The Conference is Hosted by:Conference Locations: |
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The Symposium will focus in particular on the following Issues:
 A Lecture by Michael Chertoff, Former US Secretary of Homeland Security The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy 2011
  A Lecture by Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the UK The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy 2010
IntroductionGovernments 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 variety of different ways, by actual violent attacks on citizens (September 11th, 2001) or through “verbal attacks” expressed via the social media.Following these events of September 11th, national security issues have had a far greater significance and are occupying the minds and concerns of Americans in considerable ways, including both American politicians and American citizens, as well as having a large impact on American foreign policy. In addition, the rapid changes in our global world ranging from the rise of the BRIC countries, the unrest in the Arab world, the Iran Atomic Program to the financial crisis, have created an even greater burden for national security, and is forcing the American leadership to constantly reevaluate and re-assess their policy priorities and strategies. Despite its vital importance, the use of cultural diplomacy in addressing global risks remains largely underutilized. In many ways, the application of cultural diplomacy practices can complement the other, more traditional ways of increasing security (military measures or increased access to intelligence), by means of exposing and challenging destructive ideologies. The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy in the USA 2012 will therefore focus on the role of cultural diplomacy in reducing global risks and increasing national security. The symposium will analyze and explore the opportunity of reducing global risks and increasing national security by adapting cultural diplomacy practices into both national and foreign policy strategies. Symposium Speakers »Speakers during the conference will include leading figures and experts from international politics, academia, diplomacy, civil society and the private sector from across the world. These speakers will include a number of individuals from the ICD Advisory Board (for further information about the Advisory Board please click here).Symposium Participants »Participation in the symposium is open to governmental & diplomatic officials, academics & scholars, economists, journalists, artists, civil society practitioners, private sector representatives, young professionals and students as well as other interested individuals from across the world.If you would like to reserve a position and participate in the symposium, please click on the "Apply Now" link below and fill out the online application form:  Certificate of AttendanceAll participants will be awarded an official certificate of attendance upon completion of the program, which provides details about the speakers and topics at the conference. Each certificate will be signed by members of the ICD's Advisory Board.ICD Alumni Program »All conference participants will be invited to join the ICD alumni program. The “ICD Alumni Group” is an international network of like-minded individuals with an interest in further developing the field of cultural diplomacy through the support of intercultural relations. Participation in the group is by invitation only, and is open only to individuals who have taken part in ICD programs. Members of the ICD Alumni Group will benefit from the following opportunities (more)Symposium Agenda »The International Symposium will provide an opportunity to examine and analyze the increasing importance of soft power tools. The conference will also offer ideas as to how the US, as well as the rest of the world, can use smart power to more effectively tackle global risks.The goal of the International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy in the USA 2012 is to “inject” new momentum into the debate over the role of cultural diplomacy and its potential to assist in guaranteeing National Security and combatting Global Risks. The following issues will be mentioned and explored:
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