A University of Kansas professor has taken part in an exchange between North Korean and American scientists that shows science and empathy toward another’s worldview can be the first step in thawing icy diplomatic relations.

Sponsored by GlobalTies U.S., the Feb. 4 event – “Strengthening Relations in the Western Hemisphere through Exchange” – attracted about 350 people. Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program, its focus was the role public diplomacy plays in U.S. foreign policy.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP), in collaboration with Routes2Roots (R2R), an Indian non-profit organisation working for peace and dialogue between Pakistan and India, has successfully completed the 18-month project Exchange for Change: Pakistan India 2013 - 2015.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst told students this week that it will no longer accept Iranian nationals into graduate programs in chemical, computer, and mechanical engineering or the natural sciences, to avoid violating US sanctions against Iran.

They say that China's soft power is practiced through cultural, educational and other exchanges, to help the country gain international understanding so that it can grow, strengthen and internationalize in a harmonious way.

Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said here Friday that she expects to further develop the strong relationship between Denmark and China not only economically, but also enhance people-to-people links.

The UK is preparing to show off the best of its culture in a year of exchange agreed upon during the UK-China Summit in London last year.  The 2015 UK-China Year of Cultural Exchange will comprise two ‘seasons’ of culture – a UK season in China in the first half of 2015 and a China season in the UK in the second half of 2015.