CPD Summer Institute 2011 Concludes after Two Weeks of PD Training

After two weeks of vigorous study, critical debate, and dynamic teamwork, the sixth cohort successfully completed the CPD Summer Institute in Public Diplomacy last Friday.

This year’s participants included diplomats, journalists, foreign officials, and representatives of regional and international organizations hailing from nine different countries.

The intensive program touched on nearly two dozen topics in public diplomacy: from public diplomacy basics such as international broadcasting, exchange diplomacy, and advocacy to region-specific discussions on China, Mexico and Africa to multidisciplinary courses that integrated psychology, business, and public relations. Sessions were guided by leading public diplomacy scholars and practitioners.

The purpose of the Summer Institute is to give practitioners the tools—both theoretical and practical—to excel as public diplomats, while also creating a community of diverse public diplomacy practitioners. Outside the classroom, participants’ process of inquiry persisted. They shared best practices from their professional experiences, finding linkages between the ideas they discussed and the reality of international affairs.

“It was heartening to see such professionalism and commitment from the participants. Clearly, these women and men will do much to advance the practice of public diplomacy,” said Philip Seib, Director of the USC Center on Public Diplomacy.

The CPD Summer Institute in Public Diplomacy takes places annually in Los Angeles. For more information on the USC Summer Institute, please click here.

To review Summer Institute Press coverage, please click here.