About Cultural Diplomacy and the Economy: A Forum for Young Leaders (CDEC)

The next CDEC Weeklong Seminar will take place in Berlin, 20 - 25 June, 2010
Program Directors: Peter Rees, William Hernád, David Dornsaft, Rachel Mander
Email: cdec@culturaldiplomacy.org






Cultural Diplomacy and the Economy: A Forum for Young Leaders (CDEC) is an inter-disciplinary, international network of young people with an active interest in the global economy and its relationship to the private sector, international politics, civil society and the environment. The program has been developed in recognition of the importance of combining perspectives from different fields and levels of society in discussing the challenges to the global economy, and on the understanding that economic bridges play an important role in promoting global peace and stability.

Members join the Forum by taking part in one of the CDEC Weeklong Seminars that are held in Berlin every 4 months. The goal of the Weeklong Seminars is to train and prepare the participants so that they are able to organize their own programs in the future. Each CDEC Weeklong Seminar will be focused on a specific theme related to the Global Economy and the goals of the Forum.

These Weeklong Seminars include lectures, seminars, and workshops lead by experts from the fields of economics, the private sector, politics and diplomacy, academia, and civil society. In addition to introducing the participants to a range of different perspectives on the global economy and its influence on other fields, the week also provides an opportunity to network and experience Berlin.

Once they have joined the CDEC Forum, members are supported by the ICD in organizing leadership initiatives, conducting academic research, and are invited to join the ICD Online Forum - enabling them to share information and communicate with likeminded individuals across the world.

Participants of the next CDEC forum will take part in the Berlin International Economics Congress, being held in Berlin on 4th – 7th February 2010. For More information regarding the congress please click here.
The next CDE Weeklong Seminar will take place in Berlin from 31st January- 07th February, 2010 and will focus on the following theme:

Restructuring and Rethinking the Global Economy: The Role of Civil Society and International Politics in International Economics

The forthcoming CDEC Weeklong Seminar will take an international, interdisciplinary approach to the debate on how the global economy can and should be restructured. In addition to looking at the structure of global economic and its links to the field of cultural diplomacy, the program will:
  • Explore the contributing factors to the economic crisis and plot key events in its progression
  • Examine the international influence of the crisis, focusing in particular on international relations, international trade, financial aid to developing countries, and corporate social responsibility activity
  • Assess alternative perspectives on rebuilding the economy from leading figures in civil society, politics, academia, and the private sector
  • Consider the role that civil society and non-governmental organizations can play in rethinking and rebuilding the global economy
  • To explore the relationship between economic interdependence (economic bridges) and global peace and stability
  • To assess the benefits and challenges of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and socially responsible investment (SRI) in international relations
  • To explore the role of Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power policies in strengthening multilateral cooperation in the global economy
  • To produce clear policy recommendations to decision makers based on inter-disciplinary approaches and perspectives