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.

Puppy Diplomacy: Venezuela’s Chavez Receives a New Pet from Vladimir Putin

On Thursday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez expressed his excitement over the 3-month-old black terrier puppy he had received as a gift from his Russian counterpart. “He is a good dog and beautiful,” Chavez told a Russian delegation in the Venezuelan capital Caracas, according to the Associated Press. ”I’m going to call him ‘Russian’.”

Tags: soft power, government pd, public diplomacy, russia, venezuela, vladimir putin, hugo chavez

At UN, Saudi Arabia calls for deepening of dialogue among religions to prevent conflicts

United Nations Member States must spread a culture of tolerance and understanding and deepen the dialogue among cultures and religions to prevent conflicts, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Prince Addulaziz bin Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, said in his statement to the world body’s General Assembly today.

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, public diplomacy, non-state pd, united nations, saudi arabia, religion diplomacy

Uganda’s FM says China-Africa cooperation based on mutual respect

While meeting a team of visiting Chinese journalists here, Sam Kutesa, Uganda's minister of foreign affairs hailed the China- Africa cooperation which dates back to the 1950s and 1960s as Africa struggled to free itself from colonial rule.

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

Pioneering collector of African music retires from Voice of America

On Friday, Sarkisian, 91, officially retired from the Voice of America, where the weekly radio show he started 47 years ago, “Music Time in Africa,” is VOA’s longest-running English-language program.

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

Smithsonian features US national anthem in Spanish

After World War II, musician and composer Clotilde Arias, an immigrant from Peru living in New York City, was commissioned by the U.S. State Department to write a translation that could be sung to the tune of the "Star-Spangled Banner."

Tags: united states, Cultural Diplomacy, government pd, public diplomacy, latin america, smithsonian institution

We were British once … and young

The Canadian foreign minister and the British foreign secretary recently announced that certain embassies of our two countries will in future share locations and facilities, though not diplomats or policies. That’s an obvious and sensible cost-cutting idea, despite the misgivings of the Canadian government’s critics.

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, government pd, public diplomacy, united kingdom, canada, embassies

Vietnamese children in Laos enjoy mid-Autumn festival

The event was attended by the Director of the Vientiane Department of Education and Sports, Somphou Keopannho, and Cultural Counsellor from the Vietnamese embassy in Laos, Pham Van Khanh, as well as teachers, parents, and children. Counsellor Khanh presented gifts to the children and said he believes that the Nguyen Du School will become one of the best schools in Vientiane.

Tags: soft power, Cultural Diplomacy, government pd, public diplomacy, vietnam, laos

San Francisco Sister Cities: Mayor Renews Vows With Paris

The mayors met at San Francisco City Hall on the 16th anniversary of the sister city pact, vowing to continue working together on economic, technological and cultural initiatives. According to SF Appeal, Lee presented Delanoë with photographs of the Golden Gate Bridge taken to commemorate the landmark's 75th anniversary this year. "I love the Golden Gate Bridge," replied Delanoë in English.

Tags: united states, soft power, Cultural Diplomacy, government pd, public diplomacy, france, paris

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