On November 10, the first International Cultural Diplomacy Forum began its work, organized by the Ukrainian Institute in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

The event brought together leading experts from Ukraine, the United States, the United Kingdom, Austria, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Turkey to share their best practices and find inclusive solutions to cultural diplomacy in times of global crises and threats. Among the key topics were the best practices of cultural diplomacy; perception of Ukraine abroad, the country’s image and national security; Ukraine in the global ranking of soft power.

While addressing the participants, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba noted that an institutional base for cultural diplomacy has been formed in Ukraine within the framework of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ukrainian Institute. He remarked that the participation of the First Lady Olena Zelenska is the highest level of political support for cultural diplomacy.

The Minister said that a generation of artists and art managers has already grown up in Ukraine, and they are ready to engage in cultural diplomacy, while some of them have already been involved in successful artistic collaborations abroad.

"There are two key priorities in cultural diplomacy. Firstly, new meanings and narratives about Ukraine should be promoted. Secondly, new vivid projects should be implemented to surprise the world. With culture’s soft power, we influence the attitude towards Ukraine in different countries’’ ,  said the Minister.

Dmytro Kuleba stressed that each country has its own specific knowledge about Ukraine and its attitude towards the country: "The art of cultural diplomacy is to target individual countries as particular audiences with their own perceptions of our country’’.

According to Dmytro Kuleba, effective cultural diplomacy, just as foreign policy, needs adequate funding, and it is not only about budget resources, but also about mutually beneficial partnership with patrons: “We need to develop platforms for cooperation with businessmen and exporters interested in entering specific markets. We are the best allies. "

Representatives of executive bodies, cultural institutions, educational institutions, analytical centers, foreign embassies, international organizations and others joined the Forum.

A video broadcast of the forum is available online on the Ukrainian Institute Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=1256758961369765&ref=watch_permalink