Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Institute for Cultural Diplomacy


 * The following discussion is an archived debate of the proposed deletion of the article below. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review).  No further edits should be made to this page.

The result was   delete. Most of the editors commenting below indicated that the sourcing was not sufficient to establish notability, and even after trying to fix the problems with the article, didn't feel they had succeeded. SarekOfVulcan (talk) 20:05, 16 June 2012 (UTC)

Institute for Cultural Diplomacy

 * – ( View AfD View log  •  Stats )

This page reads as ongoing promotion/advertising and the there is a long standing history cross linked to cultural diplomacy and Amerika Haus Berlin both of which are also highly promotional of this group - and the page on Diplomacy has been altered in the same manner. There has been and remains an excessive level of self referencing upon claims which come from the organisation. The most recent edits with additions add to the promotional nature. There has also been a habit of presenting supposed upcoming events on the page - and then the events have no source as ever having occurred, leaving the page in a most misleading form. Constant IP editing and change - other Wikis have deleted entries due to promo concerns. The claims that the organisation are located in not just Berlin but also Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Ecuador are without source or merit. Past claims to links with high level groups such as US Department of State, the British Council and the European Union have all proved invalid. Repeated passing references to the company/organisation in media are not WP:NOTE. Media-Hound 'D 3rd P^) (talk)  11:15, 8 June 2012 (UTC)
 * Note: True & tried - ICD Offices in Bulgaria - It did not take me long to find the institute office in Bulgaria. You can find it here:http://www.atlantic-club.org/index.php?en_contact&PHPSESSID=798bf4h36fsvcb23r694dg43t7. It looks like it is a partnership between the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria and the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy. I also checked the activity of the Atlantic club of Bulgaria and found that 90% of their events are cohosted with the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy.--Hessin fahem (talk) 04:47, 10 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Partnership between the US Embassy in Berlin and the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy - Your entire research althought admirable, does look as if it was not done thoroughly abd it is clear that you did not check several sources - see below:

“Floodwall Exhibition – Berlin September 10 - October 15, 2010” – You can read the exhibition opening welcome speech by the US ambassador to Germany thanking the Institute members for working together with the US embassy. It is clear that this partnership exists. Please remember that the US Embassy in Germany belongs to the US Department of State.

Read the ambassador speech (in the embassy page) here: http://germany.usembassy.gov/about/ambassador/speeches/2010/09/10/floodwall/

View the ambassador lecture video here: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/index.php?en_conferences_loam_floodwall-exhibition

--Hessin fahem (talk) 05:31, 10 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Partnership between NATO and the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy – Partnership between the ICD and high level groups exists in many forms and mentioned in many independent sources. See another example below: “Understanding Afghanistan and Central Asia”, – Berlin, 28 to 30 May” – Please read NATO report about the event:  http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_63992.htm?selectedLocale=en --Hessin fahem (talk) 05:45, 10 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Keep. The article has some independent references, and GNews and GBooks show that there are plenty of independent sources about this organization. If there are problems with promotion, the answer is to fix them  (and yes, the Amerika Haus Berlin and cultural diplomacy articles could use a cleaning). --Arxiloxos (talk) 15:13, 8 June 2012 (UTC)
 * Note: This debate has been included in the list of Organizations-related deletion discussions.  • Gene93k (talk) 21:26, 8 June 2012 (UTC)

)
 * Not true. I have spent quite a few hours cleaning up the references in this article, and trying to find reliable sources, on Google Books and Google News. With all respect, I do not agree that there are PLENTY of sources: I couldn't find a single entry on Google Books that does more than mention the ICD once, in passing. At least 80 per cent of news references read like press releases; then there are a few short interviews. I haven't found any in-depth articles from serious political media. What is demonstrated by these references is that they exist and organize talks and receptions.


 * Note: True & tried - Institute Book Publication - I simply checked Google Books as you suggested, typed Cultural Diplomacy and found some interesting books. One of them is even mentioned in the institute wikipage (under the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy Section).

The name of the book is: Searching for A Cultural Diplomacy/ Edited by Jessica Gienow Hecht & Mark Donfried (The founder and executive director of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy).

