Definition
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_diplomacy
http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/index.php?en_culturaldiplomacy
Cultural diplomacy is the exchange of ideas,
values, traditions, and other aspects of culture between nations to build
mutual understanding and strengthen relationships. It uses cultural elements
like art, language, and education to foster trust and cooperation,
differentiating itself from traditional diplomacy by relying on attraction and
dialogue rather than coercion or political negotiation.
Key aspects of cultural diplomacy:
Mutual understanding: It aims to bridge cultural
divides by promoting a deeper appreciation of different heritages, helping to
dispel stereotypes and misconceptions through shared experiences, such as
festivals or language programs.
Building relationships: It fosters long-term
relationships between individuals, communities, and organizations across
borders, creating a foundation for future collaboration in various fields.
Soft power tool: It is a form of public diplomacy (see below*) that relies on "soft power"—the
ability to influence others through attraction and persuasion rather than
force.
Promoting national interests: By showcasing a nation's
culture, values, and stories, it can promote national interests and build
goodwill with other countries.
Broad application: It can be practiced by public
sector entities, private companies, and civil society organizations. Examples
include the exchange of artists, scholarships, scientific conferences, and the
promotion of a national language abroad.
*Public diplomacy is the
government-sponsored effort to communicate directly with foreign publics to
build understanding and support for a country's strategic objectives. It
involves fostering dialogue, promoting a positive image, and influencing public
opinion overseas through cultural, educational, and other non-traditional
diplomatic channels.
Key aspects of public diplomacy
Target audience: Unlike traditional diplomacy,
which focuses on state-to-state interactions, public diplomacy directly engages
with foreign citizens, civil society, and other non-governmental actors.
Goals: The primary goals are to inform and
influence foreign publics to build long-term relationships and generate support
for a nation's foreign policy, although it can also be used to improve a
country's image without immediate policy objectives.
Methods: Public diplomacy employs a wide range of
tools, including:
Cultural exchange: Programs like the Erasmus+
program build long-term relationships through educational and professional
networks.
Strategic communication: Crafting and
broadcasting messages through various media, including social media, to present
a country's values and positions.
Branding: Promoting a country's identity by
highlighting its culture, economy, and achievements to build a positive
national brand.
International events: Using events like World
Expos to engage with foreign publics and showcase a country's innovation and
diversity.
Distinction from traditional diplomacy - public
diplomacy complements, rather than replaces, traditional diplomacy by engaging
the public, while traditional diplomacy focuses on formal negotiations between
government officials.
Distinction from propaganda - While both involve
communication to influence opinion, public diplomacy is distinct from
propaganda. Public diplomacy emphasizes building trust and mutual
understanding based on an positive, open but accurate and verifiable projection
of the country, while propaganda can be false or designed to be misleading or
with covert goals and a hidden agenda.
Italian Cultural Diplomacy
https://www.esteri.it/it/diplomazia-culturale-e-diplomazia-scientifica/cultura/
https://www.esteri.it/en/diplomazia-culturale-e-diplomazia-scientifica/cultura/
open all the sections listed on the right of this next
page https://www.esteri.it/it/diplomazia-culturale-e-diplomazia-scientifica/cultura/reteiic/
open the most useful sections listed on the right of
this next page https://www.esteri.it/it/diplomazia-culturale-e-diplomazia-scientifica/cultura/promozionelinguaitaliana/
for example https://www.esteri.it/it/diplomazia-culturale-e-diplomazia-scientifica/cultura/promozionelinguaitaliana/settimanalinguaitaliana/
https://www.esteri.it/en/diplomazia-culturale-e-diplomazia-scientifica/cultura/promozionelinguaitaliana/
also https://italiana.esteri.it/italiana/
https://www.esteri.it/en/diplomazia-culturale-e-diplomazia-scientifica/cultura/cooperculturale/
https://www.esteri.it/en/diplomazia-culturale-e-diplomazia-scientifica/cultura/cooperculturale/unesco/
https://www.esteri.it/en/diplomazia-culturale-e-diplomazia-scientifica/cultura/cooperculturale/iccrom/
https://www.esteri.it/en/diplomazia-culturale-e-diplomazia-scientifica/cultura/archeologiapatrimonioculturale/
https://www.esteri.it/en/diplomazia-culturale-e-diplomazia-scientifica/cultura/comitato-neapolis-2500/
https://www.esteri.it/it/diplomazia-culturale-e-diplomazia-scientifica/cultura/recupero-dei-beni-culturali-illecitamente-sottratti/
Look at the links to Scientific Diplomacy https://www.esteri.it/it/diplomazia-culturale-e-diplomazia-scientifica/cooperscientificatecnologica/
see the links on the right of that page
and Sports Diplomacy https://www.esteri.it/en/diplomazia-economica-e-politica-commerciale/diplomazia-dello-sport/
see the links on the right of that page
and above all to Economic Diplomacy https://www.esteri.it/en/diplomazia-economica-e-politica-commerciale/diplomaziaeconomica/
see the links on the right of that page
for example https://www.esteri.it/it/diplomazia-economica-e-politica-commerciale/diplomaziaeconomica/promozione-integrata-del-sistema/
and then all the links:
https://www.esteri.it/it/diplomazia-economica-e-politica-commerciale/diplomaziaeconomica/promozione-integrata-del-sistema/settimana-della-cucina-italiana/
https://creativitacontemporanea.cultura.gov.it/italiandesignday-2025/
https://italiandesignday-official.it/
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giornata_nazionale_dello_spazio
https://conshouston.esteri.it/it/italia-e-usa/diplomazia-scientifica/italian-national-space-day/
and how all of these are linked within the ‘sistema
paese’ (country promotion)
https://www.esteri.it/it/ministero/struttura/dgpromozionesistemapaese/
https://www.esteri.it/en/ministero/struttura/dgpromozionesistemapaese/
Il "sistema paese" al Ministero degli Esteri
si riferisce alla Direzione
Generale per la promozione del Sistema Paese (DGSP), un'unità
del Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale
responsabile della promozione all'estero dell'economia, della cultura e della
scienza italiane. Il suo obiettivo è coordinare gli sforzi di
internazionalizzazione e sostenere gli interessi e le esigenze del paese
all'estero, lavorando anche in collaborazione con le Regioni e altre autonomie
territoriali.
