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.

Blind campaigner opens eyes to discrimination

The soft power of women is a crucial aspect of a country's soft power. Actually, compared with men, women are a truer embodiment of the meaning of soft power. China could well realize its true prosperity once its women are fully liberated.

Tags: china, united states, soft power, public diplomacy, women

My Jakarta: Faye Belnis, British Diplomat

Today is International Women’s Day, so what better way to mark the achievements of girls who grew up to be powerful women than by interviewing one of our own most prominent diplomats, Faye Belnis, the head of press and public diplomacy and spokeswoman at the British Embassy?

Tags: media, government pd, public diplomacy, united kingdom, indonesia

Ambassador George Venable Allen, Smith-Mundt, and the Voice of America

In an article published in the Department of State’s Bulletin on November 7, 1948, entitled simply “The Voice of America,” Allen stated the purpose of the Department’s information activities, including VOA, the Congress had authorized earlier in the year with the passage of the Smith-Mundt Act

Tags: united states, media, international broadcasting, government pd, public diplomacy, voice of america, smith-mundt act

Culture Posts: Oscar Lessons in the Persuasive Power of Stories and Storytelling

When Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi took the stage to accept the Oscar for A Separation, he spoke of his film as a counter narrative to talk of war and offer a view of Iran “through her glorious culture, a rich and ancient culture that has been hidden under the heavy dust of politics.”

Tags: united states, Cultural Diplomacy, media, public diplomacy, iran, film diplomacy

Telling the Story of the Indian Dream

Two decades of economic liberalization ushered in significant changes to India’s business landscape. One important change has been the development of competitive capabilities of Indian companies and the increase in business, professional, and personal exchanges with global businesses, workforces, and ideas. This development has significant implications on India’s soft power projection.

Tags: soft power, media, public diplomacy, india, japan, corporate diplomacy, european union

The Problem with Facebook Diplomacy

Peres deserves credit for his forward-thinking, but his proposition stands on shaky grounds. If, to borrow that second headline (from The Washington Post), Facebook presents a new extra-governmental route to diplomacy, the governments should stay out of the way and let the people speak. But that isn't how it works in certain parts of the world.

Tags: social media, non-state actors, israel, non-state pd, facebook, peres

India unlikely to become a superpower: LSE report

India's attempts to increase its “soft power” will only translate into something meaningful if it uses this power in a more systematic and planned way, improving its economic performance, suggests author Mr Nicholas Blarel.

Tags: soft power, india, power, corruption, economic growth

Armenia’s refusal to attend Eurovision-2012 is inconsistent and cynical

The song contest could also contribute to the public diplomacy of Azerbaijan and Armenia and promote the convergence of the parties in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict which has been recently mentioned. However, pseudo patriots are in power in Armenia leaving all efforts to promote a dialogue remaining futile.

Tags: public diplomacy, azerbaijan, armenia, politics, eurovision

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.