BBG Leadership Participates in Public Diplomacy Council’s Fall Forum
[nggallery id=93] The role and reach of U.S. international media, the changing global information environment, and the future of public diplomacy (PD) were among the topics addressed by BBG senior leaders at the Public Diplomacy Council’s Fall Forum at the State Department on November 12.
VOA Director David Ensor delivered the keynote speech at the gathering of more than 350 PD practitioners and experts from academia. In keeping with the event’s themes involving PD past and present, Ensor spoke about the historic accomplishments of VOA journalists and the ways in which modern media –including mobile content, social media and video — enhance the impact of news and information programs and help them reach new audiences.
BBG Director of Communications and External Affairs Lynne Weil (@LynneWeil) was part of a plenary session addressing changes to PD since 9/11. Weil, who had worked on Capitol Hill for nine years and has been engaged in legislative relations for the Executive Branch during the past three, shared perspectives from and about Congress. She also spoke about BBG-supported media and some changes they have undergone in the past decade.
And BBG Director of Innovation Rob Bole (@rbole) conducted a breakout panel on how the latest communications technologies are being used at the agency, the State Department and elsewhere in the government to inform, engage and connect people worldwide to advance U.S. foreign policy goals.
Speakers included Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Evan Ryan and Macon Phillips, the Coordinator for International Information Programs.