Instead of a tambourine you play a daff? Cultural diplomacy at the table and away from the table

The former US Ambassador to the Netherlands, Cynthia P. Schneider, now an expert in cultural diplomacy, once said that, “Public diplomacy consists of all a nation does to explain itself to the world, and cultural diplomacy, the use of creative expression and exchanges of  ideas, information, and people to increase mutual understanding, supplies much of its  content.”

American songs and art can be celebrated as they have been in decades past in representing a vibrant American culture. Cultures around the world celebrate their art and music. Politics and culture intertwine in dialogues around the world and this cultural diplomacy is what helps build good ties between countries. A healthy respect for one another’s cultures leads to goodwill, even when it seems that political differences overshadow how the people in each culture celebrate their differences.

The role of art and music in foreign policy is an important one. Since art and music transcend political borders with a common goal of feeling humanity and shared common interests, it has been used historically as a tie for like-minded hearts and minds. Cultural diplomacy in relations between countries includes an understanding and an appreciation of a culture’s ideas, arts, lifestyles, literature, values, traditions, beliefs, ideas, sports and various cultural practices.

According to the USC Center on Public Diplomacy, the definition of public diplomacy has been expanded by studying the impact of “popular culture to fashion to sports to news to the Internet – that inevitably, if not purposefully, have an impact on foreign policy and national security as well as on trade, tourism, and other national interests.”

On an individual level, music and the arts help facilitate new relationships and friendships between people of various cultures. Although differences exist in what is pleasing to each person, the different forms of expression can help each culture celebrate differences and often helps inform viewers or listeners of their own cultural preferences. 

Throughout history, there have been culturally rich periods where cultural diplomacy helped develop better relations between countries who participated in cultural exchanges. Many have urged that the US should remember the lessons of the Cold War, which taught the US that investing in culture and ideas proved to have great returns. There have also been periods of time marked with cultural ignorance where geopolitics and economic interests surpassed the importance of cultural awareness and a celebration of the differences. Rather than promote the differences, there have been movements to assimilate cultures. However, foreign ministers all over the world interweave cultural diplomacy and foreign policy consistently. Institutes have formed to promote music and the arts as a type of cultural exchange that can improve relations between countries. An example of this is the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD). 

Away from the official negotiating table

By engaging the public in art or music from different countries celebrating different cultures, citizens play a larger role in fostering goodwill away from the official negotiating tables.

Some have challenged foreign policy by improving cultural exchanges between countries that do not maintain good foreign relations. A case in point is Cuban-American relations. According to the ICD, while many Cuban-American leaders and organizations have a tradition of strict adherence to the embargo, Cuban-American Maria ‘Luly” de Lourdes Duke who was born in Cuba and moved to the US disagrees with adhering to the embargo when it comes to the cultural exchange of art. Her Foundacion Amistad recently went to Cuba. Cuba held one of the biggest US art exhibits in 50 years.

Mrs. Duke opposes the embargo, has called for its removal, and has publicly reiterated that US foreign policy towards Cuba is stagnant and has been for many years. Foundacion Amistad and its ‘Chelsea’ art exhibit has been advocating for years for an open exchange of ideas between the two countries. The Museo Nacional de Bellaas Artes has shown art from all over the world except for the art of US artists for years - until now. The art world might pave the way to improved relations between Cuba and the US.

Some have said that the lack of emphasis on cultural diplomacy has been part of the cause for hardened geopolitical positions that have only been based on political relations. They argue that a resurgence of cultural diplomacy would improve relations between countries that have drawn very hard lines in the ground in international relations.

For example, North Korea has recently confirmed that they are more interested in demonstrating their hard power to the world through nuclear testing rather than develop their diplomatic and political means. Cultural diplomatic efforts are considered a better means toward approaching the divide on the Korean peninsula to the director of the Cultural Department of the Korean Embassy in Berlin.

In an interview by Sam Powney and Benjamin Weber with the Cultural Department of the South Korean Embassy in Berlin, the interviewers asked Dr. Taekang Roh, the department’s director, about the role of cultural diplomacy in the Korean peninsula. The Department’s director said, “Cultural exchange between North and South Korea is still easily impacted by the political situation. As is well known, North Korea puts politics in the way of cultural exchange. I believe that cultural exchange can play a large role in the peace-process and the shared empathy of people in the peninsula, but only when North Korea opens the door for it to go ahead."

