BIDD
Belgrade initiative 4 Digital and Public Diplomacy
Digital Diplomacy
Mastering digital diplomacy: Sushma Swaraj, the ‘crusading Supermom of State’
- Digital Diplomacy, Who is who in Digital and Public Diplomacy
- 8th August 2019
In a rare feat for a legislator, Swaraj commanded the respect of people from all walks of life and across the aisle.
READ MORE
Narrative Alignment as Public Diplomacy Evaluation
- Digital Diplomacy
- 7th August 2019
Despite the emergence of new technologies the task of evaluating public diplomacy activities remains a daunting one. While scholars and practitioners have offered numerous definitions for the term public diplomacy, they have yet to agree upon a method for measuring the impact of public diplomacy activities.
Some have suggested that public diplomacy is a means towards creating a receptive environment for one’s foreign policy. This definition suggests that one has to gauge the environment in which public diplomacy is practiced and track changes within this environment. But what is this “environment”? Are there several actors comprising this environment? If so, which actors should be monitored? And how can this monitoring take place?
Other definitions state that public diplomacy is a tool for winning over the “hearts and minds” of foreign populations and swaying foreign public opinion in one’s favor. Yet how can one assess his ability to win over hearts and minds? Should he preform a lo..
READ MORE
Palestinian youth fight back on social media
- Digital Diplomacy, Public diplomacy, World
- 1st August 2019
When National Geographic Abu Dhabi in April posted a seemingly benign image of Nubian ibex climbing cliffs on its Facebook and Twitter accounts, its social media pages quickly blew up. The problem? A caption referred to the location as the “Judean Desert” and as “Ein Gedi,” which overlook the Dead Sea. The item caught the
READ MORE
African Development Bank unveils new digital platform for Africa Investment Forum
- Digital Diplomacy, Public diplomacy
- 27th July 2019
The African Investment Forum’s new digital platform will connect project sponsors with investment opportunities in Africa, vastly improving the quality of project information and documentation. The Platform, as it is known, also provides an opportunity for Transaction Facilitators and Advisers to showcase their professional services to both Investors and Project Sponsors. Project Sponsors will be
READ MORE
Public Diplomacy
Media Freedom and PD
- 12th August 2019
Media Freedom and PD
Jul 30, 2019
Freedom of the media around the world has faced a “downward spiral,” writes this year's “Freedom and the Media” report by watchdog organization Freedom House. From Hungary to Austria to Israel to the United States, government leaders have attempted to manipulate the media environment and vilify journalists—elements of this new, “illiberal toolbox” are symptoms, the report says, of a worldwide decline in democracy.
What does this deteriorating media environment mean for public diplomacy practice?
“Social media are still worth saving,” writes Freedom House Technology and Democracy Research Director Adrian Shahbaz. While the spread of disinformation has created challenges, there is still space for policymakers, technology companies and civil society to come together and bolster the internet as a positive platform for media engagement.
“At a time when the harmful aspects of these platforms are being exposed and debated around the world, the..
READ MORE
Enhancing Nation Brands with Social Media
- 5th August 2019
Social media platforms often create a gray area in public diplomacy. Are Twitter “likes” indicative of meaningful relationships? In a new study published by USC Annenberg's International Journal of Communication, 2017-2019 CPD Research Fellow Diana Ingenhoff of the University of Fribourg and Efe Sevin of Reinhardt University assert that they are not.
Warning against over-valuing “likes,” Ingenhoff and Sevin introduce solutions for the many difficulties in measuring the effectiveness of social media-driven public diplomacy campaigns to improve a country's nation brand. By examining Twitter activity from the governments of Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and Belgium, their model considers both content (ideas expressed in posts) and digital networks (the links between users built through retweets, mentions, etc.). Notably, four dimensions are defined for measuring social media's impact on country reputation: fu..
READ MORE
Diplo Portal Belgrade
- More than 250.000 people have been transported in 7 years through the “Guys, who’s driving home?” campaignMore than 250.000 summer festival visitors in Serbia have used free and safe transport for the past seven years, as part of the “Who’s driving home?” campaign. This means that HEINEKEN Serbia has transported almost all of Novi Sad, or all of Novi Beograd or even several cities the size of Zaječar through this socially […]
- «Выездное заседание КСОРС Сербии состоялось в г.ТрстеникВ г.Трстеник состоялось выездное заседание Координационного Совета российских соотечественников, проживающих в Сербии. По приглашению городской администрации, председатели обществ российских соотечественников, входящих в состав КС Сербии, посетили город Трстеник и познакомились с традициями этого сербского региона. Заседанию предшествовала проработка вопросов по проведению страновой конференции и комплекта документов для рекомендаций Всемирной тематической конференции соотечественников, проживающих за рубежом […]
- German Ambassador: boycott not good for democracyAUTHOR: N1 Belgrade According to the ambassador, political debates should be held in parliament, adding that it’s important for the opposition to have the conditions to operate. He recalled the European Union progress report which said that the conditions in parliament are not good and should be changed. “The opposition has indicated that it will […]
Who is who?