You can find and read all book pages in google books here: http://books.google.de/books?id=a7F3Pi2zvr4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=cultural+diplomacy&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Ih7UT4KTF4X0sgaGo9GLDw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=cultural%20diplomacy&f=false

I also found it for sale in the publisher webpage (Berghahn – very respectful publisher/ an “authority in the field”): http://www.berghahnbooks.com/title.php?rowtag=GienowHechtSearching — Preceding unsigned comment added by Hessin fahem (talk • contribs) 04:29, 10 June 2012 (UTC)

I said above: "I couldn't find a single entry on Google Books that does more than mention the ICD once, in passing." This is true even for "Searching for A Cultural Diplomacy": It does not discuss the ICD. Skara B  11:32, 11 June 2012 (UTC)
 * Note: Still not true

Please see the first page of the acknowledgements (by the editor of the book who is the founder and executive director of the ICD) in paragraph 3: "For their hard work in managing the conference and then proof-reading, formatting, editing and sub-editing contributions, we own a debt of gratitude to the interns at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy. . . "--Hessin fahem (talk) 18:40, 11 June 2012 (UTC)
 * SkaraB, You are Wrong Again


 * Hello Hessin fahem - you do still seem to be confused about how Wikipedia works. I have left you some more information about The Golden Rule on your talk page. Click here to read it. As I have also said, it may be better to discuss quality sources on the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Talk Page. It will save disrupting this page any more than necessary. Cheers. Media-Hound 'D 3rd P^)  (talk)  19:37, 11 June 2012 (UTC)

An additional problem with keeping this article is that the ICD constantly interferes with it, and as I have found out, with related articles, so that keeping it up to the required standard becomes an endless task.


 * Not true - speculation - This is only your assumption, how do know that the ICD constantly interferes? can you proof this? Your involvement with this page, regrettably looks as if you are actually biased, and actually trying to find every excuse to attack the organization. Even if it is completely false, just to make your point. As an honest neutral user, I suggest changing tactics and to be more objective in writing this. --Hessin fahem (talk) 08:34, 10 June 2012 (UTC)

Well, I am happy to rephrase: "An additional problem with keeping this article is that someone constantly interferes with it, and as I have found out, with related articles, so that keeping it up to the required standard becomes an endless task." Skara B  11:32, 11 June 2012 (UTC)
 * Response

Thus, recently, more promotional material has been copied from their website: a list of members of an advisory board;I see that when clicking on these persons' wiki articles, it is always stated that they are members of the ICD advisory board, with a reference to the ICD website. We are talking about former presidents and ministers; surely being a member of the ICD adv. board is not a relevant merit, the mention of it only serves to inflate the ICD's prominence. A "Press" section has been added (i.e. copied from their website), which only serves to illustrate the point I made above about the lack of serious sources; you will see this if you click on any of these links. Skara B  12:28, 9 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Note - AfD is for discussing the notability of a subject, not the quality of an article. That the article reads like an advert is inconsequential to this discussion unless you can prove that editor !voting here have a WP:COI and even that would only affect the perception of their opinions.  For this AfD to end with a substantial Delete !votes, you would need to explain why every reference in the article cannot be used to establish notability under any subsection of WP:N.  The burden of proof of non-notabilty lies with the nominator and Delete !voters.  Ol Yeller21  Talktome  14:31, 9 June 2012 (UTC)
 * Hi there Ol Yeller21   You said "'For this AfD to end with a substantial Delete !votes, you would need to explain why every reference in the article cannot be used to establish notability under any subsection of WP:N. The burden of proof of non-notabilty lies with the nominator and Delete !voters.'"
 * It is an interesting comment. As a relative newbie and the person who has nominated, could you point me to the relevant wiki guidance on this matter - and in particular the "Burden Of Proof". I have already spent quite a lot of time looking for refs that are not primary sources - meet WP:V and can be used WP:NPOV - and I've been looking across multiple languages (English - French - German - Russian - and quite a few others) and simply can't find anything other than advertisements for this organisations private activities, or glancing references to association with events funded by other bodies.

I have traced "ONE" document of interest http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/449633817 which is apparently a dissertation on the organisation - held by one library globally and not referenced anywhere by any person since 2009. It's also listed on Google Books but there is no content visible - and without sight it can't be used as WP:V. Even so, one disertation does not WP:NOTE make.

