Founded in 1999, The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) is an international, not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation with headquarters in the United States and Germany.

The ICD is at the centre of a global network of independent partners in both the public and private...
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Founded in 1999, The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) is an international, not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation with headquarters in the United States and Germany.

The ICD is at the centre of a global network of independent partners in both the public and private sectors, whose collective mission is to enhance the process of international and interregional human interaction by improving the very fabric of social relations.

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy’s ultimate goal is to enable, enhance and sustain inter- and intra- cultural dialogue between different cultures. This is with the view to creating constructive, sustainable relationships which will prevent misunderstanding, improve communication and cooperation and help to reduce the likelihood of socio-cultural conflicts.
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The ICD sees the role of researching, promoting and developing the field of cultural diplomacy as an integral part of its mission. The field of cultural diplomacy today includes a diverse array of actors; individuals, private organizations, private sector firms, civil society organizations and...
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The ICD sees the role of researching, promoting and developing the field of cultural diplomacy as an integral part of its mission. The field of cultural diplomacy today includes a diverse array of actors; individuals, private organizations, private sector firms, civil society organizations and public sector institutions. We endeavour to optimize and increase the level of cooperation and partnership between the different institutions and organizations working in the field of cultural diplomacy. The ICD aims to apply this foundation of research, gathered through various symposia, academies and forums, to these organizations.

To further promote the field of cultural diplomacy the ICD organises programmes and initiatives that aim to develop the participants' awareness and understanding of the practice of cultural diplomacy. The aim of the ICD’s programmes is to impress upon young leaders the value of cultural diplomacy, and to encourage and support them to make further investigations in the field and subsequently to initiate independent projects. The aim is for our programmes to create a ripple effect, the influence of which extends far beyond what is traditionally achieved in a single event.

As well as promoting cultural diplomacy through its own initiatives, the ICD also promotes cultural diplomacy by actively supporting the work that is already being done in this area by communicating with, partnering, and publishing material by other actors in the field.
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The ICD has developed a number of programmes that aim to promote cultural diplomacy. These programmes can be divided into the following categories:

Young Leaders’ Forums - The ICD organises a range of bi-lateral and multi-lateral Young Leaders’ Forums. These forums take the...
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The ICD has developed a number of programmes that aim to promote cultural diplomacy. These programmes can be divided into the following categories:

Young Leaders’ Forums - The ICD organises a range of bi-lateral and multi-lateral Young Leaders’ Forums. These forums take the form of week-long seminars on cultural diplomacy, which examine how it can be employed to improve and strengthen the relationships between the countries involved. The participants of the forums are young leaders from the corresponding countries, selected according to their potential future influence on society. Following the completion of the week-long programmes, the participants become part of our Young Leaders’ Network, and are given support and encouragement to develop their own follow-up cultural diplomacy projects in their local communities.

Current bi-lateral programmes operated by the ICD focus on the relationship between Germany and Canada, Poland, Turkey, the UK and the USA. Multi-lateral programmes run by the ICD include forums with a focus on the African continent, as well as forums with a more global focus.

The Academy – The monthly ICD Academy consists of weekend and week-long programmes in Berlin that aim to provide a thorough introduction to the field of cultural diplomacy from a range of different perspectives. The Academy was developed from a need to provide both students and professionals with the opportunity to learn more about the field, and to introduce them to a diverse range of experts on cultural diplomacy from the public, private, and academic sectors.

Individual Projects -Due to the broad and dynamic nature of the field of cultural diplomacy, the ICD is always looking to take part in, and develop, a range of unique projects related to current themes in the international environment and the interests of our partner organisations. Such events include panel discussions, concerts, artistic performances, and workshops. The ICD is open to new collaborations and opportunities from like-minded individuals and organisations that contribute to the field of cultural diplomacy.
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