In a private presentation, Elina Noor, Director of Political-Security Affairs and Deputy Director for the Washington D.C. Office at the Asia Society Policy Institute, talked about the opportunity for Southeast Asia to redefine inclusive development for the region by raising standards for data and ethical AI.
In a report co-authored by Noor, she and her collaborator Mark Bryan Manantan, examined policy frameworks in five countries in the region and their impact on governance and economies. The authors surmised that the region’s digital future begins with proactively shaping a path in its own image. Noor spoke about the report’s recommendations for principles and practices that fuel development while advancing human dignity.
Moderated by Dr. William Youmans, IPDGC Director, the event also was attended by directors of the collaborating organizations, Dr. Gregg Brazinsky, the GW Sigur Center of Asian Studies, and William Wise, The Stimson Center’s Southeast Asia Forum.
Virtual discussion on the “other issues” of reporting on sporting events
By Yvonne Oh, IPDGC Program Coordinator
With the FIFA 2022 World Cup kicking off in Qatar on November 20, the conversation was about if, and how, sports journalists covering the men’s world cup in Qatar should report on human rights. According to FIFA, the sport’s governing body, the World Cup in 2018 drew more than 3.5 billion viewers and the championship game was seen live by more than one billion people.
However, countries that host the tournament will draw attention as well – and not all of that is positive. This year’s tournament has raised questions about human rights in Qatar, and “sports washing” in general.
IPDGC collaborated with the Project on Ethics in Political Communication for a virtual discussion on the topic of the World Cup, Sports Journalism and Human Rights. Joining this conversation were international soccer journalist Grant Wahl and Prof. Neha Vora, an anthropologist with Lafayette College.
Moderating the event was Silvio Waisbord, the Director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at the George Washington University.
Brief bios of the speakers:
Grant Wahl is one of the top soccer journalists in the US. His pre-World Cup writing includes the need to pay attention to the human toll of constructing the stadia, hotels and infrastructure the World Cup requires. He has covered World Cups for Sports Illustrated, CBS and Fox Sports. His books include The Beckham Experiment and Masters of Modern Soccer.
Prof. Neha Vora, is an anthropologist at Lafayette College. Her writing includes the books Impossible Citizens: Dubai’s Indian Diaspora; Teach for Arabia: American Universities, Liberalism, and Transnational Qatar; and Beyond Exception: New Interpretations of the Arabian Peninsula (co-authored with Ahmed Kanna and Amelie Le Renard).
Presentation by IPDGC Visiting Scholar Udane Goikoetxa-Bilbao
IPDGC Visiting Fellow Udane Goikoetxea-Bilbao presented her research into the influence of the Internet on journalism; the impact of immediate information, in particular, social media. Her research takes looks into not just what we read, but how we read. And considers that while readers can be digitally literate, they must be media literate as well. She notes that having a good understanding of civic values is also important to act in harmony with the deontological necessity of journalism.
Goikoetxea-Bilbao is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Journalism of the University of the Basque Country, where she teaches undergraduate subjects related to specializations in journalism (Specialized Journalism, Communication Theories, Ethics (Deontology and Media) and Spokesperson Training.
Her research with IPDGC and GW was conducted over the Fall 2022 semester.
IPDGC screens documentary on Ambassador Ebenezer D. Bassett
By Yvonne Oh, IPDGC Program Coordinator
The film, A Diplomat of Consequence, tells the story of a groundbreaking diplomat and pioneer on international human rights and examines the legacy of racial diversity today, 150 years after his appointment. This documentary was written, directed and produced by Christopher Teal. He is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the U.S. State Department and currently a Public Diplomacy Fellow with IPDGC at the George Washington University.
Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett was appointed United States Ambassador to Haiti in 1869. He was the first African-American diplomat and the fourth U.S. ambassador to Haiti since the two countries established relations in 1862. Bassett was appointed as new leaders emerged among free African Americans after the American Civil War.
He was among the earliest advocates to promote human rights in foreign policy. His courage in the face of threats during his tenure place him among the greats of diplomatic and American history. Along with public archives on Bassett’s life, newly found information from family members and never before seen material from his four-decade relationship with Frederick Douglass are explored in the documentary.
This is not just an historical documentary, however. Bassett’s legacy demonstrates to broader audiences what diplomats have accomplished and what they do in today’s complicated environment. Bringing in contemporary voices of minority diplomats is a crucial component of why diversity in foreign affairs still is imperative for successful engagement today.
FILM SCREENING: A Diplomat of Consequence; Tuesday, October 18,
IPDGC, in collaboration with LEAP and the Office of Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and student organization, Young Black Professionals in International Affairs (YBPIA), invites you to the screening of the film, A Diplomat of Consequence.
Chris has been with the U.S. State Department since 1999; handling various responsibilities including overseas assignments, leading a team responsible for diplomatic Career Development, and also teaching diplomacy, civil/military relations, human rights, peace keeping, and media/security policy.
Christopher Teal
Chris was also awarded the Una Chapman Cox Fellowship to direct, write, and produce a documentary on the first African American diplomat, Ebenezer D. Bassett. The film, A Diplomat of Consequence, tells the story of this groundbreaking diplomat 150 years after his appointment.
IPDGC recently spoke to Chris about coming back to GW:
Learn more about our new PD Fellow Chris Teal, and other Public Diplomacy Fellows.
The Walter Roberts Endowment and the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication (IPDGC) continues to support current students at the George Washington University for internship opportunities in public diplomacy this summer 2022.
Walter R. Roberts
The two internships listed here will come with a grant of $3,000 each student, which covers the duration of the summer internship.
The Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication (IPDGC) is a GW organization supporting excellence in academia and professional development in public diplomacy and global communication. IPDGC is looking for a summer intern to help with digital engagement.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Website improvements for IPDGC and its student blog site, Smart Power
Produce a few podcasts for the PDx series (research, interview and technical production work)
Develop engagement on IPDGC’s social media platforms (design and promotional)
And other tasks to support the Institute’s online outreach
The applicant should be comfortable using: Adobe Audition, Zoom meeting app, Soundcloud and other podcast hosting sites, social media apps, apps for promotion and design (Canva, Emma) and website design (WordPress).
Flexibility, creativity, and the ability to meet deadlines are desired.
The position will work with the IPDGC Program Coordinator for supervision and guidance.
The IPDGC internship will begin at the end of May and finish in the first week of August.
The American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL)is a nonpartisan non-profit organization internationally recognized as the pre-eminent catalyst for introducing rising political and policy leaders to international affairs and to each other.
ACPYL is seeking an intern for their summer activities. Interns report directly to the intern coordinator but will work closely with all members of the ACYPL staff and may be asked to support program officers and staff in communications, development, and alumni outreach.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
• Assist in coordinating logistics in the planning and implementing of exchange programs
• Prepare biographical summaries of participants
• Provide support while American or international delegations are in Washington, DC
• Maintain office files
• Assist with alumni communications
• Provide support for alumni, fundraising, and programmatic events
• Assist in other departments on an as-needed basis
For more information about ACPYL’s internship, including applicant qualifications, please click here.
Applications for both internships should be sent to ipdgc@gwu.edu
HOW TO APPLY
All application materials would need to have the following:
A resume
A cover letter that should state how the internship can support your goals for pursuing further studies or a career in public diplomacy.
A short email/ letter of support from a GWU professor; separately sent to ipdgc@gwu.edu (Subject: “2022 Summer Internship grant”)
For any questions, please write to IPDGC ipdgc@gwu.edu
