The Public Diplomacy Council and its members, events and activities
1. TURBULENCE AND TRANSITION CONTINUE: This time they directly impact public diplomacy and America’s international media efforts. A new CEO, Michael Pack, finally confirmed by the Senate, has been installed at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), and the heads of four USAGM entities – Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio…
The resignation of Amanda Bennett as director of the Voice of America began a slew of developments that have captured news headlines. Bennett resigned as Michael Pack, a film-maker, was confirmed as the new Chief Executive Officer of VOA’s parent organization, the United States Agency for Global Media. Pack has since fired the directors of…
I am a decade retired, but 31 years in the Foreign Service, 25 overseas, give me a feel for the difficulties – no, the agonies — of the Public Diplomacy officer now serving abroad. Everyone in the world with a smartphone has witnessed the horrific killing of George Floyd. All have seen the protests, tear…
Interested in citizen diplomacy? Due to globalization, the internet, and long-term democratization trends, citizen diplomacy is likely to grow in the future, becoming a more important part of public diplomacy and international affairs. Citizen diplomacy entails citizen-to-citizen communication and collaboration across borders for political, economic, religious, cultural, educational, or other public purposes. Government funding and…
LIVING UP TO OUR VALUES: These are turbulent times, and it is impossible to keep up with all of the 24/7 media reports, events, photo ops, and reactions coming from all corners of American society and, indeed, of the world. Besides the well-publicized statements of concern from current and retired political and military leaders and…
“What is the craziest thing in America?” one of my Austrian high school students asked me in the last five minutes of class. It was just a few months before the COVID-19 outbreak began its crescendo, before Fulbrighters and Peace Corps volunteers across the globe returned to the United States from their assignments. In response,…
1. “TALKING ABOUT RACE” These are fast-moving, tumultuous, troubled and historic times that challenge all Americans, and they remind all of us how difficult it is to talk about race. An avalanche of media messages, horrific and powerful images, and statements are “out there” reflecting a range of reactions and emotions – sadness, anger, disappointment,…
JBJohnsonJoe B. Johnson consults on government communication and technology after a career in the United States Foreign Service. He is an instructor for the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, where he teaches strategic planning for public diplomacy. Read More
1. George Floyd and America’s Image The tragic, painful, and unprecedented events surrounding the murder of a black man, George Floyd, at the hands of a white policeman in Minneapolis continue to deeply affect the country and damage America’s image around the world. Our ambassadors and PD officers are surely being challenged to explain how…
We have just welcomed our 12th Rising Professional member to the Public Diplomacy Council! One PDC member recently asked me why I am so excited and investing so much effort in this new membership category. Three main reasons come to mind. First, the category came about through a series of group discussions among graduate students,…