News & Highlights

Public Diplomacy: Moving from Policy to Practice?

7-9 June 2010, in partnership with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the US Department of State.

At a key moment in public diplomacy thinking, participants from over 20 countries including senior representatives from the US, China, India and Pakistan, discussed the ideological and practical arguments for the increasing use of soft power and strategic communications in the delivery of foreign policy.

Public diplomacy is on the ascendancy in foreign ministries: discussions included ways in which to increase the reach to international audiences,and the range of communication platforms available to practitioners. The building of trust across partnerships and genuine two way communication are critical components to success. The final day discussions anchored the learning and expertise of the preceding days through case study approaches to the foreign policy challenge of climate change and international perceptions of Pakistan.

Links to blog and other editorial coverage are here, and the Wilton Park Report will also be posted to the website when it is available.