A conference held on 11 April 2007 organised by Counterpoint in association with Libertas: The Centre for the study of US Foreign Policy, Media and Culture

In view of the ongoing attempts to define the role of public diplomacy in contemporary foreign policy, this conference for academics and practitioners, sought to analyse the tensions which are central to this debate. The conference went beyond the narrow focus of mechanics and implementation to engage with the broader questions about the relationship between Public Diplomacy and foreign policy, domestic policy, media, technology, and ‘values’. We aimed to identify international perspectives on the tensions and even contradictions which public diplomacy has to negotiate. The conference engaged in the analysis of these tensions in the community, national and international contexts whilst keeping in mind political, economic, and military factors and raised questions about the relationship between the ‘western’ and the ‘universal’ in the global projection of public diplomacy.

Publication
The conference will link academic analysis with the thinking of current practitioners to produce a publication that will enhance scholars and policymakers’ understanding of Public Diplomacy.

*New!* Listen to presentations by our speakers
In his opening paper, Dr Ali Fisher examines the central tensions between Public Diplomacy and goverment policy, questioning the levels of commitment made to achieving set PD objectives.

In his paper for the Representations Abroad: Image and the Media-State Interface session, Professor Phil Taylor, University of Leeds, suggests that Public Diplomacy can be a propaganda for peace by helding the West gain credibility damaged by the war on terror.

Hear Robert Kelley, LSE, examine the history of the American Public Diplomacy model and consider its role in the contemporary international environment from his paper Take Offs, Crash Landings and the Role of US Public Diplomacy.

For further information about the conference please contact Rachel Stevens
T: 020 7389 4874
E: counterpoint@britishcouncil.org

Counterpoint  11-Apr-2007
Categories:  Public Diplomacy, News, Projects

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