Zayed University recently welcomed Richard Stengel, U.S. Under-Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs who delivered a lecture entitled: "Public Diplomacy and the role of Social Media" to Zayed University students.

The lecture was also attended by Professor Reyadh AlMehaideb, Vice President of Zayed University, Professor Marilyn Roberts, Acting Provost of Zayed University, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and a number of ZU staff and faculty members.

Stengel is a prominent writer and journalist who became the editor of Time Magazine for seven years. He was appointed to his current post in 2013. Stengel authored a number of books, including one he co-authored with Nelson Mandela in writing his biography.

He told the students of Zayed University that their "digital voice" can contribute to shaping the future of the UAE.

The U.S. official emphasized that social media can be a more effective tool in the hands of young Arabs to fight extremism and violence if properly used since it is an effective soft power that can spread the message of tolerance, understanding and modernity on a larger scale, and enhance the impact of their countries in various global arenas.

He pointed out that the public diplomacy is a soft power because it represents the culture of a country and its ideas against rough military force. "Your country is imbued with values, and ideals that you should exchange and disseminate worldwide," Stengel said. He explained that as a diplomat he consistently talks about the values, ideals and ideas adopted by his country.

Source: WAM

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