The Philippine Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2017 is an opportune time to revive the National Branding Council proposal made by the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) in 20121 to build the international image and reputation of the country. Nation Branding is an important tool in managing a country’s identity across the globe forming part of public diplomacy.

South Africans and embassy officials on Saturday braved the scorching sun to partake in the Diplomatic Fair at the Union Buildings. The fair, the brainchild of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, has been held annually in October since 2006 and serves as a key platform to educate the public about diplomacy.

The modern Israel-Azerbaijan bond began with Israel’s recognition of Azerbaijan after the latter’s 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. Some 25 years later, friendships, substantive cultural and educational exchanges, and extended business ties belie expectations of how a Muslim-majority country might interact with Israel. 

Greater cultural exchange between Mexico and China allows to build "closer, brotherly and lasting ties", said Diego Prieto, director general of Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History. The federal official highlighted that a series of academic, scientific, artistic and literary exchanges in recent years had allowed commercial and economic relations to blossom in parallel.

To enhance cultural and academic cooperation between Turkey and Japan, a new project "İki Doğu'nun Köprüsü: Tasavvuf Kültürü Eğitim Programı" (The Bridge of Two Easts: Education Program for Sufi Culture) has been initiated by bringing together academic and research institutions from Turkey and Japan. 

Some 6,000 Nigerian girls will receive training in digital skills in early 2017 from an international foundation that uses technology to empower underprivileged youth and women in the developing world. “Our mission is really to create a rich learning community where the appropriate use of technology affords opportunities for youth and women living in developing economies,” said Youth for Technology Foundation President and CEO Njideka Harry in an interview.