The International Center (Indianapolis)’s Post

I’m attending the annual #Tertulias dialogue between UK & Spain in Alicante, which has been both fascinating & informative. These informal bilateral dialogues are becoming more important. Including politicians, diplomats, but also representatives from business, academia, arts, science & other sectors these gatherings are an annual opportunity for building bridges, exchanging perspectives & information and identifying both challenges & ideas for collaboration. Both in the context of Brexit, but also an informalising global governance architecture, bilatera fora allow the UK & other countries, to influence, understand & engage via a collaborative approach between UK officials, business & civil society - all at arms length from, but connected to official channels. This is a genuinely ‘team UK’ approach which is particularly powerful for a country like the UK but sadly all too rare. Again, typically, the UK benefits from dozens of these bilateral fora with countries around the world, but currently organisational capacity & HMG awareness & involvement varies enormously. Too often there is a sense foreign partners value them more than the UK does. What is particularly attractive about this outreach model at times such as this is that it is largely funded by corporate sponsorship, with minimal requirement for taxpayer money. At Wilton Park we are working to build a more strategic understanding of these fora, support them, and enable a light touch, but more joined up approach to making the most of what has the potential to be a very modern, flexible, collaborative & efficient model for diplomacy, trade promotion, cultural exchange & soft power #diplomacy #business #trade #culture #softpower

🌍 Exciting News! 🌍 We at European Diplomats offer top-notch consultancy services to help businesses navigate global trade, regulatory, and policy changes. With expertise in relationship building, policy influence, strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and political intelligence, they provide comprehensive advocacy and strategic brand placement. We also organize high-level events to connect clients with key policymakers. Unlock your business's potential with European Diplomats! ➣ Learn more at European Diplomats. #Diplomacy #Consultancy #GlobalTrade #PublicAffairs #PolicyInfluence #StakeholderEngagement --- In today's dynamic global landscape, navigating trade regulations, policy changes, and building strategic relationships is more crucial than ever. At European Diplomats, we specialize in helping businesses like yours thrive by offering: Relationship Building: Connect with key stakeholders and policymakers. Policy Influence: Shape policies that impact your industry. Strategic Communication: Enhance your public affairs strategies. Stakeholder Engagement: Engage effectively with critical audiences. Political Intelligence: Stay ahead with insights on political trends. Comprehensive Advocacy: Advocate for your interests globally. Strategic Brand Placement: Position your brand for success. We recently organized a high-level roundtable at the American Embassy in Rome, facilitating discussions with top government officials and industry leaders. Our proven track record ensures unparalleled support in achieving your business goals. Partner with us to unlock your business's full potential in the international arena. Learn more about how we can assist you at European Diplomats. #Diplomacy #Consultancy #GlobalTrade #PublicAffairs #PolicyInfluence #StakeholderEngagement

Attending the 39th Ambassadors Meet organized by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry was an enlightening and enriching experience. As a participant, I had the opportunity to interact with distinguished ambassadors, diplomats, business leaders, and policymakers from various countries. Here's a reflection on the experience and some insights gained: #Global Perspective: One of the most significant takeaways from the event was gaining a global perspective on economic and diplomatic affairs. Interacting with ambassadors from different countries provided invaluable insights into their respective nations' economic policies, trade relations, and diplomatic priorities. It helped broaden my understanding of global dynamics and the interconnectedness of economies. #Networking Opportunities: The Ambassadors Meet offered an excellent platform for networking with key stakeholders in the international business community. Engaging in discussions and exchanging ideas with ambassadors, business leaders, and policymakers facilitated the establishment of new connections and potential collaborations. Building a robust network is crucial in today's interconnected world, and this event provided ample opportunities for that. Insights into #Bilateral Relations: The event shed light on bilateral relations between countries and the role of diplomacy in fostering economic cooperation. Hearing directly from ambassadors about the challenges and opportunities in enhancing trade relations between their respective countries and India provided valuable insights. Understanding the nuances of diplomatic negotiations and the factors influencing bilateral trade can be instrumental for businesses looking to expand globally. #Cultural Exchange: Beyond economic and diplomatic discussions, the event also facilitated cultural exchange among participants. Learning about the rich cultural heritage of different countries, their traditions, and customs fostered mutual understanding and appreciation. Building cultural bridges is essential for strengthening people-to-people ties, which form the foundation of robust bilateral relations. Overall, attending the 39th Ambassadors Meet organized by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a rewarding experience that offered valuable insights into global affairs, facilitated meaningful connections, and fostered dialogue for enhanced economic cooperation. The event underscored the importance of diplomacy, collaboration, and cultural exchange in driving sustainable development and prosperity in an interconnected world. #foreign #business #company #incorporation #foreign

And here is the third panel of the Africa Policy Week which is starting on Monday.

