Institute for Cultural Diplomacy

Organizational Profile

About the ICD

Founded in 1999, the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy is an international, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization with headquarters in Berlin, Germany and the USA. The ICD´s ultimate goal is to promote global peace and stability by strengthening and supporting intercultural relations at all levels.

Over the past decade the ICD has grown to become one of Europe's largest independent cultural exchange organizations, hosting programs that facilitate interaction among individuals of all cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds, from across the world.

Philosophy

The ICD understands that in an increasingly globalized world, in which people are able to travel and exchange information faster than ever before, there is a growing interdependency between nations. As a result, successful inter-cultural interaction will undoubtedly become a major challenge for international relations in the 21st century.

In this regard, the ICD believes that inter- and intra-cultural relations can be strengthened and maintained through dialogue. This, in turn, leads to a better understanding and greater trust between cultures, prevent misunderstanding, improve communication and cooperation and help to reduce the likelihood of socio-cultural conflicts.

Role & Mission

The major objectives of the ICD are to extend current research, programs and practices in the field of cultural diplomacy and create a platform to promote and sustain inter-cultural dialogue at all levels. The ICD actively encourages and supports cultural diplomacy as an academic discipline.

Our Programs

To further promote the field of cultural diplomacy the ICD organizes programs that aim to develop the participants' awareness and understanding of the theory and practice of cultural diplomacy.

As well as promoting cultural diplomacy through its own initiatives, the ICD also promotes cultural diplomacy by actively supporting the work that is already being done in this area by communicating with, partnering, and publishing material by other actors in the field.

ICD programs can be split into three distinct categories: the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy activities, Youth Education & Development Advancement programs and the Inter Parliamentary Alliance for Human Rights & Global Peace programs.

Each category focuses on strengthening intercultural understanding within a particular field:

Academy for Cultural Diplomacy The Academy for Cultural Diplomacy is the academic department within the ICD which works to analyze and raise awareness of the practice of Cultural Diplomacy by governments and non-state actors, and to explore new strategies for the strengthening of intercultural relations in general. Areas of particular focus include the balance of hard and soft power, intercultural exchange, the process of globalization, the interdependence of nation states, and the use of cultural initiatives to generate mutual understanding.

Programs include:

Cultural Diplomacy Research - Cultural Diplomacy Research is an online resource providing commentary and analysis on the latest developments in the field of Cultural Diplomacy, and focuses on expanding the current understanding of Cultural Diplomacy, as well as the methods for which Cultural Diplomacy can be successfully implemented.

Thematic Programs - Thematic Programs are programs focused on specific political, cultural, or economic issues, or which concentrate on a particular geographical region or area. The Thematic Programs focus on the implementation and utility of Cultural Diplomacy as a tool to promote cooperation and understanding in a number of areas. Each Thematic Program includes a variety of activities based on a particular theme, ranging from International Conferences and Global Events to Interactive Panel Discussions, and Exhibitions.

Center for Cultural Diplomacy Center - The Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies (CCDS) is the world's leading center for the study of Cultural Diplomacy, offering educational opportunities ranging from Weeklong seminars and Distance Learning Programs to interdisciplinary Master's and Doctoral programs for individuals pursuing careers in academia, diplomacy, government, and/or the private sector, dedicated either wholly or in part to the field of Cultural Diplomacy.

International Conferences - International Conferences focus on salient issues in a variety of fields ranging from Cultural Diplomacy and International Relations to Human Rights and Sustainable Development. The International Conferences provide an opportunity for larger audiences to actively participate and engage in lectures, debates, and discussions featuring high-profile figures from the fields of international politics, diplomacy, culture, academia, and the private sector.

Youth Education & Development Advancement The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy places particular emphasis on youth empowerment and education, with the belief that improving opportunities for education and youth advancement across the globe will contribute to a more stable global society. As such, the ICD has established a number of programs aimed at facilitating youth development and advancement around the world.

Programs include:

Organization for Youth Education & Development - The Organization for Youth Education & Development (OYED) is dedicated to the initiation, promotion, and execution of education and development programs for the youth. The OYED provides the younger generation with greater access to personal development, while increasing their chances for professional opportunities.

Young Leaders' Forums - The ICD Young Leaders' Forums are international networks of like-minded young individuals with an interest in developing, supporting, and sustaining intercultural relations either within a particular region or country, or between regions and countries.

