CPD Blog
![Image courtesy of The White House via Flickr (Public Domain)](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/White%20House%20America%20First_WEB.jpg?itok=hiLZoDki)
"America First" undermines the U.S.'s ability to form constructive global relationships, writes former British diplomat and Boston University Senior Lecturer Paul Hare.
![Image courtesy of mentatdgt via Pexels](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/BRI%20Youth%20Exchage_WEB.jpg?itok=rXBW_djr)
The BRI International Youth Forum (BRIYF) engages youth to bridge the perception gap about the Belt and Road Initiative, writes Seksan Anantasirikiat.
![Image courtesy of lorilynnoliver via Pixabay](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/Beauty%20Diplomacy_WEB.jpg?itok=VsZUkUue)
Aparna Sridhar of the Center for Soft Power notes how beauty pageant contestants communicate complex ideas and symbolism on the world stage.
![Image courtesy of Bluesnap via Pixabay](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/Russia%20Imperial%20Winter%20Palace_WEB.jpg?itok=gIdlZM-w)
Anna Velikaya on how distinguished Russians in history helped shape the image of their home country.
![Image courtesy of GDJ via Pixabay. Edited by CPD.](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/Priewe%20Blog%20Images_Part%20Two.jpg?itok=AG0srFrp)
In the second post of a two-part series, Sascha Priewe, CPD Research Fellow (2019-2021) and Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships, emphasizes the importance of intercultural dialogue.
![Image courtesy of the author. Author's note: Fishermen in Senegal are among the small traders being negatively impacted by large French transnational companies within the country, which contributes to the negative sentiment towards France.](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/American%20Soft%20Power%20in%20Senegal_WEB.jpg?itok=IBxeOIHe)
Boren Scholar and USC alum Kendal Gee discusses her experiences in Senegal.
![Image courtesy of GDJ via Pixabay. Edited by CPD.](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/Priewe%20Blog%20Images_Part%20One.jpg?itok=OLwOndoK)
Sascha Priewe, CPD Research Fellow (2019-2021) and Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships, discusses cultural diplomacy at the local level in part one of this two-part series.
![Image courtesy of katarzynajavaheri0 via Pixabay](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/U.S.-Georgia%20Exchange%20Diplomacy_WEB.jpg?itok=5tXo5JSJ)
Activities that help alumni of U.S. exchange programs build on their international experience strengthen U.S.-Georgia relations, writes Mariam Khatiashvili.