ISCD 2012 - The 2012 International Symposia on Cultural Diplomacy

Following these events of September 11th, national security issues have had a far greater significance and are occupying the minds and concerns of Americans in considerable ways, including both American politicians and American citizens, as well as having a large impact on American foreign policy. In addition, the rapid changes in our global world ranging from the rise of the BRIC countries, the unrest in the Arab world, the Iran Atomic Program to the financial crisis, have created an even greater burden for national security, and is forcing the American leadership to constantly reevaluate and re-assess their policy priorities and strategies.
Despite its vital importance, the use of cultural diplomacy in addressing global risks remains largely underutilized. In many ways, the application of cultural diplomacy practices can complement the other, more traditional ways of increasing security (military measures or increased access to intelligence), by means of exposing and challenging destructive ideologies.
The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy in the USA 2012 will therefore focus on the role of cultural diplomacy in reducing global risks and increasing national security. The symposium will analyze and explore the opportunity of reducing global risks and increasing national security by adapting cultural diplomacy practices into both national and foreign policy strategies.