A separate area of cultural diplomacy involves the study and dissemination of the national language.
Support for book publishing as a powerful means of cultural influence is extremely common among international cultural projects. Translation projects are no less important, as translation itself fosters dialogue between different cultures.
In Ukraine, cultural diplomacy at the national level is carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Science, the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine, non-governmental organizations, and private individuals. In 2015, the First Forum on Cultural Diplomacy of Ukraine was launched, initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine also established the Department of Public Diplomacy, which comprises three divisions: cultural diplomacy, image-building projects, and media relations. Today, the main focus is on promoting Ukrainian cinema, organizing photo exhibitions, and hosting meetings with Ukrainian writers, scholars, and others. The EU, the United States, and Canada have been identified as priority areas for Ukrainian cultural diplomacy. Representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora play an important role in the development of Ukrainian cultural diplomacy, particularly through the scientific, educational, academic, youth, religious, and cultural organizations they have established. Ukrainians abroad exert cultural, informational, and political influence and contribute to shaping a positive image of the Ukrainian state. In many countries, Ukrainian centers have been established at the initiative of the Ukrainian diaspora to promote the development of interstate cooperation; examples include the Ukrainian National and Cultural Center (Prague) and the Ukrainian Institute in Sweden. It is also necessary to adopt a State Program for the Development of Cultural Ties with Ukrainians Abroad, which has been under discussion for many years. Of particular importance is the development of the domestic dimension of cultural diplomacy (“domestic public diplomacy”), which aims to foster domestic political dialogue through cultural means. This is especially relevant in the current context of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Practice shows that joint cultural initiatives help resolve conflicts and bring together artists, cultural figures, and intellectuals from different regions of Ukraine. Since the start of the war in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian artists, educators, and civic leaders have organized numerous cultural events in communities affected by the armed conflict. Cultural diplomacy fosters cooperation, transforms individual cultural diplomacy initiatives into systematic work within communities, engages a broad audience in these initiatives, and develops public and civic spaces that can serve as platforms for both artistic initiatives and societal dialogue. Cultural integration and cooperation among Ukraine’s regions are key priorities of the country’s current policy.
The emergence of projects such as “Cultural Diplomacy Among Ukraine’s Regions” (an initiative of the Ukrainian Crisis Media Center) is quite significant for the development of the domestic dimension of cultural diplomacy. Of course, the creation and development of a state institution for cultural diplomacy is a rather complex and lengthy process that requires the concerted efforts of both government agencies and civil society. Cultural diplomacy has both domestic and international dimensions, and one of its key tasks is to respond swiftly to society’s cultural needs and to promote Ukraine’s image globally through cultural cooperation. The experience of EU member states shows that it is important today to develop new avenues for cultural dialogue and cooperation both within the European Union and at the international level, and that both governmental and nongovernmental programs should be promoted. Practice shows that the development of cultural diplomacy by EU countries significantly enhances the effectiveness of foreign policy, adds prestige to states and national governments, reduces the impact of negative stereotypes, and strengthens a state’s authority. The successful development of Ukrainian cultural diplomacy is possible provided there is a comprehensive and systematic approach by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, the expert community, volunteers, and representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora.
As Foreign Minister D. Kuleba noted in his speech, the first International Forum on Cultural Diplomacy, organized by the Ukrainian Institute in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, began on November 10, 2020.
The event brought together leading experts from Ukraine, the United States, the United Kingdom, Austria, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Turkey to exchange best practices and seek inclusive solutions for cultural diplomacy in times of global crises and threats. Key topics included: best practices in cultural diplomacy; perceptions of Ukraine abroad; the country’s image and national security; and Ukraine’s ranking in global soft power indices.
Opening the forum, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba noted that Ukraine has established an institutional framework for cultural diplomacy centered on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ukrainian Institute.
The minister noted that a whole generation of Ukrainian artists and arts managers has already emerged in Ukraine who are ready to engage in cultural diplomacy and are already implementing successful artistic collaborations abroad.