The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy announces applications for participation are currently being accepted for two of its forthcoming international conferences organized within the ICD Experience Africa Program..


The International Conference on the African Union & Cultural Diplomacy
“Cultural Diplomacy as a Vehicle of Global Governance: The Role of Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power in the Future of the African Union”
London, February 7th-10th, 2012

In an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, the most pressing challenges are ones that transcend national borders — climate change, human rights, global, terrorism, and development and national debt are thoroughly “global” problems that require collective solutions.

As a result, states have established and are continuing to establish stronger partnerships, and international institutions like the AU have become more and more influential, even rivalling traditional state actors in efficacy. Despite this increased focus on global governance, however, the tool of cultural diplomacy has remained “under the radar”, and needs to be explored as an effective tool for strengthening multilateral relationships, within and outside the AU, and building new alliances to further “global causes” like development, human rights and good governance.

Conference agenda: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/experienceafrica/index.php?en_aucdc-2011_agenda


The Power of Africa
"Africa as a Stronger Actor on the International Stage"
Paris, March 13th-16th, 2012

The conference will focus on the possibilities and barriers that the African countries are facing in terms of economic and political bargaining power as well as the prospects of speaking with one voice on the international stage.

The conference will in particular address the expectations and opinions that the outside world holds of African development and how this often diverges with what might be more realistic and customized solutions on the ground. One aim of the conference is thus to debate whether alternative forms of institutional rule and economic models can be deemed more effective in Africa than the established forms of Western governance. The conference will look at global as well as local perceptions of African leadership and development, and the bilateral trade relationships that Africa has with China and India.  Furthermore the role of the African Union as well as civil societies in enhancing interregional relations within Africa and what prospects this holds for its future international image and bargaining power will be explored.

Speakers during the conferences will include leading figures and experts from civil society, international politics, academia, diplomacy, and the private sector from across the world. These speakers will include a number of individuals from the ICD Advisory Board.

Conference agenda: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/experienceafrica/index.php?en_roa2011_agenda


Apply for Participation
The conferences are open to applications from governmental and diplomatic officials, civil society practitioners, young professionals, students and scholars, private sector representatives, journalists, and other interested stakeholders from across the world.

The participation cost for the program is 195 Euros. If offered a place in the conference, applicants are then required to transfer the participation cost to reserve their position.

Apply for participation at:
http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/experienceafrica/index.php?en_aucdc-2011_application-form
http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/experienceafrica/index.php?en_roa2011_application-form

Participant Papers
The Institute encourages research and progressive thought on the fields of culture, globalization and international relations, and welcomes conference participants to submit relevant papers addressing topics within these fields particular to their interests and passions. Participants can submit papers written in the past for other purposes or ongoing research, or written specifically for the conference. Groups of students are also allowed to submit collaborative pieces of work.


More info?
For more information, please visite the websites:
AU and the Cultural diplomacy : http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/experienceafrica/index.php?en_aucdc2011 and
The Power of Africa : http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/experienceafrica/index.php?en_roa2011

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