CPD Weekly

Via email from USC Center on Public Diplomacy

Kilted Yoga Sensations Take on Tartan Day in New York EVENINGTIMES It is considered one of the best shop windows for Scotland to showcase its wares, and now the country's biggest and hottest new internet export, the Kilted Yoga duo, are to boost this year's Tartan Day in New York by turning up as ambassadors. The pair – who appear topless in Perthshire forests in their Kilted Yoga videos, which have had more than 50 millions views – will represent Dundee marketing firm Scot Street Style at the flagship event in the Big Apple on Thursday where up to 30,000 are expected to take to the streets to celebrate all things Scottish. Read More...

Israeli Emergency Teams Support Flood Survivors in Peru ISRAEL 21C Israeli emergency teams have deployed to Peru to support affected communities following floods and mudslides that have eviscerated much of the country’s infrastructure. The Peruvian government said it needed international aid to help hundreds of thousands of people displaced by flash floods and landslides. IsraAID deployed a team to support affected communities in impoverished and remote areas. Read More...

How Baseball Became a Hit Again in Taiwan SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST As superstar players from around the world step up to the plate this weekend for the start of the 117th Major League Baseball (MLB) season in the United States, a far smaller league is already in full swing in Taiwan, an island falling back in love with the nearest thing it has to a national sport. [...] First introduced to Taiwan more than 100 years ago by Japanese occupiers, baseball has become so ingrained in the island’s culture that it is even depicted on the NT$500 (HK$128) note. Read More...

Geologists Converge in Cuba for Earth Sciences Convention STABROEK NEWS The 7th International Earth Science Convention will begin here [in Havana] tomorrow with geologists, geophysicists and miners from Latin America, North America, Europe and Africa. Organized by the Cuban Geological Society, the congresses of Geology, Mining, Geophysics, Informatics and Geosciences as well as the Oil and Gas Congress will be held in parallel. [...] Geosciences 2017, as it is also called, will be attended by Latin American researchers from Venezuela, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia and Haiti. Read More...

Time to Promote Bangladesh as Halal Tourist Destination THE DAILY STAR Bangladesh needs to take steps to grab a slice of the fast-growing halal tourism pie, travel experts said. Halal tourism is a subcategory of tourism that is geared towards Muslim families who abide by rules of Islam. [...] In recent times, this sub-sector of tourism is on the rise on the back of the growing worldwide Muslim population, the increasing purchasing power of population of Muslim countries and rising tendency to consume foods and use services that adhere to Islamic principles. Read More...

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne visits Ghana JOY ONLINE Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, daughter of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, will visit Ghana from this evening as part of a two-country visit to West Africa that also encompasses Sierra Leone. This visit, The Princess Royal’s third to Ghana, will celebrate the unique friendship between the UK and Ghana as it marks its 60th Anniversary of Independence. It will also reinforce the strength and depth of bilateral relations and the UK’s “Global Britain” drive to reinvigorate the Commonwealth. Read More...

Apr 1, 2017

In Defense of Citizen Diplomacy MCGILL INTERNATIONAL REVIEW Out of this era came three key programs tasked with training a new generation of American students to begin to repair relationships with the peacefully-growing Muslim world, and ameliorate the severe lack of US linguistic capability plaguing both the government and global economic competitiveness. The first, Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study, or YES Abroad, was created in the wake of 9/11 to dispel myths about both America and the Muslim world. Read More...

Into Africa: Germany’s Proposed Marshall Plan HARVARD POLITICAL REVIEW One nation directly affected by Marshall’s massive economic aid program is now examining a similar program for many nations across the African continent. Germany, one of the world’s wealthiest and most industrialized nations, is considering a plan to address the massive influx of migrants coming into the country in search of economic opportunity. Read More...

China’s Popular First Lady Takes the Stage in Xi Jinping’s U.S. Visit THE TIMES Glamorous, popular and passionate about fighting AIDS, Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan is Beijing’s diplomatic not-so-secret weapon spreading Chinese soft power around the world. A former singing star in the People’s Liberation Army, “Mother Peng”, as she is affectionately known in China, will be at President Xi Jinping’s side as he meets US President Donald Trump in Florida next week. Read More...

Japan and India: Concerted Efforts at Regional Diplomacy THE DIPLOMAT Facing an uncertain geopolitical climate, Japan and India will benefit from working closely to play a greater leadership role in the region as they share converging strategic and security interests. Given the possibility that the United States may disengage from the Asia-Pacific, both Tokyo and New Delhi are concerned about Beijing’s increasing assertiveness and will seek to increase their collective capabilities to counterbalance China’s otherwise unhindered dominance. Read More...

