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Press attachés elect new President |
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Cristina-Narcisa Nita, First Secretary covering Media, PR and Politics at the Embassy of Romania, has assumed office as President of the Diplomatic Press Attachés’ Association of London (DPAAL) for 2011-2012 after an e-election was conducted among the association’s members.
Ms Nita will be supported by a new committee, which includes Vice presidents Spyros Diamantis (Press Counsellor, Director of the Press Office of the Embassy of Greece); Jennifer Quinn (Head of Communications, Political Affairs and Public Diplomacy Division, Canadian High Commission); and Maria Monteiro (Press and Cultural Attaché, Embassy of Portugal).
In taking office, Ms Nita said she looked forward to “a very busy year” for embassy media officers in 2012 with the upcoming Olympics.
She was also pleased to invite members to their first reception for 2012 on 2 February at the Canadian High Commission.
DPAAL is open to all media and public diplomacy officers at diplomatic missions in London. To find out more or to join, contact:
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Written by Elizabeth Stewart,
Editor Embassy
http://www.embassymagazine.com/pdf/Emb_iss35_HR.pdf |
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The results of December 2011 voting |
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Following the nominations and voting by our community, we are pleased to announce the results of December 2011 DPAAL elections:
President
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First Secretary, Media, PR & Politics, Embassy of Romania
Vice-presidents
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Director of the Press Office, Embassy of Greece
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Head of Communications, Political Affairs and Public Diplomacy Division, Canadian High Commission
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Press and Cultural Attache, Embassy of Portugal
The DPAAL Committee elected for 2011-2012 will take office immediately to their relative posts.
From now on elections will be held annually, with the Committee's term lasting from December to December.
For more information contact Cristina-Narcisa Nita on:
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24th of October 2011
@the Embassy of Romania
DPAAL members had this year’s first working meeting. On the Agenda were the next topics agreed upon in advance: Committees’ report on the previous activities, DPAAL Future - Elections of a new board, DPAAL’s website, DPAAL events sponsors, Best practices exchange – Online Media Monitoring services and Suggestions for next events.
The Future of DPAAL - ELECTIONS FOR A NEW BOARD
As part of DPAAL plan to allow maximum opportunities for our members to become involved in the decision making process and also to be as inclusive as possible with a good representation of all regions, it was agreed that elections are desirable, the work of the Committee being essential for the future of DPAAL. A yearly rotation of the Board should take place every December.
Nominations should be sent to
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until the 12th of November 2011.
For more information contact Cristina-Narcisa Nita on:
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DPAAL's meeting with Boris Johnson's Communication Director |
16th of March 2011
@London City Hall
Whether it’s racing Boris Johnson down the sprint track at the Beijing Olympics or watching aghast as the Mayor stumbles into a river in front of the national media, life as the press adviser to London’s mayor is “never dull,” said Guto Harri at a recent gathering of diplomatic press attachés.
Harri, who frequently trails behind the Mayor on a Boris Bike, assured diplomats that beneath the Mayor’s blonde mop (which made him unofficial Ambassador for Brylcreem), there is a serious politician.
“Boris is a megaphone and a magnet for London,” Harri told DPAAL members. As a ‘megaphone’ the Mayor has been an advocate for the London economy, defending the financial services industry at a time when bankers are unpopular and promoting a new airport in the Thames estuary, in the teeth of opposition from environmental groups.
Bold reforms to the Met Police means London’s crime level is the lowest since 1978 and his axing the western extension of the Congestion Charging zone won the approval of many, including diplomats – although they should not expect an exemption, he added.
As a ‘magnet’, the Mayor aims to attract talent to the city, added Harri, and the Mayor has not been afraid to attack the Coalition Government’s immigration policies which he claims will be damaging for business and London’s universities.
“By stopping foreign students who pay a premium to study here our universities will suffer. They are important to the economic and intellectual life of the city,” Harri said.
London’s diversity will also make for a spectacular Olympic Games, he added. “It is thought half of the contestants in the Games will play to a home crowd.”
Delivering a successful Olympic Games has provided the impetus the Mayor’s ambitious plans – such as heralding “a new Victorian age of building” to provide affordable housing, or increasing the capital’s creaking transport infrastructure by 33 per cent, or bringing “the village into the city” by creating 2000 ‘growing zones’ – all geared to make the capital the “best big city on earth,” said Harri.
Written by Elizabeth Stewart,
Editor Embassy
www.embassymagazine.com
For more information contact Cristina-Narcisa Nita on:
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12th of January 2011
@St James's Palace
London’s press attachés were given an insight into the Queen’s relationship with the diplomatic corps by her adviser, the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps.
Speaking at a meeting hosted by the Diplomatic Press Attachés' Association of London (DPAAL) at St James’s Palace, Mr Charles Gray stressed the importance the British monarch attachés to maintaining close, friendly relations with all heads of mission, irrespective of their country’s dealings with Whitehall.
In describing the role of the Queen, the Marshal helped press attachés unpick the tangle of British constitutional conventions, notably that the Queen as head of state is a non-political figure.
Mr Gray also answered a wide range of questions from DPAAL members, which touched, among others, on the interaction between the Marshal’s Office and the Protocol Directorate; the workings of the Royal Household; the Queen’s relationship with realm countries where she is head of state; and the Palace’s policy on photography at diplomatic and ceremonial events.
The Marshal concluded by saying his main job was to keep an open channel with diplomatic missions and to act as a “sounding board” for any queries they may have – except one: “Unfortunately I have no influence over the invitation list to the upcoming Royal Wedding!” he joked.
