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.
U.S. Strike an “Enormous Coup” for Taliban
CBS News consultant Van Dyk said the deadly airstrike couldn't have come at worse time for American military strategists. The newly-installed top commander in Afghanistan, American Gen. Stanley McChrystal, was just getting started on his revamped mission to win public opinion — a "completely different job to previous commanders," according to Van Dyk.
Obama’s Summit Flop
None of this means that dialogue with enemies is inherently wrong or not worth trying. Obama may yet find an opportunity for talks with Chávez or Assad, if not Kim or Khamenei. But what seems pretty clear is that the most notable foreign policy idea Obama offered during his campaign has fallen flat during his first months in office.
UNESCO to Pick New Chief
The process of selecting the next head of the Paris-based U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is underway. Egypt's cultural minister Farouk Hosny is considered the front-runner for the job. But critics argue Hosny should not be picked because of allegedly anti-Semitic remarks he made last year.
Africa’s Dictators and Their Image Cleaners in Washington
The Kenyan government has reportedly retained a top Washington public relations firm to improve its image in the United States at a reported cost of Sh129 million ($1.7 million) over the next two years. According to the Paris-based Indian Ocean Newsletter, CLS & Associates have added the Kenyan Government to their list of clients.
Is Switzerland’s Image Abroad Still Picture Perfect?
Switzerland has been making more headlines abroad than usual of late, with a wave of publicity arising from recent international diplomatic tensions with countries including Libya, the USA and Germany. Many experts within national borders have expressed concern that such skirmishes could have damaged the Swiss veneer, and the government seems to agree there’s fire-fighting to be done.
Poll: ‘Public is proud of the BBC’
The public has given its widespread backing for the BBC, with four out of five people indicating that they are proud of the corporation, new research suggests. According to an ICM/Guardian poll, 77% of people said that the BBC is an institution to take pride in, increasing from 68% in a similar survey in 2004.
EU Inclusive Education in Contexts of Social and Cultural Diversity, Learning to live together
Throughout history, Europe’s enormous cultural diversity has brought it prosperity but also war and strife. Harnessing its multicultural character for prosperity and peace is one of the cornerstones of the European Union. Many current EU activities aim at cooperation across cultural boundaries and at the active inclusion of its 100 million citizens that represent cultural minorities.
Israelis to “experience China” in October
The Israeli public will have a great opportunity to closely "experience China" as a Chinese cultural month is to be held in October in Israel, Zhang Xiao'an, charged affaires of the Chinese embassy in Israel, announced Monday at a press conference in Tel Aviv.
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