The Berlin International Economics Congress 2013

Intercultural Relations, Youth Development Advancement, Environmental Responsibility & Ecotourism: Opportunities for Successful Nation Branding in the 21st Century

(Berlin; March 6th - 10th, 2013)

Congress Overview

The Berlin International Economics Congress is one of the world´s leading global conferences combining the fields of International Relations, International Economics, Globalization and Nation Branding with an interdisciplinary and multinational program. The Congress 2013 is held parallel to the ITB Berlin (Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin), which is the world's largest tourism trade fair.

The issues of intercultural relations, environmental responsibility, and youth development advancement are becoming increasingly significant topics within the international community and are currently even included as priorities in the second-term agenda of the Obama Administration. Concurrently, global challenges such as climate change migration, graduate unemployment, intercultural dialogue and sustainable development continue to dominate the agendas of global governance organizations and governments. Due to the prominence of these universal dilemmas, the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy has dedicated the 2013 Congress to exploring best practices in raising awareness and finding solutions.

The 2013 Congress will focus on innovative strategies to promote nation branding activities as a means to tackle economic, environmental, social and cultural concerns. With nation branding as its core theme, the Congress aims to explore and present the benefits and opportunities for state's nation branding campaigns established on the promotion of intercultural relations, sustainable development, youth education and advancement, ecotourism and environmental responsibility. The Congress will create a blueprint for the opportunities for States and institutions to apply new approaches of Nation Branding.

Conference Locations »

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

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:

Conference Speakers »

The speakers during the Conference will include dignitaries and current and former heads of state and ministers, as well leading figures and experts from international economics & politics and law, academy, the private sector, the diplomatic community and civil society from across the world.

These speakers will include high number of individuals from the ICD Advisory Board; to learn more about the ICD Advisory Board please click here

Speakers for the Congress include:


President Staffan Nilsson
President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) (more)
Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi
Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD) (more)
Minister Sanja Vlahovic
Minister of Science of Montenegro (more)
Ed Scott
American Investor &, Philanthropist; Co-Founder of Enterprise Software Company BEA Systems (more)
Minister Maria Grapini
Minister of Business and Tourism of Romania (more)
Hans B. Sicat
President & CEO, the Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (more)
The Hon. Eka Tkeshelashvili
ICD Advisory Board Member; Former Vice Prime-Minister of Georgia; Former Foreign Minister (more)
Amb. Mohamed Orabi
Former Foreign Minister of Egypt; Former Ambassador to Germany (more)

Congress Agenda »

The Congress 2013 will be divided into three complementary parts. The program will begin by looking in greater detail at the theme: "Process and Progress of Nation Branding and National Brands in the 21st Century." During this part of the program participants will have the opportunity to experience Berlin's famous "International Tourism Exchange Conference - ITB Berlin". In addition, during these three days, the concepts of "cultural diplomacy" and "soft power" will be explored in greater depth.

The second part of the program will build on these components by considering the role that nation branding campaigns can play in promoting youth education & development.

The final part of the program will apply these discussions to one of the most vital issues that will determine global politics and international economics over the coming years: "Sustainable Development, environmental responsibility and Climate Change."

The Congress will be split into the following three parts:

Participant Papers »

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy encourages academic research and analysis of issues related to the goals of the Conference. The ICD would therefore like to welcome the participants of the conference to submit a paper they would like to be considered for presentation at the Conference as well as being included in the proposal document that will be issued following the Conference and will be sent to all governments and leaders of the international community worldwide.

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 speakers who took part and the topics discussed. Each certificate will be signed by members of the ICD's Advisory Board.