Hard vs. Soft Power:
An International Forum on Foreign Policy Strategies in International Relations
(The Cambridge Union, Cambridge University, 23rd – 26th June 2010)
Dear Friends & Colleagues,
On behalf of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy, I am writing to you to announce the
details of our next major congress. "Hard vs. Soft Power" is an international congress
that will explore the balance between hard and soft power in contemporary
international relations and consider the future of the two approaches. The congress is
a four day program of lectures, seminars, and panel discussions, being organised by
the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in cooperation with the Cambridge Union Society.
We are currently accepting applications to attend the congress, and I would be
grateful if you could share the announcement with any individuals who you feel may
be interested. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support in raising
awareness of our upcoming event.
Further information can be found under www.culturaldiplomacy.org/cambridgeforum
Hard vs. Soft Power
Conference Agenda
The conference will begin by exploring the origins, development, and contemporary
understanding of the terms "hard power", "soft power", and "smart power", and the
extent to which they can be viewed as distinct concepts. Having explored the
definitions of these terms, the focus of analysis will then be on the balance of hard
and soft power in the contemporary foreign policy strategies of nation states. Under
particular consideration here will be the changing nature of foreign policy priorities;
the increasing importance of global public goods and the challenges of pursuing
objectives in an interdependent world. During the second part of the program case
studies of soft power and cultural diplomacy will be considered, and speakers will be
asked to reflect on the future of foreign policy strategies.
“Hard vs. Soft Power” will be split into three complementary parts:
1. "Hard and Soft Power: Identification and Application" (23rd – 24th June)
During the first part of the conference the program will look in detail at the concepts
of “hard power” and “soft power” as well as focusing on the more recent strategy
“smart power”. Academic experts and cultural practitioners will consider the history
and developments of these terms – where they have emerged from and how they
can be understood and identified in contemporary international relations. Theoretical
components will be complemented by case studies presented by renowned figures
from international politics and civil society. The theoretical components and case
studies will allow the participants the opportunity to explore how hard and soft power
are employed by different actors across the world.
2.
“The Present and Future of British Foreign Policy: Development Aid,
Democracy Promotion, Demilitarisation?” (25th June)
The second part of the program will focus on the UK’s foreign policy goals, strategies,
and international partners, as well as the formulation and interpretation of policy by
the government. Expert speakers from British politics and diplomacy, the media, the
armed forces, and civil society will reflect on the role that the UK can and should play
in the global arena in the coming decade, the key challenges it faces, and the
strategies that can be used to address these challenges. The role of the media in
interpreting and shaping British foreign policy, and the impact of globalisation on this
process, will also be under consideration.
3. "International Relations in the Coming Decade: Changing Priorities,
Changing Strategies?" (26th June)
The final part of the program will focus on the changes that have undergone
international relations over the past two decades, in particular the growing
interdependence between nation states, the emerging role of non-state actors in
international relations, the process of globalisation, and the technological revolution.
Furthermore, the program will consider the emerging challenges facing nation states,
in particular climate change, international crime and terrorism, global health
pandemics, and immigration. The developments will be considered through case
studies that will provide an opportunity to consider the roles of hard, soft, and smart
power in addressing contemporary challenges.
Conference Speakers
We are privileged to include as speakers many distinguished experts from the fields
of international politics, economics, diplomacy, the private sector, and civil society:
Andrew Sparrow – Senior Political Editor for the Guardian Online
Anna Fotyga – Former Foreign Minister of Poland
H.E. Ambassador Birger Riis-Jørgensen – Ambassador of Denmark to the UK
Dr. Catherine Fieschi – Director of Counterpoint
Dr. Hubertus Hoffmann – President and Founder of the World Security Network
Prof. Inderjeet Parmar – Professor of Government at Manchester University, ViceChair of the UK International Studies Association
Jean Lambert – MEP for London (Green Party), Vice-President of the
Greens/European Free Alliance
Dr. Miomir Žužul – Former Foreign Minister of Croatia (tbc)
Mark C. Donfried – Director & Founder of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy
Martin Bell – UNICEF UK Ambassador, Former British MP (Independent)
Prof. Philip Dodd – Visiting Professor at the University of the Arts London
Dr. Sharath Srinivasan - Director of the Centre of Governance and Human Rights at
Cambridge University
Samuel Jones – Head of Culture at Demos, DCMS Fellow
Simon Berry – Founder and Director of Colalife
Simon Anholt –Advisor to the British Government, Pioneer of “Nation Branding”
Dr. Solomon Passy - Former Foreign Minister of Bulgaria (tbc)
Teresa Patrício de Gouveia – Former Foreign Minister of Portugal
Conference Participants
Participants will include students and young professionals, journalists, political and
diplomatic representatives, and other individuals with an active interest in
international politics and the direvers of foreign policy.
The online application form can be found under:
http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/index.php?en_hard-vs-softpower_application-form
Conference Location
"Hard Vs Soft Power" will be based in the Cambridge Union, home of the university's
largest student society and the oldest student debating society in the world. The
Union is located in the heart of Cambridge, surrounded by the city's historic colleges
and a short walk to the River Cam.
Further Information
Further information can be found under www.culturaldiplomacy.org/cambridgeforum
Please address any queries to cambridgeforum@culturaldiplomacy.org
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The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy
The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD - www.culturaldiplomacy.org) is an
international, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization with headquarters in
Berlin, Germany. The goal of the ICD is to promote global peace and stability through
strengthening and supporting intercultural relations at all levels. Over the past
decade the ICD has grown to become one of Europe’s largest independent cultural
exchange organizations, whose programs facilitate interaction between individuals of
all cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds, from across the world.
Previous events held by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy include “A World Without
Walls: An International Congress on “Soft Power”, Cultural Diplomacy and
Interdependence”, which marked the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin
Wall (www.world-without-walls.org). In February, 2010, the ICD hosted the Berlin
International Economics Congress: An Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Roles of
Global Politics & Civil Society in International Economics (www.biec.de).
For more information on speakers who have attended previous ICD events, please
click here.
For any additional information please address any queries to
cambridgeforum@culturaldiplomacy.org
With warmest regards,
Mark Donfried
Director & Founder
Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD)
Ku´damm Karree (3rd Floor/Hochhaus)
Kurfürstendamm 207-8 Berlin, Germany-10719
Phone: 00.49.(0)30.2360-7680
Fax: 00.49.(0)30.2360-76811
www.culturaldiplomacy.org