5B. Policy

Cultural Policy + Diplomacy Organizations

1. # OF UNESCO GLOBAL ALLIANCE PARTNERS

2. # OF IFACCA CURRENT MEMBERS 2006

3. # OF CREATIVE EXCHANGE PARTNERS

[Page 557]–# of unesco global alliance partners by region – # of international federation of arts councils and culture agencies (ifacca) current members by type and region, 2006 – # of creative exchange partners by region – locations of cultural diplomacy organizations by region – # of locations of british council by region

4. LOCATIONS OF CULTURAL DIPLOMACY ORGANIZATIONS

5. # OF LOCATIONS OF BRITISH COUNCIL

[Page 558]CULTURAL DIPLOMACY + CULTURAL OBSERVATORIES The field of cultural diplomacy is a growing infrastructure of organizations that includes a system of separate govern-mental departments and refers to the exchange of ideas, information, art, lifestyles, value systems, traditions, beliefs and other aspects of culture between different countries, regions and groups to achieve rapport and understanding. Traditionally, cultural diplomacy involved government agencies with respect to negotiating treaties, alliances, shaping policy, etc., but today it increasingly includes non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and networks. Indeed there has been a proliferation of actors in the field of cultural diplomacy, with expanding networks linking public agencies and private organizations. Cultural diplomacy is seen as a vehicle of soft power' that stresses relations among countries by way of culture, art and education, as opposed to the ‘hard power’ of conventional political diplomacy.

Some countries such as France consider cultural policy to be the third pillar of foreign policy-making alongside the political and economic. Accordingly, French embassies and consulates typically include a specialized cultural affairs office. Above the bilateral governmental system, a new multi-lateral network of inter-governmental cooperation is taking shape. This network includes prominently, not only UNESCO and related organizations, but also the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) which alms to benefit artists, arts organizations and communities worldwide.

IFACCA is a network of mostly governmental agencies in the field of arts and culture. According to the IFACCA website, its vision is a “dynamic network, sharing knowledge and creating understanding to enrich a world of artistic and cultural diversity,” in which IFACCA seeks to:

• strengthen the capacity of arts councils and national culture agencies to meet the challenges and opportunities of globalization and technological change;
• consolidate the collective knowledge of arts councils and culture agencies;
• build networks, promote understanding and enhance cooperation between arts councils and national arts agencies;
• encourage support for arts practice and cultural diversity; and
• create and maintain a supple and accountable organization (2006)

In addition to official cultural diplomacy at the ministerial or department levels, there are cultural agencies that are increasingly independent of official policy and diplomatic structures. These agencies not only promote the language and cultural heritage of the country they represent, but should seek greater levels of cooperation to facilitate dialogue and encourage understanding and appreciation of cultural differences. They typically try to present and further the interests of a national culture in an increasingly international and global context. An example is the British Council which works in 110 countries and collaborates in nearly 2,000 arts events

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