Public Diplomacy Council of America

In his Worth Noting column, Bill Wanlund interviewed Nikki Hinshaw on the importance of citizen diplomacy and its growing role in Public Diplomacy. The conversation explores career pathways, opportunities in the field, and how Public Diplomacy Council of America supports practitioners and emerging leaders. Read more: publicdiplomacy.org/news_manager.p…

Great discussion at PDCA's May First Monday Forum on "Diplomacy's Public Turn" — exploring diplomacy's future in a turbulent world. 🌍 Thanks to our speakers Vivian Walker, Kathy R. Fitzpatrick, Bruce Gregory & Nicholas Cull for their insights on US public diplomacy. And a huge thank you to our outgoing Hans "Tom" Tuch Fellow, Lam Tran — we'll miss you! 🌟 In case you missed it, catch the full video on our YouTube channel: youtu.be/dpEDbxZJRKs?si… Photos courtesy of Bruce Guthrie #PublicDiplomacy #Diplomacy #PDCA

Have you heard of Punch the Monkey? Lamia Zia argues this viral figure is more than a meme—it’s a form of soft power shaping global narratives. Read more: uscpublicdiplomacy.org/blog/punch-mon…

🇭🇺 How is Hungary reshaping its political past? According to Dr. Vivian Walker, one monument at a time. She warns Hungary’s “brick-and-mortar revisionism” rejects democratic values, distorts history, and echoes disinformation tactics under Viktor Orbán. Read more: warontherocks.com/say-it-with-st…

📅 1 week to go! Join us May 4 at 12 PM ET for PDCA’s First Monday Forum 🌍
Featuring discussion on Diplomacy’s Public Turn: Prospects for Theory and Practice, a new volume on how diplomacy is evolving—through deeper public engagement, the centrality of public diplomacy, and the impact of digital tech & AI amid global challenges. 📍 GWU + Zoom
🔗 Register: publicdiplomacy.org/news_manager.p… The event is co-sponsored by the USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy, GWU Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication, and the USC Center on Public Diplomacy.

🌍 PDCA’s May First Monday Forum Join us May 4 at 12 PM ET for a discussion of Diplomacy’s Public Turn: Prospects for Theory and Practice, a new volume on how diplomacy is evolving—through deeper public engagement, the centrality of public diplomacy, and the impact of digital tech & AI amid global challenges. Featuring co-editors Kathy R. Fitzpatrick & Bruce Gregory, plus contributors Dr. Vivian Walker & Nicholas Cull. Hybrid event. Register: publicdiplomacy.org/news_manager.p…

💭 Are we seeing a counterrevolution in U.S. foreign policy? Amb. (ret.) Tom Shannon explores the idea in the Steady State podcast, suggesting a shift from alliance-based diplomacy toward an “America First” approach. Bill Wanlund breaks it down in this week's "Worth Noting". Read more: publicdiplomacy.org/news_manager.p…

Is soft power outdated—or more vital than ever? Dr. Vivian Walker explores the tension and asks: how do we rebuild strategic patience in its use? Read more: uscpublicdiplomacy.org/blog/strategic…

👏Thanks to everyone who joined PDCA’s April First Monday Forum! We explored public diplomacy’s role in IR curricula and how professionals can contribute. Featured speakers from Syracuse University, University of Denver, and Florida International University brought great insights to our audience. Plus, an exclusive off-the-record discussion with DC-area deans for in-person attendees provided a direct connection to local university programs for practitioners. Watch the recording: youtu.be/lUeUPDBio7I

“If First Amendment rights are weakened, the messengers will be muzzled… Disinformation will fill the void.” What happens when trusted voices are silenced? PDCA member Steve Herman explores why it matters now more than ever here: newsguy.substack.com/p/muzzled-mist…

