May 1

"If you want to protest, go elsewhere."

-- Huang Jianzhi, the Shangai Expo's deputy director general; image from

"The slogans everywhere say 'Better City, Better Life' but where is my better life?"

--Zhou Chunrong, a steel worker who was forced from his 172 square foot (16 square meter) Shangai apartment, regarding the Expo in that city

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PUBLIC DIPLOMACY IN THE NEWS

A Critique of Norman Davies' Support for the New Cold War - Karl Naylor, Central-Eastern Europe Watch:

“[Historian Norman] Davies attitude against Russia as an Imperial power very much chimes with Zbigniew Brezinski's comment that 'Russia can either be an empire or a democracy but that it cannot be both'. ... Davies has ... remained silent on the Polish invasion of Iraq in 2003, a decision made by Alexander Kwasniewski without even a debate in the Sejm nor a vote nor any prominent media discussion as 'public diplomacy' was focused on Poland's entry into the EU that year and not in a far off country of which Poles knew little. To omit the role of Poland in invading Iraq, whilst condemning Tony Blair and George Bush for their lack of historical knowledge, is slighly spineless given that the casualty rate as a consequence of it has now, according to Lancet, led to over a million deaths and with former Solidarity dissident Adam Michnik making fundamentally stupid assertions that Saddam was in league with Al Qaida." Davies image from

I colpi della Cia e del Mossad: Fuga di cervelli (e informazioni) dall'Iran al Grande Satana - Andrea Di Nino, loccidentale.it: "Molto probabilmente, le conclusioni a cui giungerà il prossimo NIE [National Intelligence Estimate] saranno diverse da quelle del 2007, quando la comunità d’intelligence americana si disse convinta che il regime khomeinista avesse interrotto il suo programma nucleare militare nel 2003, creando qualche problemino di public diplomacy all’allora presidente George W. Bush. Con il cambio d'inquilino alla Casa Bianca, non è da escludere che al contrario il nuovo NIE porterà acqua al mulino di Barack Obama."

CULTURAL DIPLOMACY

News & Stories: 2009-10 Fulbright for Netherlands documentaries - Calvin News: "Images of the Netherlands—in paintings, photographs and films—have always had a significant impact on how Americans viewed the Dutch homeland, said Calvin professor of geology, geography and environmental studies (GEO) Henk Aay. Aay has recently earned a Fulbright Scholarship to live in the Netherlands, researching documentary films about that country. The films he will study were made by the Dutch government and distributed throughout the U.S. from 1942 to 1974 by the Netherlands Information Bureau (NIB): 'The Holland, Michigan, office of the NIB loaned hundreds of films about the Netherlands to schools, churches and other community organizations throughout a 22-state area,' said Aay.

He will be screening a sizeable sampling of films from the NIB collection, comparing them with other documentaries about the Netherlands made at the time. 'Dutch‐American relations have long been studied with many different topical themes and viewpoints,' Aay said. “This study will add a new dimension to this literature by focusing on cultural diplomacy via film.” Aay image from

NY Philharmonic Hosts Historic 15000th Concert 5/5 - Broadway World: "Long a leader in American musical life, the Philharmonic has over the last century become renowned around the globe, appearing in 429 cities in 62 countries on five continents. In February 2008 the Orchestra, led by Music Director Lorin Maazel, gave a historic performance in Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea - the first visit there by an American orchestra and an event that was watched around the world and for which the Philharmonic received the 2008 Common Ground Award for Cultural Diplomacy. Other historic tours have included the 1930 Tour to Europe, the first European tour with Toscanini; the first South American Tour, in 1951; the first Tour to the U.S.S.R., in 1959; the 1984 Asia Tour, including the first Tour of India; the 1998 Asia Tour, the first performances in mainland China; the 75th Anniversary European Tour, in 2005, with Lorin Maazel; and the Asian Horizons tour in October 2009, led by Alan Gilbert, which included debuts in Hanoi, Vietnam, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates."

