On October 8, the Fifth International Forum on Cultural Diplomacy took place in Kyiv. The event gathered leading experts from Ukraine and around the world to discuss the impact of global changes on cultural diplomacy, new tools and practices in this field, and the role of culture in strengthening international relations.
The official opening of the 2024 International Forum on Cultural Diplomacy began with a panel discussion titled “The Role of Cultural Diplomacy in Turbulent Times.” Speakers included the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, USAID Mission Director in Ukraine Julie Koenen, and the Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Ukrainian Institute Vadym Karpiak.
“The full-scale invasion has brought clarity to everything related to cultural diplomacy. It is now crucial not only to speak about Ukrainian identity but to clearly distinguish it from russian. This involves decolonization projects, where we must literally cleanse every individual name from russian layers. We must be separated from the terrorist state not only by the frontline but also through cultural differentiation. Unfortunately, much time has been lost in the past, so our current work to ‘Ukrainize’ the world will not be fast or easy. It will require our unity and, of course, a unified communication strategy,” said First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska during the Forum.
The Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications for Digital Development, Digital Transformation, and Digitalization, Anastasia Bondar, participated in the panel discussion “Cultural Relations as a Path to European Integration.”
“It is now necessary not only to talk about losses and the need for funding in the cultural sector but also to highlight the value and significance of events in Ukraine from various perspectives. The situation in Ukraine should serve as a stimulus, including for other countries, to elevate the cultural sector and incorporate it into national strategic priorities alongside security and the economy,” she emphasized.
During the panel discussions and presentations at the Forum, topics included countering disinformation in cultural diplomacy practices and how to turn large-scale cultural events into platforms for fostering international dialogue. Additionally, a workshop was held on integrating cultural diplomacy into educational programs.
The 2024 International Forum on Cultural Diplomacy was organized by the Ukrainian Institute in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine as part of the Public Engagement Program “Join Us!” funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Pact in Ukraine. The content of the forum is the sole responsibility of Pact and its partners and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) or the U.S. government.
