Tech@State on Freedom to Connect

Joe Johnson / The Public Diplomacy Council

Yesterday’s Internet Freedom conference sponsored by Tech@State spanned broadcasting and public diplomacy. And everything else. More than 50 technologists discussed the global tug of war between human rights and repression, economic development and cyber attacks, and the erosion of privacy.

Does Diplomacy need Star Power?

The New York Times

Just back from a “basketball diplomacy” trip to North Korea, the former N.B.A. player Dennis Rodman turned around and visited Vatican City last week during the papal election to support Ghanian cardinal Peter Turkson as the first black pope.

Democracy and 21^st Century Statecraft

Rebecca Woodward / Take Five Blog

There are roughly six billion mobile phones in the world, in Kenya over 75% of the population uses cell-phones, so drawing upon technology already in use as a tool for institutional accountability is a logical choice.

No Longer for Elites: KONY2012, Invisible Children and new public diplomacy

Nicolle Audette / The Journal of Public Diplomacy

Today, due to rising globalization, innovative communication technology, and unresponsive governments worldwide, diplomacy has new ambassadors: nonprofit organizations.

A new US-Russia think tank for “fresh vision”

Nora Fitzgerald / Russia Beyond the Headlines

Nikolai Zlobin, the Russian political analyst who wrote a compassionately amusing bestseller about Americans for a Russian audience, is putting his cross-cultural experience to a new test. The engaging journalist and author of the 400-page “America—What a Life,” has launched a think tank to focus on “fresh thinking” for the much-beleaguered Russia-American relationship.

Digital Diplomacy: Threat or Opportunity?

Elena Chernenko / Russia Beyond the Headlines

The new draft of the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation, signed by Vladimir Putin in February, states that “new information and communication technologies will be widely utilized” in order to “create an objective perception of Russia in the world” and “develop effective domestic means to exert informational influence on public opinion abroad.”

Global poll finds views of US leadership declining

Anne Gearan / The Washington Post

American leadership received poorer marks around the world last year than at any time since President Obama was elected, according to a survey released Wednesday. The slide recorded by the annual Gallup poll suggests that Obama has lost some of the global goodwill his agenda and unusual political biography inspired abroad.

U.S. International Broadcasting at the Speed of Life

Richard Lobo / ViewPoint

Sitting in on a whiz-bang presentation at the USC/Public Diplomacy Council’s forum this week by BBG’s dynamic and talented CIO and CTO, André Mendes, I was reminded of important progress we’ve made in our transmission and technical infrastructure.

African Technology Innovation Centers: Groundbreaking Public-Private Partnerships

Sharon Hudson-Dean / CPD Blog

Since 2009, the U.S. Department of State has worked to strengthen and deepen U.S. diplomacy and development around the world through public-private partnerships (PPPs) that leverage creativity and innovation for greater impact.

Upcoming Events:

Nation Branding and Global Politics: A Conversation with Sir Martin Sorrell

Join ASP for an insightful conversation on nation branding with Sir Martin Sorrell, founder and CEO of the world’s largest advertising group.

When: Wednesday, April 3. 1:30-2:30PM

Where: 1100 New York Ave NW

7th Floor West Tower

Washington, DC 20005

RSVP: by 1 April to events@americansecurityproject.org

Practical Challenges for the future of Public Diplomacy

Effective communication with citizens of foreign countries has taken on a new importance in US diplomacy in the age of online engagement.

The panel will have as one of its guest speakers ASP’s Matthew Wallin.

When: Monday, March 25, 2-3 PM

Where: Google + Hangout

RSVP: here

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