Diplomacy today

The Powerful Voice of Culture

The limits of hard power have led to the success of soft power and diplomacy as we know it is outdated. Nowadays countries have come to realize that sometimes it is better to send the favorite soccer player or philharmonic orchestra for representation abroad


By SUSANNE MILENA WERNICKE
from Skopje, MACEDONIA


What does a country do when it has exhausted its political, military and diplomatic means to establish relations with another country? What is left when politicians and officials have stopped communicating? What is the common ground of nations that touches all levels of society? It is their culture. In our world today culture is one of the most valuable assets of a people. It is the international fingerprint, the DNA of a country, the core of a nation. It is so powerful and affective that during the Cold War the CIA was funding the distribution of American culture in the non-free world as a means of establishing a bulwark against Communism.

The limits of hard power have led to the success of soft power and diplomacy as we know it is outdated. Nowadays countries have come to realize that sometimes it is better to send the favorite soccer player or philharmonic orchestra for representation abroad. In 2008 the New York Philharmonic Orchestra travelled to North Korea to be the first group of Americans to officially enter the country after the end of the Korean Wars in 1953. Playing mostly pieces by Western composers hopes were high to improve US-DPRK relations and portrait a favorable picture. This example of relationship building is called cultural diplomacy. Although this political approach is nothing new its significance however is definitely increasing.

Mark Donfried of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin says in an interview with WAVE magazine that "Cultural Diplomacy has the potential to build sustainable relations between countries". A long lasting, trust building alternative to peace treaties and economic ties Cultural Diplomacy develops on grounds of passion for each other's life styles, habits and customs. The Alliance Française, the British Council, the Instituto Cervantes and the German Goethe Institut are among the world's biggest organizations to promote a country's culture abroad.

Unlike the stereotypical image of classical diplomacy, cultural diplomacy is not conducted at a round table of old men with grey hair. The people engaged in creating a network based on cultural projects and initiatives are the every day person from all fields of society. As we roam the world to discover the "global village" we bring with us the traits of our home country, our city, our neighborhood. Often times the circumstances of a continuously shrinking world leads to tensions among ethnic groups and nations competing for natural resources or a place among the richest economies. It is the work of individuals and the civil society that are helping to ease people into the realities of a multipolar world.

The great political project of the 20th century on European ground is by far the founding of the European Union. A unique undertaking indeed it still has to prove the successful accommodation of interests and cultural differences of all of its member countries and those to join. "Providing access and opportunity to meet and get to know each other's culture" says Mark Donfried is what the EU can do to increase European wide understanding of cultural differences. The Erasmus program is only one of the many successful projects the European Commission has launched so far.

However important the support of the European Union; actions taken by individuals are essential for the success of cultural diplomacy and should be encouraged by the countries.

Cultural Diplomacy in the field

The toni Festival was the outcome of the initiative of young bands in Cottbus, Germany and Stefan Schromm who has ever since the first festival in 2005 been the heart of the project. Schromm's suggestion to help organize and coordinate concerts in the peripheral region in the South of Brandenburg was welcomed by the music enthusiasts who were unhappy with the cultural program. Allowing for fair competition and a chance to perform on stage toni festival soon became a popular event. With a remarkable triumph at home toni festival soon set out to go international.

Following the invitation of his friend Marijana Stevanoska Stefan Schromm came to visit Skopje, Macedonia in October 2008. His trip was highly anticipated by Miss Stevanoska and the team of students and passionate teenagers from both countries who helped launch the first Macedonian-German music festival. Jana Filipovska one of the Macedonian high school students involved with the project remembers the opening night of the festival as "successful in a friendly environment and friendly people". For her experiencing new cultures is something she recommends to everyone.

The toni festival links teenagers and young adults through music while it allows for a cultural exchange during the period of the festival. Conversations with members of the German band BLACK TEQUILA in Skopje revealed the impact the visit had: "We like the city, people are so friendly here and we have now a better understanding of what Macedonia is like.", says the singer of the band at the end of the festival weekend in 2008. This year toni festival continues with Macedonian bands going to Germany and plans are being made for the festival to come back to Serbia and Macedonia in the fall. Marijana Stevanoska and Jana Filipovska are now preparing the program for the event in Germany putting emphasis on the presentation of Macedonian culture. "The German audience will experience Macedonian music and Macedonian cuisine." says Marijana Stevanoska. The friendship of two people is creating a bond between the rather isolated country in the Western Balkans and the affluent EU country. Visa requirements are strict for Macedonians to enter any European country and prospects for liberalization remain unclear. Thus, this festival provides for diversity at home and abroad, it is inspiration for those who participate and for those that join to celebrate. The two nations that seem so different have in fact very much in common, in the eyes of the passionate musicians anyway.

Let's play some ball

In areas of the world where poverty reigns, ethnic tensions divide the country and future perspectives consist of disillusion a football game means the chance of a life time to some people. During the week long European "Young Leaders Forum" at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Sara Bagel of streetfootballworld explained that social change is possible through very simple means. In the case of this social profit organization the focus is the soccer ball. Linking global football projects since 2002 streetfootballworld has been targeting areas of social challenges in over 70 locations. An outstanding initiative supported by the organization is the self-help youth program MYSA in Nairobi, Kenya. For twenty years now the Mathare Youth Sports Association has been promoting human rights and citizenship. Key achievements of the soccer project are the creation of job opportunities and scholarships that keep teenagers in school. By participating regularly the boys and girls earn tokens which can be exchanged for a computer course or other educational training which will provide them with skills needed on the job market.

In other regions of the world football is a mean to overcome prejudices between gender, religion and ethnicities. This year's European street football Festival will take place in Foca, Bosnia and Herzegowina. For the second year this event will bring together youth from all over Europe to nurture friendship, intercultural understanding and communication.

The corporation between governments, enthusiastic individuals and committed organizations might hold the secret to creating a lasting bond between the various cultures based on understanding and respect for each other. Never has it been easier to help build the world you and future generations will be living in.


(Published: 10.05.2009.)