Duke Ellington Center's Free Concert Encourages Music and Arts in Public Schools - press release, PR.com - "Duke Ellington Center's Free Concert Encourages Music and Arts in Public Schools, press release, PR.com: Edward Kennedy 'Duke' Ellington (April 29, 1899 to May 24, 1974) was a bandleader, pianist and the twentieth century’s most prolific composer. He started playing the piano when he was 7 years old, formed his first band when he was 25, and kept it going for more than 50 years. He traveled with his band all over the globe bringing American Music to audiences large and small on every continent. When the U.S. State Department launched their 'Jazz Ambassador' program in 1956, Duke became a key component of that highly successful global exercise in cultural diplomacy. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969. The Jazz Ambassador initiative ended in 1972 after Duke, though battling terminal cancer, made the last goodwill tour through Africa. He died two years later."

NEA Announces the Second Round of FY2010 National Endowment for the Arts Grants - Art Daily: "The Georgia Museum of Art received a grant of $140,000 to support the touring exhibition Art Interrupted:

Advancing American Art and the Politics of Cultural Diplomacy, with an accompanying catalogue. The exhibition will reassemble a group of modernist paintings purchased by the U.S. State Department in 1946 for a goodwill tour." Image from. For an account of the history of this exhibit -- the sad fate of which reflects the Department of State's traditional reluctance to engage in arts diplomacy -- see John Brown, "The Neglected Aspect of Cultural Diplomacy," in William P. Kiehl, ed., America’s Dialogue with the World (Washington: Public Diplomacy Council, 2006), pp. 76-78.

Shanghai World Expo showcases China's soft power - Elaine Kurtenbach, AP: "Just as the Beijing Olympics showed China's growing economic and geopolitical influence for a few weeks in 2008, the biggest World's Fair ever will let China's communist leaders showcase design, tourism and cultural diplomacy over six months. 'The Chinese government is feeling more and more self-confident, but not so confident,' says Ding Xueliang, a China expert at Hong Kong's University of Science and Technology. 'Many ultranationalists hope Beijing will show its hard power, but the government is still very careful. The Expo is a very safe way for them to show China's soft power,' he said. ... China is far from the first power or would-be power to use an Expo to announce its global arrival. The Great Exhibition of 1851 in London marked the coming of the Industrial Revolution. The 1970 Expo in Osaka, following the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, showed Japan's rise as an industrial power."

China: Expo - Weekly Briefing, New Statesman: "Cultural diplomacy: there are so many methods, and Shanghai is trying them all. At one end of the scale is the Shanghai Expo, costing anywhere between $4.2bn (twice as much as the Olympics) and $58bn. It is expected to entice 70 million visitors, although its theme, 'Better City, Better Life', is probably not too thrilling for the 18,000 families forced out of their homes to make way. ... A gentler nod to international relations comes from the proprietors of the city's new Obama Club.

The flyer claims it will 'blow your mind' with its pole-dancers and Vegas glitz. Just like the US president, then." Image from

ECFA will help cross-strait peace: president Focus Taiwan News Channel: Taipei, April 28 - CNA: "President Ma Ying-jeou said Wednesday that signing a proposed economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China will promote peace between the two sides. ... Although some see danger in the detente with China, Ma said he believes the policy is going in the right direction because it seeks to resolve the problem at its root. He said that the United States, Japan, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia have become more at ease about improving ties with Taiwan due to an improvement in cross-strait relations over the past two years. Taiwan's promotion of economic and trade exchanges, as well as humanitarian and cultural diplomacy with other countries, has drawn attention from the international community that could better protect its safety and interests, Ma added."

French as a diplomatic tool - Bernard Kouchner & Jean-Pierre de Launoit, Daily Nation: "Ever since it was founded, the Alliance Française has been one of the most active promoters of the French language and culture around the world. Its action is all the more remarkable as the Alliances Françaises — there are currently a thousand of them — are private associations operating under local laws. ... At a time when the resources of the French cultural diplomacy, and its visibility, are being increased, a consolidated partnership between the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Fondation Alliance Française makes perfect sense.

