Philippine Cultural Diplomacy: Unraveling its Full Potential

Abstract

Cultural diplomacy plays a vital role in international affairs. It is defined as “the exchange of ideas, information, art, and other aspects of culture among nations and their peoples in order to foster mutual understanding.”1 It serves as an avenue through which states promote their national interests and build relationships with other nations. As the world becomes more globalized and interdependent, cultural diplomacy is becoming a vital tool in enhancing interaction within the international community. It creates a foundation of trust with other countries, which policymakers can build on to reach political, economic, and military agreements. It also provides a “positive agenda for cooperation inspite of policy differences, creates a neutral platform for people-to-people contact, and serves as a flexible, universally accepted approach towards countries where diplomatic relations have been strained.