Blog

The importance of words

The word diplomacy refers to the set of persons and services that deal with the international relations of a state. It is the science, the technique that is officially represented, within specific institutional frameworks, in governments of other states and in international organizations. It constitutes the ability and capacity to manage a state's foreign relations. In English the term is rendered with the "cultural diplomacy". Etymologically, if the term diplomatic is examined, it arose from the word diplō-diplō, from which the noun diplō emerged with the meaning of folded document, as those who represented their state in another state gave the foreign state authority a folded document, its contents insured and its authenticity confirmed by the affixing of a seal.

The conceptual definition of culture is much more complex as it is open to many interpretations and definitions. Synthetically, we could give a definition of culture, which is the set of values, skills, abilities, knowledge and experiences created in historical evolution by a social group and which have a supra-atomic and timeless character and are born from generation to generation. Cultural diplomacy is the methodical use of elements of a state's culture in the management of its external international relations. It is the expansion, in the international arena, of the number of people who know and use the language of a people, its cultural achievements, history and cultural monuments. Undoubtedly, a distinction must be made between culture and barbarism.
Culture as an evaluative definition requires us to insist on the recorded connection of the word with the Greek city and politics.

Factors that influence the formation of Culture
Hippocrates refers to the atmosphere and how it affects human temperament, forms of government, and lifestyle. We believe that those who live in a European area and with a favorable climate are resilient, dynamic and mobile, while those who live in Asia are relaxed and slow.
Making a general observation, we would say that notable policies are generally developed in moderate climates and near water resources, centered on large urban centers (example: ancient Greek civilization – Mesopotamia – Egypt – China). Proximity to aggressive peoples, on the contrary, inhibits cultural progress. The French historian Fernand Braudel observed that “the stability of the geographical space in which a culture is established, as well as of its boundaries (geocultural unity), does not mean impermeability. Cultural goods travel in all directions, from one geographical space to another.
Clearly, there have been scientists who do not agree with the morphological power of the geographical factor, such as the German philosopher GF Wilhelm Hegel (1770-1831), who said characteristically: << Don't talk to me about geographical factors. Where the Greeks lived, the Turks live today. And this example alone is enough as an answer... >>. A common observation, however, is the view that from the time when the natural environment was persecuted into harmless surroundings, the power of the geographical factor in shaping culture began to be limited.
Biological and demographic factors that contribute to shaping the dynamics and culture of a social group, as well as physical configuration, physical endurance and adaptability to the natural environment, should not be excluded. Plato in "utopian" The state determines the number of "citizens" to ensure its smooth operation. And Aristotle in his Politics stated that "The first goal of the politician must be the population, that is, to know what the number and nature of the state should be... the extent of the population of a state is that which corresponds to the limits of life... >>.
Clearly, there are other areas that contributed to the development of favorable conditions for intellectual culture, such as the economy, history with the various political and social conditions that occurred, language, education, religious beliefs, science and technology. Undeniably, the national identity of a people does not necessarily coincide with cultural identity. National identity is constituted through a common language, a common or predominant religion, common historical memories, collective traditions, common morals and customs. The characteristics of national identity can express the specificity of cultural heritage, but they can also be preserved as remnants of a cultural past for the preservation of the collective memory and social cohesion of a people. Culture is something that precedes folklore and artistic memories, it is the common way of life. What differentiates the collective way of life from time to time lies in the understanding of needs and the criteria that arise from the meaning we give to the fact of our existence, to the given reality of the world, to the making of History. It is not determined by abstract theoretical << values ​​>> culture but from the prioritization of real human needs.

Is cultural diplomacy a realistic and effective practice for the purpose of exercising foreign policy in international relations?

The case of Cultural Diplomacy
Cultural diplomacy with a special dimension of public diplomacy is not something innovative in the history of international relations. The modern era has been identified with the promotion of the cultural achievements of great powers, particularly in two cases. The first is during colonialism with the cultural penetration of colonial powers, such as France and Great Britain, into the territories under their supervision. The second is during the Cold War, where culture, in the broadest sense, was identified with specific ideological directions and became a means of influencing the strategic choices of states. The terrorist attacks of September 11th can be said to have given a new dimension to the concept of cultural diplomacy,
The exercise of justified engagement through the path of culture responds through cultural diplomacy, which pursues two basic things. The first is the promotion and/or improvement of a country's image either through the promotion of the cultural achievements of the past or through the promotion and promotion of artistic and cultural creativity and expression that indicates the progression of cultural evolution in the modern era. The second objective is to promote specific objectives, within the framework of a broader external cultural strategy. This can be attributed to the conclusion of educational/commercial agreements by maintaining ties with communities abroad, by resolving interstate disputes that may arise both in relation to the cultural services provided,