Cosa significa: Il termine "sistema
paese" nel contesto del Ministero indica l'insieme delle componenti
istituzionali, economiche, culturali e sociali italiane che contribuiscono allo
sviluppo della nazione.
Cosa fa il Ministero: La DGSP promuove questi
elementi all'estero attraverso la rete diplomatica e consolare, cercando di
valorizzare l'immagine e il patrimonio dell'Italia, ma rimanendo aperta
all'innovazione e ai nuovi sviluppi.
Esempio pratico: La DGSP supporta iniziative per
sostenere le esportazioni italiane negli altri paesi, promuovendo una maggiore
cooperazione tra le diverse parti del sistema Italia per ottenere risultati
importanti per le aziende italiane, come avvenuto in incontri con l'ambasciata
italiana negli Stati Uniti.
and the EU
https://culture.ec.europa.eu/policies/international-cultural-relations
and all the linked pages on the left and the links within those pages
ant the EU’s
promotion of its fundamental values https://ec.europa.eu/info/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/combatting-discrimination/tackling-discrimination/diversity-and-inclusion-initiatives_en
https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/topics/culture_en
Have a look
at:
https://www.youtube.com/user/MinisteroEsteri
or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTb1JMVIjbXXDvN1ldghMww
then https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPeZ7zYEvms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF4DmWvl3oo
and https://www.facebook.com/ItalyMFA.it/
and have a
look at some of the sites of some of the Italian cultural institutes around the
world to see what’s on
at the moment in 2025 and again just before the concurso so that you can
mention one or two of the best events as good examples of Italian cultural
diplomacy.
https://iicberlino.esteri.it/it/
https://iicberlino.esteri.it/it/gli_eventi/calendario/la-grazia-e-lo-scandalo-ppp-29-10-08-12-2025/
https://iiclondra.esteri.it/it/
https://iiclondra.esteri.it/it/gli_eventi/calendario/il-patrimonio-culturale-e-museale-della-campania-lesperienza-artecard/
https://iicmosca.esteri.it/it/
https://iicmosca.esteri.it/it/gli_eventi/calendario/proiezione-de-il-cammino-della-speranza/
https://iicpechino.esteri.it/it/
https://iicpechino.esteri.it/it/gli_eventi/calendario/steel-of-glory-a-knights-life-of-armour-bladeand-honour/
https://iicwashington.esteri.it/it/
https://iicwashington.esteri.it/it/gli_eventi/calendario/exhibition-depero-graphic-art-between-italy-united-states/
https://iictokyo.esteri.it/it/
https://iictokyo.esteri.it/it/gli_eventi/calendario/italian-design-day-2025-il-policarbonato-come-materia-poetica/
https://iicbuenosaires.esteri.it/it/
https://iicbuenosaires.esteri.it/it/gli_eventi/calendario/mostra-viaggio-in-italia-leta-doro-del-manifesto-turistico-italiano-1920-1950/
and on the site of the ministero and other sites
(2024/2025)
https://www.esteri.it/it/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/diplomazia-culturale/2025/03/ulaanbaatar-gli-eventi-per-la-giornata-internazionale-della-donna/
https://www.esteri.it/it/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/comunicati/2025/07/nota-congiunta-ministero-degli-affari-esteri-e-della-cooperazione-internazionale-ministero-della-cultura-comune-di-venezia-sul-sito-venezia-e-la-sua-laguna/
https://www.esteri.it/it/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/diplomazia-culturale/2025/10/musei-capitolini-mostra-antiche-civilta-del-turkmenistan/
https://cultura.gov.it/evento/giornate-europee-del-patrimonio-2025-apertura-degli-uffizi-sabato-27-e-domenica-28-settembre-2025
https://www.uffizi.it/eventi/giornate-europee-del-patrimonio-2025
https://www.esteri.it/it/servizi-consolari-e-visti/ingressosoggiornoinitalia/richiedere-il-visto-per-il-giubileo/
https://www.esteri.it/it/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/retediplomatica/2024/10/buenos-aires-eventi-di-promozione-italea/
https://www.esteri.it/it/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/diplomazia-culturale/2025/06/buenos-aires-pittura-italiana-oggi-in-collaborazione-con-triennale/