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.

Time to Promote Bangladesh as Halal Tourist Destination

Bangladesh needs to take steps to grab a slice of the fast-growing halal tourism pie, travel experts said. Halal tourism is a subcategory of tourism that is geared towards Muslim families who abide by rules of Islam. [...] In recent times, this sub-sector of tourism is on the rise on the back of the growing worldwide Muslim population, the increasing purchasing power of population of Muslim countries and rising tendency to consume foods and use services that adhere to Islamic principles.

Tags: destination branding, tourism branding, tourism, halal tourism, halal, muslim world, bangladesh

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne visits Ghana

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, daughter of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, will visit Ghana from this evening as part of a two-country visit to West Africa that also encompasses Sierra Leone. This visit, The Princess Royal’s third to Ghana, will celebrate the unique friendship between the UK and Ghana as it marks its 60th Anniversary of Independence. It will also reinforce the strength and depth of bilateral relations and the UK’s “Global Britain” drive to reinvigorate the Commonwealth.

Tags: royal diplomacy, princess diplomacy, princess anne, bilateral relations, ghana, sierra leone, united kingdom, west africa, global britain

In Defense of Citizen Diplomacy

Out of this era came three key programs tasked with training a new generation of American students to begin to repair relationships with the peacefully-growing Muslim world, and ameliorate the severe lack of US linguistic capability plaguing both the government and global economic competitiveness. The first, Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study, or YES Abroad, was created in the wake of 9/11 to dispel myths about both America and the Muslim world. 

Tags: citizen diplomacy, international exchange, united states, yes abroad, muslim world, foreign language, cross cultural dialogue

Into Africa: Germany’s Proposed Marshall Plan

One nation directly affected by Marshall’s massive economic aid program is now examining a similar program for many nations across the African continent. Germany, one of the world’s wealthiest and most industrialized nations, is considering a plan to address the massive influx of migrants coming into the country in search of economic opportunity. 

Tags: global aid & development, government pd, germany, africa, marshall plan, economic development, mass migration

China’s Popular First Lady Takes the Stage in Xi Jinping’s U.S. Visit

Glamorous, popular and passionate about fighting AIDS, Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan is Beijing’s diplomatic not-so-secret weapon spreading Chinese soft power around the world. A former singing star in the People’s Liberation Army, “Mother Peng”, as she is affectionately known in China, will be at President Xi Jinping’s side as he meets US President Donald Trump in Florida next week.

Tags: smart & soft power, government pd, china, first lady, united states, diplomatic relations, xi jinping, President Trump

Japan and India: Concerted Efforts at Regional Diplomacy

Facing an uncertain geopolitical climate, Japan and India will benefit from working closely to play a greater leadership role in the region as they share converging strategic and security interests. Given the possibility that the United States may disengage from the Asia-Pacific, both Tokyo and New Delhi are concerned about Beijing’s increasing assertiveness and will seek to increase their collective capabilities to counterbalance China’s otherwise unhindered dominance. 

Tags: government pd, regional diplomacy, japan, india, china, geopolitics, leadership, asia pacific, regional influence

The Royal EU Charm Offensive Hits Italy on European Tour

The Prince of Wales has arrived at Pisa airport in Italy for the second part of his Brexit charm offensive in the EU. He'll spend the next five days here where he will visit the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, travel to war graves on the Austrian border, tour the 2016 earthquake-hit town of Amatrice, and meet the Pope at the Vatican. It's part of the Royal Family's mission this year, to charm their way around the EU.

Tags: royal diplomacy, smart & soft power, international image, united kingdom, european union, brexit, italy

Egyptian Artist Becomes First Arab Woman to Win UN Prize for Culture

Egyptian-Lebanese visual artist Bahia Shehab has become the first Arab woman to ever receive the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture for her innovative use of Arabic calligraphy in street art. [...] As an artist, designer and art historian, Shehab has worked for many years on integrating ancient Arabic script into the modern context for use in graphic design and Arab visual culture. 

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, egypt, arab culture, arabic calligraphy, visual art, woment empowerment, unesco

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