The Royal EU Charm Offensive Hits Italy on European Tour ITV The Prince of Wales has arrived at Pisa airport in Italy for the second part of his Brexit charm offensive in the EU. He'll spend the next five days here where he will visit the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, travel to war graves on the Austrian border, tour the 2016 earthquake-hit town of Amatrice, and meet the Pope at the Vatican. It's part of the Royal Family's mission this year, to charm their way around the EU. Read More...

Egyptian Artist Becomes First Arab Woman to Win UN Prize for Culture EGYPT INDEPENDENT Egyptian-Lebanese visual artist Bahia Shehab has become the first Arab woman to ever receive the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture for her innovative use of Arabic calligraphy in street art. [...] As an artist, designer and art historian, Shehab has worked for many years on integrating ancient Arabic script into the modern context for use in graphic design and Arab visual culture. Read More...

Mar 31, 2017

NGO launches global campaign on S. Korean ownership of Dokdo YONHAP NEWS AGENCY A Seoul-based nongovernmental organization on Friday declared a massive global campaign to publicize South Korea's ownership of Dokdo, soon after the Japanese government approved revised education guidelines renewing its claim to the East Sea islets. VANK, or Voluntary Agency Network of Korea is a cyber diplomacy organization of 120,000 Korean and international members united under the purpose of properly introducing Korea to the world. Read More...

‘Economic Diplomacy Crucial to Enhance Trade & Commerce Relation’ HIMALAYAN TIMES Newly appointed ambassadors to 12 different countries today discussed on adopting economic diplomacy to enhance Nepal’s trade and commerce relations. [...] Newly appointed ambassadors to Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Denmark, Israel, Japan, Myanmar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Qatar participated in the programme. Read More...

Hollywood Welcomes More Film Co-Productions with China CCTV ENGLISH "Film co-productions can help foster greater cultural exchange and understanding between two different countries, such as China and the United States," Hollywoord film director Julia Pierrepont III said at her home in Sunland, Los Angeles. Read More...

Vietnam, Japan Ink MOU on Tourism Promotion THE NATION Vietnam and Japan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to boost tourism cooperation between the two countries. [...] Under the MoU, both nations will work together to promote tourism initiatives, introducing attractive destinations, encouraging visitor exchanges, and sharing experience and information in areas of mutual concern. Read More...

State Department Cuts Risk Lives: Our View USA TODAY Contrary to public perceptions, foreign aid represents a tiny fraction of the $4 trillion federal budget. According to the Congressional Research Service, in the past three decades, foreign aid has never accounted for more than 1.4 cents of every dollar spent by Washington. [...] "When you deploy hard power, you actually need more diplomats," says Charles Ries, a vice president at the RAND Corporation who served in diplomatic posts in Iraq and Greece. Read More...

Ethiopia: GERD Public Diplomacy Bearing Fruits - Deputy Premier ALLAFRICA The ongoing public diplomacy efforts aimed to promote the positive outcomes of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) are serving the intended purposes. [...] the deputy premier noted as the visits of public diplomacy delegations of Ethiopia helped clear previously held doubts. Various high ranking officials, resident ambassadors and members of the diaspora also paid visits to the project site, Demeke said, adding it drew favourable results regarding Dam's benefits. Read More...

Mar 30, 2017

Putin Says Russia Wants to Build Good Relations with US TASS Russia has repeatedly proposed cooperation on cybersecurity to the US, but has not received a positive response, according to Putin. "We hear these endless and groundless accusations of some kind of interference, talking about cybersecurity. [...] Putin told the Arctic forum he sees positive changes in cooperation between Russia and the United States on Syria Read More...

Saudi Arabia Pivots to Asia (For Now) THE DIPLOMAT All told, the Kingdom’s prioritization of its economic reform agenda, its interdependence with regional trade partners, and political uncertainty in the United States point to a period of heightened focus on Asia ties in the immediate future. However, Vision 2030’s dizzying ambition of overhauling subsidies and public sector reliance, coupled with channeling a massive, increasingly well-educated youth population into a fledgling knowledge economy, will necessitate that the Saudis cast a wide net to capture as much foreign investment and diversified revenue as possible. Read More...