PDCA’s April First Monday Forum is April 6 at 12 PM ET Explore how IR programs are evolving & what it means for public diplomacy. Featuring leading APSIA deans + an off-the-record conversation after with American University’s School of International Service Interim Dean Rachel Sullivan Robinson. 📍 GWU Elliott School (Room 505) + Zoom
🥪 Lunch for early arrivals
🔗 publicdiplomacy.org/news_manager.p… #PublicDiplomacy #IR #GlobalAffairs

PDCA’s April FMF: Trends in International Relations Studies: Opportunities for Public Diplomacy 📅 April 6 | 🕛 12 PM ET
📍 GWU Elliott School + Zoom Explore new opportunities for public diplomacy in IR programs through discussion with leading deans from APSIA schools.
 🔗 Attend in-person: eventbrite.com/e/april-fmf-tr… 🔗Attend online: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist… #ForeignPolicy #GlobalAffairs

This month, PDCA Rising Professionals visited the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Washington, DC for an engaging discussion on Poland’s current public diplomacy priorities. Participants met with Embassy staff and gained valuable insights into the hard and soft skills essential for building a successful career in public diplomacy. Thanks to @PolishEmbassyUS for the great opportunity!

📣Are you a student, teacher, or practitioner of public diplomacy? Take a look at PDCA member Bruce Gregory’s issue #134 of his series on Diplomacy's Public Dimension: Books, Articles, Websites for resources! 🔗ipdgc.gwu.edu/bruce-gregorys…

🎙️Irene Poetranto, Senior Researcher at the Carnegie Endowment, writes that “authoritarian governments worldwide are increasingly leveraging their control of network operators, enactment of stringent regulations, and international sales of surveillance and filtering technologies to augment their digital repression capabilities.” 🔗What can be done? Read it here: carnegieendowment.org/research/2026/…

📣 PDCA Awards seeking nominations! The PDCA “Awards for Achievement in Public Diplomacy” and “Award for Public Diplomacy Leadership by a Senior Officer” are now accepting nominations. 🏆Know someone whose work deserves recognition? Submit a nomination by March 31, 2026! 👇More information here: publicdiplomacy.org/2026_awards_fo… & here: publicdiplomacy.org/2026_award_for…

📣 Thank you to everyone who joined us on March 2 to celebrate Washington’s iconic cherry trees and the enduring U.S.–Japan relationship. We were honored to hear from our principal speaker, Masatsugu Odaira, Minister for Public Affairs at the Japanese Embassy and Director of the Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC). 🌸 We especially want to showcase our members who dressed on theme for the occasion, and we thank everyone for a meaningful First Monday Forum celebrating US-Japan friendship, culture, and the shared history and symbolism of the cherry blossoms. 📷 Photos by Bruce Guthrie and Judy Kang The March 2 program was cosponsored by PDCA, USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy, GWU Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication, Embassy of Japan, Japan Information & Culture Center, and USC Center on Public Diplomacy. @JapanEmbDC

PDCA’s April First Monday Forum: Trends In International Relations Studies: Opportunities For Public Diplomacy 📅 April 6, 2026 | 🕛 12 PM ET | 📍GWU Elliott School Room 505 + Zoom Join us on April 6 for PDCA’s First Monday Forum! We’ll explore how universities are positioning public diplomacy within IR programs—and what new opportunities this creates for research, teaching, and practice. This hybrid event will feature a virtual panel of three Deans whose schools are members of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs [APSIA]. Following the panel, we will hold an off-the-record conversation for our in-person audience with local members of APSIA schools, moderated by PDCA’s Academic Study Committee. The in-person event will conclude at 1:30 PM. The April 6 program is cosponsored by PDCA, the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs, the USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy, and the GWU Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication. 📍 GWU Elliott School (1957 E St NW, 5th floor, Room 505, Washington, D.C.) 🥪 Light lunch for early arrivals (by 11:40 AM) 🎥 Also available via Zoom 🔗 In-Person registration: lnkd.in/eunvYBUt 🔗 Online registration: lnkd.in/eTzJmuxv #ForeignPolicy #GlobalAffairs #PDCA