I have noted that when you go hunting you keep finding papers and documents on the subject of Cultural Diplomacy held on the website of the IDC - and they have been copied as Pdf's and then headed "icd – institute for cultural diplomacy" with a year reference. But when you study these documents there is no relevance to the organisation. Here Is an Example. This does cause search engines to locate information, but the linkages created are not WP:NOTE. Of course It also takes time to actually read the documents before they can be excluded from WP:NOTE, just to make sure that there is not some missing gem hidden in the article or paper. No gems have been found. If they did exist, I'm sure they would have been used already. There is a definitive net/web presence but nothing within it that is WP:NOTE

I have been looking at WP:SPIP - WP:LISTN - WP:NRVE - WP:ORGSIG - and it would appear that all references are to other people and organisations and it's all about "Inherited Notability" which does not apply for Wiki.

It's as if they are a conference and events organisation business in a very niche market.

The list of people acting as "ICD Advisory Board" members is impressive at first sight, but when you check it against the ICD website you discover that such positions are in fact not WP:NOTE.

If you search for these advisory board members they have not had anything to say about the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy - and you keep finding looping references from the person to ICD events involving the person - which just lead back to ICD as a primary source about the event and the person. That does raise concerns under WP:COI where a person has only appeared at an event due to Financial Remuneration.

It's like attempting to smash you way out of a maze of mirrors in an attempt to find an image - even one in crayon - an abstract even - that is WP:NOTE.

I'm happy to analyse and provide a critique on all the sources that are listed on the page - but can you advise where would be the best place to do that - here - on the talk page - somewhere else?

I have been over the page history and also looked carefully at all content - and it is interesting that when you do this you even find that Named Editors and Contributors are identified as employees of the Institute For Cultural Diplomacy WP:COI - else claims of copyright in wiki commons are false and that is rather worrying - and when you have a logical conundrum that either means WP:COI else false claims of copyright and even not WP:GOODFAITH.....?????

Not sure where to raise that issue? Not sure what to say and to who, as I don't want to end up falling foul of WP:OUTING or being accused of some weird form of "sleuthing" because I simply look at what is published and publicly available and then check it. I've even had to explain the matter in oblique language to one admin already! They got it - but it did take some time - and I'm not sure they grasped the full picture. I don't fancy being accused of Privacy Violations by those who presume others are less capable or insightful just because they are newbieish and unknown to others.

If there is a "Burden Of Proof" that I need to meet, as the person who nominated, please let me know what it is and where to reference on it and write it up. I have taken the name media-hound for a reason ... and I do know how to dig for References that meet Wiki standards.

If I could find the refs and cites, I would not have nominated - but If there is a step I've missed in that process, I'm happy to a make up for my deficit. Media-Hound 'D 3rd P^)  (talk)  17:50, 9 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Note - ICD Advisory Board - independent references - As suggested I checked the page and found some valid references about the Advisory Board of the institute for cultural diplomacy:

President of the institute for cultural diplomacy - Speech by the President of the ICD Advisory Board after his nomination - confirming his nomination (click on the content photo): http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/index.php?en_advisoryboard

Vice President of the institute for cultural diplomacy - See the official page of Erna Hennicot Schoepges (scroll to the bottom – unfortunately it is in French – so excuse my French) http://ehennicotschoepges.lu/cv/

An article about the nomination of Akua-dansua: http://newtimes.com.gh/story/akua-dansua-now-on-advisory-board-of-institute-for-cultural-diplomacy

There are many more in this page, you just need to look thoroughly. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Hessin fahem (talk • contribs) 19:49, 9 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Note -  - From checking the history of this article, it seems that the following user: SkaraB, has created some sort of negative campaign to undermine the credibility of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy and its wiki page – this goes back to June 2011. For example in June 1st 2011, SkaraB tried to upload some controversial material to the page in question. Controversies that were immediately reverted for questioning by the administrator Arthur Rubin. This goes on for, up until the last deletion suggestion. The arguments and the annulment of dozens of independent links are absurd. It becomes clear, from just a five second check in youtube that over 200 high profiles individuals have given lectures and interviews for ICD and all are posted there. This is in addition to all of the links mentioned in the press section. Unfortunately, this is a compromise of the five pillars of Wikipedia. And it is important to inform other administrators immediately. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Hessin fahem (talk • contribs) 18:45, 9 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Lean toward Delete. I haven't found any of the dozens of references which are about the organization, or discuss it more than incidentally.  There may be some, but they would need to be pointed out.  A list of press releases does not a notable organization make.  And, to reply to one of the Notes above, if an article cannot be made encyclopedic, it shouldn't exist, even if the organization were notable.  It appears that permanent full protection would be required.  This is not an argument for deletion, just a counter to one of the arguments to keep the article.  — Arthur Rubin  (talk) 18:56, 9 June 2012 (UTC)

