-Saharan Africa to France and to the U.S. The new appreciation that French-speaking Africans display for the U.S. is significant for cultural as well as a geopolitical reasons.

Tags: united states, soft power, africa, france

Branding SA ‘a national imperative’

South Africa’s Deputy Minister Dina Pule said that branding South Africa was not a matter of choice but of necessity. The International Marketing Council of South Africa (IMC) can only achieve its goals if all stakeholders collaborate in positioning South Africa as a globally competitive nation.

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, nation branding, government pd, south africa

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