Having a presence in the world means a France that is active on all cultural fronts. For this, all institutions, whether they are public or private, are invited to work together to increase cooperation, pool their forces and ideas and set up concerted plans of action. This is why the Foreign and European Affairs Ministry and Fondation Alliance Française have decided to combine efforts and establish a common strategy for a single goal: to provide a common response to global cultural competition by projecting the voice of France, her attractiveness and values up close. The French Institutes and Alliances Françaises will have to form a single network on a map of the world. By connecting their names, engaging in more joint operations, and together making the institutions more professional still, they will be better equipped to work more effectively. A country’s role is no longer measured solely on the strength of its economy, its military capabilities and place in the institutions of international governance. It is also measured, of course, by the impact of its ideas, innovations, its art de vivre from one side of the world to the other." Image from

From Bonjour to Namaste - Ashis Ray, Times of India: "Cole Porter made the French capital enthralling with his everlasting lyrics 'I love Paris in the springtime'. The sun is shining, yet there's a refreshing crispness in the air. The cafes are overflowing; young lovers kiss artfully; and the museums are chockfull of Easter enthusiasts. Amid this ambience, India this week launched a 15-month cultural festival, 'Namaste France', to reciprocate France's 'Bonjour India', a two-month-long festival organised in 18 Indian cities. ... Namaste France is reportedly an afterthought, hurriedly construed in a matter of four months. It's a risky strategy in a culturally perceptive country like France. Cultural diplomacy is much appreciated by the French; but this needs to be incisive for India to enter their consciousness."

Cultural tact for Fiji-India - Mereseini Marua, Fiji Times: "It is important for Fiji and India to develop a cultural diplomacy. This is what the University of Calcutta vice chancellor Professor Suranjan Das, pictured right, believes.

The visiting academic who arrived into the country on Tuesday night to meet the officials of the Fiji National University said the two countries had a lot of cultural similarities. Professor Das said it was important for the people of both countries to learn from each other." Image from

Goa to house regional centre of ICCR - digITal Goa: "Chief Minister Shri Digambar Kamat has said that Goa will soon house the regional centre of the prestigious Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). The regional centre of ICCR under the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India he said will be housed in the upcoming library building in Margao and formally inaugurated in a couple of months. He said that this was assured to him by none other than the President of ICCR Dr. Karan Singh ... Shri Digambar Kamat hoped that the ICCR centre would immensely help in showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Goa. Goa he said would open up a sea of opportunities for the artistes and performers of the State through this pioneering institution of cultural diplomacy which is first of its kind in the State, he expressed."

South Africa's ties with India crucial in global marketplace - Economic Times: "South Africa boasts the largest Indian population with over a million people of Indian origin in South Africa, thereby placing greater emphasis on cultural exchanges and cultural diplomacy between the two nations. Further to this, the year 2010 commemorates the 150th year since the arrival of the first people of Indian origin in South Africa."

Prominent Female Poet Not Included in Iran's Book Of Poets – RFE/RB: "Iran has recently published a book about prominent poets from Iran and the world, apparently without including Forugh Farrokhzad, regarded by many as the country's most influential female poet. ... Farrokhzad, a controversial and modern poet who openly discussed her love life in her poems, was killed in a car accident in 1967 when she was 32 years old.

