Cultural Diplomacy News
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Christian Al-Qaeda?
By Brian Mahon, CD-News Program co-ordinator Thomas Hegghammer over at the New York Times Sunday Review makes the argument that what we witnessed in Norway only last week was the closest thing to a Christian version of Al-Qaeda that we have yet witnessed. He notes the similar traits in their world views and how they … Continue reading
Media in the age of the ‘Multiculturalism Doctrine’
David Cameron sparked controversy earlier this year over his verbal assault on what he considered to be ‘the doctrine of Multiculturalism’. In what appeared to be the rhetoric of a liberal constructivist, the UK Prime Minister announced that the UK needed to uphold certain values and take measures to support their promotion. In what was … Continue reading
Brand America – Apple or Abu Ghraib?
By Jessica Bell (CD-News Team) America sits in first place on the Nation Brand Index for 2010 as the worlds most valuable country brand and many attribute this to President Obama’s election in 2009. Simon Anholt, the creator of the Nation Brands Index and one of the top experts in the concept and theory of … Continue reading
A ‘Peaceful Rise’? The Bomb Ticking in the Backyard of Southeast Asia
by Elena Zhikova (article is related to “Demystifying China’s Militarization“) One of the most accurate ways of measuring how powerful China has actually become on a global scale is to examine the direct impact Chinese policies have on determining the strategic choices of China’s immediate neighbors in Southeast Asia. Surprisingly, as China analyst Evelyn Goh notes, … Continue reading
New stars in the ‘battlefield’: Chinese athletes shine on the world sports stage
by Au Yeung Shek Ling People might think of Ping-pong (table tennis) as the national sport in China and associate Chinese people with artistic gymnastics, badminton and diving because the national teams often win international competitions. However, in recent years, Chinese athletes are not only shining in those stereotypical ‘national sports.’ The heartfelt wish from all … Continue reading
FORUM FOR DIALOGUE: Where Do You See the European Far-Right in Political and Social Terms Today?
FORUM FOR DIALOGUE—where do you see the European far-right in both political and social terms today? On July 22 2011, Norway was struck by two terrorist attacks. The first took place as a car bomb was set off in the executive government quarter of Oslo, and whilst … Continue reading
Irish Cultural Night
By Brian Mahon, CD-News Program Coordinator The ICD is tonight hosting an Irish cultural night. Organised by the Irish community in the office, a special night is in store at the ICD Conference House (Kurfustendamm, 207-208, Berlin). The event will start at 8.00pm with many activities in store. First up is the novelist Julian Gough who will … Continue reading
Putting out for Putin
By Brian Mahon, CD-News Program coordinator Russia as we all know is the bastion of democracy. And the defender of this democracy is none other than Vladimir Putin. And boy does he have some good looking supporters. Last week two stunts came to the attention of the media. Young, attractive girls made a video in … Continue reading
“Persepolis” – the real side of Iranian Revolution?
by Agnieszka Krowińska (ACD Program Coordinator) Regardless of where did we live, we all went through a turbulent adolescence. Marjane Satrapi had the same problem. The only difference was that she grew up in Iranwhen the political revolution took place. The dream of liberty, freedom and life of a rock star were shattered along with the start of … Continue reading
Stereotypes and the Cinema—Directors, Beware. The case of “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
by Clara Lopez Prunonosa (ACD Program Coordinator) Most film directors find inspiration in their surrounding areas, in their own environments, but some become attracted by the unknown. A different culture can be a synonym of the exotic and stimulate curiosity, encouraging the director to discover and to interact with different people from different backgrounds.
