The Chinese outbound tourism is expected to boost within a near future. Recently the market has been very closed due to legislation but as China develops and people are getting richer the demand for travelling abroad increases and the government has to let go of the regulations. In order for the Swedish tourism industry to benefit from the growing market, Sweden has to increase the awareness of the nation as a destination among the Chinese. Through qualitative research we aim investigate how Sweden through nation branding and marketing can increase its share of the Chinese outbound tourism. Except for nation branding a variety of marketing and branding tools are available. Two significant concepts are tourism marketing and destination branding. By utilizing all these different tools or concepts Sweden can raise the awareness of the nation as a possible tourism destination for Chinese outbound tourism. In order to create a comprehensive picture of the market we have also researched the general background of China and the nature of Chinese tourism. VisitSweden and the Swedish Institute are two organizations already working with these concepts and other similar strategies and are herefore a natural part of this study. Scandinavian Perspectives and Miki Travel are two major travel agencies bringing Chinese tourists to Sweden and therefore possess great knowledge of the areas of interest. Therefore representatives from these organisations are involved in the empirical findings. In order to get the whole picture Chinese citizens and Chinese students are interviewed about their perception of Sweden and tourism preferences. The main conclusion of the thesis is that the different actors need to cooperate more and promote certain aspects of Sweden, for example Culture. Even a few obstacles that should be alleviated are identified.

Problem: Which of Thailand’s four main sectors that nation brands compete including tourism, FDI, export promotion, and talent attraction that should be develop a main focus in developing a stronger Nation Brand for the country comparing to other four countries in South East Asia including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines? Purpose: The purpose of this paper are 1) to study and analyze the current status of Thailand’s nation brand equity and 2) to examine the feasibility in each of Thailand’s four main sectors that nation brands compete including tourism, FDI, export promotion, and talent attraction by comparing to other four countries in ASEAN including Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia in order to generate recommendations for the country in developing a stronger nation branding strategy in the future. Method: In order to achieve our purpose, firstly, we chose ‘Asset-based Nation brand equity’ model to collect the information and perform analysis on the contribution of both nation internal and external assets towards nation brand equity. Secondly, ‘Nation brand internal analysis’ model was chosen in order to be a guideline for gathering data and performing analysis on Thailand’s nation brand capability in each of the 4 main sectors comparing to the other four countries. In addition, due to our research topic and limited time frame, we would rely on secondary sources as our main source of information with some guidance from our primary source. After the analysis had been performed, we had reached the conclusion and generated recommendation for our target group Conclusion: For the analysis of Nation brand equity, Thailand has equipped relatively strong internal assets both innate and nurtured as the country is rich with beautiful landscape and fascinating culture together with a strong support for the art from both governmental and private sectors. However, as for external assets, both disseminated and vicarious assets of Thailand still weakly contribute to the strength of the nation equity. Due to these reasons, we have recommended Thai governmental units to set up the organizations to improve the quality of disseminated asset and also start cooperation with private sector in order to come up with external portrayal in popular culture that can effective represent and enhance the country’s image. As for the result of ‘Nation brand internal analysis’, Thailand has shown moderate to high capability in the Export Promotion sector which was the highest among the other 3 sectors. However, based on the data in the analysis part, there are still lots of things needed to be done both by Thai governmental units and private sector in order to boost the country’s nation brand capability to achieve competitive advantage in the international market in the long run. According to this point, we had listed some recommendations for the governmental units to use as a general guideline in obtaining a strong nation brand that could help the country become more competitive in the global market.

