The latest issue of PDiN Monitor delves into the concept of Film Diplomacy in China.

With the proliferation of information technology across all societies, people around the world are participating in shaping the political lives of their countries to an unprecedented degree. That drove us to an understanding that the United States government had to take a different approach to public diplomacy.

Pope Benedict XVI has tweeted for the first time, announcing the launch of a Vatican news information portal. Benedict’s tweet on Tuesday read: “Dear Friends, I just launched News.va Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! With my prayers and blessings, Benedictus XVI”.

On June 29, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Judith McHale will participate in the State Department’s first global “Twitter Q & A.” Using the hashtag #AskUSA, participants from around the world can simultaneously submit questions and share ideas with Under Secretary McHale about strengthening ties and increasing exchanges between the United States and other countries.

TechCamp Vilnius will be the third event in a series supporting Secretary Clinton’s Civil Society 2.0 initiative to build the digital literacy of civil society organizations around the world. Representing more than 15 countries...participants will get hands-on training in a variety of areas ranging from how to use social media, organize online, practice digital safety, leverage mobile applications, and more.

Undersecretary Rafael Seguis...said that DFA could not afford to ignore or belittle the role of the media in times of disasters or emergencies.Seguis said that the media are also a vital partner in public diplomacy thru the use of networking sites like Facebook or Twitter or other sites.

CPD Director Philip Seib will be speaking at the Strategic Communications Conference in Los Angeles, June 23rd to 24th, on social media in the Middle East and its effects on foreign policy.