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Theme : international
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Stop the Press!
While we've been in China, a lot of people have made veiled references to the censorship of the press. Mostly, they either assume you know how the system works, or prefer not to get drawn on the subject. Once or twice, interviewees have clearly been worried that we are western press, so we've had to reassure them of our (lack of) credentials. Tonight, however, Sam and I finally got to sit down and have dinner with a journalist (who will remain nameless) who was very generous with her time and...
from : rachelbriggs
15th October 2006
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Life thru a lens
Shan Song is an underground film maker in Beijing. By day he writes scripts for government-produced TV dramas, by night he makes films through a collective he set up after film school called 22Film. Sam and I met him yesterday to talk about the ways in which independent film making is bringing about social change in China.The advent of digital cameras and the internet has enabled a generation of young people to make films about themselves, how they live and where they want China to go. They go...
from : rachelbriggs
13th October 2006
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Democracy and Development speech by Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP
Demos democracy and development speech by Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for International Development.
from : mollywebb
9th October 2006
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Chinese Whispers
Don't get me wrong, I find the concept of an 'axis of evil' as bonkers as the next person. The idea that the world could be divided into two - the good guys and the bad guys - sounds like something straight out of a cowboy movie (hmm).But when I was giving a talk to Chinese civil servants this morning I was reminded of the fact that, while we are able to dismiss it as simplistic nonsense, this piece of rhetoric is influencing the way some Chinese view the West and the...
from : rachelbriggs
7th August 2006
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Cultural Diplomacy and Hip Hop
Following our trip to the US for the Cultural Diplomacy project, it's interesting to see today's announcement on the State Department website.The musician - and U.S. Hip Hop Ambassador - Toni Blackman, is working with USINFO to explain the values and origins of Hip Hop as an original American artform to an international audience. In her capacity as cultural ambassador, she has also performed at the Field Museum in Chicago, one of the institutions to whom we spoke whenb we were...
from : samjones
1st August 2006
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Getting tougher on terrorism, tougher on the causes of terrorism?...
From the other side of the Atlantic, we instinctively feel that the US has totally over-reacted to the threat of terror. Sitting in my hotel room just around the corner from the White House, and after scores of discussions about the Bush administration's record in this area, this instinct seems pretty spot on. What's more, I'm sure that the security at Heathrow on Thursday morning will remind me that we are not far behind that ourselves.
from : rachelbriggs
18th July 2006
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Trashing designer flip flops in the name of world peace
So, today I made my way through the white tent of security that is the front door to the UN and proudly stepped into the centre of global politics. I was met by collages, photo exhibitions and quite famous sculptures and made my way up to the 38th floor of the UN bui䁬ding, and into Kofi Anan's Secretariat office.
from : rachelbriggs
13th July 2006
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UN: Uniting Nations?
Sam Jones and I are currently in New York talking to people about how culture can smooth the way for diplomacy and good relations between countries, even those who are barely speaking to one another across the negotiating table.
from : rachelbriggs
12th July 2006
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People Flow
Demos and the Foreign Press Association hosted a special briefing in which John Denham MP (Chairman of UK Home Affairs Select Committee) and Tom Bentley (Director of Demos and author of People Flow) examined the challenge of managing migration within the context of the accession of 10 new nations on 1st May 2004.The discussion was held at the Foreign Press Association and in the audience of international journalists and migration policy experts.If you are interested in hearing more about...
from : mollywebb
11th July 2006
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ASIS
ASIS International, with more than 33,000 members, is the largest international organization for professionals responsible for security, including managers and directors of security. In addition, corporate executives and other management personnel, as well as consultants, architects, attorneys, and federal, state, and local law enforcement, are becoming involved with ASIS to better understand the constant changes in security issues and solutions.
from : charlieedwards
30th June 2006