In both cases, cultural diplomacy is an aspect of a state's public diplomacy and aims to create a positive image of the state in the international system, not only at the level of governments but also at the level of societies. The axis serves to establish a climate of trust with the ultimate goal of mutual understanding and the avoidance of political crises and conflicts and, on the other hand, the creation of positive directions at the societal level for each country. When the treaty is positively disposed towards the state, it is able to exercise and influence the orientation of government decisions, significantly influencing the achievement of the political and economic goals of the state in question.
In the case of Greek cultural diplomacy, a complexity appears as the exercise of politics presents a rather complicated pattern. This is because an important aspect of cultural matter, which concerns contemporary cultural creation, cannot be addressed by a single body. Therefore, the promotion of cultural development and heritage, as well as cultural creation, belongs to the shared responsibilities of state bodies and primary and secondary local government bodies, as well as private bodies (cultural associations, foundations, sponsors, etc.). Then, state bodies, private bodies, and NGOs take over, contributing to the formulation and exercise of foreign cultural policy and diplomacy.

Greece's foreign cultural policy is based on the following four elements:
⦁ Due to its geopolitical location, our country can function as a hub of communication and rapprochement between the EU, the Balkan countries, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Particular emphasis is placed on the evaluation of the common historical, religious and cultural origins among the peoples of the Balkan Peninsula.
⦁ Within the framework of the EU, alongside the violation of cultural diversity, the position of Hellenism and Greek cultural heritage in the formation of European identity should not be overlooked.
⦁ Greece can offer much to the interfaith dialogue between Christianity and Islam. The Byzantine and Orthodox tradition can play a catalytic role in the dialogue between the peoples of our wider region.
The Greek diaspora constitutes an important force for strengthening our country's international position and it is necessary to shape a new relationship between the national center and Greece abroad, which takes greater account of the social, linguistic and cultural particularities and needs of the latter.

Basic knowledge of the history and major cultural achievements of the diplomat's country, as well as the corresponding achievements of the country to which he is accredited, is essential. The impression should not be given that our cultural activity is motivated by political-partisan motives. Nor should they appear as the sole heirs of classical Greek civilization, which today is the property of all civilized humanity. It is considered wrong to denigrate foreign cultures in order to promote only our own. It is therefore known that there are countries neighboring Greece that tend to appropriate the cultural values ​​and achievements of the Greek spirit, just as the Turks present the Greek monuments of Asia Minor, where the cradle of Ionia was located, as "Turkish",
The duty of the Greek diplomat is to maintain the balance between Western influences and Eastern origins, between manifestations of globalization and local traditions. If this balance happens and is disrupted, then an upward trend in social unrest will follow and cultural weakening will appear. The main concern must be the cultural promotion of modern Greece of the 20th and 21st centuries and the potential contribution of Greek literature, sciences and arts to Europe and worldwide.

“An ambassador,
should be trained theologian,
well versed in Aristotle and Plato,
and able at a moment's notice
to solve the most abstruse problems
in correct dialectical form;

he should also be expert in mathematics,
architecture, music, physics,
and civil and canon law.

He should speak and write Latin fluently
and must also be proficient
in Greek, Spanish, French, German, and Turkish.

While being a trained classical scholar,
a historian, a geographer,
and an expert in military science,
he must also have a cultured taste for poetry.

And above all he must be of excellent family,
rich and endowed with fine physical presence”.

Venetian Diplomat Ottavianno Maggi, 1596.

sources :

⦁ Christos Giannaras, Cultural Diplomacy, Ikaros Publications.
⦁ George I. Christogiannis, Greek Cultural Diplomacy, 2nd Edition, Hellenic Publications.
⦁ Paraskevi Naskou-Perraki – Nikos Zaikos, Diplomatic and Federal Law, Parliamentary, cultural, economic and business diplomacy, with the contribution of: D. Anagnostopoulou, M. Sarigiannidis, A. Zervaki, M. Bozoudi, Sakkoulas Publications.
⦁ Nikolaos Vasiliadis – Sofia Boutskiouki, Cultural Diplomacy National and International Dimensions, www.kallipos.gr.