Folly of soft power?

Posted on By Wandren
Cultural Relations, Public Diplomacy

Came across this provocative analysis of British foreign policy and instruments such as The British Council. It suggests, amidst other media comment that “what British still has in spades is cultural power”, that: The Council’s purpose is not to extend soft power; it is to build trust, engagement, and the genuine exchange of ideas. The alternative … Read More “Folly of soft power?” »

Public Diplomacy is Changing the Odds

Posted on By Wandren 1 Comment on Public Diplomacy is Changing the Odds
'Listening', networks, Public Diplomacy

There have been many attempts to pin down what Public Diplomacy is about, and as I’m currently finishing editing The Trials of Public Diplomacy, this has been at the forefront of my mind. Rather than seeking another definition to encapsulate (or exclude) certain actors, methodologies, or bureaucracies, I’ve been seeking to think about what PD … Read More “Public Diplomacy is Changing the Odds” »

THE SPECTRUM OF SPECTRUMS: A REVIEW OF THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS POSITIONING SPECTRUM

Posted on By Wandren
Options for Influence, Public Diplomacy

John Worne‘s International Relations Positioning Spectrum (IRPS), and Nick Cull‘s response provide interesting perspectives on the Cultural Relations / Public Diplomacy ‘divide’ and how work in the field is to be articulated. The IRPS appears a useful tool at the national level to help mediate in interdepartmental turf wars. However, the IRPS contains national peculiarities, … Read More “THE SPECTRUM OF SPECTRUMS: A REVIEW OF THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS POSITIONING SPECTRUM” »

Partnership or enduring relationships, what's the most that can be expected?

Posted on By Wandren
Dispersed Networks, networks, Public Diplomacy

Today when funds in many countries are being restricted or greater impact demanded from the same level of funding, partnerships are seen as one way of responding to the escalating demands on Public Diplomacy. However, how far can a partnership go, and what is the ultimate demonstration of success? The example of the British Council … Read More “Partnership or enduring relationships, what's the most that can be expected?” »

Glassman in the UK

Posted on By Wandren 1 Comment on Glassman in the UK
Dispersed Networks, networks, Public Diplomacy, Virtual Communities

James Glassman has been in the UK for the last couple of days, and along with marking 9/11 he has been celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Fulbright Programme at Downing Street, speaking at Chatham House and appearing on the Today Programme. Whilst his view of the rhetoric in the years immediately after 9/11 is … Read More “Glassman in the UK” »

Conducting PD through national staff or local staff?

Posted on By Wandren
Public Diplomacy

One of the obvious divisions within international actors (but particularly countries) conducting public diplomacy is between those that employ staff from the local community and those that ‘import’ staff from their home country. Each approach presents particular opportunities and challenges worth considering. For those that use local staff, one advantage is the ability to communicate … Read More “Conducting PD through national staff or local staff?” »

KAP Gap

Posted on By Wandren
Dispersed Networks, Habits of engagement, networks, Public Diplomacy, Uncategorized

The many different approaches to communication can both compete with and enrich other areas of communication. The combination of communication and development work, as organisations such as PANOS have done, demonstrates much from which others can learn. Equally the experience of health promotion over the years provides useful insight. To reiterate, while many may practitioners … Read More “KAP Gap” »