Valentino’s ateliers in the Eternal City could not be in greater contrast to groups of Kenyan women in an improvised workroom, creating traditional embroidery patterns inherited from Masai ancestors or the intricate crochet work handed down the female tribal chain. But these African women have been organized to create luxury products from designers such as Stella McCartney and Vivienne Westwood.

With Europe in the midst of an economic crisis, reconsidering its very identity, is there still room for cultural exchange? The ECB's Culture Days bring a bit of color to what seems at times like a bleak political table.

The main motto of this Blue Storm artist camp, that was held by the Indian national Trust for Culture and Heritage (INTAC) was to engage local artists in a cross cultural exchange in order to expand their exposure and professional network. "These art forms exhibited the various expressions of life and it was a wonderful experience as artists shared the thought process that goes into making paintings in this art camp."

Congolese music giant Pascal Tabu Ley Rochereau is in Kinshasa to accept an award for his contribution to the country's rich heritage and cultural diplomacy. The performer, whose popular hits like Muzina, Maze and Sorozo rocked millions of fans in Africa, is a celebrated musician, whose songs continue to enjoy airplay years after they were

The European Film Festival activities were launched yesterday at a press conference hosted at the European Union Delegation. The festival brings together more than 14 countries with 20 films from England, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Switzerland, Sweden, Holland, Italy, Poland, Austria and Sudan.

Eighteen months after Julia Gillard announced the inaugural BHP Billiton Chair of Australian Studies at Peking University, an appointment may be imminent, according to Kevin Hobgood-Brown, managing director of the Foundation for Australian Studies in China which makes the appointment.

Visiting the land down under just became easier for a number of American travelers. On November 1, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service announced a trial program extending Australia’s SmartGate program to U.S. Global Entry members.

David Ensor is the director of Voice of America (VOA), a federal broadcasting institution that delivers news and programming to an international audience. Ensor previously served as director of communications and public diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, and had a 32-year journalism career that included reporting for National Public Radio, CNN and ABC News.