Internship Project » The ICD Internship Program enables like-minded young undergraduates, graduates, and professionals the possibility to work in a multicultural environment while promoting intercultural and international programs. The Project aims to empower young professionals to engage in intercultural relations and in so doing, promote multiculturalism worldwide.

Inter Parliamentary Alliance for Human Rights & Global Peace The Inter Parliamentary Alliance for for Human Rights and Global Peace has been established to raise awareness of the universality of fundamental human rights, to promote social and economic development in developing countries across the world, and to strengthen intercultural relations between peoples and their communities at all levels in order to achieve global peace and stability.

Human Rights Initiatives include:

The UN Genocide Convention - The UN Genocide Convention calls for the creation of an "Independent Committee within the United Nations to revisit and review the Convention," and in turn develop a specific proposal for revision and amendment to "the Convention". It is our goal to enforce the prevention of the crime, thus enabling a rapid response to "Acts of Genocide" and other atrocities.

Initiative on the UN Women's Rights Convention - The Initiative on the UN Women's Right Convention aims to not only raise awareness of discrimination, but also to support a diverse range of activity that promotes equality at different levels, in different regions of the world, with the goal of uniting a diverse range of representatives in support of this cause.

Environmental Responsibility & Climate Change » The Initiative on Environmental Responsibility & Climate Change focuses on the importance of building and supporting dialogue between science and civil society in order to raise awareness and provide viable solutions through domestic and international policy considerations, with the aim to draw attention, explore, discuss, and promote issues concerning environmental responsibility and climate change challenges.

Corporate Cultural Diplomacy » The Corporate Cultural Diplomacy Initiative focuses on drawing attention to and further debating the importance of CSR initiatives and diplomatic efforts of the private sector for both corporations and communities in establishing amicable relationships.

ICD Accomplishments in the Field of Cultural Diplomacy

Since 1999 we have worked hard to raise awareness of the field of cultural diplomacy and bring together in sustainable networks individuals from diverse cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds.

We'd like to share some of the progress that has been made over the past years below:

Establishing Cultural Diplomacy as a Recognized Academic Field

Though Cultural Diplomacy has been an official tool of some national governments for over a century, and has been practiced by civil society practitioners for much longer, opportunities to study the field at the graduate and post-graduate levels, did not exist until 2011.

Starting in 2011, the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy has successfully developed MA & PhD graduate programs offered to students from around the world, in partnership with University Babes-Bolyai, University of Bucharest and the University of Siena. These programs are the first academic programs to ever be offered in the world in the field of cultural diplomacy.

Raising Awareness of Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power

One of the primary goals of the ICD has been to raise awareness of cultural diplomacy and soft power: what these concepts mean, the different contexts within which they can be used, and how they can strengthen intercultural relations. To further this goal we have held many Weeklong Seminars and international conferences, each hosting a diverse group of participants from across the world and leading speakers from politics, diplomacy, academia, and the arts. The lectures and discussions at these events have not only raised awareness of these subjects amongst the participants, but have also been published online in full, thereby reaching a much larger audience.

Engaging Politicians and Decision-Makers with the Concept of Cultural Diplomacy

ICD conferences and seminars are designed not only with the participants in mind, but are also intended to influence the speakers taking part. By including in the programs interactive panel discussions and debates amongst speakers, by holding lengthy question and answer sessions with the audience, and by providing an opportunity for participants to present their own papers, the ICD and our program participants have ensured information and opinions flow both to and from the politicians and decision-makers taking part.

Building Bridges between Young Stakeholders from across the World

The ICD aims not only to promote cultural diplomacy, but also to practice it. Since 2003 our Young Leaders Forums and out global internship project have brought together thousands of young people, from all four corners of the globe, in sustainable international networks. These networks help to strengthen a diverse range of bi- and multi-lateral relationships and, through their leadership initiatives, the young leaders have spread the principles of cultural diplomacy much farther and wider than any one organization could.

Contributing Research and Analysis on Cultural Diplomacy

Since our establishment the ICD has worked hard to encourage academic research into the field of cultural diplomacy and related areas. We have done this by highlighting important issues that require research and analysis, by editing and publishing research conducted by our program participants and speakers, and by conducting our own independent research. The result of this combined effort is a large archive of publically-available material including audio visual interviews and speeches, academic papers, academic presentations, and a broad range of case studies in cultural diplomacy. It remains one of the ICD's key priorities to continue expanding this work.