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.

Putting soft power at the heart of foreign policy

Over the past decade, governments have become increasingly aware of the importance of "soft" power ... as a complement to the "hard" power of traditional military and economic means of achieving foreign policy objectives. Today in Westminster Hall I will be debating how we can develop a foreign policy strategy that better integrates the different elements of hard and soft power.

Tags: soft power, united kingdom, foreign policy, bbc, british council, ministry of defense

Chinese Soft Power Starts at Home

Soft power is a slippery term to define. How can we know for certain the motives of an actor?... Nonetheless, despite the challenge in defining the term it is clear for nearly all commentators that the concept refers to relations between nations and peoples – that is, soft power is a matter of national image building on the international stage.

Tags: china, soft power, confucius institutes, confucius institutes project, national identity, domestic audience, chinese communist party

R we to have a new “acting” Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy (and Public Affairs)?

There’s word there will be a new “acting” Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy (and Public Affairs) as early as next week. The current “acting” for R, as it is known at Foggy Bottom, is Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Ann Stock.

Tags: united states, public diplomacy, hillary clinton, us department of state, tara sonenshine

Ceremony Marks Completion of Chinese Language Course

The Chinese language course was designed as part of the ROK’s public and complex diplomacy aimed at strengthening the capacity for conducting diplomatic activities involving Chinese citizens and promoting the friendship between the youth of the two countries.

Tags: china, government pd, language, chinese, foreign ministries, taiwan academy

U.S. Travel Endorses Visa Waiver Legislation

U.S. Travel says the VWP is an important tool for U.S. public diplomacy, exposing far more international visitors to the attractions and values of America's heartland. Studies have shown that foreign nationals who visit the U.S. return home with a far more positive view of our nation and its policies.

Tags: united states, public opinion, national image, visas, travel

Company Banned in Effort to Protect Foreign Students From Exploitation

Signaling a sharp change of course in the country’s largest international cultural exchange program, the State Department has banned a leading sponsor company from bringing foreign students to the United States for summer jobs and will add new restrictions to protect students from labor abuse, officials said Wednesday.

Tags: united states, cultural exchange, us department of state, exchanges, foreign student exchange

SAA makes first non-stop flight to China

The introduction of non-stop flights between the two destinations promises to facilitate business and leisure travel between the two countries. "Introducing direct flights between China and South Africa will promote tourism and trade, not only to South Africa, but also to all Southern African Development Community and other African countries," Mzimela said.

Tags: china, tourism, south africa, aviation diplomacy, airlines, growth, airlinks

EU hails China’s culture growth

Brussels has welcomed Beijing's strategy to boost its soft power by spreading its colorful cultures across globe after years of economic success, said a top European Union (EU) culture official....European Commission's Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said culture plays an important part in achieving Beijing's aspiration of gaining more global influence and sharpening its soft power.

Tags: china, soft power, european union, youth, culture, people-to-people, globalization, international relations, growth

Pages

Stay in the Know

Public Diplomacy is a dynamic field, and CPD is committed to keeping you connected and informed about the critical developments that are shaping PD around the world. 

Depending on your specific interests, you can subscribe to one or more of CPD's newsletters >.

Visit CPD's Online Library

Explore CPD's vast online database featuring the latest books, articles, speeches and information on international organizations dedicated to public diplomacy.