Editing Rt. Hon. Anna Diamantopoulou

What is Cultural Diplomacy to you?
By The Rt. Hon. Anna Diamantopoulou, Former Minister of Education for Greece

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“There used to be many efforts in Cultural Diplomacy between Greece and Turkey. Many peace-oriented events in the cultural and touristic areas used to take place. The relationship between the two countries had not been easy for years, but culture was always a very good way to start the next step.”

"Is it not enough to have greater political union or greater economic union: we need more understanding among people- we need to enforce mutual understanding in societies and between nations.
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What happens when there is no common understanding between people and nations? There is misunderstanding. This means the same thing is perceived a different way in Germany, a different way in the Netherlands, a different way in Malta. There are many conflicts and, of course, there are stereotypes, and this is the way they can be transformed in any kind of conflict.
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Generally speaking, differences in manner of expression and communication, the similarities in social structures, and historical experience account for a communication gap between European member states."

- The ICD Annual Conference on Cultural Diplomacy 2012; Berlin, Germany, December 14th, 2012

[[Category:Statements on the Significance of Cultural Diplomacy]]