The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy in Africa 2014

"Building Economic Bridges to Enhance African Sustainable Development and Economic Growth"

(Berlin; August 6th - 8th, 2014)

Symposium Overview

African states have a long and a rich heritage and culture, which have laid the foundation and highlighted the potential for Africans to achieve sustainable economic prosperity. Developments in African nations have been rapid and successful over recent years and African States continue to make considerable efforts to create a stronger and more united Africa by promoting sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural levels.

Cultural exchange can lead to a successful cross-continental cooperation and is thus a key factor to enhancing Africa's touristic, technological, scientific and educational developments. It is therefore fundamental that Africa continues to build further economic bridges with the rest of the world in order to ensure that sustainable economic development occurs throughout Africa. Through cooperation with other nations and exchanging ideas and knowledge with the world, Africa's economic potential can be truly realized.

Congress Agenda

In order to strengthen the African economies, appropriate strategies and policies need to be implemented to ensure that development is sustainable. The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy in Africa 2014 will present the importance of building cultural bridges for the benefits of African national security, economy, and well-being of African citizens, while illustrating the cost-effective advantages of such programs compared to other policy alternatives.

The Symposium will bring together experts to initiate joint-programs that will increase the volume of the African Union and national governments' engagement in cultural diplomacy. The Symposium will campaign for new programs, increased budgets and greater governmental attention of the unique opportunities that practicing cultural diplomacy can bring. The Symposium will also publish a report based on the speeches and suggestions from all speakers and participants which will be delivered to the African Union, the African government's policy and decision-makers as well as to the international community.

Symposium Participants »

Participation in the conference is open to governmental & diplomatic officials, academics, artists, journalists, civil society practitioners, private sector representatives, young professionals and students as well as other interested individuals from across the world.

If you would like to reserve a position and participate in the symposia, please click on the link below and fill out the online application form:

Symposium Speakers & Delegates

Speakers and delegates during the symposium will include leading politicians, chief diplomats, leading governmental officials, senior academics, renowned authors, journalists, and celebrated artists. These speakers will include a large number of individuals from the ICD Advisory Board. To learn more about the ICD Advisory Board, please click here.

Participant Papers »

The Academy for Cultural Diplomacy encourages academic research and analysis of issues related to the goals of the Symposia, and would therefore like to welcome participants to submit a paper they would like to be considered for delivery at the Symposium. Following the Symposium, the papers will be included in the proposal document that will be issued and sent to all governments and leaders of the international community. To read articles submitted by participants of our international conferences or to submit a paper please click here ».

Certificate of Attendance

All Symposium participants will be awarded an official Certificate of Attendance upon completion of the program, which will provide details of the speakers who took part in the event, and list the topics which were discussed. Each certificate will be signed by members of the ICD Advisory Board.

Sustainable Network »

During the program participants will have a number of opportunities to network with one another, with the speakers, and with ICD Advisory Board Members and partners. Conference participants will become part of the ICD Alumni, a growing international network of people of diverse interests and backgrounds from around the world who share a commitment to intercultural exchange. Members of the ICD Alumni Group will benefit from the following opportunities: Alumni online forum, Advisory Board Networking, ICD support for individual Leadership Initiatives, free access to all ICD research, videos and photos as well as other event documentation. Participants will be able to remain in touch with each other through the ICD Networks. (more »)