The London Art as Cultural Diplomacy Conference 2013

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

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.