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.

Football Fans Go Bananas in Anti-Racism Protest

FC Barcelona defender Dani Alves sparked a global anti-racism protest by eating a banana that was thrown at him during Sunday's match at Villareal. Alves picked it up, peeled it, and then ate it before taking a corner kick. Barcelona forward Neymar later kicked off the global trend, tweeting an Instagram image of the incident using #SomosTodosMacacos ("We are all monkeys"). The hashtag has since been shared more than 64,000 times.

Tags: fc barcelona, anti-racism, racism, neymar, dani alves, soccer, sports diplomacy, spain, barcelona, #somostodosmacacos, instagram, campaign, social media

U.S. Soft Power Urged to Counter Russian Propaganda on Ukraine

The Obama administration should expand U.S. television and radio broadcasts  aimed at former Soviet states to ensure that ethnic Russians there receive information other than Moscow-controlled broadcasts, State Department veteran Paul Goble said at The Heritage Foundation.

Tags: soft power, international broadcasting, united states, ukraine, russia, government pd

In Praise of Malbec Diplomacy

It so happens that Argentine Malbec is attractive enough (on its own) to lure people into events organized by the embassies. An ideal lobbying opportunity. Throw in some tango music and dancers as well as beef or other delicacies and you have an irresistible package. 

Tags: argentina, wine, south america, gastrodiplomacy, Cultural Diplomacy, government pd

Lottery Rebate to Support International Growth

An £18m fund is being earmarked to encourage international collaboration and cultural exchange, and generate more money by sending the best of English arts and culture overseas. 

Tags: cultural exchange, art diplomacy, Cultural Diplomacy, united kingdom

The Unfinished Business of Foreign Aid Reform

Applying the principles of accountability and country ownership to our aid programs will help poor countries to take responsibility for their own development, and will help citizens of our own country to feel confident that their taxpayer dollars are being well spent.

Tags: foreign aid, global development, united states, government pd

Sex Trafficking Victims' Photography Goes on Exhibit

Eight weeks ago, a dozen victims or potential victims of sex trafficking each were given a digital camera.  On Monday the work from eight weeks of training in photography and writing will be on display in an exhibition at Columbia College for the world to see.  The project was thought up by Columbia College student Bronte Price, who is also a photographer for Getty Images, as a way to give victims a voice.

Tags: united states, art diplomacy, photography, chicago, non-state pd, education diplomacy

Protestants Go For Gaelic in Northern Ireland

Seomra ranga - "classroom", in Ireland's indigenous language - reads a cardboard sign tacked onto a door. A little further down the hall, a leabharlann is filled with books. It is a very Irish scene, but in a very unlikely place: East Belfast Mission on Newtownards Road. Across the street, a mural commemorates the Protestant paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force. Union Jack flags fly from lampposts in the shadow of the shipyards that built the Titanic.

Tags: northern ireland, ireland, united kingdom, language, ulster, irish gaelic, gaelic, language diplomacy, Cultural Diplomacy, conflict

HE Hub Targets Universities in France, India, and UK

Positioning itself at the crossroads between Africa and Asia, Mauritius is also looking north – especially to France and Britain, where it has strong historical ties. Africa's most developed country is striving to become the continent's leading higher education hub.

Tags: mauritius, france, india, united kingdom, higher education, education, africa, development, academic exchange, exchange diplomacy

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