The problem with the burden of proof is that the organisation itself has now provided an enormous list of references; as MediaHound notes, it can be very time-consuming to tooth-comb each article for any possible scrap of relevance. There must be some limit to the lengths we have to go to, ESPECIALLY considering that these are references provided by the organisation itself. Skara B  21:12, 9 June 2012 (UTC)
 * Note to Ol Yeller21


 * Not true - can you proof this? Your involvement with this page, regrettably looks as if you are actually biased, and actually trying to find every excuse to attack the organization. Even if it is completely false, just to make your point. As an honest neutral user, I suggest changing tactics and to be more objective in writing this.--Hessin fahem (talk) 06:13, 10 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Skara B  Your passion is admirable, but your words are coming out the wrong way. It is not the responsibility of the ICD to provide references that meet Wiki standards. That responsibility lies solely with an editor - it comes under WP:CHALLENGED.

No, the ICD must not provide the references for this article; but the numerous references in the article that we as editors are supposed to check are all from the ICD website. My point is that if we can't even find good references from their own website, which is there to promote them, then that seems like a good indication that there are no good references out there. That's all I wanted to say. Skara B  11:45, 11 June 2012 (UTC)
 * Note

I get your passion - there is evidence that at least one editor is acting under WP:COI - but that is not insurmountable. I'm a Host over at the Teahouse and we deal with it all the time.

However, the pattern of editing in general, plus the continuous use of content that is Not WP:V - IP editing - removal of templates that should not be removed - that paints a different picture, that for me does raise many issues under WP:SELFPROMOTE. I may be right - I may be "SO" wrong. It is up to other editors to express views on that picture, which is why it has been listed here.

As as editor, I have taken the responsibility to check and verify references provided - and the references that do exists do not, in my opinion, meet WP:V. To me that is quite simple and straight forward. I have looked - I have searched - and I can't find sources or references that meet Wiki standards - as such the page does not meet the burden of third party verifiability that gives it a place in Wiki Land.

That is not a judgement on the organisation - just Wiki standards being applied. It is quite possible for valid organisations to exist - be doing exemplary work and still not meet WP:V. I know that from personal experience having worked with many of them. I have my concerns as to WP:COI + WP:V + WP:NOTE and that WP:ORGSIG also has to be considered. I do believe that the page fails to meet Wiki standards in many ways.

I did request rapid deletion, as I do feel that is warranted, but it was declined. I would prefer for my focus, and the focus of other editors, to be on areas that I see as more valid and Wiki Relevant. I've even today had to request a page be given protection to stop IP edits that are very deliberate and about misusing wiki land to create Religious and Sectarian trouble on other parts of the world. C'est la Vie!

But - it was me who Nominated ICD for deletion, so I'll take that on the chin, and accept the consensus. As an editor I do look at matters with great care - which is why I have had to point out your confusion of language. It is not up to the ICD to provide WP:V sources - that is the editor's responsibility.

You had concerns, which is why you raised an Rfc. I responded - assessed and made my position clear. I even removed some of the more delinquent content and references, having checked against standards. It has been frustrating that the Rfc gained so little response - but that is Wiki Land and how it works. I am aware that you have looked and found and cited - and that has been contested. You may feel hard done by as a result. Wiki Land can be like that! I'm also still stumbling about, trying to find my feet.

I have found it interesting, that your past conduct in using sources has been raised. For me the past is the past. As editors we all get it right and wrong - and you either live in the past or you progress. Grudge holding is not the Wiki way. It stops Wiki Land growing. Wiki can exist without any of us - WP:VESTED - which is why it's built upon standards and aspirations that all editors struggle with.