She remains one of the most influential and best-known female poets and many Iranians know her poems by heart. In comments posted on Iranian news websites, Mostafa Omid, one of the Iranian officials in charge of the five-day congress that began on April 17, said that Farrokhzad was not included in the book for 'a number of reasons.' 'We have a cultural diplomacy and a governmental one. Because of that the name of Forugh Farrokhzad -- even though it is known among those who read poetry -- was not included in this book,' Omid said." Forugh Farrokhzad image from article

Iran, Kazakh officials stress expanding of mutual relations – ISRIA: "Iranian and Kazakh officials stressed the importance of cooperation between the two countries. During a meeting with the senior assistant of Iranian Foreign Ministry Ramin Mehman-parast and Kazakhstan's Minister of Communication and Information Askar Zhumagaliyev, the two officials stressed the need for both countries to use apt existing grounds to further enhance cooperation. Mehman-parast traveled to Kazakhstan to take part in the 9th Eurasia Media Forum which focused on Iran during one of its panels. He said the forum was a chance of participating nations to explore the issue of media and its role in the present world arena. Referring to the stress the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, put on the importance of public diplomacy, he said the event served the notion by providing the opportunity for media and officials to put forward and discuss their views on different issues thus promoting constructive dialogue. Pointing to the existing proper grounds for the two countries to promote cooperation in communications and information areas, Mehman-parast said the present friendly ties between Iran and Kazakhstan helps furthering regional cooperation."

ASEM members prepare for Poznan - Jakarta Post:

"Indonesia has proposed that members of the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) step up conservation efforts to prevent historical sites from being destroyed. ... The ASEM, an informal forum of Asian and European countries, is comprised of 43 countries, 16 from Asia (10 ASEAN states and six North, East and South Asian countries), 27 European Union (EU) countries and the ASEAN Secretariat and European Commission. ... Director General of History and Archeological Affairs at the Tourism and Cultural Ministry, Hari Untoro, said Indonesia had benefited from the forum as it could engage in cultural diplomacy to secure the interests of the Indonesian government." Poznan image from

Islamic art expert to give public lecture - Borneo Bulletin: "The Australian High Commission is hosting a visit from Dr Stefano Carboni as part of its annual public diplomacy programme under the theme of "Islam in Australia", the high commission stated in a media release. Dr Carboni is in Brunei for a three-day working visit, meeting with the State Mufti's Office and the Museums Department to discuss Islamic Art. Dr Carboni has extensive experience and links with Islamic art collections around the world including those in Malaysia and Kuwait."

G C -- The New Diplomacy 2010: A Reflective Group Blog by some ofthe Students on the New Diplomacy Module at London Metropolitan University

Why we should ban ‘publics and elites’ - Public Diplomacy, Networks and Influence - "You cannot engage with ‘the public’ or ‘the man in the street’. These are abstractions that obscure the complexity of contemporary society. One of the attractions of a social network approach to PD is that you break down these abstractions into sets of social relations – some of whom are in a position to help or hinder you and others who aren’t.

Thinking in terms of networks forces you to think in terms of who you can reach and who you can influence versus who you need to reach and influence. It also breaks down the opposition between ‘public’ and ‘elite’ rather than being absolute categories you find yourself dealing with different networks of actors. The tools and channels that you can use to make a difference depend on the network that you are dealing with which in turn is a function of the issue. Practitioners see this immediately but I think that it’s important to emphasize this because it goes to the heart of what PD can and can’t do." Image from

Color-based & Power differential-based privilege: The broader core issues - PsyDip: Psychological Diplomacy - Don Kilburg, Where psychology and diplomacy meet: "PsyDip's author, Don Kilburg, is a psychologist by training and a diplomat by trade. He is interested in the nexus between psychology and diplomacy, or more broadly between the individual mind and international relations. Don has been a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State since September 2003. He is a tenured, mid-level officer, serving in Public Diplomacy. His work & training abroad experience consists of: England, Japan, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. Next stop: China."

RELATED ITEM

Iran, Syria reaffirm unshakable ties – Press TV: Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi has criticized Western powers for disseminating Iranophobic propaganda in the Middle East. He made the remarks during a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Thursday, ahead of the 12th session of a joint Syrian-Iranian commission aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties. Rahimi dismissed the anti-Iran propaganda as ineffective in light of Iran's cordial relations with the region's nations.