The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy in the UK

“Cultural Diplomacy throughout the Commonwealth of Nations: International Cooperation across Six Continents”

(London; July 10th - 12th, 2013)

Symposium Overview

While citizens of the UK benefit from a relatively good economic and human rights situation, there is still some room for improvement in many of its former colonies within the Commonwealth of Nations. In an attempt to improve the sociopolitical and economic situations in a number of member states and increase social harmony and interstate equality, Queen Elizabeth II, the head of the intergovernmental body, signed into effect the Charter of the Commonwealth in March 2013, setting out the values of the constituent states and establishing an organization-wide responsibility for the implementation of sixteen core beliefs including democracy, international peace, and universal human rights.

The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy in the UK will bring together speakers from a diverse range of fields to debate the issues surrounding Great Britain and the Commonwealth. The Symposium will focus on effective implementation strategies for the New Charter of the Commonwealth, placing particular emphasis on the role that Cultural Diplomacy can play among the organization’s members in achieving greater cooperation and collaboration, thus promoting prosperity and stability for all. Through the employment of Cultural Diplomacy, Commonwealth states have the potential to come together and establish greater multilateral understanding and collaboration, helping to promote economic prosperity, improve human rights records and achieve a new stability for the organization as a whole.


Symposium Locations

Based primarily in the House of Lords in London the conference will be hosted at a number of important political, historic, and cultural locations across the city.



Participant Papers »

The Academy for Cultural Diplomacy encourages academic research and analysis of issues related to the goals of the Symposia, 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, the papers will be included in the proposal document that will be issued and sent to all governments and leaders of the international community. To read articles submitted by participants of our international conferences or to submit a paper please click here ».

If you would like to reserve a position and participate in the symposia, please click on the "Apply Now" link below and fill out the online application form:

Sustainable Network »

During the program participants will have a number of opportunities to network with one another, with the speakers, and with ICD Advisory Board Members and partners. Conference participants will become part of the ICD Alumni, a growing international network of people of diverse interests and backgrounds from around the world who share a commitment to intercultural exchange. Members of the ICD Alumni Group will benefit from the following opportunities: Alumni online forum, Advisory Board Networking, ICD support for individual Leadership Initiatives, free access to all ICD research, videos and photos as well as other event documentation. Participants will be able to remain in touch with each other through the ICD Networks. (more »)

Symposium Speakers

Speakers during the Conference will include dignitaries, heads of state, ministers, politicians, diplomats, academics, authors, human rights activists, journalists, and artists.

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 Symposium will focus on potential strategies for the political, social, and economic advancement of the Commonwealth of Nations, placing particular stress on the role that Cultural Diplomacy can play, in the hope that its continued employment will allow the countries of the Commonwealth to come together and establish greater mutual understanding and cooperation, helping to promote prosperity and improve human rights records while achieving a new stability in the organization.

The Conference will focus in particular on the following areas:
  • Cultural Relations between the UK and Commonwealth Countries
  • Differences in Functions and Values of Commonwealth Governments
  • Human Rights Records in the Commonwealth of Nations and the Need for Greater Equality
  • The Joint Cooperation of the UK and Commonwealth Countries in the Promotion of Cultural Understanding
  • Strengthening regional Stability throughout the Commonwealth
  • Stabilizing Democracy in the Commonwealth Nations
  • Integration of Commonwealth Citizens in the UK
  • The British Quest for a harmonic and integrated Multicultural Society
  • The Commonwealth of Nation as a successful Model of intra-national Cooperation
  • The Role of the Public Sector and Civil Society in Supporting Human Rights, and the Promotion of Civil Society throughout the Commonwealth of Nations