I have made my position as clear as I am able, at this time, and I feel you have done the same. But passion is no replacement for cool, calm and valid assessment. Ultimately, Wiki has a rule that trumps all others - WP:IAR - Ignore all rules, if doing so makes Wiki better. As it says "If a rule prevents you from improving or maintaining Wikipedia, ignore it." I'll place my faith in more experienced Wikipedians to make the right decision, based upon the evidence and the standards that apply. It's called WP:GOODFAITH. P^) Media-Hound 'D 3rd P^)  (talk)  00:24, 10 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Keep. - Hi Media-Hound 'D 3rd P^,  I was trying to make some order in your postings (I must note that it was not easy, as your comments were very long ) and I have counted the following WP´s which you indicated in your 3 long articles, which you published on this page: WP:N., WP:SPIP - WP:LISTN - WP:NRVE - WP:ORGSIG - WP:V - WP:NOTE. - WP:NPOV - WP:COI, etc. etc. After arranging all your comments about your doubts in a logical and comprehensive list, I have checked these all in depth, and could not understand your points. See above an answer to each of them (answering you and SkaraB) with references to serious and reliable independent external references, which  annul each of the doubts, and proves, that your claims are not based on any facts. I could not avoid my doubts and would summaries it all as WP:UHB WP:LEW --Hessin fahem (talk) 08:58, 10 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Delete - This AFD is a complete mess for all the reasons that the article itself is. Basically: there are a small number of people who seem to have a very strong interest in the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy having an article in Wikipedia and, from what I can tell, very little else. Hessin fahem, like all the major contributors to the page, joined Wikipedia in order to participate in this issue.


 * This article has serious problems. I have posted a detailed list of my problems on the article talk page: primary sources, conflict of interest for nearly all substantive contributions and reading like an advert are the biggest issues. My efforts to list these problems were reverted without discussion by an anonymous editor from Berlin.


 * I have seen no evidence that the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy satisfies WP:ORG but I agree that it is possible that it does. I strongly agree with Arxiloxos that articles should always be fixed, and not deleted, if they are fixable. But I also know that Wikipedia does not deserve this article, that I don't know to fix it, and that despite my efforts to address these issues (and I'll keep trying), the old patterns of editing have continued and the article is only getting worse.


 * This ICD seems almost entirely based around a model that involves organizing conferences and then calling and emailing to recruit speakers and attendees. A large number of people will visit this Wikipedia article to find out more about the organization before deciding to pay for a conference or to join to do an internship. What Wikipedia shows to them reads like an advert, links almost exclusively to of pages on the organizations' websites and seems very likely to have been written by the organization itself. We are doing an enormous disservice to our readers by keeping this page in its current form.


 * If somebody wants to make a serious effort to improve the article, I will help and will happily reconsider my !vote. But after quite a bit of time trying to raise interest and to get this fixed, I'm skeptical this can be addressed and my decision reflects this fact. — m a k o ๛  05:18, 12 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Update/Note: I've just sepnt a couple hours in a final attempt to improve the page -- largely by removing irrelevant, redundant, or non-encyclopedic content. I also went, one-by-one, through every single link in the press section. Many did not include any mention of ICD and very few did anything to speak toward notability. Please look at my write-up on the article talk page.
 * My feeling, based on all that evidence is that the ICD Founder, Mark Donfried, probably does qualify for a biography under WP:BIO but that the ICD itself probably does not qualify under WP:ORG. I feel slightly less strongly about this than I did before -- but not enough to change my !vote. — m a k o ๛  07:08, 12 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Delete All sources proposed have been either trivial, or not third party. Their own books and publications are not a reliable source for provingthem notable.  DGG ( talk ) 08:56, 15 June 2012 (UTC)


 * Weak Delete Something feels weird about all this to me. How is it possible that they've been involved with all these high profile people without attaining some degree of notability? Why do we have to work so hard to find even a passing reference to it? It makes me wonder if there isn't some elaborate con going on here that I just haven't caught on to. (For example, Perhaps ICD is managing to attach its name to conferences it's not really responsible for?) In any case, I guess it doesn't matter why there are no third party sources that establish notability, just that there aren't. APL (talk) 09:30, 16 June 2012 (UTC)

ICD Conferences Reports – Reliable External Sources to establish Notability
Hello Wikipedia colleagues, I have spent some hours over the past days and collected some independent, objective and reliable sources by reading the ICD online information and then google-ing the events and the conference speaker names to check other sources. As I understand it from the ICD website, ICD events are not public and by invitation only and even do not include invitations to the press or media, this is indicated on the ICD webpage. However despite that, I managed to find a serious amount of material (relative to an NGO) as you will see below, assessing WP:V and also WP:NPOV.

