Research, ideas, and leadership for a more secure, peaceful world

Past Event
Study Group

Soft Power & Cultural Diplomacy Study Group

RSVP Required Open to the Public

The Soft Power & Cultural Diplomacy Study Group is designed for anyone interested in learning more about these two topics in addressing U.S. foreign relations.  Over the course of four sessions, participants will become familiar with the history of U.S. cultural diplomacy and will better understand how the power of the arts has repeatedly been deployed by the U.S. government to help achieve foreign policy objectives. The group will analyze historical examples and hear from current practitioners. Furthermore, the group will be asked to envision future uses of cultural diplomacy as a tactic for addressing current foreign policy challenges.

Key Learning Outcomes: 

Participants will:

Gain an understanding of cultural diplomacy and its relevance to the government and artistic sector. Learn about important U.S. cultural diplomacy initiatives and analyze their outcomes. Explore the use of cultural diplomacy as a tool to further U.S. foreign policy objectives Assess present-day foreign affairs and national security challenges in a cultural context, and consider how cultural diplomacy can play a role in seeking resolutions. Discuss why cultural diplomacy is not always successful and what can be done to prevent this from happening.

Study Group Facilitators: 

Carla Dirlikov Canales, United States Department of State Cultural Envoy, Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellow (carla_dirlikovcanales@harvard.edu) Erika Manouselis, Project Coordinator, Future of Diplomacy Project (Erika_manouselis@hks.harvard.edu)

Date: Location: Online
Carla Dirlikov Canales

ABOUT

Session 1 - Key Definitions, Stakeholders, and Challenges

Friday, Oct 15th, 10:30am-12:00pm ET

Virtual: Zoom

Part I: Study

  • The difference and similarities between cultural diplomacy and soft power
  • The beginnings of cultural diplomacy: Jefferson and Franklin
  • The Good Neighbor Policy: Carmen Miranda, Aaron Copeland and more
  • The creation of the OCIAA (The Office of the Coordinator for Inter-American Affairs)

Key Questions:

  • How does cultural diplomacy differ from soft power?
  • What were the results of the Good Neighbor Policy cultural initiatives?  Were these missions successful, and why?
  • How can we define “American culture”?

Readings:
All required readings will be provided in advance
1. Searching for a Cultural Diplomacy, Jessica C.E. Gienow-Hecht and Mark C Donfried, Introduction (p: 3-25)
2. The History of United States Cultural Diplomacy 1770 to the Present Day, Michael L Krenn, Chapter 1 (p: 9-32)
3. Soft Power and the Future of U.S. Foreign Policy, C.Dirlikov Canales, Chapter 13 (currently unpublished, copies will be provided)

Optional
The History of United States Cultural Diplomacy 1770 to the Present Day, Michael L Krenn, Chapter 1 (153 pages)

Part II: Discussion
Guest Speakers: 

John Ferguson, Founder and Executive Director, American Voices. 
In 1993, John created American Voices to fulfill the need for quality, constructive American cultural programming in the newly independent nations of Central and Eastern Europe. He works in partnership with the U.S. State Department on Cultural Diplomacy programming.

Joanna Sherman, Founder and Artistic Director, Bond Street Theatre
As a director, choreographer, musician and actor, Joanna has initiated and participated in company projects in East Asia, South America, Eastern and Western Europe, the Middle East, Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. Under her directorship, Bond Street Theatre received a MacArthur Foundation Award in 1990 for its interdisciplinary and intercultural programming.

John Ferguson
John Ferguson
Joanna Sherman
Joanna Sherman

Session 2 – Case Studies of Cultural Diplomacy

Friday, Oct 29, 10:30am-12:00pm ET

Virtual: Zoom

Part I: Study

  • The Cold War: Jazz Ambassadors, Dance Diplomacy
  • Racial tension in the U.S., and how this plays out on international tours
  • Non-government cultural diplomacy: North Korea

Key Questions:

  • Should there be a central agency for U.S. cultural diplomacy programming? 
  • How can we measure outcomes in cultural diplomacy efforts?

Reading:
The History of United States Cultural Diplomacy 1770 to the Present Day, Michael L Krenn Chapter 4 (pp: 96-125)

Part II: Discussion
Guest Speaker: 
Stacy E. White, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. State Department

Stacey White Headshot
Stacey White

Session 3 – Understanding Soft Power

Friday, Nov 12th, 10:30am-12:00pm ET

Virtual: Zoom

Part I: Study

  • Defining soft power and understanding its role in international relations

  • Non-government cultural diplomacy

  • Sports Diplomacy: The Little Ball Moves the Big Ball/Nixon goes to China

Reading

Nye, Joe. "Soft power: the evolution of a concept," Journal of Political Power, December 20, 2019. DOI: 10.1080/2158379X.2021.1879572

Key Questions:

  • How can we distinguish between propaganda, soft power, and cultural diplomacy?

  • What role can soft power play in addressing today’s challenge?

Part II: Discussion
Guest Speaker: 

Joseph S. Nye Jr, Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus and former Dean of the Harvard's Kennedy School of Government

Joseph Nye Headshot
Joseph Nye

Session 4 – Cultural Diplomacy in Action Today

Friday, Dec 3rd, 10:30am-12:00pm ET

Virtual: Zoom

Part I: Study

  • An exploration of how to address today’s U.S. foreign policy challenges through cultural diplomacy programming and soft power efforts

Reading
The History of United States Cultural Diplomacy 1770 to the Present Day, Michael L Krenn, Conclusion (pp: 149-156)

Key Questions:

  • What is the role of charisma in soft power?  In cultural diplomacy?
  • Which is more effective: traditional “high art” or “popular art”?

Part II: Discussion
Guest Speaker: 
Dr. Hendrik W. Ohnesorge, Managing Director, Center for Global Studies and Chair in International Relations, University of Bonn, author of Soft Power: The Forces of Attraction in International Relations (Springer International, 2020).

Ohnesorge
Dr. Hendrik W. Ohnesorge