Cultural Diplomacy News

During the 2nd day of the ICD Annual Academic COnference on Cultural Diplomacy 2011, last 16th December, The Hon. Yves Leterme, Former Prime Minister of Belgium, gave a very insightful keynote speech, in which he argued that cultural knowledge is the cornerstone of good diplomacy. After that, the staff of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy, had … Continue reading »

[from http://humejohnson.wordpress.com] By Hume N. Johnson, PhD In her swearing in speech on January 6, 2011, Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller acknowledged, inter alia, that included in her mandate is the imperative to ‘protect the good name of Jamaica at home and in the international community’. Jamaica, she stressed, must remain for all, a quality brand’. … Continue reading »

Exclusive Study of Global Opinion Leaders Reveals that Travel Breaks Down Cultural Barriers and Promotes Soft Diplomacy. DAVOS-KLOSTERS, Switzerland, Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — In a global study released today at the World Economic Forum, it was revealed that international travel is considered even more important than the Internet, TV/movies, or political diplomacy … Continue reading »

On Saturday 17th December 2011, during its third day, the  ICD Annual Academic Conference on Cultural Diplomacy 2011 presented a keynote speech from the Honourable Theodoros Pangalos, Deputy Prime Minister of Greece, cast light on Greece’s stance in cultural affairs, but also on the recent evolution of the country’s relationship with the European Union. At the … Continue reading »

[from Los Angeles times - http://latimesblogs.latimes.com] Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA Hall of Famer and Laker legend who continues to reign as the league’s all-time leading scorer, transcends basketball with his latest gig: global cultural ambassador. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made the appointment Wednesday, tasking Abdul-Jabbar with engaging young people worldwide and “using people-to-people diplomacy as a means to create opportunities … Continue reading »

After the approval from the french Senate of the bill which punishes who denies the crime of genocide, the diplomatic relations France and Turkey, already compromised after the withdrawal of the Turkish diplomatic delegation in France, appear even more tense. We have discussed about this issue with Mr. Bernard Chappedelaine, first advisor to the French ambassador … Continue reading »

Interview conducted by Maja Kranjc, Claire Leavitt, Joakim Matthiesen and Myriam Zekagh on December 9th, 2011 Clive Myrie’s Biography Q: Great Britain is on the fringes of Europe and has historically enjoyed a special relationship with the US. How do you think the concept of a European identity holds up in Britain? Clive Myrie: Well, … Continue reading »

Interview conducted by Giuseppe Colucci and Nikolaj Biggar Q: In your lecture, at the ICD Annual Conference, the last 16th of December, you made a statement, with which I completely agree. You said that in this world “differences are something good”, not the opposite. Concerning your experience in African development projects, differences also mean keeping … Continue reading »

By Mark C. Donfried (Director and Founder of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy) Governments in the twenty-first century are faced with a variety of global security risks including terrorism, war and conflicts, stereotypes/misconceptions and ideological conspiracies, to name but a few. These risks have manifested themselves in a verity of different ways, by actual violent … Continue reading »

Day 2: Wednesday 11th January, 2012 Lecture presented by: H. E. Amb. Sarojini Seeneevassen-Frers (Ambassador of Mauritius to Germany) As the world changes more and more rapidly, it is becoming more complex. As globalisation continues, we’re faced with the financial crises, with international terrorism, political upheaval and many other challenges. The EU is trying to … Continue reading »

Day 1: Tuesday 10th January, 2012 Lecture Presented By: Roland Zinzius (Deputy Head of Unit, African Union and African Peace Facility European Commission, DG Development and Cooperation) Roland Zinzius has raised the question of whether Africa requires aid or trade. The consensus appears to be that trade is the answer. The aid agencies, through their … Continue reading »

Day 1, Thursday 15th December After a warm welcoming address by the ICD Director Mark Donfried, the former Foreign Minister of Turkey the Hon. Yasar Yakis opened the first day of the conference with a current topic, the implications of the Arabic Spring and the role of cultural diplomacy after it. Also Amb. Dr. Cynthia … Continue reading »

An interview with Amb. Cynthiya P. Schneider – Distinguished professor in the Practice of Diplomacy, at Georgetown University, Advisory Board member of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy An article by Nora Sarga – Cultural Diplomacy News A seminar on the role of the arts during the Arab Springs was held this week in Norway´s largest … Continue reading »