"Theory and Practice of Public Diplomacy in Russia" is a revised and updated version of "A Course in Public Diplomacy" which we discussed last week. The need for such a revision is explained by the fact that, due to political changes, Russian public diplomacy has essentially undergone a major restructuring. Previous formats of dialogue with Western partners have been curtailed. Many NGOs have lost the opportunity to operate (both in Russia and abroad).

The new edition of the textbook takes this context into account, updating the material for the new reality, and offering answers to the challenges this field faces today.

At first glance, one can notice, for example, that the new textbook has fixed the transcriptions of the names of foreign scholars who pioneered the concepts under discussion. Some of these concepts have acquired negative connotations in Russian diplomatic discourse: for example, "soft power" is no longer used favorable, as this phrase is traditionally associated with the highly manipulative techniques. Therefore, Russian diplomats prefer to talk about humanitarian cooperation: after all, the very word "cooperation" implies both the equal and active status of the parties involved, as well as the mutually beneficial nature of this process.

Municipal employees and those working in public sector organizations (like us, for example) will especially appreciate the book's shifted focus – from NGOs to other actors. The new book significantly expands the sections devoted to the role of educational institutions, working with compatriots abroad, and cultural cooperation. Attention has even been paid to the sister-city movement!

The book's entire text is available on the Russian International Affairs Council's website.