ID :
134121
Thu, 07/22/2010 - 13:27
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/134121
The shortlink copeid
ADACH panel explores role of cultural diplomacy in Assilah
Assilah, Morocco - July 22, 2010 (WAM)- Cultural diplomacy and its place in the world was discussed at a panel in ongoing Assilah Festival in Morocco, organised by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH).
Under the broad theme of Culture: The Missing Link in International Relations, the panel discussed everything from the role of economics in culture to how new technology can influence ‘soft power'.
The panel featured speakers from the worlds of film, government, arts and the media and was chaired by Mohamed Benaissa the Mayor of Assilah and former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Culture and Cynthia P. Schneider, from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. a former US Ambassador to the Netherlands.
Dr Sami el Masri, Deputy Director General of Culture and Arts at ADACH said: "Cultural diplomacy is a relatively new topic, but it has positive long term implications, this panel is where commonalities and differences can be shared and exchanged. ADACH is encouraging such debates of distinct cultural dynamics which leads to equal rights and strengthens engagement and intercultural exchange." The panel took a fascinating look at how governments can use culture and the exchange of ideas to increase understanding between different regions of the world. "Culture-created activity is what distinguishes the human species from every other species", said Schneider in her opening remarks. "When we understand other cultures, we really see people as people. Political discourse tends to divide and deal more in stereotypes", she added.
The Egyptian actor and director, Khalid Abou Naga echoed this view. "The gateway to understanding cultural diplomacy is in distinguishing between policies and people - I am not a politician, I am a human being - if we distinguish between the policies of the leaders and the people, we can see that art unites us all of the time, policy only some of the time." Among the panel were experts Richard Arndt, author of the seminal book on the subject: The First Resort of Kings. Also present was Andras Simonyi, former Hungarian Ambassador to the United States, Mark Donfried, the Founder and Director of the Institute For Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin.
Benaissa talked about how the benefits of cultural diplomacy could be seen in the Assilah Festival itself. "There are no five-star hotels in Assilah, so you know how people live in this country, and not in the capital cities, but in the marginalised and excluded places of the world." The panel discussion raised a number of fascinating points on issues that dealt with diplomacy and government and the role of arts and culture in bringing countries together. All speakers resolved to continue the dialogue and to work harder to further the aims of cultural diplomacy throughout the region.
ADACH is also holding several workshops and art exhibitions, lectures and seminars in Assilah Festival. These will address the topics such as the book industry and publishing (especially the Abu Dhabi Book Fair), Kitab, Qalam and the Sheikh Zayed Book Award. There will also be a workshop addressing the current unique market for UAE handicrafts. The festival will run from July 10th to July 27th.
ADACH, along with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development and Masdar are representing UAE officially at the Assilah Festival as a guest of honour this year. – Emirates News Agency, WAM
Under the broad theme of Culture: The Missing Link in International Relations, the panel discussed everything from the role of economics in culture to how new technology can influence ‘soft power'.
The panel featured speakers from the worlds of film, government, arts and the media and was chaired by Mohamed Benaissa the Mayor of Assilah and former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Culture and Cynthia P. Schneider, from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. a former US Ambassador to the Netherlands.
Dr Sami el Masri, Deputy Director General of Culture and Arts at ADACH said: "Cultural diplomacy is a relatively new topic, but it has positive long term implications, this panel is where commonalities and differences can be shared and exchanged. ADACH is encouraging such debates of distinct cultural dynamics which leads to equal rights and strengthens engagement and intercultural exchange." The panel took a fascinating look at how governments can use culture and the exchange of ideas to increase understanding between different regions of the world. "Culture-created activity is what distinguishes the human species from every other species", said Schneider in her opening remarks. "When we understand other cultures, we really see people as people. Political discourse tends to divide and deal more in stereotypes", she added.
The Egyptian actor and director, Khalid Abou Naga echoed this view. "The gateway to understanding cultural diplomacy is in distinguishing between policies and people - I am not a politician, I am a human being - if we distinguish between the policies of the leaders and the people, we can see that art unites us all of the time, policy only some of the time." Among the panel were experts Richard Arndt, author of the seminal book on the subject: The First Resort of Kings. Also present was Andras Simonyi, former Hungarian Ambassador to the United States, Mark Donfried, the Founder and Director of the Institute For Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin.
Benaissa talked about how the benefits of cultural diplomacy could be seen in the Assilah Festival itself. "There are no five-star hotels in Assilah, so you know how people live in this country, and not in the capital cities, but in the marginalised and excluded places of the world." The panel discussion raised a number of fascinating points on issues that dealt with diplomacy and government and the role of arts and culture in bringing countries together. All speakers resolved to continue the dialogue and to work harder to further the aims of cultural diplomacy throughout the region.
ADACH is also holding several workshops and art exhibitions, lectures and seminars in Assilah Festival. These will address the topics such as the book industry and publishing (especially the Abu Dhabi Book Fair), Kitab, Qalam and the Sheikh Zayed Book Award. There will also be a workshop addressing the current unique market for UAE handicrafts. The festival will run from July 10th to July 27th.
ADACH, along with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development and Masdar are representing UAE officially at the Assilah Festival as a guest of honour this year. – Emirates News Agency, WAM
