The Center for Transatlantic Relations
EU Center for Excellence
SAIS—Johns Hopkins University

and

The Embassy of France in the United States
 
Cordially invite you to

Global Reach: Innovative Communication for a New Diplomacy

with

Bernard Valero

Chief Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary for Press and Communications
for the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs

Introduction by Amb. Andras Simonyi,
Managing Director, Center for Transatlantic Relations

Thursday, February 23, 2012
10:30 am–12:00 pm

Room 500
1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036

In the age of instant communication, traditional diplomacy faces systemic changes: information travels faster and wider, institutions and hierarchies lose ground to individuals and informal connections, messages that are meant for a local audience reach beyond borders. Shaping a diplomatic message is increasingly challenging, and requires, in addition to classical diplomatic skills, a specific dose of cultural awareness, the mastering of new technologies, and the urge to address not only the leadership, but also the citizens, in all their diversity. Valero will discuss how the world of diplomacy is adapting to the new media environment and what diplomats, with their experience in building inter-cultural bridges, can bring to the world digital community. 

Bernard Valero is the Spokesman and Head of the Press and Communication Office of the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. He has held this position since September 2009. Prior to his current position, he served on several occasions in the Ministry’s press and communication department, first as assistant secretary for press from 1998 to 2000 and then as Deputy Director; Deputy Spokesman, from 2000 to 2003. He also served as Press Counselor in Washington from 1995 to 1998.