. Alternatively, the Obama administration could heed the recommendation of a recent Atlantic Council report by "[d]esignating a small number of US and private Iranian financial institutions as channels for payment for humanitarian, educational, and public diplomacy-related transactions carefully licensed by the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control."

"Every bit of Internet search gives you new impulse. And, with a platform like Google, it allows one to look into every nook and corner of India," Khurshid said. Five short films made by upcoming filmmakers, and co-produced by noted director Anurag Kashyap and Viacom 18 was released on YouTube as part of the web-based campaign. Kashyap also hailed the India-themed public-private partnership that offers platforms to young and independent filmmakers, to reach out to their audience, which he said "wasn't possible before the Internet".

Andrew Saul, CEO of Genovation Inc., recently completed a three-week, eight-city speaking tour of Australia and New Zealand on "Entrepreneurship and Renewable Energy," as part of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP). Genovation is a Rockville, Md.-based designer and custom builder of environmentally friendly automobiles.

The US has eased restrictions on the sale of mobile phones and other communications devices, software and services to Iranians.The move is intended to promote Iranians' political freedom, countering what the US describes as Tehran's efforts to "silence its people".

As members of the media are taking to social media channels to deliver important news in real time, a growing number of governments (from municipal to federal) are increasing their engagement as well. Many government institutions are looking to effectively and securely execute their social media strategies.

Canada is seeking to restore diplomatic relations with Iran — but not the old-fashioned way. Instead of ambassadors and attaches, the Foreign Affairs Department is aiming to connect with Iranians directly, via social media. They're working with the University of Toronto's Munk School to host two days of discussions that will be live-streamed online in the hopes of reaching and inspiring Iranians ahead of June's presidential elections.