Political conflicts have strained many cultural exchanges. Consider how much art and music is not being appreciated from the Muslim world. Musicians from all over the world may try to get their music heard on social networking sites. While politicians strive toward diplomacy in finding solutions to deeply ingrained conflicts, appreciators of art and music can help build cultural awareness and foster goodwill between the people of both worlds. Building dialogue involves more than diplomats, it involves individual perceptions by people who live in Missouri, US, Sana’a, Yemen, and Mogadishu, Somalia.

American culture

American culture is as expansive as many cultures. It includes folk music with its anti-war, social justice messages of the 60s and 70s and pop icons like Madonna and Michael Jackson, which have all become as American as freedom and property rights. It also includes soul music and blues music, like The Temptations and BB King, Duke Ellington, the Rolling Stones, Patsy Cline and American composer Cole Porter. It also celebrates the multicultural aspects of the culture by benefiting from every culture that makes up what it means to be American.  

Some musical artists continue in past traditions of expressing themselves about politics in their songs. Although it is debatable whether or not the Vietnam War led to more anti-war songs, the Iraq War inspired many protest songs such as Pearl Jam’s “World Wide Suicide,” John Mayer’s “Waiting on the World to Change,” Pink’s “Dear Mr. President,” and System of a Down’s “Bring Your Own Bombs.” The Dixie Chicks’ highly publicized opinion about the invasion of Iraq caused public burnings of their cds by country fans, since many country fans tend to be more conservative and saw that their overseas comments were irresponsible during a time of hostilities.

Cultural Diplomacy at Work 

While music has become an instrument for artists to express their feelings about politics, culture becomes an instrument of engagement between foreign ministers and politicians.

Last month the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister for European Affairs Frans Timmermans shared an eagerness in deepening the rich tradition of cultural exchanges between the Netherlands and Russia. “In addition to the more traditional arts, we will be exposing Russians more to Dutch design, fashion and architecture." 

During his campaign, President Obama made it very clear that he wants more art education in the schools, further consideration of artists’ singular economic situation, and cultural exchange. The United States has seen cuts to arts programs in its recent past, but will hopefully initiate more cultural diplomacy in the coming years. In January, the British Council, the UK’s international cultural relations organization, said, “"If Barack Obama is to live up to the hopes of many at home and abroad of restoring the US's standing on the world stage, he must embrace cultural relations as an invaluable instrument in his foreign policy toolbox and re-invigorate the resources depleted over the last decade.”

While many have stated that the US should export more than pop culture, the work of US embassies, politicians and leaders in embracing cultural relations while promoting the richness of American culture will bolster the importance of cultural diplomacy. However artists choose to express themselves, whether about politics, lifestyles, breaking down stereotypes, observations on nature or by embracing storytelling, the opportunities to expand the relevance of cultural awareness in the celebration of both the differences and similarities can impact foreign relations with countries meaningfully.

In a May 11th letter to the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE), which was established with the objective of promoting and upholding the hallmarks of American culture throughout the world with installations at US embassies in other countries, Secretary Hilary Clinton wrote:

As our nation and world confront the multiple challenges of our time, effective communication is imperative. Bypassing written and spoken words, art expresses the human spirit and human creativity, connecting all citizens on a deeper level. The presence of American art in our embassies enhances and enriches our country’s diplomatic efforts to engage with other nations and cultures. FAPE is a crucial partner in making this powerful means of communication available to our government’s representatives abroad, to the benefit of America and the world.”

Many senior diplomats from around the world are stressing the importance of cultural diplomacy and questioning traditional diplomacy as a way to restore full diplomatic relations and continue to boost and improve good relations. In order to improve the view that people in various countries have of each other, cultural diplomacy hand in hand with effective public policy are of extensive use in coping with forced enmities that result from political circumstances between countries. It might not address the differences in opinion about the politics of a country, but it can improve the rapport.

If the President of Russia listens to Deep Purple, maybe Obama will enjoy one of the South Korean artists of the Korean wave, SG Wannabe (the SG represents Simon and Garfunkel), a popular South Korean trio, and maybe Clinton might enjoy listening to Afghani sitarist Khalil Gudaz. And while they’re listening to music emerging from all over the world with open hearts and minds, successful cultural diplomacy through arts and music will complement official diplomatic efforts and enable their success while providing hours of appreciation.