What is cultural diplomacy and what role does it play?

It is argued that cultural diplomacy is one of the crucial foundations of 21^st Century international relations. In most countries today cultural relations are considered as the fundamental third dimension in relations between states. It is regarded as the “third” because they accompany politics and trade. Willy Brandt in 1996 stated that culture was “the third pillar of foreign policy”.[1]Moreover, UNESCO, in its 2002 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity described culture this way: …“culture should be regarded as the set of distinctive spiritual, material , intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group, and that it encompasses, in addition to art and literature, lifestyle , ways of living together , value systems , traditions and beliefs”.[2]

If we analyse the above definition then it can be argued that cultural diplomacy and cultural relations can be seen in the context of work to convert traditional prejudices into the approach of understanding and co-operation. It is also considered as a potential tool on managing difficult situations between states and minimizing tensions within the regions.[3]We can also think of cultural diplomacy as one facet of international relations, as one of the “soft” aspects of living together on the planet. However in a very narrow sense cultural diplomacy is a tool of governmental policy like any kind of diplomacy.[4]

Cultural diplomats engage with another country where relations are aggressive, weak or non-existent or they work to maintain relations where they are basically sound but need reinforcement. They can also help counteract negative perceptions with positive models. Moreover, cultural diplomacy is a powerful instrument in the hands of diplomats to pursue national interest in an intelligent, persuasive and gainful manner. Culture is operating in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy in order to promote intercultural understanding and significant dialogue between nations.[5]

In 1972, following secret communications between the USA and China through third parties, where neither side wanted to blink first in public, the actual break-through which led to the Nixon/Mao meeting took the form of a table tennis tournament. If ping pong is a form of culture, this was an outstanding example of cultural diplomacy.[6]

Finally, the development of new technologies has possibly had the most intense effect on the conduct of cultural diplomacy. The development of new technologies including telecommunication, electronic mail, and audio video conferencing has made it possible for adherents to conduct cultural diplomacy without ever meeting, in a physical sense.[7]

Bibloography:

· Ross, S, R, & Changbin, J, “ Re-examining the Cold War:U.S- China Diplomacy , 1954-1973”,USA, Harvard University Press, 2001. Laos , N, “ Foundations of Cultural Diplomacy: Politics among Cultures and the Moral Autonomy of the Man”, USA, Algora Publishing, 2011.

· Hecht, G, E, J, & Donfried, C, M, “Searching for a Cultural Diplomacy”, UK, Berghahn Books, 2010.

· Matthes, D, “Culture , Globalisation and International Relations” International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy 2010.

· Junker, D, “ The United States and Germany in the era of Cold War, 1968-1990: A handbook”(ed) Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2004, p. 280.

· Yusuf, A, A , “ Standard- Standing in UNESCO: Normative action in Education, Science and Culture”, UNESCO , United Nations, Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Vol(1), 2007, p. 161.

· Soft Power Explained" - A Video Lecture By Harvard University Professor Joseph S. Nye Jr- Available online at - http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/index.php?Soft-Power-Explained- Retrieved on 15/04/2010.

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[1] Junker, D, “ The United States and Germany in the era of Cold War, 1968-1990: A handbook”(ed) Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2004, p. 280.

[2] Yusuf, A, A , “ Standard- Standing in UNESCO: Normative action in Education, Science and Culture”, UNESCO , United Nations, Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Vol(1), 2007, p. 161.

[3] Hecht, G, E, J, & Donfried, C, M, “Searching for a Cultural Diplomacy”, UK, Berghahn Books, 2010, p. 93.

[4] Soft Power Explained" - A Video Lecture By Harvard University Professor Joseph S. Nye Jr- Available online at - http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/index.php?Soft-Power-Explained- Retrieved on 15/04/2010.

[5] Matthes, D, “Culture , Globalisation and International Relations” International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy 2010.

[6] Ross, S, R, & Changbin, J, “ Re-examining the Cold War:U.S- China Diplomacy , 1954-1973”,USA, Harvard University Press, 2001, p. 154.

[7] Laos , N, “ Foundations of Cultural Diplomacy: Politics among Cultures and the Moral Autonomy of the Man”, USA, Algora Publishing, 2011, p. 208.