The exploratory study focused on First Nation students and First Nation education counsellors within Ontario. Using an interpretative approach, the research sought to determine the relevance of the counsellors as a potentially influencing factor in the students’ post-secondary program choices. The ability of First Nation education counsellors to be influential is a consequence of their role since they administer Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) funding. A report evaluating the program completed by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in 2005 found that many First Nation students would not have been able to achieve post-secondary educational levels without PSSSP support. Eight self-selected First Nation Education counsellors and twenty-nine First Nation post-secondary students participated in paper surveys, and five students and one counsellor agreed to complete a follow-up interview. The quantitative and qualitative results revealed differences in the perceptions of the two survey groups as to whether First Nation education counsellors influenced students’ post-secondary program choices. Students perceived themselves to be their greatest influence, while the counsellors felt their influence was greater once students made their program decisions, through encouragement and follow up support. The study raised questions regarding challenges faced by First Nation education counsellors to provide consistent academic, personal and cultural/social supports to their sponsored students. While the study suggested the role of First Nation education counsellors had evolved little from its original financial-administrative role and toward a more rounded offering including interpersonal, academic and cultural supports, in keeping with an educational decolonization process, counsellors face chronic program under funding and are under-staffed. To enhance First Nation students’ academic success, federal and provincial governments and First Nations are encouraged to further support First Nation education counsellors with greater training opportunities (expansion of the Ontario Native Education Counselling Association’s Native Counsellor Training Program), a higher ratio of counsellors to students, and support and promotion of their ability to provide interpersonal and academic counselling. The study challenged First Nation education counsellors to seek more opportunities to maintain consistent engagement with their students, especially with more autonomous or older students. First Nation students were also challenged to seek more from their counsellors than sponsorship.

The exploratory study focused on First Nation students and First Nation education counsellors within Ontario. Using an interpretative approach, the research sought to determine the relevance of the counsellors as a potentially influencing factor in the students’ post-secondary program choices. The ability of First Nation education counsellors to be influential is a consequence of their role since they administer Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) funding. A report evaluating the program completed by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in 2005 found that many First Nation students would not have been able to achieve post-secondary educational levels without PSSSP support. Eight self-selected First Nation Education counsellors and twenty-nine First Nation post-secondary students participated in paper surveys, and five students and one counsellor agreed to complete a follow-up interview. The quantitative and qualitative results revealed differences in the perceptions of the two survey groups as to whether First Nation education counsellors influenced students’ post-secondary program choices. Students perceived themselves to be their greatest influence, while the counsellors felt their influence was greater once students made their program decisions, through encouragement and follow up support. The study raised questions regarding challenges faced by First Nation education counsellors to provide consistent academic, personal and cultural/social supports to their sponsored students. While the study suggested the role of First Nation education counsellors had evolved little from its original financial-administrative role and toward a more rounded offering including interpersonal, academic and cultural supports, in keeping with an educational decolonization process, counsellors face chronic program under funding and are under-staffed. To enhance First Nation students’ academic success, federal and provincial governments and First Nations are encouraged to further support First Nation education counsellors with greater training opportunities (expansion of the Ontario Native Education Counselling Association’s Native Counsellor Training Program), a higher ratio of counsellors to students, and support and promotion of their ability to provide interpersonal and academic counselling. The study challenged First Nation education counsellors to seek more opportunities to maintain consistent engagement with their students, especially with more autonomous or older students. First Nation students were also challenged to seek more from their counsellors than sponsorship.

The purpose of this paper is to study the processes of identity and feelings of connectedness among first and second generation of Kurds in the Swedish society. In previous research I assumed that this sense of belonging to a nation includes identity and language. As regards the theory part, I have chosen to use a number of studies to elucidate this issue. The theories used in the study focuses primarily on the understanding of identity. Identity in this context can include linguistic, religious, cultural acts, even nationality or that claiming membership to a particular group. I have implemented twenty-four depth interviews with first and second generation of Kurds in the ages 21–58. Some of these respondents came to Sweden as refugees during the 1980s - either alone or with their families, and some of them started a family after assuming residence in Sweden. The other respondents, called second generation of Kurds, either came as children or were born here in Sweden. The method used in this thesis is a qualitative data study which aims to create a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of the phenomenon or event explored. I chose the qualitative research method because it provides an appropriate framework for performing this type of study where the focus is in a deep description of personal experiences. Results from my research shows that almost all respondents have a sense of belonging to their original homeland (Kurdistan) and their second homeland Sweden. Respondents identify themselves based on how others in society perceive and categorize them. It also appeared that the second generations of Kurds have better opportunities to influence, act, communicate, balance and to create as well as recreate their identity than the first generation of Kurds. The results show that the younger generations of Kurds have a stronger ability and courage to exhibit their chosen existence or identity(s) in the Swedish society. Their curiosity and tolerance are part of this new young generation of Kurds, and they are building a strong identity within their environment. According to the respondents, the first socialization begins in the family. The family's dear and close people is the individual's first contact with the outside world.