Algeria Determined to Boost Cultural Ties with Iran MEHR NEWS AGENCY During the meeting, the two ministers stressed on all-out expansion of ties in areas like politics, economy, and culture. “We are ready to cooperate in areas like cinema, music, culture, and art,” reassured the Iranian minister. “The areas of extensive cooperation are ready however it may be labeled badly or sabotaged.” Mr. Salehi Amiri boasted the success of Iranian cinema in the world and called for close cooperation for producing joint cinematic works. Read More...

Mauritius & Norway Discuss Ways to Expand Bilateral Cooperation ALLAFRICA Mauritius and Norway will further collaborate to strengthen existing ties and expand bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest. This was at the fore of discussions this afternoon during a courtesy call by the Ambassador of Norway to Mauritius with residence in Maputo, Mozambique, Ms Anne Lene Dale, on the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis. Read More...

From Paris To Beijing: China, Next Champion On Climate Change? EURASIA REVIEW Under Xi Jinping China has made no secret that it aspires to bigger roles on the global stage, including taking on leadership in global governance and multilateral cooperation. Xi’s recent speech at Davos World Economic Forum, though a little ironic, came as a timely boost for international trade and economic cooperation. In the case of climate change, should China become the next champion, this is not only because it seeks international status, but there is also concrete convergence of domestic interests and international commitments. Read More...

Concert to Benefit Refugees at Arab American Museum THE DETROIT NEWS On Sunday, the Arab American National Museum will host Rock for Refugees, a concert to benefit the national campaign Take On Hate, as well as Freedom House Detroit, the nonprofit that helps new arrivals fleeing persecution. [...] Organizer Ismael Ahmed was inspired to hold the concert, he said, both by the rising hostility to immigrants and refugees nationwide, and the hopeful resistance that was sparked by the Women’s March and the airport protests over the president’s Muslim ban. Read More...

Mar 29, 2017

Nigerian Business Leaders to Hold Agribusiness Trip to Indonesia ANTARA NEWS The business meeting was organized by the Indonesian embassy and the PLACCIMA. The meeting was part of the program of economic diplomacy of the Indonesian embassy to open wider access to the potential Western African market. Indonesia, chairman of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is keen on expanding economic cooperation and market to the African continent. Read More...

Taekwondo Taken to UN for Int' Day of Sport for Development & Peace INSIDE THE GAMES The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) has given a "wide-ranging" demonstration and seminar at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York City as part of celebrations for the upcoming International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. The event was jointly organised by the Permanent Mission of Monaco to the UN and Peace and Sport. Read More...

Trump’s Real ASEAN Test THE DIPLOMAT The Trump administration’s real ASEAN test is whether it can preserve the U.S. role as a capable and willing Pacific power seeking to advance greater security, prosperity, and democracy in the Asia-Pacific while working with Southeast Asian states on common challenges in a way that advances U.S. interests but still preserves their autonomy and freedom of action. Read More...

‘Cuba Comes to Jazz Fest’ Promises Fulfilling Cultural Exchange WGNO This year's cultural exchange at The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival promises to be special. As festival producer Quint Davis put it, Cuba comes to Jazz Fest! Davis says it's a project that has taken time and resources. "We been working on this for two years," he explained. "We went to Senator Landrieu's office in Washington to say we want to do this. [...] We're bringing 150 people from Cuba. That means 150 visas and interviews, which has never been done." Read More...

AIM to Highlight Govt Role in Boosting Business TRADE ARABIA The upcoming Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) in Dubai, UAE will feature a strategic platform to discuss the role of government in shaping a competitive business environment to attract investment, facilitate entrepreneurship and innovation. [...] The meeting will provide key insights on how the government and other stakeholders stimulate and facilitate the flow of investments between countries and establish investment partnerships in vital sectors. Read More...

Africa: Speaking Out - African Women in Germany ALLAFRICA Overcoming barriers is part of every immigrant's struggle. African women living in Germany have been sharing their experiences in a meeting intended to boost morale and better equip them to deal with life here. [...] The gathering was the brainchild of Sierra Leonean Sarah Bomkapre Kamara, a co-founder of Moving Women Empowerment. Kamara, a PhD student in Munich, brought the women together to discuss issues which are particularly common among African women. Read More...

Mar 28, 2017

ISIS and the Globalization of Terrorism EURASIA REVIEW Many people of the region today believe that the ISIS communication approach is so slick, so technological, so modern that it cannot be the work of jihadists recruited in the hinterlands of poor Muslim countries alone. There is surely something big and sophisticated behind it, with an objective in mind: kick Islamism where it hurts the most: religious credibility. Read More...

