Conference Locations:

The London Art as Cultural Diplomacy Conference 2013

“Contemporary International Dialogue: Art-based Developments and Culture Shared between Nations”

London; August 21st - 24th, 2013
Held Parallel to “The Notting Hill Carnival 2013”

Conference Overview

In our increasingly globalized world, the need for mutual cross-cultural understanding and positive international relations between countries and cultures has become perhaps more important than at any time before. Given the exponential growth in international dialogue and collaboration, the facilitation of sustainable bilateral and multilateral cooperation has assumed a new global importance. The power of art as a tool for Cultural Diplomacy is often underestimated and set aside in favor of more traditional forms of diplomacy or classical foreign policies.

However, since the need for more diverse and extensive utilization of soft power increases, the role and influence that art can have in bringing different cultures and societies together is being ever more highly recognized as a unique platform for international dialogue. A wide variety of mediums of art, including dance, comedy, music, film, and literature provide opportunities for didactic advancement and can thus facilitate the initiation of dialogue, the sharing of knowledge and ideas, and the raising of cultural awareness and appreciation.

For decades, art has played an important role as a vehicle for cultural diplomacy and is currently an integral part of the foreign policy of many countries. While art as cultural diplomacy has often been implemented on official levels by ambassadors and governmental initiatives, it also has frequently been implemented on a more informal basis by civil society practitioners, artists and individuals at the grassroots level, and in these cases has often achieved greater levels of success.

The Conference will explore these themes in depth by bringing a diverse and interdisciplinary mix of speakers, artists, experts and practitioners from around the globe to discuss the historical and contemporary uses of art as Cultural Diplomacy. The analysis of specific case studies will provide a framework from which the use of art as a Cultural Diplomacy tool will be explored, enabling participants to actively engage in workshops, seminars, lectures and cultural events and performances in order to enhance their understanding of this important issue and further encourage initiatives in this area.


Symposium Locations

Hosted primarily in the House of Lords in London, the conference locations will include a number of important political, historic, and cultural locations across the city, such as the British Museum, the British Library, the Tate Gallery, the Royal Festival Hall in London and the London School of Economics.

Conference Speakers »

Speakers during the Conference will include academics, authors, journalists, artists, film directors, musicians, politicians and civil society representatives from around the world. These speakers will include a number of individuals from the ICD Advisory Board. To learn more about the ICD Advisory Board, please click here

Speakers for the Conference include:
Ahmet Ünal  ÇeviközThe Hon. Erna Hennicot-Schoepges
Former Speaker of the Parliament of Luxemburg; Former Minister of Culture and Religious Affairs
Nick BrownThe Hon. Nick Brown (MP)
Member of the British Parliament; Former British Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Former Minister of State for Work; Former Government Chief Whip in the Commons
Eric JoyceEric Joyce (MP)
Member of the British Parliament
Asta Skaisgiryté LiauškienéH. E. Amb. Asta Skaisgiryté Liauškiené
Ambassador of Lithuania to the United Kingdom
Eric JoyceH. E. Amb. Aloun Ndombet-Assamba
High Commissioner of Jamaica to the United Kingdom
Ahmet Ünal  ÇeviközH. E. Amb. Ahmet Ünal Çeviköz
Ambassador of Turkey to the United Kingdom

Conference Participants »

Participation in the conference 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 conference, please click on the "Apply Now" link below and fill out the online application form:

Participant Papers

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy encourages academic research and analysis of issues related to the goals of the conference, and would therefore like to welcome conference participants to submit a paper they would like to be considered for presentation at the conference.

Certificate of Attendance

All Conference participants will be awarded an official certificate of attendance upon completion of the program, which will provide details of the high-profile speakers who took part in the event, and list the topics which were discussed.

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 »)

Conference Agenda »

The London Art as Cultural Diplomacy Conference 2013 will focus and explore the employment of art in Cultural Diplomacy from a number of angles, showcasing a variety of perspectives and examples on past, contemporary and future artistic initiatives for the dissemination of culture. Emphasis will be placed on international and interregional cultural exchange and the effects that globalization has had on cultural integrity and conservation.