At the bottom of this page I have raised concern to many negative remarks and comments made by Skara B and Media Hound on the ICD Wikipedia page. My major concern here is that it looks like that no matter what material is posted on this Wikipedia page, it will always attract immediately negative reactions of Skara B and Media Hound and they will annul them and say that they not be good enough for them.

Therefore and in order to keep the work on this page as neutral as possible, I decided not to upload material to the Wikipedia page myself, but to post the resources in this talk page. My goal is to provide you with information that, to the best of my opinion, is reliable, objective, and supported by only a AAA sources, such as governmental institutions, top media organizations, high-level speakers (such as Heads of State) and to post them in this talk page to enable those who are interested, to use that for improving the page once and for all.

As the activity of the ICD is very wide and continues over many years, I decided to start with investigating ICD conferences and events firstly and then move to other activities of the ICD as well as to include confirmations from governmental institutions where ICD is registered or able to conduct activities (which I will upload to the talk page in the next days).

However, before we start with the conferences, I would like to draw your attention to the page on the website of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, where the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy is presented, please see the link below:

http://www.kooperation-international.de/detail/info/icd-institute-for-cultural-diplomacy.html

Now, I will move on to the conferences:

14 Conferences in total – As it seems, the ICD is normally organizing international conferences that are taking place mostly in Berlin, but not only. Usually you can see all of the lectures and interactive discussions and interviews with the speakers in the YouTube page of the ICD. After spending hours watching some of the clips (and there are many) I find that actually this YouTube page can stand alone by itself to provide a proof that all of the ICD conferences did in fact happen and all of the speakers mentioned on the ICD pages did in fact speak at the event, and in time some of them have even paid tribute to the ICD for allowing them the possibility to speak in the ICD. It clearly shows that Mark Donfried is always moderating all lectures and panel discussions and from watching the clips you can clearly see all banners of the ICD in the background verifying that the event is an ICD event. In many cases the speakers are also greeting the institute for its events.

I would start with a prominent example, which can be found below:

Conference Title: The Berlin Freedom of Expression Forum - "Censorship and Freedom in Traditional and New Media: The Revolution of Media as a tool of Freedom of Expression" (Berlin, February 28th - March 2nd, 2012) Link to conference lectures on YouTube (in total 33 lectures): http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40E07B72E759D5C6&feature=plop Link to Conference Interviews: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1FAFAD40CEFB4E0D&feature=plcp

Link to Kathleen Carroll (Executive Editor, Associated Press; Co-Chair Pulitzer Board) speech can be found here: http://www.ap.org/Content/Press-Release/2012/Kathleen-Carroll-discusses-the-challenges-of-getting-public-information

You can see the AP article about Kathleen Carroll's participation here: http://www.ap.org/Content/Press-Release/2012/Kathleen-Carroll-discusses-the-challenges-of-getting-public-information

You can even watch Kathleen Carroll's speech here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6Z38vByUaI&list=PL40E07B72E759D5C6&index=22&feature=plpp_video

Link to conference on ICD webpage: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/gphr/index.php?en_rifef-2012

More on this event:

The Organization for Democracy and Freedom in Syria reports on the speech of Ribal Al-Assad which was delivered on March 1st in the context of: “The Berlin Freedom of Expression Forum - "Censorship and Freedom in Traditional and New Media: The Revolution of Media as a tool of Freedom of Expression" (Berlin, February 28th - March 2nd, 2012):

Link to the ODFS page:

http://www.odf-syria.org/news/news/berlin-ribal-alassad-calls-for-freedom-in-syria-in-speech-at-the-brandenburg-gate

A Selection of Additional Examples can be found here:

a). The German Missions in South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland published a report about the ICD event: The Rise of Africa - "Africa and the Global Economy: The Future of Nation Branding, Tourism and International Investment on the African Continent" (Berlin, 09 - 12 March 2011)