DFAT Digital Media StrategyFrom Pinstripes to Tweets ( Story about Digital and Public Diplomacy ) The Secret to Successful Place & Nation Branding
TVITER AMBASADOR Srpski diplomata u Indiji predmet šala u MSPAmbasador Srbije u Indiji Vladimir Marić uveo je novu diplomatsku praksu i postao predmet šala u Ministarstvu spoljnih poslova. Foto: M.S.P. / Promo Vladimir Marić (levo) Marić je, naime, pod oznakom “hitno” ministra spoljnih poslova Ivicu Dačića počeo da obaveštava o aktivnostima indijskih zvaničnika na Tviteru. Naš ambasador je krajem novembra u Ministarstvo spoljnih poslova
Australian Diplomacy Digital diplomacy @DFATA week ago Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade launched its first digital media strategy and accompanying blog. It’s about time. Digital diplomacy is expanding, the pace of change is picking up, and DFAT – which spent two years developing this strategy – is late to the party. The US State Department’s Taskforce for
Kosovo: What Everyone Really Needs To Know
Last week: A desecrated cemetery; This week: „Kosovo is an example of interfaith tolerance and coexistence“
„In terms of interfaith tolerance and coexistence, Kosovo sets an example in the region and beyond,“ the Kosovo Foreign Minister, Behgjet Pacolli said at a ministerial conference on religious freedom held in Washington. While Pacolli claims that the various religious communities in Kosovo „live together in harmony,“ the Kosovo Police still fail to find those
Au Kosovo, les Serbes font de la résistance GRAND REPORTAGE
Vingt ans après la guerre du Kosovo, 100.000 Serbes orthodoxes vivent toujours dans l’ex-province yougoslave, autoproclamée indépendante en 2008.
Solution
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections Solution Finally, the optimal solution for the Kosovo status is a “normal” autonomy within Serbia according to the international standards of protection of the rights of ethnic minorities but without any political-administrative prerogatives as it was the case in the SFRY from 1974 to 1989.
32. The best and most democratic solution of the Kosovo knot is to recognize Kosovo’s self-proclaimed independence from Serbia
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections
31. After the war, KosMet was occupied by the international community, sanctioned by the UN (KFOR) for the fundamental purpose to prevent violence between the Albanian majority and the Serb minority
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 31. After the war, KosMet was occupied by the international community, sanctioned by the UN (KFOR) for the fundamental purpose to prevent violence between the Albanian majority and the Serb minority Wrong. KosMet was, in fact, occupied after the Kosovo War not by “international
30. During the 1998−1999 Kosovo War, Serb army and police units did not fight only the rebellious Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), but also carried out programmes of ethnic cleansing and, therefore, the US-led NATO was obliged first to act and then to continue military actions against Serbia and Montenegro for the sake to prevent human (Albanian) catastrophe
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 30. During the 1998−1999 Kosovo War, Serb army and police units did not fight only the rebellious Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), but also carried out programmes of ethnic cleansing and, therefore, the US-led NATO was obliged first to act and then to continue military actions
29. The Kosovo War started in 1998 by ethnic Albanian revolt for the reason that Serbia oppressed KosMet’s Albanian rights as did not recognize elections in 1998
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 29. The Kosovo War started in 1998 by ethnic Albanian revolt for the reason that Serbia oppressed KosMet’s Albanian rights as did not recognize elections in 1998 Wrong. The war started at the very beginning of 1998 as a consequence of Albanian-led terrorism actions against
28. The KosMet’s autonomy was cancelled by S. Milošević in 1989 and, therefore, Albanians lost their minority rights
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 28. The KosMet’s autonomy was cancelled by S. Milošević in 1989 and, therefore, Albanians lost their minority rights Wrong. The autonomy was not canceled as it was just reduced from the political independence to the national-cultural rights in order to prevent further separation of
27. Serbian minority in KosMet had decreased from around 30% in 1946 to 10% in 1991, as a result of higher Albanian birth rates and Serbian emigration to Central and North Serbia
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 27. Serbian minority in KosMet had decreased from around 30% in 1946 to 10% in 1991, as a result of higher Albanian birth rates and Serbian emigration to Central and North Serbia Wrong. The last reliable population census in KosMet is of 1961 as censuses
26. Soon after the death of Josip Broz Tito (May 1980), Kosovo’s Albanian population staged a series of public protests against continued discrimination
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 26. Soon after the death of Josip Broz Tito (May 1980), Kosovo’s Albanian population staged a series of public protests against continued discrimination Wrong. After the death of a Yugoslav dictator Josip Broz Tito (1982−1980), who was of the Slovenian-Croatian origin and who was supporting
