U.S. Embassies worldwide are declaring support for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people through innovative public diplomacy. The Department uses its full range of diplomatic and development tools to press for the elimination of violence and discrimination against LGBT people worldwide.

As the J-1 program brings over 100,000 young people coming to the U.S. annually, it has become as much about money as cultural understanding. The reforms by State Department would limit and refine the types of jobs students can have and ensure that the objective of the program — positive exposure to the United States — is accomplished.

Developing strong and sustainable relations with India should not be considered by Arab states as an option, but as a must. In addition to trade agreements, the two parties should consider other public diplomacy venues to develop substantial social and cultural exchanges, and boost larger people-to-people relations.

The phrase “Israelhates” had been tagged onto enough posts on Twitter that the message had become a worldwide trend topic. To combat that message of hate, Jewish Agency's social media head counters anti-Israel trend on Twitter with a message of love.

APDS Blogger: Mona El Hamdani

South Korea had given North Korea $29.5 million in aid through Unicef from 1996 until it halted amid tensions over the sinking of warship last year. Seoul's latest move signals the easing of tensions through nongovernmental aid shipments and exchanges, by resuming donation through Unicef programs for medicines, vaccines and nutrients for malnourished North Korean children.

Former Chinese basketball star and NBA player Yao Ming is named vice-chairman of Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association on Monday. As the association's "Honor Ambassador", Yao accepts he will do some "tangible work" to introduce his home city to more people by sharing his eight-year experience of living in the U.S.

China is emerging as the key deal-maker or deal-breaker as the UN climate talks head into ministerial discussions. If the EU and China can find a way forward, some observers here believe a package can be constructed that will satisfy the majority of participants.