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.

Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway Project Nearing Completion

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway, an important section in the middle of the modern Silk Road, will soon be fully commissioned, increasing connectivity among Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. [...] Once the railway will be fully operational, all three countries will mutually benefit from improved trade and economic relations and gain additional Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) through the new railway connecting Europe and Asia.

Tags: cultural relations, baku, tbilisi, kars, railroad diplomacy, silk road, economic relations

Egypt Sends Medical Aid to War-Torn Libya

Egypt sent a cargo of medical aid including medicines and other medical supplies to neighboring conflict-stricken Libya, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. [...] Hosting several meetings between Libyan rival factions, Egypt is keen on reaching a political settlement to restore security and stability to the war-torn neighboring country whose chaotic conditions pose a threat to the Egyptian western borders with eastern Libya.

Tags: foreign aid, medical aid, egypt, libya, civil war, security, stability

BirdLife Malta’s 20-Month Action for Nature Project Comes to an End

July marks the end of BirdLife Malta's 20-month Action for Nature project, an international exchange initiative that has seen a total of 84 youths and leaders participate from Malta, Hungary and Norway to improve the NGO's nature reserves as part of an environmental campaign.

Tags: cross cultural exchange, malta, eco-diplomacy, hungary, norway, environmental development

Te Arawa Group to Perform at Korean Festivals

A Te Arawa cultural group will perform in front hundreds of thousands of people at two festivals in Korea this week. Then in December, Korean cultural performers will take the stage at Rotorua's first Mudtopia Festival. Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry said the two cultural exchanges would have cultural and economic benefits for both countries.

Tags: cultural exchange, Cultural Diplomacy, rotorua, new zealand, south korea, mudtopia

Exhibition of Indian Textile to be Held in Bishkek

The exhibition "Splendid world of Indian textiles" will kick off in Bishkek today at 4:00 pm local time, the Embassy of India reports. [...] The exhibition is arranged by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and organized by the Embassy of India, Bishkek and Ministry of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic, jointly with Altyn Taj (India – Kyrgyzstan Friendship Society).

Tags: cultural exchange, Textile Diplomacy, india, bishkek, kyrgyzstan, Cultural Diplomacy

Wonder Woman is Israeli: The Soft Power of Gal Gadot

The Google search “Benjamin Netanyahu” yields 16,100,000 results – but “Gal Gadot” yields 20,700,000. [...] It’s no secret that Israel has an image problem. Gadot’s newfound celebrity is possibly the best international publicity for the Jewish state in years, and is a perfect example of soft power.

Tags: soft power, op-ed, israel, wonder woman, nation branding, country image, celebrity diplomacy, gal gadot

Book on History of Serb-Albanian Relations- For Better Future

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Serbian literature generally referred to Albanians an uncivilized nation. Such an image of them was created by anti-Albanian politics and propaganda of the ruling regimes, and some well-known writers also succumbed to this. [...] There is a strong desire to raise the level of knowledge about one another, which is worryingly low, and therefore subject to all possible disinformation, stereotypes, conspiracy theories.

Tags: cultural relations, serbia, albania, historical perspective, book diplomacy, information exchange, literature

Thailand’s Soft Power Rises, Thanks to Tourism and Culture

Thailand has been listed among the “ones to watch” in the annual Soft Power 30 report published by Portland Communications on Tuesday. [...] The cuisine, culture and warm hospitality also played a role in attracting international attention, the report said.

Tags: soft power, tourism, culture, thailand, thai cuisine, hospitality, soft power 30

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