NHL Poised to Skate into China, Hockey's Next Frontier BOSTON HERALD That could be coming soon with the NHL looking at China as hockey's next great frontier. With the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China is eager to step up its game and the league is intrigued by the potential of a new nontraditional market with 1.4 billion people that might take to hockey like it did basketball. "It's a place that hasn't had that much of an opportunity to be introduced to what everybody acknowledges is a great game," Read More...

The Japanese Model in Diplomacy DIPLOMATIC COURIER The era following the end of the 16th century Japan is best known as the “Age of the Samurai.” Dr. Tomoko Kitagawa explains that during this turbulent period, Japan was unified and governed by individual domains. [...] Through unique acts of tremendous bravery and peacekeeping, these women provide a model of diplomacy exceptionally relevant even in today’s world. Read More...

Is Brand America Tanking? FORBES U.S. News and World Report’s 2017 “Best Countries Ranking” was released earlier this month and it hit the United States in the gut. The survey of 21,362 people from 36 countries across the globe ranks the world’s largest countries on a set of 65 attributes ranging from “most business friendly” to “best to visit” to “richest traditions.” America slipped from #4 in the previous ranking to #7 in the current report. Read More...

What NGOs Want From Australia's Foreign Policy White Paper DEVEX From March 28 to 30, Australia’s global ambassadors will be gathering in Canberra to discuss a range of topics on foreign affairs and trade. At the top of the agenda is the forthcoming Foreign Policy White Paper — the first in 14 years. The white paper will set Australia’s priorities for global engagement moving forward, including the aid program. Australia’s NGOs have had their say through an initial call for public submission. Read More...

Ethiopia-Greece Bilateral Ties Flourishing ALLAFRICA Remembering the first Greek mission to Ethiopia dated back to 1917, the ambassador said the two countries' historic diplomatic relations have been flourishing through time as both have been successful in upholding their common interests. He said historically, the ancient Ethiopian gold coins have Greek inscriptions and the same is true to ancient Sabean epigraph. Read More...

Mar 27, 2017

Hacking Defense and Diplomacy in Silicon Valley COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS With technology empowering non-traditional actors who create asymmetric threats, there are real questions as to how the Department of Defense (DOD) can best ensure security and preserve privacy. For many years, DOD has worked to attract top technologists from Silicon Valley. I was part of one White House initiative called the Presidential Innovation Fellows, where technologists and venture capitalists go to Washington. Read More...

‘I’ll be in Canada': More Students Are Looking to Head North THE WASHINGTON POST Almilaji had more hope of getting back to his wife. But he understands his new reality as a Syrian trying to study in the United States: “I have to accept being lost between orders and anti-orders.” Suddenly, Canada is looking like a really good option. “Canada is having a moment,” Ted Sargent, vice president-international at the University of Toronto, said last month. “It is a time of opportunity.” Read More...

Soccer Diplomacy in Singapore's 'Little Burma' ASIAN REVIEW A goal kick away from the Toa Payoh Stadium are reminders of the once-close ties between Myanmar and this Singapore neighborhood, home to the Burmese Buddhist Temple and streets named for the towns and rivers of the Golden Land. The arena hosts Balestier Khalsa Football Club, of Singapore's professional soccer league, and sits in the middle of a community which arrived from the country then known as Burma in the 1940s and 1950s. Read More...

Theater, a Tool for International Understanding MANILA BULLETIN World Theater Day, instituted by the International Theater Institute (ITI) on March 27, 1962, to mark the opening of the Theater of Nations in Paris, France, has since been annually celebrated on March 27 to focus on the importance of theater as a diverse and complex art form that taps the creative work of the playwright, director, actors, artists, and composers. In musical theater, acting is combined with music, song, and dance. Read More...

Britain Must Renew Diplomatic Ties Around the World THE TIMES Brexit finally gets underway this week. So now is the time for the United Kingdom to make equal haste with rejuvenating its diplomatic and trade ties in the world, beginning with Turkey. For years the potential of the UK’s ties with Turkey has been smothered by the sweaty, asphyxiating blanket of the EU’s accession talks with Ankara. No one in their right mind, on either side of the Bosphorus, believed in earnest that Turkey would join the EU in their lifetime. ​ Read More...

Varanasi Found Itself A Spot On The International Diplomacy Map INDIA TIMES Every year, thousands of tourist flock the region to experience the auspicious Holi and much more reaches there just to embrace austerity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha has chosen Varanasi -- India's spiritual capital to represent the country on the international diplomacy map. The VIP city will play host to G20 financial and economic policy mandarins who will brainstorm on the state of the global economy next week. Read More...