About the Center for International Communication
The Bar-Ilan Center for International Communication (CIC) is the only one in Israel and one of the few in the world that pursues research and training in international communication and public diplomacy. It investigates both basic and applied dimensions of areas such as terror and war, diplomacy and peace, trade and commerce, culture and sport, international organizations and NGOs, as well as values, norms and international law.
The CIC explores coverage both by the traditional media (newspapers, radio and television) as well as the new media (websites, blogs and social media). The Center's activities include policy oriented research, national and international conferences, publications and basic and advanced training in public diplomacy.
Most of the CIC's activities are dedicated to the challenges Israel is facing in the international area, and to means that can be effectively utilized to cope with them. The information age presents new challenges to governments, including Israel, but it also provides many opportunities for dialogues and exchanges of ideas with rivals and friends, as well as delivering important information about Israel's goals and courses of action.
One of the CIC's main goals is to create awareness among Israeli politicians and officials about the rising significance of international communication and public diplomacy for the security and well-being of the state.
The CIC is developing proposals for communication strategies and public diplomacy programs based on the most modern knowledge of social media, nation branding, international public relations, cultural diplomacy, international exchanges, international broadcasting, humanitarian aid, NGOs, Diaspora public diplomacy, lawfare, corporate or business public diplomacy, media monitoring and world public opinion surveys.
The CIC offers basic and advanced courses for government and non-governmental officials who represent Israel abroad. The courses include topics such as writing, advocacy, media framing, media relations, branding, argumentation and persuasion, political marketing, public speaking and speaking on the broadcast media, creating and activating media networks, and inter- cultural communication.
The CIC's outstanding senior and junior fellows and researchers include former government officials, spokespersons, diplomats and former army senior officer, journalists, and experts for public relations, advertisement, and the new media.
The CIC maintains a close professional and scientific relationship with The Center on Public Diplomacy at the University of Southern California (USC). In 2011, The CIC and The USC held at Bar- Ilan University, the first conference of its kind and magnitude in Israel, about diverse topics and aspects critical for Israel's public diplomacy.
The CIC is part of the newly created School of Communication at Bar- Ilan University, one of the most dynamic and most growing schools in Israel.