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.
Peace Prize for Obama, Cuts for Iranian Reformers
The Obama administration has actually cut funding in support of pro-democracy activists. For all those, who want to see regime change in Iran, preferably by peaceful means, this is a deeply troubling development that sends the wrong signals to the world about American priorities and values. In terms of public diplomacy, this country is now signaling that dealing with autocratic regimes is more important than supporting the rights of the people they oppress.
US spreads cultural footprint to win over Afghans
Lincoln Centre -- the eighth to open in Afghanistan -- is part of a wider "soft power" plan to win the hearts and minds of young Afghans, and a key tool for the US in the fight against the Taliban. Ten more centres are planned for Afghanistan -- a huge cultural footprint in a small, conservative country where guarding against Western influences has played a big role in its troubled recent history.
Romania - Workshop as part of the elaboration process of a new NATO Strategic Concept
Interim Foreign Minister Cătălin Marian Predoiu will open a workshop as part of elaboration process of a new NATO Strategic Concept. The event is part of the series “NATO and the New Strategic Concept – Romania’s Priorities” and is organized by Romania’s Foreign Ministry in cooperation with the Center for Conflict Prevention and Early Warning, with support from NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division.
The EU-Turkey-Cyprus Triangle: “Football Diplomacy”
The images of Turkey-Armenia reconciliation over the past few days have been stunning: high politics and world class leaders standing together in Zurich for the signing of bilateral protocols on 10 October; four days later, a down-to-earth meeting of national football teams in Bursa for the World Cup qualifying match, watched by Turkish President Abdullah Gül and his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian. Who knows which event was viewed by more in Turkey, Armenia and beyond.
Sen. Kerry: NATO membership would stabilize Bosnia
The worst predictions of the 1990s didn’t come true. Unfortunately, neither did the vision of a prosperous Bosnia at peace with itself. That job remains unfinished. As American, European and Bosnian officials discuss Bosnia’s present political problems and future integration into Europe, the transatlantic community must once again act boldly to help the country overcome its grisly past.
Rebranding Nigeria: Myths and Realities
The recent emergence of a “Rebranding Nigeria Campaign” has generated a flurry of reactionary postures from professionals, brand and communication consultants, other stakeholders and patriotic Nigerians alike. The campaign, anchored on a sensational logo and slogan competition thrown upon to the public has been hailed by some as the magic wand that will propel Nigeria to Brands Paradise while also attracting opprobrium as simply another blind step in the wrong direction.
New York Philharmonic brings musical diplomacy to Vietnam
With help from Beethoven and Brahms, the United States and Vietnam will engage in musical diplomacy this weekend when the New York Philharmonic debuts in the communist nation after a historic visit to Stalinist North Korea last year. The orchestra, one of the world's oldest, is to hold its first concerts in Vietnam Friday and Saturday at the Hanoi Opera House as part of an Asian tour which has taken it to Tokyo and Seoul.
Africans Won’t Just Be on Receiving End of Arts and Culture
Global initiatives have in recent years stressed the contribution that arts and culture can make to development. This has led African and European artists, bureaucrats and policy makers to increasingly confront the unequal relations in North-South cultural and artistic exchanges.
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