The inaugural Lincoln Center Global Exchange in New York on Friday brought together international leaders, stars and guest speakers including Barry Diller, chairman of IAC, parent company of The Daily Beast—explored "how art and culture can become even more effective in fostering healthy citizens, vibrant cities and strong communities.”

African stars joined U2 frontman Bono on Friday in a campaign to use music to help empower women around the world. Bono and top African male musicians D'banj, Diamond and Banky W announced that they will be included in a remix of the song "Strong Girl," a rallying cry for women's empowerment which features top African female talent.

I have discussed this issue with many foreign diplomats residing in Jakarta, mostly cultural attaches. Of course it is the best way to introduce their cultures, arts and artists. And cultural diplomacy is, as we know, perhaps the most effective way to build a strong understanding and solidarity among the peoples of various countries.

The Santa Clarita Sister Cities Program is a proud member of Sister Cities International (SCI), a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network creating and strengthening partnerships between U.S. and international communities in an effort to increase global cooperation at the municipal level, to promote cultural understanding and to stimulate economic development. Currently, the City of Santa Clarita has international Sister Cities in Tena, Ecuador and Sariaya, Philippines.

Although plenty of Americans figure into the picture, some of the brightest stars come from as far as Trinidad, France and Azerbaijan. The groups cover a wide gamut of subgenres, but what they all have in common is a critical element of jazz swing at their core.

Tsai, who plays a Chinese string instrument called the "liuqin," will join with 24 other musicians selected from 16 countries and territories to participate in the OneBeat 2015 Program in the United States from Oct. 12 to Nov. 11.

Music is a language that everyone understands, and music is above politics,” says Claudia Frenzel of Wanted! International, a German company organizing the musical exchange. [...] Today, Israel and Germany have doffed their starched formality and emerged as true partners.