The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy 2011

"Hard Vs. Soft Power in Global and National Politics: Innovative Concepts of Smart Power and Cultural Diplomacy in an Age of Interdependence, Digital Revolution, and Social Media"

(Berlin; May 11th - 15th, 2011)

Symposium Agenda

The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy 2011 will focus in particular on the following issues:

The Digital Revolution, Social Media, and the Information Age: Redefining Politics

The technological developments of the information age are having a profound impact on how politicians and leaders communicate with citizens, and on how citizens and communities interact with one another and mobilize themselves. Within this context, the traditional media is increasingly under pressure from citizenship journalism on the one hand, and the 24-hour news cycle on the other. Combined, these changes in communication and interaction are redefining how politics and foreign policy is determined, carried out, analyzed, and understood.
  • Protest, Revolution and Democracy in Northern Africa and the Middle East: The Role of Technology in Empowering Citizens
    (Focus: Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Syria, Morocco, Iran, Bahrain, Yemen, Citizen Journalism, Foreign Correspondents, i-Reporters)
  • Social Media and the Internet: Redefining the Distribution of Power between Governments and Citizens (Focus: The Blogosphere, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Online Censorship, Protests, Anonymity, Propaganda, Redistributing Power and Influence)
  • Wikileaks and Online Whistleblowers: Exposing Corruption or Corrupt Exposure?
    (Focus: WikiLeaks, Modern Diplomacy, Diplomatic Immunity, Accountability, International Law, Censorship, Freedom of Information)

Innovative Concepts of Cultural Diplomacy and the Impact of Culture on International Relations Today

The application of cultural diplomacy, which was used widely by both sides during the Cold War, has risen again to the forefront of contemporary foreign policy strategies. Winning "hearts and minds" abroad is now broadly acknowledged as essential to most foreign policy objectives. A changing security environment, globalization and economic interdependence, and religious tension, have all highlighted the value of relations built on dialogue, understanding, and trust.
  • The Relationship between Culture, International Relations and Globalization
    (Focus: The Role of Culture in Global Politics, Winning Hearts and Minds, Diaspora Communities as Cultural Ambassadors or Political Agitators? Cosmopolitanism, Multiculturalism, Global Citizenship, Cultural Relativism, The Concept of Universal Human Rights)
  • European and US activity to promote Democracy and Human Rights Abroad
    (Focus: The External Action Service, European NGOs, development aid)
  • The Role of Cultural Diplomacy in Contemporary International Relations and it´s Contribution to a Positive National Brand
    (Focus: The EU, The US, Civil Society Initiatives, Dialogue and Exchange between Countries and Cultures, Non-State Actors, Cooperation on Global Public Goods, Nation Branding, International Reputation)
  • Innovative Forms of Cultural Diplomacy: Influencing Opinion Amongst Citizens in Foreign Countries
    (Focus: The EU, The US, Hip-Hop and Rock & Roll Diplomacy, Ping-Pong Diplomacy, Peacebuilding, Art as a Catalyst for Cultural Diplomacy, Sports as Cultural Diplomacy)
  • Cultural Understanding as a Form of Soft Power and its Importance for International Relations
    (Focus: Intercultural and Inter-Faith Dialogue, Academic Exchange, Business Exchange, Political Exchange, Building Understanding and Trust between Peoples and Nations)
  • Integration and Immigration at the level of the European Union
    (Focus: Economic migration, internal immigration, education policy, citizenship legislation, citizenship tests)

Soft and Smart Power in Contemporary Foreign Policy

The relationship between hard and soft power is intricate, yet of fundamental importance national governments in the contemporary international environment. The use of one may undermine the other, and the combination of both, so-called "smart power", requires a thorough understanding of the political context, and considerable resources. Whether to apply hard, smart, or soft power to pursue a foreign policy objective is the key question facing foreign policy makers today.
  • Moving Towards Smart Power: Smart Power in Domestic and International Politics
    (Focus: The EU, The US, New Power Paradigms, National Interests and Multilateralism, the Evolution and Rise of Civil Society, Innovation and Civil Participation, Power Sharing, Balancing Soft and Hard Power)
  • Soft and Normative Power: The Importance and Power of Attraction in International Politics and Economics
    (Focus: The EU, the US, Scandinavia, Asia, Democracy, Legitimacy, the UN, International Law, Human Rights, Trade and Investment)
  • Analyzing the Acquisition and Application of Soft Power
    (Focus: The EU, The US, Government to Government, Government to Citizen, and Citizen to Citizen Communication; Economic Benefit, Human Rights, Free and Open Markets, Humanitarian Aid, Military and Infrastructure Support, Development Aid, Relief Delegations)
  • Using Hard Power without Losing Soft Power: When is it Appropriate and Necessary to use Hard Power?
    (Focus: Humanitarian Intervention, Genocide, Human Rights Violations, Dictatorships, Energy Security, Terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction, The Use of Hard Power Resources to Produce Soft Power)
  • The European Union as a normative power: Regional brand and international Image
    (Focus: Nation/place branding, cultural diplomacy, EU legitimacy, European NGOs, international sporting events)

Developments, Challenges and Opportunities in the Evolving World Order

The conduct and aims of foreign policy for national governments have changed significantly over the past two decades, and continues to evolve today. New actors at all levels, new strategies, new goals, and new forms of communication and interaction have all combined to produce an uncertain global landscape. Within this framework, the roles and responsibilities of regional and international organizations must evolve to reflect this changing context.
  • The Global Challenges of Climate Change and Natural Disasters and their Influence on International Relations
    (Focus: Haiti, Japan, Copenhagen & Cancun, Emissions Trading)
  • The Future of the United Nations in a Globalized World: Revision and Reform
    (Focus: Security Council Reform, Humanitarian Intervention, International Peacekeeping, The Responsibility to Protect, Climate Change, Democracy Promotion)
  • Rethinking National Interests: Global Public Goods and Foreign Policy
    (Focus: The EU, Climate Change and the Environment, Economic Migration, National Security, Healthcare)
  • Moving Beyond a Clash of Civilizations
    (Focus: Post-Huntington Global Society, Islam and Islamism, Christianity and Christian Fundamentalism, Israel/Palestine, International Civil Society, Development and Conflict, the Role of the Media in Shaping our Perceptions of the World)