The round table discussion with US Under Secretary of State Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Tara Sonenshine got underway at 10.30 a.m on February 7th at the American Centre. The theme of the discussion was the role of youth in India's growth taking into account the demographic dividend with special emphasis on role of women. Naturally, the panel consisted of student leaders, youth bloggers, LSR journalism students and representatives of college student unions.

The parliamentary consultative committee of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday held its first meeting this year at Rajgir, near Nalanda University, on the topic of cultural diplomacy. “The meeting was held in Rajgir to provide a first-hand experience of modern Nalanda and a better appreciation of its contribution to reviving the country’s links with the East and South Asian countries and an innovative combination of parliamentary and public diplomacy interface,” said an MEA communiqué.

The U.S. government's international TV broadcaster in the Middle East, Alhurra, celebrates its ninth anniversary on the air on Thursday with new initiatives to reach mobile devices. First up, will be a new Alhurra app for Android-powered cell phones, according to Brian T. Conniff, President of Middle East Broadcasting, Alhurra's parent company.

To celebrate the New Year, Culture Posts is focusing on the relatively new concept: relationalism. Public Diplomacy viewed through the lens of relationalism has several implications. Most immediately, discussions about relations and relationship-building – the hallmark of the “new public diplomacy” – can move to a more sophisticated and nuanced level.

To celebrate the New Year, Culture Posts is focusing on the relatively new concept: relationalism. Public Diplomacy viewed through the lens of relationalism has several implications. Most immediately, discussions about relations and relationship-building – the hallmark of the “new public diplomacy” – can move to a more sophisticated and nuanced level.

Developing a Relational Eye

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has teamed-up Major League Baseball Hall-of-Famer Barry Larkin and Olympian Natasha Watley as U.S. sports envoys to India reaching Manipur on February 13. Working with Major League Baseball and USA Softball, ECA designed this first-ever joint baseball and softball program to encourage youth participation in sports. Joseph (Joe) Logan, a former player with the Montreal Expos organization and coach of the Orlando Reds Baseball Club in the U.S., will accompany Larkin and Watley.

Though Greek culture is famous for its sociability and its nightlife, the country’s economic crisis is making people spend a little more time at home with their TVs. And with Greek TV channels looking for cheaper content, the airwaves are now filled with imported Turkish soap operas, says Asli Tunç, head of the Media School at Istanbul Bilgi University.

Bangkok governor candidates have been painting a rosy picture of the capital under their stewardship, but what's glaringly missing from their campaign bullet points and speeches is the policy and vision of Bangkok as a city of arts and culture. "Art and culture must be on the master Bangkok agenda, not something on the side.... We're talking about 'soft power' and how the creative industry can generate income."