On April 6, Under Secretary Tara Sonenshine welcomed Special Presidential Representative Mikhail Shvydkoy at the State Department to discuss future plans for collaboration in the areas of education, media, sports and professional exchanges.

While public diplomacy may be the preferred field of U.S. foreign engagement in the future — promoting democratic principles and practices through example, cultural exchanges, consultation and support — efforts to win over hearts and minds in the Middle East have hit a roadblock.

She will serve as the Department’s senior public diplomacy official, overseeing the bureaus of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Public Affairs, and International Information Programs, and participates in foreign policy development.

The State Department is the world’s largest user of web information and communication technologies for diplomatic objectives, according to a recent study from the Australian-based Lowy Institute for International Policy.

The American Music Abroad program is designed to communicate America’s rich contributions to the global music scene as it fosters cross-cultural communication and people-to-people connections to global audiences. Today, American Voices is proud to administer the American Music Abroad program on behalf of the U.S.

The new Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy, Tara Sonenshine, and a bundle of other diplomatic nominees received the Senate stamp of approval. Sonenshine’s challenge will be to grapple with several substantive issues including the challenge from China.

“The slow pace of adaptation to e-diplomacy by many foreign ministries suggests there is a degree of uncertainty over what e-diplomacy is all about, what it can do and how pervasive its influence is going to be."

Rock music first developed in the United States in the 1950s and has evolved into an art form that celebrates the American value of free expression. Rock music also gives young people a voice with which to express themselves. The program is part of the U.S. Department of State’s ongoing cultural exchange programs.