Likes’ are no substitute for action, Jordan’s queen tells online influencers0

• John Brown's Public Diplomacy Press and Blog Review
• 13th Dec 2018

Rebecca Spong, arabnews.com, December 14, 2028
Speaking at the third Arab Social Media Influencers Summit in Dubai, Queen Rania said people should use their online platforms to generate positive changeWinners recognized at the event included Queen Rania, who was named personality of the year for using social media to support humanitarian causes
Image from article, with caption: Queen Rania argued social media should be harnessed as a tool to remove barriers between people, rather than create more divisions in society. (AFP)
LONDON: Jordan’s Queen Rania has urged social media influencers to use their online presence to pursue the truth and promote humanitarian causes.
Speaking at the third Arab Social Media Influencers Summit in Dubai on Monday, she said people should use their online platforms to generate positive change.
The summit brought together 70 speakers from 25 countries to discuss the power of social media.
“(In our virtual world) the truth is losing ground to emotional rhetor..

Ambassador Kenjiro Monji Gives RCAPS Onigiri Seminar on Public Diplomacy and Soft Power0

• John Brown's Public Diplomacy Press and Blog Review
• 13th Dec 2018

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
On October 26, Japan’s former Ambassador to Canada Kenjiro Monji presented a lecture entitled “How to Promote Japan: Public Diplomacy [JB emphasis]and Soft Power” in a Ritsumeikan Center for Asia Pacific Studies (RCAPS) Onigiri Seminar. This seminar was chaired by culture, society and media professor Kaori Yoshida, who completed her Master of Arts and PhD in Canada.Ambassador Monji’s impressive career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan spans overseas postings in Australia, Belgium, and the United Kingdom as well as his position as ambassador in Iraq, Qatar, France (as ambassador to UNESCO) and Canada. One of the main duties throughout his career was to promote Japan to foreigners.It comes as no surprise that Ambassador Monji takes immense pride in Japan’s culture and heritage. He is an avid fan of pop culture such as manga, anime, cosplay, and Japanese pop idols. Additionally, his self-professed love for Japanese sake is evident through hi..

European Union seals major free trade deal with Japan0

• John Brown's Public Diplomacy Press and Blog Review
• 13th Dec 2018

Ben Chu, independent.co.uk
image (not from article) from
Excerpt:
Shinichi Iida, Japan’s minister for public diplomacy [JB emphasis] and media, told The Independent earlier this year that his country’s “first and foremost priority” was rubber-stamping the Brussels deal before work could begin on a free trade agreement with the UK.
But he added that: “Once the Japan-EU economic partnership agreement comes into force, it could provide a very good and sound basis for the future trade between Japan and UK.” …

Image Nation recognizes next gen filmmakers at Arab Film Studio awards0

• John Brown's Public Diplomacy Press and Blog Review
• 13th Dec 2018

arabianindustry.com
Image from article, with caption: Nation Abu Dhabi selected Hind Anabtawi, Mariam Al Awadhi and Salma Sherry as the winning filmmakers of the 2018 Arab Film Studio program at an awards ceremony on 11 December.
Excerpt:
To date, over 120 emerging filmmakers have participated in Arab Film Studio, with many going on to impressive success in the field. Films created during the program have screened over 275 times at prestigious film festivals around the globe. …
Arab Film Studio was created by Image Nation in 2011 to develop UAE nationals’ and residents’ filmmaking skills, in furthering its mission to help create a sustainable film and television industry. There are now six individual training initiatives, two of which were launched earlier this year. This includes AFS Corporate which was created as a two-week intensive program for Emirati marketing and communications executives to educate them about developing media content for public diplomacy [JB emphasis] , digita..

A Peace Corps Portrait in a Season of Peace0

• John Brown's Public Diplomacy Press and Blog Review
• 13th Dec 2018

Alan Heil, Public Diplomacy Council, December 13, 2018
See also, “Public Diplomacy: The World Should Be Teaching Us, Mr. Kristof,” huffingtonpost.com (2011); also (1)

Dr. Jody Olsen, Director of the Peace Corps, speaks at First Monday Forum on December 3, 2018.Peace Corps Director Dr. Josephine (Jody) Olsen highlighted the Peace Corps’ contribution to the U.S. image and mutual understanding at the First Monday Forum on December 3.The talk reminded me that around the clock, two U.S. agencies join hands to help countless souls in other countries improve their lives in the finest tradition of compassionate sharing. It’s not just Christmas in April, or Christmas in December, but helps change lives every hour of every day throughout the year.The two agencies are:the U.S. Peace Corps established in 1961. Today, it has approximately 7,000 hard-working volunteers in 64 needy countries and has served 141 countries altogether since its founding.the U.S. Agency for International Development, whi..

Trump insults the United Nations with plan to nominate media lightweight Heather Nauert0

• John Brown's Public Diplomacy Press and Blog Review
• 12th Dec 2018

Ross K. Baker, Opinion columnist, USA Today, Dec. 12, 2018; original article contains a video, “Nauert currently serves as the spokeswoman for the State Department. Video provided by Newsy Newslook”; also contain links and references to other relevant articles; [JB: note this article does not mention that Ms. Nauert served as Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy [JB emphasis] and Public Affairs on March 13, 2018 to October 10. 2018.”] [Re this media omission, see also (1) (2).]
Image from article, with caption: Nauert currently serves as the spokeswoman for the State Department.
Our ambassador to the UN should be able to explain us to the world and defend our interests. Trump's pick doesn't have the experience or stature for that.(Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)
Adlai E. Stevenson, Richard Holbrooke, Arthur Goldberg, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Madeleine Albright, George H.W. Bush, Heather Nauert, Heather Nauert? Yes, Heather Nauert. President Donald Trump's pl..