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.

‘UN power structure unfair’

Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has criticized the structure of the United Nations...I think this speech is a public diplomacy measure and...for the most part they will have an influence among their audience that they are directed at.

Tags: middle east, media, public diplomacy, iran, united nations, mahmoud ahmadinejad

David Cameron urges UN to take action against oppressive regimes

The Prime Minister said the international community needed to use a combination of military action or "hard power" and "soft power" like diplomacy and financial aid. He argued that the people of the Arab world had made clear their aspirations for greater freedom...

Tags: united states, soft power, middle east, government pd, arab spring, public diplomacy, europe, united nations, united kingdom, european union

Remember the footsoldiers

With the emergence of a Chinese middle class, and the increasing liberalisation of public expression in various parts of South East Asia, we find ourselves entering into an era of what could, and should, be increasing cultural exchange with our immediate neighbourhood.

Tags: china, Cultural Diplomacy, government pd, public diplomacy, non-state pd, australia, art diplomacy, southeast asia, festivals

Uncommon feat: This Nigerian conquered Kilimanjaro

"...I also attended Brand Africa Forum in South Africa. The keynote speaker was a certain Simon Anholt, a nation-branding consultant. He has branded 33 countries in his career... he criticised countries, trying to brand their countries by running commercials on some media channels.

Tags: nation branding, public diplomacy, africa, non-state actors, nigeria

Communicating the Idea of India

There has been a flurry of activity on the public diplomacy front in India recently...From international conferences to social media campaigns, the Public Diplomacy Division of the Government of India is in overdrive to shape a desired perception of India across the world.

Tags: soft power, government pd, public diplomacy, india, south asia, un security council

When it comes to promoting sports for peace, U.S. lags far behind

Every NBA corporate partner participates in the league's charitable arm, NBA Cares, which has given out more than $100 million since 2006. U.S. athletes are especially drawn to children..., it would be wonderful to see Washington do more.

Tags: united states, government pd, public diplomacy, non-state actors, sports diplomacy

Building a thriving African brand

"One of the messages we want to spread through the forum is that corporate brands are very important in developing nation brands and nations' economies," says Miller, adding that it is through telling these stories that Africa can be "positioned as the next growth frontier in terms of investment and business".

Tags: nation branding, africa, corporate diplomacy, south africa, brics, brand south africa

Obama’s UN Address and the Bahrain Exception

The cynical take believes that the U.S. has in fact changed its foreign policy as Obama claims and as his responses to the Arab Spring this year suggest, but has made an exception for Bahrain... The Bahraini opposition is largely Shia, but most Arabs (and most Muslims, for that matter) are Sunni. The "soft power" dividends of pushing Bahrain to reform, the U.S. may have decided, just aren't there.

Tags: united states, soft power, arab spring, united nations, barack obama, democracy, bahrain, strategic approach, strategic alliance, speech

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