Building Bridges: The Tools of Public Diplomacy

An engaging, two-day symposium, Building Bridges: The Tools of Public Diplomacy, is set to take place Oct. 27 and 28. The Public Diplomacy program at Syracuse University and the Association of Public Diplomacy Scholars (APDS) will host the Fourth Annual Public Diplomacy Symposium to bring together academics, practitioners, state officials and diplomats in building discussion around the role and critical application of public
diplomacy practices in American and international affairs.

This year’s symposium is designed to spark dialogue around the use of public diplomacy tools, specifically in the salient region of the Middle East and North Africa. The panel format includes discussions focusing on unique tools utilized in public diplomacy: fine arts, public relations firms, international media, and humanitarian aid organizations. Guest panelists will include Frederick Carriere of the Korean Peninsula Affairs Center, Greg Loh of Eric Mower and Associates, Richard Roth of CNN, Robert Reilly of American Foreign Policy Council, and Meaghan O’Keefe Douglas of John Snow, Inc.

The symposium will commence Thursday, Oct. 27, in Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium at 7
p.m. with opening remarks and the first panel discussion, “Crafting an Image: Fine Arts and the Government.” Immediately following the panel will be a light reception. Friday, Oct. 28, the symposium events will be held at the Maxwell School of Public Affairs in the
Eggers Public Events Room (220). The day will being with breakfast at 10 a.m. and a 10:30 a.m. launch of the second edition of Exchange: The Journal of Public Diplomacy, the country’s only student-run academic journal dedicated to public diplomacy. Following this event will be the first panel discussion of the day, “Borrowing a Voice: Domestic Public Relations Firms and Foreign Governments” at 11 a.m. The afternoon will include a catered lunch at 12:15 p.m. followed by “Covering a Story: International Media and the
Government” at 1:30 p.m. and “Lending a Hand: Humanitarian Aid and the Government” at 2:45 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.

Website: http://suapds.wordpress.com/symposium/

Contact Person: Kimberly Giblin
Association of Public Diplomacy Scholars
312-399-4682
kgiblin@syr.edu