Written by Elizabeth Stewart,
Editor Embassy
www.embassymagazine.com
For more information contact Cristina-Narcisa Nita on:
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The art of Public Diplomacy |
3rd of June 2010
@European Commission Representation
Professor Philip Seib, Director of the Center on Public Diplomacy at the University of Southern California was the special guest of the Diplomatic Press Attachés’ Association London (DPAAL).
Professor Seib addressed the members on "The Art of Public Diplomacy".
The event was organised by DPAAL and the Canadian High Commission with the kind support of the European Commission Representation.
More information about Professor Seib and the activity of the Center on public Diplomacy, please find on:
http://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/index.php/about/announcements_detail/cpd_director_speaks_to_diplomatic_press_attaches_in_london/ |
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The official launch of the Diplomatic Press Attachés’ Association of London |
4th of March 2010
@the Royal Commonwealth Society
The Diplomatic Press Attachés’ Association of London (DPAAL) was officially launched on the 4th of March 2010, at the Royal Commonwealth Society, by the President of Foreign Press Association (FPA), Mr Hosny Emam.
Together with over 150 guests, members of FPA and DPAAL, foreign journalists and press attaches, the event enjoyed the presence of some Ambassadors, such as the Ambassador of Romania, Dr Ion Jinga.
Mrs Cristina-Narcisa Nita, Press Attaché of the Embassy of Romania in London, and Secretary of DPAAL, introduced the members of the Committee of DPAAL: Mr Niall Wilkins, Chair, First Secretary Political, South African High Commission, Mrs Pavla Skachova, vice chair, Press & Politics, Embassy of the Czech Republic and Mr Oleg Sepelev, vice chair, Senior Counsellor, Embassy of the Russian Federation and presented the new DPAAL webpage: www.dpaal.org.uk
The webpage comprises useful information about the recently established organization, providing visitors with an insight about the diplomatic activities of various Embassies in London and the possibility of registrating new members with the DPAAL.
The event was marked by a double celebration; the inauguration of Foreign Press Association’s (FPA) new offices and the official launch of DPAAL, and it was organized by the FPA with the kind support of the Tourist Board of South Africa, Beefeater London and Arniston Bay.
DPAAL presents its special thanks to Mr Adrian Cherciu, director of ROMANi ONLiNE for creating and hosting its webpage.
For more information contact Cristina-Narcisa Nita on:
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The official launch of DPAAL |
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The official launch of the Diplomatic Press Attachés' Association of London took place on 4 March at the Commonwealth Club, the new home of the Foreign Press Association. DPAAL Secretary Cristina Nita gave a short speech and unveiled the organisation’s brand-new website.
The event was an excellent opportunity for fellow press attachés to meet each other and to mingle with members of the British and foreign media.
Written by Elizabeth Stewart,
Editor Embassy
www.embassymagazine.com
For more information contact Cristina-Narcisa Nita on:
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16th of February 2010
@the Canadian House
The Canadian High Commission, along with the Diplomatic Press Attachés’ Association of London, hosted an event to celebrate the winter Olympics in Vancouver. Press attaches were able to view an exhibition on the Games which explained how Canada has delievered both a sustainable event and a legacy for the country's aboriginal communities.
Written by Elizabeth Stewart,
Editor Embassy
www.embassymagazine.com
For more information contact Cristina-Narcisa Nita on:
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Diplomatic Press Attachés' Association of London elections announced |
10th of December 2009
@Rwanda High Commission
Niall Wilkins of the South African High Commission was elected the first chair of the Diplomatic Press Attachés' Association of London (DPAAL), narrowly beating Pavla Skachova of the Czech Republic and Oleg Sepelev of the Russian Embassy, both of whom were appointed Vice Chairs. Cristina Nita of the Romanian Embassy, who set up a similar organisation in Brussels, was elected Secretary of the new organisation.
The event was hosted by James Wizeye, press attaché at the Rwanda High Commission. In his welcome remarks, Mr Wizeye said his country was all too aware of the power of the media – reminding guests how Rwandan government radio had encouraged the 1994 genocide. In his acceptance speech, the DPAAL Chair said all press attachés in London faced a challenging media environment and he hoped that through DPAAL, members could help each other to be more effective.
Written by Elizabeth Stewart,
Editor Embassy
www.embassymagazine.com
For more information contact Cristina-Narcisa Nita on:
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15th of October 2009
@South Africa House
Discussions followed on the purpose and aims of the press attaché association. It was agreed that together press attachés would have the leverage to attract interesting guests to events hosted by the organisation which would be useful both large and small missions.
With a show of hands it was unanimously decided to form a broad-based organisation for diplomatic press attachés in London and it was decided that the organisation will be called the Diplomatic Press Attachés’ Association of London.
Attendees said efforts should be made to make the organisation as inclusive as possible with a good representation of all regions.
For more information contact Cristina-Narcisa Nita on:
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Diplomatic Press Club launched |
8th of December 2008
@the Embassy of Romania
A new club for foreign press attachés was launched in December, on the initiative of Cristina Nita, press secretary at the Romanian Embassy. Speaking at the launch reception, the Ambassador of Romania Dr Ion Jinga said press attachés worked “on the front line” in diplomatic missions and said he hoped the new initiative would offer press secretaries opportunities to network with each other and the British media and to share best practice.
Press attachés praised Ms Nita for her initiative, with many missions volunteering to host future receptions.
Written by Elizabeth Stewart,
Editor Embassy
http://www.embassymagazine.com
For more information contact Cristina-Narcisa Nita on:
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