<p>The Chinese outbound tourism is expected to boost within a near future. Recently the market has been very closed due to legislation but as China develops and people are getting richer the demand for travelling abroad increases and the government has to let go of the regulations.</p><p>In order for the Swedish tourism industry to benefit from the growing market, Sweden has to increase the awareness of the nation as a destination among the Chinese.</p><p>Through qualitative research we aim investigate how Sweden through nation branding and marketing can increase its share of the Chinese outbound tourism.</p><p>Except for nation branding a variety of marketing and branding tools are available. Two significant concepts are tourism marketing and destination branding. By utilizing all these different tools or concepts Sweden can raise the awareness of the nation as a possible tourism destination for Chinese outbound tourism. In order to create a comprehensive picture of the market we have also researched the general background of China and the nature of Chinese tourism.</p><p>VisitSweden and the Swedish Institute are two organizations already working with these concepts and other similar strategies and are herefore a natural part of this study. Scandinavian Perspectives and Miki Travel are two major travel agencies bringing Chinese tourists to Sweden and therefore possess great knowledge of the areas of interest. Therefore representatives from these organisations are involved in the empirical findings.</p><p>In order to get the whole picture Chinese citizens and Chinese students are interviewed about their perception of Sweden and tourism preferences.</p><p>The main conclusion of the thesis is that the different actors need to cooperate more and promote certain aspects of Sweden, for example Culture. Even a few obstacles that should be alleviated are identified.</p>

Die professionalisierte Kommunikation komplexer Gebilde wie Staaten und Nationen, die ihre Hinwendung politischer Fragestellungen in die Sphären von Image und Einfluss verlegt, kommt vor dem Hintergrund wachsenden Wettbewerbs an der Bedeutung der Reputation nicht vorbei. Denn neben ihrer ökonomischen Bedeutung legitimiert Reputation als mittel- oder langfristiges öffentliches Ansehen, das ihren Trägern Definitions- und Überzeugungsmacht verschafft, Macht- und Herrschaftspositionen. In einer mediatisierten Gesellschaft wächst die Bedeutung der Kommunikation mit der Öffentlichkeit sowohl für Erwerb und Erhalt von Reputation – wie auch für deren Aberkennung. Dabei spielt eine zunehmende Skandalisierung als Eigenheit der Mediengesellschaft eine Rolle, die eine erhöhte Fragilisierung der Reputation zur Folge hat und als wirksamster Mechanismus bei der Aberkennung von Reputation gilt, wie das Beispiel der dänischen „Karikaturen-Affäre“ veranschaulicht. In einer kommunikativ schnelllebigen Welt, zunehmend frei verfügbarer Information, geistern durch die Außenministerien des Global Village Begriffe wie Public Diplomacy, Nation Branding, Country Branding oder Place Branding, deren gemeinsamer Nenner zunächst die nach außen gerichtete Kommunikation ist. Aber schon die Frage nach Absender und Adressat, nach Akteur und Rezipient, Botschaften und Zielgruppen verweist auf die Komplexität der Kommunikation eines Landes. Ziel der Untersuchung ist es in den Kommunikationsbemühungen von Ländern, Faktoren zu identifizieren, die Image und Reputation nachhaltig beeinflussen können. Dabei stehen die folgenden Fragen im Mittelpunkt der Untersuchung: Wie werden Länder wahrgenommen und Reputation gebildet? Können die Bezugsgruppen eines Landes durch die Stakeholdertheorie (Freeman 1984) beschrieben werden – und wenn ja, welche Konsequenzen hat eine solche Berücksichtigung der Anspruchs- und Adressatengruppen auf die Kommunikation eines Landes? Welche Aspekte der theoretischen Ansätze können für die Kommunikation von Ländern als zentral bewertet werden? Und schließlich: Kann die Reflexion durch die Praxis, am Fallbeispiel der Schweiz, die Relevanz der eruierten Aspekte bestätigen bzw. um weitere Aspekte ergänzen und können auf dieser Grundlage Erfolgsfaktoren identifiziert und geeignete Instrumente für die Reputationskommunikation aufgezeigt werden? / A country’s reputation becomes essential, in the realm of growing global competition. The change of political paradigm towards image and influence leads to reputation as a kind of public prestige that procures power to its holders. Public communication becomes more and more essential in a media society: to gain reputation – and to keep reputation. Reputation is fragile, due to soaring scandalisation, as the case of the Danish „cartoon-afair“ demonstrates. In a world of rapid communication and ubiquitous information the notions of “Public Diplomacy” or “Nation- /Place Branding” are entering the departments of foreign affairs all over the world. Their common denominator is in the first instance the communication of a country abroad. But already asking about the different stakeholder and recipients, about sender and receiver, message or target group shows the high complexity of a country’s communication. The intention of the present research is to identify factors that are able to influence image and reputation within the communication efforts of a country.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Thesis (M.A. in Security Studies (Stabilization and Reconstruction))--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2005. / Thesis Advisor(s): Douglas R. Porch. Includes bibliographical references (p. 117-127). Also available online.

