RESEARCH
Water Vulnerability: A Challenge for Public Diplomacy
 By Naomi Leight, Assistant Director, Research & Publications, CPD
With so many global challenges, where can the biggest impact be made on global publics? How can the case for public diplomacy be made more effectively to governments, corporations, NGOs and individuals? We can start by tackling the most pressing global issue-water. Water is essential for human life and although we are a blue planet, water is a scarce resource. More than one billion people do not have access to safe water. If a core concept for public diplomacy is to increase understanding between nations by addressing issues that affect publics, then water should be at the forefront of foreign policy.
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of actors tackling global water challenges-from governments to NGOs, from multinational institutions to foundations, and from charities to corporations. Many regions are suffering from crises and conflicts over water. In many areas water rights are being disputed. In even more areas, programs and projects are being developed and implemented to give communities access to safe water. With so many players and issues, how and where can public diplomats play a role? How can public diplomacy become the go-to tool for water diplomacy practitioners from all sectors of society? The USC Center on Public Diplomacy, through our Water Diplomacy Initiative, seeks to answer these questions. Since water is such an enormous and important issue, we have chosen to focus on a specific aspect of water diplomacy that is often overlooked -- vulnerability. Read more here.
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NEWS
Public Diplomacy in the Age of Social Media
CPD collects and curates multimedia resources for public diplomacy on our website. The video below presents full footage of the New America Foundation's conference during Social Media Week in February. Watch as representatives from the U.S. Department of State and others discuss the ways social media are changing the practice of public diplomacy and 21st century statecraft and share case studies and experiences culled from the virtual trenches.
 | Public Diplomacy in the Age of Social Media
at the New America Foundation, February 16, 2012 |
Related Links: CPD Research Fellow Project I Public Diplomacy and Social Media tags |
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COMMENTARY
China's New Man About Town
 By Philip Seib, Director, CPD
The visit to the United States by China's vice president and presumed next president Xi Jinping was watched carefully not only for any official policy pronouncements but also for its public diplomacy components.
China's public diplomacy has relied primarily on an institutional approach. Its international broadcasting apparatus has received a massive infusion of cash and its Confucius Institutes have left their footprints around the globe.
Rarely, however, has an individual face been attached to China's efforts, and it was interesting to see how Vice President Xi handled his visit. Trade issues and Iran are important, but the looming question of the moment was, what did he think of the Laker game and "Linsanity"?
As China grows further into its international leadership role, it may find it useful to
showcase individual political figures who personalize their country's global power. The follow-up to this visit should provide some hints as to whether China will proceed down this public diplomacy path.
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PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Accepting Applications for 2012 Summer Institute
The CPD Summer Institute is geared toward mid-career professionals in public diplomacy and related fields. In addition to innovative instruction, the program provides a setting for professionals to exercise their evaluation and decision-making skills in a group of their peers and contribute their own ideas and perspectives.
By the conclusion of the Summer Institute, participants are able to:
- Reflect on the challenges facing contemporary public diplomacy and the range of strategies available;
- Analyze the impact of new communications technologies and globalization upon public diplomacy;
- Utilize cutting-edge social science research in real-time public diplomacy practice.
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ABOUT CPD
The USC Center on Public Diplomacy (CPD) is a research, analysis and professional training organization dedicated to furthering the study and practice of global public diplomacy.
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