25. Kosovo’s prospects improved with the dismissal of the hardline Minister of the Interior of Yugoslav federal government in 1966, Aleksandar M. Rankovic, and its distinctiveness was recognized in the new constitution in 1974, which gave Kosovo an autonomous status
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 25. Kosovo’s prospects improved with the dismissal of the hardline Minister of the Interior of Yugoslav federal government in 1966, Aleksandar M. Rankovic, and its distinctiveness was recognized in the new constitution in 1974, which gave Kosovo an autonomous status Wrong. By dismissal of Aleksandar
24. Kosovo’s Albanians were repressed after WWII under the Serb-dominated secret police
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 24. Kosovo’s Albanians were repressed after WWII under the Serb-dominated secret police Wrong. After the WWII the Yugoslav authorities forbade by the law to all expelled Kosovo’s Serbs (100.000) during the WWII, when KosMet was a part of Mussolini/Hitler’s established Greater Albania, to return back
23. Kosovo was occupied by Serbia before WWI
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 23. Kosovo was occupied by Serbia before WWI Wrong. This is the biggest falsification of historical truth followed by a dirty political propaganda by the West. Serbia simply liberated her own land during the First Balkan War in 1912−1913 that was occupied by the Ottoman
22. Kosovo is the site where the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg held back the armies of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 22. Kosovo is the site where the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg held back the armies of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century Wrong. Skanderbeg (George Kastriot Skanderbeg) was not of the Albanian origin but of the Serb. His family coat of arms, that is
21. Kosovo is a disputed territory claimed by Serbia and Albania, which both nationalities regard as central to their cultural identity
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 21. Kosovo is a disputed territory claimed by Serbia and Albania, which both nationalities regard as central to their cultural identity Wrong. Kosovo is not disputed land between Serbia and Albania as Albania’s officials never officially claimed this province to be included into Albania. It
20. It is the duty of the international community to help the Albanian issue settled down
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 20. It is the duty of the international community to help the Albanian issue settled down Wrong. The international community does not comprehend the nature of the problem, for good reason, since it is not a political one, but a clash between a Middle Age
19. Former Yugoslavia disintegrated because of Slobodan Miloshevic
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 19. Former Yugoslavia disintegrated because of Slobodan Miloshevic Wrong. His political (sic) manners only provided an excuse to Slovenia and Croatia for leaving Yugoslavia. The real rationale for this understandable decision was to leave the state that was burdened with the time bomb called KosMet,
18. It was Slobodan Miloshevic who was to blame for the NATO’s intervention in 1999
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 18. It was Slobodan Miloshevic who was to blame for the NATO’s intervention in 1999 Wrong. It was a responsibility of the government of Serbia to protect the interest of the state of Yugoslavia (the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia – Serbia and Montenegro), in face
17. The rationale for American interference into Albanian issue is a humanitarian concern for human rights in the area
test
16. Americans are siding with Albanians in the current Balkan affairs
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 16. Americans are siding with Albanians in the current Balkan affairs Wrong. They are directly involved, at all levels, from financing, organizing, training, arms supplying, diplomatic supports, etc. Training camps at North Albania, KosMet, and Macedonia are lead by Prospects for Immigration Reform ImprovingAmerican instructors,
15. The KFOR holds control at KosMet and helps the region reestablish the order and law
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 15. The KFOR holds control at KosMet and helps the region reestablish the order and law Wrong. It has no control whatsoever over the local population, in particular the irregulars of the KLA, turned into mock police forces. The whole region, y compris North Albania
14. The „blood feud“ has been extinguished among Albanians
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 14. The „blood feud“ has been extinguished among Albanians Wrong. It was much reduced during the communist regimes in the area (Albania, Montenegro, KosMet), but has been revived after the “democratic governments” have taken power in Albania. It is widely spread at KosMet, despite the
13. Shqipetars used to be friendly with their neighbors. They were protecting Orthodox monasteries there
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 13. Shqipetars used to be friendly with their neighbors. They were protecting Orthodox monasteries there Wrong. After the World War II, more than 250.000 non-Shqipetars moved from KosMet due to the “demographic pressure”, not to mention violence. After NATO’s “humanitarian intervention” in 1999 at least
12. The rebellion and protests in South-East Serbia at Preshevo valley is due to Belgrade repression on the Shqipetar population there