🇸🇦 Italy was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.  Following the foundation of the Saudi Kingdom in 1932, the first Italian diplomatic mission was opened in Jeddah, while the Italian embassy was officially established in 1960. In 1984, after the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia decided to transfer the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the city of Jeddah to the capital Riad, the Italian government saw the need to also transfer its embassy to the capital.  Although in the beginning the relations were mostly of an economic-commercial nature, with time also political relations and intercultural dialogue are intensifying.  Some examples are the financing of cultural activities such as conferences held by professors from Italian research centers and universities, awards and scholarships for students of Italian studies, but also scientific exchange activities and enhancement of the historical heritage of Saudi Arabia .  The most important event of 2022 was the ninetieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and Saudi Arabia (1932-2022) which, in addition to various meetings and interviews, was celebrated with the publication of a volume commissioned by the Embassy of Italy in Saudi Arabia, which traces the salient moments of the Italian-Saudi friendship and the progressive consolidation of the strategic partnership in a historical key. 🔗 #italyabroad

Contributions are sought for a conference organized by Mathew Fitzpatrick (Flinders University), Simone Lässig (GHI Washington), and Isabel Richter (GHI Washington Pacific Office at UC Berkeley). The conference will take place from June 25–27, 2025 at Flinders University (city campus), Adelaide, South Australia. Application Deadline: September 30, 2024 What are the contours and legacies of German history in the Asia-Pacific region? Conference participants will examine the complex and varied interactions between Germans and the peoples of the Pacific and Asia-Pacific coast. The conference seeks to uncover Germany’s various entanglements in the region and to investigate the forms of cooperation and conflict that characterized German endeavors in the region. The chronological starting point for this investigation is the establishment of the Hamburg firm Godeffroy und Sohn in the Samoan capital of Apia in 1857. The conference seeks to answer questions such as: What was the nature of German colonialism and later political and cultural involvement in Asia and the Pacific, and how did it compare with German colonial activities elsewhere? What role did warfare, diplomacy, and trade play in establishing Germany in the Asia-Pacific region between the 1850s and the 1980s?  Does an exploration of gender and racial relations link German history in the Asia-Pacific region to a broader history?  How did Asian and Pacific peoples experience and respond to German colonial endeavors, political overtures, and knowledge production in their region?  What are the legacies of German scientific and anthropological activity in the region, and how do these histories inform current debates about repatriation and restitution? How did Germany’s involvement in two World Wars and the Cold War affect the Asia-Pacific region and German activity there?  The conference will be held in English. Individual paper presentations are limited to 20 minutes. Proposals, which should include a title, an abstract of no more than 250 words, a short CV, and contact information (address, phone, email) should be submitted online in a single pdf (the file name should be the last name of the applicant) by September 30, 2024. Decisions will be sent out by early November 2024.  Accommodations will be arranged and paid for by the conference organizers. Participants will need to make their own travel arrangements. Subsidies for travel will be available upon request for selected scholars, especially those who might not otherwise be able to attend the workshop, including junior scholars and scholars from universities with limited resources. There is no registration fee. Contact Information Heike Friedman Contact Email friedman[at]ghi-dc.org URL https://lnkd.in/eJCkfSEP

Crossing boundaries, connecting an ocean: New Zealand, Latin America and the Blue Pacific. Our Director, Dr Matthew O'Meagher, Deputy Director Craig Nicholson and MartinJenkins Principal Consultant John Capper met today for a fascinating dialogue with the Ambassador of Cuba, H.E. Mr Luís Ernesto Morejón Rodríguez, about our Latin America Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence research piece. The research focuses on these key themes:   1. The extent of interests shared by New Zealand, Latin America and Pacific nations and peoples. 2. Uncover new opportunities for beneficial partnerships across the Pacific 3. Support the objectives of the Pacific Islands Forum 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. 4. Weave Latin American nations into wider Pacific regional discourses; and 5. Help align New Zealand policy approaches to the South Pacific and Latin America in original, transformative and cost-effective ways.   Gracias Embajador Morejón for kindly hosting us today & sharing important Cuban perspectives on our regions. This included, for example, the important contributions of Cuba & Cuban doctors globally, including in Pacific nations, and the support of New Zealand to support the English language training of such doctors.  We also discussed opportunities for future collaboration and potential barriers.    Finally, it‘s important to note 2024 is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations relations between Cuba and New Zealand. ¡Viva Cuba! ¡Viva Nueva Zelandia! ¡Viva el Océano Pacífico!   Watch this space and the Latin America CAPE website for this research piece authored by MartinJenkins, to be launched in June 2024. #newzealand #aotearoa #cuba #latinamerica #pacificocean #caribbean #pacificislands #pacificpeoples #indigenous   https://lnkd.in/grNikCEx

