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.
Books for Afghanistan keeps culture an open book
The Books for Afghanistan program recently received a Public Diplomacy Grant award of $4.5 million from the U.S. State Department, which will allow it to print and distribute nearly 2.6 million books by September, including 1.7 million copies in Dari and Pashto, the major languages of Afghanistan. That's a huge boost from its paltry 2011 budget of $67,000 from private donors.
Happy New German Year, Europe!
There is not much Germany can do about it but to continue being a peaceful and democratic country using its economic and ‘soft’ power to advance along its own interests the interests of the EU it now leads.
Turkey’s limits
Turkish politicians exaggerate Turkey's hard and soft power, so much so that they sometimes do not refrain from chiding other states. In theory, a little bit of exaggerating is useful in guiding public attitudes to important issues.
Will the spring mood in Turkish-American relations last in 2012?
But Turkey's inclusion in the NATO missile shield project, its balancing role in Iraq, ability to confront the Assad regime in Syria, growing economy and soft power will convince the White House that Ankara is an asset for US national security and other interests abroad.
Charlie Sheen’s “Winning” Streak: Celebrity Gossip Is Making Us Stupid
The problem is not with the entertainment industry per se – Hollywood is one of America’s greatest exports to the world, a form of soft power as well as storytelling that can inspire hearts and minds.
Sweden’s citizen-run Twitter account
If you could tweet on behalf of your country -- what would you say? In Sweden, one citizen per week is getting the chance to tweet from the nation's official @Sweden Twitter account. The goal of the campaign initiated by Curators of Sweden is to promote the "democratisation of the country's brand".
Enjoy This Killer App for the Holidays!
Note: While this product can be used by every human being on the face of the earth, it can be especially useful for diplomats, including those involved in public diplomacy.
The U.S. Presidential Campaign as Public Diplomacy
We Americans tend to take our presidential campaigns lightly...But for people in many other parts of the world, the American presidential campaign is a thing of wonder...As a public diplomacy tool, this process is invaluable, but how should it be presented?
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