Link to conference on the German Missions page: http://www.southafrica.diplo.de/Vertretung/suedafrika/en/__pr/1__GIC/2011/03/03__ICD__Seminar__March__2011.html Link to conference on ICD Webpage: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/experienceafrica/index.php?en_the-rise-of-africa

b). The German Missions in South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland publishwd a report about the ICD event: The Power of Africa 2012 - "Africa as a Stronger Actor on the International Stage" (Paris, May 2nd - 4th, 2012):

Link to conference on the German Missions page: http://www.southafrica.diplo.de/Vertretung/suedafrika/en/__pr/1__GIC/2012/04/04-ICD-power-of-Africa.html

Link to conference on ICD webpage: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/experienceafrica/index.php?en_roa2011

c). The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UCTAD) reports on the lecture of Mr. Petko Draganov (Deputy Secretary-General of UNCTAD) on 28 May 2010 at the ICD event: The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy 2010 (Berlin, 23 - 30 May, 2010) Link to the conference on the UNCTAD webpage: http://archive.unctad.org/templates/webflyer.asp?docid=13349&intItemID=4899&lang=1 Link to conference on ICD webpage: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/index.php?en_symposium2010_reviews

d.) The US Embassy in Berlin reports on the participation of H. E. Amb. Philip Murphy (Ambassador of the USA to Germany) on May 28, 2010 during the ICD Event: "Understanding Afghanistan and Central Asia: Supporting Democracy and Stability - The Path Ahead" (Berlin, 28th – 30th May 2010)

Link on the Embassy of USA webpage: http://germany.usembassy.gov/murphy_052810.html

In addition, please see here a report by the NATO organization referring to this event of the ICD and also mentioning that NATO supported this event, please see the link the below and scroll down: http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_63992.htm?selectedLocale=en

Link to conference on ICD webpage: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/index.php?en_symposium2010_understanding-afghanistan

e). The US Embassy in Berlin reports on the participation of H. E. Amb. Philip D. Murphy (Ambassador of the USA to Germany) on September 10, 2010 in the ICD opening of the Floodwall Exhibition (Berlin September 10 - October 15, 2010)

Link on the Embassy of USA webpage: http://germany.usembassy.gov/about/ambassador/speeches/2010/09/10/floodwall/ Link to conference on ICD webpage: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/index.php?en_conferences_loam_floodwall-exhibition

f). H.E. Dr. Makase Nyaphisi (Ambassador of Lesotho to Germany) participates on the 07th March, 2012 during the ICD Berlin International Economics Congress

Link on the Embassy of Lesotho webpage: http://www.lesothoembassy.de/news/2012_Berlin_IEC.php

Link to the Lecture on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkw_26gsQOQ&list=PLDF7421E5B334B421&index=3&feature=plpp_video

Link to Conference Reviews on ICD Webpage: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/culturaldiplomacyandtheeconomy/index.php?en_biec-2012_review

Link to conference on ICD webpage: www.biec.de

g). The Honorable Alfred Sant (Former Prime Minister of Malta; Currently Member of Malta’s Parliament) delivers a lecture on 8 November 2009 in Berlin at "A World without Walls: An International Congress on Interdependence and CD“(Berlin, 06 - 09 November, 2009)

Link on the Alfred Sant webpage: http://www.alfredsant.org/pages/dassingle.asp?id=203

Link to conference on ICD webpage: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/index.php?en_symposium_world-without-walls

For the same event:

The Honorable Sir James Mancham (Founding President of the Seychelles) delivers a lecture on the 6th of November, 2009 "A World without Walls: An International Congress on Interdependence and CD“ (Berlin, 06 - 09 November, 2009) Link the lecture on Sir James Mancham's webpage: http://jamesmancham.com/activities.php Link to photos of the lecture on Sir James Mancham's webpage: http://jamesmancham.com/gallery.php?&start=60 Link to conference on ICD webpage: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/index.php?en_symposium_world-without-walls

For the same event:

The French renowned newspapers La Tribune and La Post covering the participation of Ségolène Royal in the event: http://www.latribune.fr/actualites/economie/international/20091110trib000442141/segolene-royal-si-sarkozy-redoute-un-president-europeen-fort-il-a-tort.html

http://archives-lepost.huffingtonpost.fr/article/2009/11/08/1780554_segolene-royal-invitee-d-honneur-de-l-institute-for-cultural-diplomacy-a-berlin-pour-le-20e-anniversaire-de-la-chute-du-mur.html