Travelling for work, study or leisure? What to know before you go…   🤝 Diplomacy is the art and science of forging peaceful relationships between nations, groups, or individuals. It’s highly contextual, needing a shared understanding of how we all define, judge and practice ways of ‘being’ together.   ‘Diplomacy’ originally from the ancient Greek term δίπλωμα (a paper folded double, a licence, a chart), referred to a document allowing travel or privileges. The term progressed to the Latin ‘diploma’ (a state paper, an official document).   Understanding diplomacy is critical for successful travel, you don’t need to be a formally appointed diplomat, ambassador or representative – simply skilling up in how to get along with people is a function of global citizenry.   The 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations set out rules for the exchange and treatment of envoys between states, assisting develop friendly relations among nations, irrespective of diverse legal and social systems.   Want to find out more?   Lowy Institute: Compare and rank diplomatic networks of all G20, OECD and Asian countries by city, country and post type https://lnkd.in/gUNJFSsX   Digital Diplomacy Index: Tracks online influence of world powers, it covers a range of sub-indexes based on visibility across media platforms https://lnkd.in/dsY8TNY   Women in Diplomacy: Provide an interactive map and dashboard tracking representation by women in ambassadorial and permanent representatives roles worldwide  https://lnkd.in/gJ_M9dGf   Global Soft power index: Provide data across a range of soft power metrics, segmented via an interactive dashboard https://lnkd.in/gGT5w5Yi   Subsets of ‘diplomacy’ are increasingly tracked, including; health, sport, cultural, economic and development diplomacy. So it’s worth searching your area of interest. For example see the Global Health Security Index https://ghsindex.org/   Whether travelling for work, study or leisure, understanding the practice and role of diplomacy in a host country will uplift and inform the experience.   👍🏼 Follow Three degrees of latitude for tips to enhance your overseas experience.   #intled #travel #tourism #business #studyabroad #diplomacy

Excited to share my participation in the insightful conference hosted by Università LUMSA in collaboration with the American Embassy in Rome, as part of the #Cenacolostudidiplomatici. The conference delved into the crucial role of the embassy's press office in orchestrating effective social media campaigns and managing traditional press interactions. One highlight was the presentation by the media specialist of the embassy, underscoring their commitment to establishing a more intimate connection with the public. This was exemplified through innovative initiatives like #obamainitalia, where a paper-made silhouette of the former president graced prominent locations in Rome. This not only demonstrated a creative approach to engagement but also showcased a commitment to fostering positive connections. Furthermore, the embassy's collaboration with Casa Surace, a renowned Italian comedy group, showcased a brilliant fusion of cultural exchange and humor. Addressing common assumptions of American travelers in Italy, Casa Surace provided valuable insights with a touch of comedy, making cultural exchange accessible and entertaining. The conference shed light on the evolving landscape of diplomatic communication, emphasizing the need for adaptability and creativity. The embassy's proactive stance in leveraging various communication channels reflects a contemporary approach to bridge-building. As we navigate an interconnected world, such initiatives play a vital role in fostering understanding and building bridges between nations. I look forward to witnessing more innovative communication strategies and collaborations that transcend borders. 🌐🇮🇹🇺🇸 #Diplomacy #CulturalExchange #PublicRelations #LUMSAConference

An interactive evening with the Swedish Embassy Trade and Economic Staff. On a pleasant late May early evening, an intellectually curious group gathered in the back garden of a Georgetown café to hear the Swedish Embassy Trade and Economic Affairs staff discuss their role in enhancing commerce in the US. Sponsored by the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce-Washington D.C. (SACC-DC) American Chamber of Commerce DC (SACC-DC), the get-together featured Mathias Hultgren, the Head of Trade and Economic Affairs department, and Petra Hansson, Counselor, who described their roles and recent initiatives to heighten the longstanding deep economic and cultural relationship between the two countries. The event was conversational and interactive, with Mathias and Petra responding to questions from the moderator and audience. A sub-theme of the evening was the importance of having such networking gatherings, and how they can lead to establishing new and valuable relationships, in addition to gaining insight and information. Mathias and Petra addressed current issues facing the Embassy and offered examples of how they proactively provide leadership in strengthening Sweden and the US. bonds. For example, Mathias shared how high level visits can be used to promote both social values and trade. He recently returned from a trip to Texas, where Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström led a delegation focusing on Space diplomacy. Sweden is committed to peaceful and responsible use of Space, and the government has launched capabilities and companies supplying the space industry. SACC-DC sponsors a range of events: some are more social, such as the annual Crayfish, Golf, and Holiday occasions; while others, such as the Nordic Innovation and Sustainability Forum, focus on challenging policy issues. What these events have in common is a desire to enhance or initiate relationships, and SACC-DC looks forward to future gatherings with other Embassy staff, including Office of Science and Innovation, Communication, Culture and Public Diplomacy, and Political Affairs. Text by Jim Solyst, SACC-DC Board Member.