Purpose
Culture has been playing an increasingly important role in diplomacy. As in the cases of ‘Manga’ and ‘Anime’, values that transcend one country’s culture are being globally enjoyed and appreciated, and function as an essential diplomatic tool to attract world attention to their home country.

 

Diplomacy in the 21st century is, however, being conducted by not only the government , but also a wide variety of ‘other’ actors, including corporations, NPOs, and ultimately ordinary individuals. Our daily experiences, way of life, understanding of human nature and interpretation of world views are now shaping the form of diplomacy for the country in which we live. In this sense, diplomacy, especially cultural diplomacy, can no longer be exercised without the backing of the general public of its home country, nor can it be promoted separate from the country’s domestic cultural policy.

 

The Japan Foundation invites Prof. John Holden, an Associate at the independent think tank Demos where he was Head of Culture from 2000 to 2008, to provide a public lecture and share his insights to those questions of what and who defines the values of cultural diplomacy and how cultural diplomacy and domestic cultural policy can be most dynamically linked. The lecture will be followed by a panel discussion on the challenges and future prospects of cultural diplomacy with the invited Japanese experts.