For the same event:

President Email Constantinescu (Former President of Romania) has uploaded a number of the speeches that he has delivered at the ICD in recent years including the above mentioned event – the first link): http://www.constantinescu.ro/en/discursuri/speeches30.htm Please see additional speeches of President Constantinescu which were held at other ICD events below:

http://www.constantinescu.ro/en/discursuri/speeches43.htm#_ftn1 http://www.constantinescu.ro/en/discursuri/speeches44.htm http://www.constantinescu.ro/en/discursuri/speeches37.htm

h). The Goethe Institute in Ljubljana reports on the ICD program "Germany Meets Slovenia – A Forum for Young Leaders (Slovenia, June 13th - 17th, 2012): Link to the program in the ICD webpage: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/germanymeetsslovenia/index.php?en Link to the Goethe Institute in Ljubljana page: http://www.goethe.de/ins/si/lju/ver/de9107644v.htm i). Conference Title: The Ankara Conference on Peace building & Conflict Resolution – “Using Cultural Diplomacy as a Tool to Build Sustainable Peace” (Ankara, April 17th - 19th, 2012)

Please find below a link to the Slovenian Embassy in Turkey, which reported about the event:

http://ankara.embassy.si/index.php?id=1320&L=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=12834&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=16&cHash=22ad97d142

More links: http://www.ecmi.de/press/details/the-ankara-conference-on-peacebuilding-and-conflict-resolution-469/

Link to conference lectures (in total 45 lectures) on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE5CB2F7A6D8123AF&feature=plcp Link to conference on ICD webpage (where you can see the program and list of speakers): www.ankara-conference.org

J). The German Federal Agency for Political Education (Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung – BPB) published reports and documentation about the ICD Event Series "Black History Month 2009" (Berlin, January 20-Febrauary 29th, 2009): Link to conference on ICD webpage: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/blackhistorymonth/index.php?de Link to the reports BPB website: http://www.bpb.de/veranstaltungen/dokumentation/127381/black-history-month

k). Conference Title: The International Conference on Cultural Diplomacy & the UN - "Cultural Diplomacy & Soft Power in an Interdependent World: The Opportunities for Global Governance" (New York City & Washington D.C., February 21st - 24th, 2012)

Link to NYU (Law Department) University reporting on the event: http://www.law.nyu.edu/news/ALVAREZ_JOSE_ICD_CONFERENCE

More: http://www.mville.edu/news-a-events/news/news-features/3133-kendra-white.html

Link to conference lectures on YouTube (in total 34 lectures): http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB91A1240BACCCE81&feature=plcp Link to conference on ICD webpage: www.un-culturaldiplomacy-conference.org

l). Conference Title: The ICD Annual Academic Conference on Cultural Diplomacy 2011 “Cultural Diplomacy and International Relations: New Actors, New Initiatives, New Targets” (Berlin, December 15th - 18th, 2011)

Link to a protest against the Greek Government and the Deputy Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Thodoros Pangalos, who participated in the event and was confronted by protestors; the protesters filmed the event themselves and published on YouTube with over 28,000 views:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzEI3XFvUCM

Link to conference lectures on YouTube (in total 29 lectures) http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBF4062F093F322E4&feature=plcp Link to conference on ICD webpage: www.icd-academy.org

m). The German Federal Agency for Political Education (Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung – BPB) published reports and documentation about the ICD Event Series "Black History Month 2009" (Berlin, January 20-Febrauary 29th, 2009): Link to conference on ICD webpage: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/blackhistorymonth/index.php?de Link to the reports BPB website: http://www.bpb.de/veranstaltungen/dokumentation/127381/black-history-month

n). The Honorable Sir James Mancham (Founding President of the Seychelles) delivers a lecture on the April 15, 2010 as a part of the "USA meets Europe Forum” from April 22-25 in New York City. Link the lecture on Sir James Mancham's webpage: http://www.eturbonews.com/15484/former-seychelles-president-heads-new-york-deliver-lecture-pirac Link to conference on ICD webpage: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/index.php?event-review-usame-2010-04

I think that the sources provided here are sufficient, but I will continue to find more and to provide more neutral verified information about ICD activities.

--Hessin fahem (talk) 19:16, 16 June 2012 (UTC)


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