Cette thèse propose une histoire environnementale comparée de parcs nationaux canadien, éthiopien et français. Elle s'appuie sur l'étude des lois, des rapports d'activité et de la documentation archivistique et touristique produits par les gestionnaires des parcs de Forillon, du Semën et des Cévennes, de la fin des années soixante au temps présent. Cette recherche interroge l'objet « parc national » en tant que territoire patrimonial et identitaire façonné pour promouvoir un sentiment d'appartenance à la nation. Avec le comparatisme pour mode d'étude de l'objet, ce travail démontre qu'au-delà des contextes observés, l'invention de la nature vise bien souvent à renforcer les contours matériels et idéels de la nation au nom de laquelle agissent les pouvoirs publics. En France, le parc national des Cévennes sert à la pérennisation d'une nation paysanne, nostalgique et traditionnelle. Au Canada, le parc ForiIlon participe à la naturalisation d'une nation qui se donne à voir vierge, atempororelle et apolitique afin de pallier son passé manquant de profondeur mais débordant de conflits. En Éthiopie, l'Etat s'approprie pour sa part les représentations eco-racistes des institutions internationales telles que l'UICN, le WWF et l'UNESCO afin d'être reconnu sur la scène internationale et de s'imposer, alors, sur un territoire qu'il veut national. Ainsi, dans les trois pays observés, le parc national se révèle un enjeu de lutte. Espace de vie quotidienne converti en un espace de visites temporaires, illégitime l'exercice, par la puissance publique, d'une violence à la fois concrète et symbolique sur les populations locales et environnantes. / This thesis offers a comparative environmental history of French, Ethiopian and Canadian national parks. It rests upon an analysis of laws, management plans, tourist documentation and archive produced by the managers of Cévennes, Semën and Forillon national parks. This research questions the "national park" object as a territory of heritage and identity manufactured by power to promote a national belonging feeling. Using comparison, this work shows that beyond the context, invention of nature is dedicated to the reinforcement of the material and ideal edges of the nation. In France, the Cévennes national park serves as a symbol of a rural, nostalgic and traditional nation. In Canada, Forillon participates to the naturalization of a nation that gives herself to see as a virgin, a-temporal and a-political nation in order to overcome a past lacking of depth but overflowed by conflicts. In Ethiopia, the State adopts the eco-racist representations of international institutions such as IUCN, UNESCO and WWF for being recognized on the international scene and established, therefore, on a territory namely "national". Thus, in these three countries, national park appears as a place of struggle. Space of daily life converted in a space of temporary visit, it legitimates the exertion of a concrete and symbolic violence on local and surrounding populations.