ENCATC Academy Cultural Relations and Diplomacy

On 5-7 December 2012 ENCATC launched its 1st Academy on “Cultural Relations and Diplomacy” in Brussels. The intensive 3-day learning programme was a joint initiative of ENCATC, the only European network on Cultural Management and Cultural Policy Education, and Goldsmiths, University of London, the leading higher education organisation in delivering a post graduate programme in this field. The aim was to deliver an intense learning and networking opportunity to participants to further develop their knowledge and expertise, and prepare them to deal with challenges in cultural relations and diplomacy.  

he Academy combined a range of learning formats that included presentations, interactive discussions and sharing of views with key speakers and expertise between the 28 participants. This cooperative programme also offered practitioners and decision makers the opportunity to expand their personal and professional networks and establish future project partnerships. 

During the Academy, the participants also had the opportunity to listen to the last updated in the field from the European Insitutions (e.g.Marietje Schaake, Member of the European Parliament, and Jolita Pons from the European Extern two Brussels’ flagship cultural institutions, Bozar and Europalia, successfully contribute to create strong cultural and economics links between Belgium and other countries. The importance of social networks in creating a new public diplomacy was introduced by Dominic Campbell while Colin Hicks investigated how cultural diplomacy can be strengthen through social networks and online media. Please add quotes from participants.