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 12. The rebellion and protests in South-East Serbia at Preshevo valley is due to Belgrade repression on the Shqipetar population there Wrong. This region was not included into the KosMet (autonomous) region after the WWII, for the simple reason that Shqipetars were a tiny minority
11. Albanians are autochthonous Balkan population descending from the ancient Balkan Illyrian tribes
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 11. Albanians are autochthonous Balkan population descending from the ancient Balkan Illyrian tribes Wrong. They appear in the mid-11th century in the Balkan history and their origin appears uncertain (most probably they came to the Balkans from the Caucasus Albania via Sicily, according to one
10. There is no such an entity as a Greater Albania
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 10. There is no such an entity as a Greater Albania Wrong. Although they are not publicized, the maps of that projected unified national state of all Albanians do appear occasionally in the Western press, either explicitly, or as the region with The FBI’s guide
9. KosMet used to be economically supported by the rest of former Yugoslavia
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 9. KosMet used to be economically supported by the rest of former Yugoslavia Wrong. Since Serbia’s contribution to the Yugoslav Federal Fund for the undeveloped regions matched exactly the amount donated by the Fund to KosMet, it was, in fact, Serbia which helped KosMet to
8. The expulsion of Serbs from KosMet after June 1999 is an act of retaliation
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 8. The expulsion of Serbs from KosMet after June 1999 is an act of retaliation Wrong. The process of Shqipetar’s committed ethnic cleansing of KosMet goes on for the last century and refers to all non-Shqipetars (Roma, Turks, Croats, etc). It is a clear case
7. The aim of Shqipetars is an independent Kosova
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 7. The aim of Shqipetars is an independent Kosova Wrong. It is a common goal of all Albanians to live in a single (unified) national state of (a Greater) Albania. The political program of a Greater Albania is designed in 1878 by the Albanian First
5. Shqipetars are an autochthonous population at KosMet
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 5. Shqipetars are an autochthonous population at KosMet Wrong. In the Middle Ages, KosMet was the central part of Serbian state, culture, and civilization. Shqipetars were a tiny minority (about 2%, according to the Ottoman census in 1455), nomadic herdsmen mostly. They came to KosMet
4. Ethnic Albanians at KosMet (Shqipetars in the following, as they call themselves) constitute a majority of 90% out of total KosMet’s population
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 4. Ethnic Albanians at KosMet (Shqipetars in the following, as they call themselves) constitute a majority of 90% out of total KosMet’s population Wrong. In the last reliable census carried out at KosMet in 1961, Shqipetars constituted 67% of the Blast from the Past (II):
3. Southern Serbia’s province is called Kosovo
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 3. Southern Serbia’s province is called Kosovo Wrong. It is Kosovo and Metohia, abbreviated KosMet. Kosovo itself is an abbreviation of Kosovo Polje, what in the Serbian language means Blackbird Field (in German Amselfeld). Metohia is a corrupted Greek name for Metohi, meaning dependency to
2. The issue is a fight of Albanians for their rights
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 2. The issue is a fight of Albanians for their rights Wrong: The crux of the matter lies at the biological level. The real rationale is a demographic explosion which is going on within the Albanian population for a century Delivering Global Britain: FCO Skillsor
1. Kosovo issue is a conflict between ethnic Albanians and ethnic Serbs over the territory
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 1. Kosovo issue is a conflict between ethnic Albanians and ethnic Serbs over the territory Wrong: It is a part of the conflict between Balkan Albanians and the surrounding populations, in A Look at Diplocamp 2019Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia, and Greece (for instance, clashes between Albanians
Kosovo: What Everyone Really Needs To Know
Kosovo is today one of the most disputed territories in Europe and a real Balkan powder keg which can explode again at any time. It is a province within the Republic of Serbia, recognized as such by both Serbia’s constitution and the Resolution 1244 by the Security Council of the United Nations (the UNSC Resolution
Catalog of Destroyed and Desecrated Churches in Kosovo ( VIDEO )
Catalog of Destroyed and Desecrated Churches in Kosovo Contents: A)NAME AND LOCATION OF THE CHURCH; B) EIGHT PHASES OF DESTRUCTION ( I Shell-shocked monuments; II Looting of movable treasure; III Desecrating shrines; IV Burning of shrines and adjacent buildings; V First mining; VI Mining of the left-overs; VII Removing of the remains; VIII Terrain clearance
Humanitarian Intervention: Advantages and Disadvantages in East Timor and Kosovo
NATO’s intervention in Kosovo in 1999 exemplifies many of these disadvantages, including the risks of causing civilian casualties, exacerbating ethnic tensions and increasing violence