Cultural Diplomacy
Greece places particular emphasis on cultural diplomacy as a manifestation of its foreign policy’s soft power and as a way to engage with other nations. The universal value of Greek Culture as well as Hellenism, in its diachronic and synchronic manifestations, create a unifying thread in seeking shared origins, historical bonds, and dialogue with other countries, particularly through artistic creation.
In the realm of conventional diplomacy, bilateral Educational and Cultural Programs continue to be an essential and effective tool of conducting cultural diplomacy. They provide the added flexibility to swiftly conclude separate memoranda of cooperation/programs between domestic and international stakeholders (e.g., Museums, Cultural Foundations, State Archives, National Libraries, etc.).
Within the framework of public diplomacy as embedded in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ strategic vision, culture - especially through its capacity to multiply interactions -, stands as the key domain for promoting Greece and its outward-looking orientation in the international environment. The Ministry’s political collaborations in this dynamic sector include partnerships with various domestic entities, such as the artistic directions of Cultural Capitals of Europe (Eleusis in 2023), Museums, Cultural Foundations, Higher Educational Institutions, the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (E.R.T.), the Hellenic Documentation Centre, the National Centre of Audiovisual Media and Communication (E.K.O.M.E.) (audiovisual production), etc. These partnerships aim at supporting these entities’ major initiatives and promoting them through our Missions abroad, as well as the global network of Greek Diaspora associations. Similarly, this approach extends to supporting cultural events worldwide, including Greek Film Festivals, art exhibitions, theatrical productions, etc.
Significant agents of cultural diplomacy are:
1. The Hellenic Foundation for Culture (HFC), whose primary activity is teaching the Greek language and organizing cultural events, through a Network of Branches outside Greece. HFC branches operate in the following cities: Alexandria, Belgrade, Berlin, Bucharest, London, Nicosia, Odessa, Sofia, Tirana, Trieste, Washington. The HFC is a member of two European cultural networks: the EU National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) and the Anna Lindh Foundation.
2. The Greek Institute of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies in Venice, whose mission is to highlight the historical and philological aspects of Greek Culture during Byzantine and Post-Byzantine times and to promote cultural diplomacy through the organization of international events, seminars, and exhibitions.
3. The European Cultural Centre of Delphi, which organizes a multitude of meetings, conferences on cultural diplomacy, and activities of cultural content. It has established the Delphic Cultural Network, the Delphi Academy of European Studies, seminars in Ancient Greek, Panhellenic Debating Competitions, and an Art Programme.
The protection, promotion, and utilization of cultural heritage, including intangible cultural heritage, is our priority. Greece leads the campaign against the illicit trafficking of cultural property and for the return of unlawfully exported cultural goods to their countries of origin, as well as their protection in cases of armed conflict. Our country attaches particular importance to the promotion of its interests through the mechanisms of multilateral diplomacy, especially within the framework of UNESCO:
- Greece is a member of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the 2021-2025 term. Within the Committee, our country has successfully achieved the inscription of many Greek World Heritage sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A recent example is the inscription of the Zagori Cultural Landscape during the 45th session of the above Committee, held in Riyadh (10-25.9.2023).
- Intergovernmental UNESCO Committee for the "Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in case of Illicit Appropriation" (ICPRCP) for the 2019-2023 period. One of the main issues on the Committee's agenda is the return of the Parthenon Sculptures (Greece-United Kingdom), an issue that Greece has been raising since 1984.
- In December 2019, Greece was re-elected as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in the Event of Armed Conflict of UNESCO for the 2019-2023 term. This re-election underscores the special weight Greece carries in the realm of cultural heritage protection. Greece, as a member of the above Committee, spearheaded the Resolution for the inscription of the Historic Centre of Odessa on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Educational Diplomacy or Diplomacy of Education is a relatively new, but very promising scientific field, and falls under the broader concept of Public Diplomacy. It is implemented through inter-state educational initiatives, the collaboration of public organizations with civil society, and our country’s participation in European and international educational fora. The ultimate goal is to develop intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding among peoples.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs works closely with the competent Ministry of Education and Sports, as well as with educational bodies such as the State Scholarships Foundation (IKY), Study in Greece, Cultural Foundations of foreign states like Fulbright, and Greek Studies Centers abroad, to shape educational policy and create synergies between education, culture, and the economy.
It contributes to the effort to internationalize and promote Greek Universities’ outward orientation, by participating in initiatives such as the organization of the Pharos Summit 2022 at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, where agreements between Greek and U.S. higher education institutions were signed, as well as by sending representatives to international educational exhibitions abroad.
In this regard, the Ministry engages both Diaspora associations and Greek academics abroad, encouraging their active participation in the planning and advancement of diverse educational initiatives.
Ancient Civilizations Forum
The Ancient Civilizations Forum was established in April 2017 by virtue of the “Athens Declaration”, which was adopted by eight countries (Bolivia, China, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Italy and Peru). It aims at highlighting culture as a source of soft power of modern diplomacy and as a key tool for a multidimensional foreign policy through the establishment of a broad and multifaceted positive agenda of joint actions by the participating states. Additionally, the Forum facilitates economic growth through international cultural cooperation.
The Forum also focuses on intensifying cooperation on issues of cultural heritage, aiming, among other things, at combatting the illicit trafficking in cultural goods in peacetime and wartime, returning cultural goods to their countries of origin and protecting monuments from the impact of climate change.