PD Grab Bag

From the Fars News Agency, Tehran University Dean Mohammad Reza Koushki argues that public diplomacy can strengthen ties between Iran and Azerbaijan, saying: "In addition to formal and official diplomatic activities, an unofficial public diplomacy is the best way to pave the ground for the expansion of deep cultural, religious and ideological relations."

In India, the Foreign Ministry is getting a PD 2.0 update, according to the Hindustan Times, expanding its presence on social networking sites such as Facebook and YouTube. The Ministry of External Affairs hopes to take advantage of PD 2.0's interactive capabilities--although the article notes that the ministry is aware of potential drawbacks, as tweeting has already had negative repercussions for some politicians in the country.

And from UNC's American Diplomacy, Egyptian diplomat Abeer Bassiouny Arafa Ali Radwan argues that public diplomacy is an increasingly important tool for international relations. Granted, she uses a broader definition of the term that this blog generally employs, but raises a lot of interesting points about the advantages and disadvantages of PD, including its long-term limitations. And in a quote that made this communication student smile, she notes that "culture and communication are the keys not only to technological progress and economic prosperity, but also to social cohesion and sustainable development."