The third India-Africa Forum Summit has been depicted as truly historic. It is so for three reasons: it was the largest assembly of African leaders outside Africa; the biggest gathering of Africa’s 41 heads of state/government on Indian soil; and it saw India unveiling a bigger development cooperation package than ever before.

Tags: india, africa, india-africa summit, african union, bilateral relations, delhi declaration, economic ties, trade, climate change, counter terrorism, government pd, narendra modi

Jean-Claude Bader brings showbiz sparkle to regional elections in December, when the Front National hopes to capitalise on refugee crisis. He is the Gallic equivalent of an Elvis impersonator, a dead ringer for the ageing French rocker, Johnny Hallyday.

Tags: france, marine le pen, refugee crisis, front national, entertainment industry, media, strategic communication, nicolas sarkozy, european union, non state pd, Cultural Diplomacy

Today sees the close of the current ‘World’s Fair,’ in Milan, Italy. The six-month-long Expo Milano 2015 showcased tech innovation, especially from Italy, and while much will be written about the cost and legacy of the event, I’d like to argue that the host country made a clever use of this opportunity to show off its startups.

Tags: italy, milan, 2015 Expo Milano, international image, Cultural Diplomacy, start ups, media, social media, impact, culture, arts, design, nation branding

The notes of the sarabande of Bach’s Suite No 2 rise in the cold air, praising God for the “miracle” of the fall of the Berlin Wall, as Mstislav Rostropovich later put it. The photograph is seen around the world. The date is 11 November 1989, and the Russian virtuoso is marching to the beat of history.

Tags: music diplomacy, Cultural Diplomacy, arts, culture, history & theory, silk road project, international relations

Set in lush green lawns of the Swiss embassy, an exhibition featuring the work of 12 Pakistani sculptors was held on Friday. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Satrang Gallery Director Asma Khan said the embassy asked her to put up a show of sculptors for them.

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, switzerland, pakistan, non state pd, innovation, arts, culture, corporate social responsibility, youth, creative

The interactions between environmental issues and faith are evolving, as religious leaders weigh in to guide actions of the faithful on climate change. Buddhist leaders expressed support and lofty expectations for the Paris climate talks at the end of November.

Tags: climate change, faith diplomacy, global warming, dalai lama, japan, mongolia, france, united states, non state pd, religion, buddhism, leadership

The Pakistan High Commission has started an Urdu Language Training Center in the Sri Lankan capital. The avowed purpose of the venture is to help Lankans who go to Pakistan either for higher studies or to do business, communicate with locals. But it is undeniable that one of the aims of the Center is to counter the spread of Hindi, which is already a hugely popular language in Lanka thanks to Bollywood films and their songs.

Tags: soft power, pakistan, government pd, state actor, Cultural Diplomacy, language, urdu, sri lanka

Gonzaga University alumna Christi Anne Hofland (’05) is leading an experiment in U.S. international relations at the center of a volatile geopolitical drama. As director of the newly opened America House cultural center here, Hofland combines her passions for cultural diplomacy and people-to-people engagement.

Tags: ukraine, Cultural Diplomacy, people-to-people diplomacy, united states