In cooperation with:

Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy in Germany

"How did Berlin become a Multicultural Example? Berlin as a Case Study for Embracing German Cultural Plurality"

Berlin; May 19th - 22nd, 2013
Held Parallel to the Berlin Carnival of Cultures 2013

Symposium Overview

In this context, Berlin is considered an example of how a capital city can incorporate diversity into its society, as contemporary Berlin consists of a diverse landscape of individuals who originate from every continent of the world.

The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy in Germany will include a variety of events exploring Berlin's diverse society and looking at how the city has progressed from being a divided city to being one of the most inclusive cities in Europe. A number of prominent issues currently surrounding the notion of cultural diversity in Germany and Europe, mainly cultural and political issues, will be analyzed, and Germany's efforts to construct and sustain a powerful economy whilst also becoming a prominent player in the European and international arenas will be studied, with particular reference to Berlin.

The Symposium will furthermore engage Cultural Diplomacy as a means of uniting the varying sectors of society in order to create a joint collaboration toward the common goal of cooperation and collaboration in one of the European Union's largest cities.

Symposium Locations

Based in Berlin, the Symposium will be hosted at a number of important political, historic, and cultural locations across the city, and will consist of excursions to the country's top institutions and landmarks. Featured locations during the Symposium will include: German Parliament, Berlin City Hall, European House Berlin, the German Foreign Office, the Brandenburg Gate, and the House of World Cultures, in addition to various foreign embassies and governmental institutions.

Symposium Participants »

Participation in the Symposium is open to governmental & diplomatic officials, academics, artists, journalists, 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:

Symposium Speakers

Speakers during the Symposium will include leading dignitaries, heads of state, ministers, politicians, diplomats, academics, authors, human rights activists, journalists, authors, and artists, as well as figures and experts from international politics, economics, the cultural sector, diplomacy, and civil society and private sector representatives from around the world. These speakers will include a large number of individuals from the ICD Advisory Board. To learn more about the ICD Advisory Board, please click here.

Participant Papers »

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy encourages academic research and analysis of issues related to the goals of the Symposium, and would therefore like to welcome participants to submit a paper they would like to be considered for delivery at the Symposium. Following the Symposium, select papers will be chosen to be included in the proposal document that will be issued and sent to all governments and leaders of the international community following the Symposia.

Certificate of Attendance

All Symposium participants will be awarded an official Certificate of Attendance upon completion of the program, which will provide details of the speakers who took part in the event, and list the topics which were discussed. Each certificate will be signed by members of the ICD Advisory Board.

Symposium Agenda

The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy aims to explore the importance of Berlin as a multicultural city that has embraced the diversity of its inhabitants and has managed to incorporate this into an experience for locals as well as visitors. The Symposium will discuss the future priorities of the city, and how it can meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

The Conference will focus in particular on the following areas:
  • “Understanding Berlin's Past and How it Affects the Present”
  • Berlin's Focus on Cultural Inclusivity
  • Berlin's Position in Germany and on the Global Stage
  • The Significance of Multiculturalism & Effects of Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin
  • Berlin as a Comparison to Other Capital Cities
  • The Arts as a Method for Cultural Diversity in Berlin