| Abstract: |
This paper argues that global soft power dynamics and the key actors’
behaviour in the battle ofnarratives positions the EU’s strategic approach on
international cultural relations beyond this battle.Even though this approach
originally counted on a well-functioning liberal democracy guided bythe rule
of law, its open and inclusive nature complemented by its readiness to engage
in dialogueand focus on the relational process aiming to build trust renders
it a useful asset in the emergingmultipolar world.For the success of the EU
approach collaborative partners are essential and their level of
genuineengagement matters. At the positive end of the global spectrum are the
democracies of the GlobalWest and Ukraine, while its war of aggression put
Russia firmly on the opposite end. Russia`ssoft power has in fact (almost)
always been reliant on the instrumentalisation of culture, clearlyattempting
to disrupt the exisiting system of international relations and to reconstruct
the Cold Warerabalance of power politics, dividing the world into spheres of
influence. Russia’s soft coercionefforts are pivotal in its colonial war aimed
at the destruction of not just the Ukrainian state, but alsoof Ukraine’s
national and cultural identity, language and history.Ukraine’s response to
this “weaponisation of cultural identity” was the direct opposite of
Russia`sapproach. With active EU support, a full scale cultural renewal
embraced democratic values, butressing Ukraine’s Western orientation and
contributing to a wider societal transformation thatreinforces its
anti-colonial resistance. China presents a conundrum. Its huge cultural
potential andexceptional global significance make a strong case for the EU to
develop a specific cultural relationsstrategy with the Asian superpower. On
the other hand, China’s regular interference with culturalfreedom within
Europe, its internal restrictions on artistic freedom, cultural and religious
rights aswell as its increasing alliance with Russia on Ukraine and on
disrupting the current rules based worldorder renders this difficult to
envisage.Given such a scenario, combined with the importance of trust
building, dialogue, co-creation, andseeking equity and fairness to address
collective challenges in cultural relations, the Global Southholds the biggest
potential for a reinforced implementation of the EU strategic approach. In the
GlobalSouth, the EU is generally seen as an attractive and “capable actor, ”
performing well in culture andsport in particular. It is already actively
engaged in cultural co-creation and intercultural dialoguewith many countries,
and supports initiatives to protect and promote cultural heritage,
successfulEuropean Spaces of Culture projects have been rolling out on all
continents (except Australia) since2019.My paper contends that a reinforced
cultural relations approach, complemented by conventionalforms of cultural
diplomacy and public diplomacy, should be used in a balanced manner. This
wouldrequire targeted, concrete flagship projects in each domain with
“differentiated implementation”, adjusted to specific needs with full
involvement of local actors and stakeholders. This could improvecoordination
among institutional actors. Such an approach also implies moving beyond the
rigidapplication of conceptual approaches, as instead of competing with other
methods, this new multifactorapproach would offer a scale of choices for
concrete actions on the ground which would beadapted to local circumstances.
Engaging in genuine dialogue, meaningful co-creation and mutuallybeneficial
collaboration with local partners resonates well not just with the basic
principles of thecultural relations approach. It also meets the clear message
coming from the Global South in thewake of Russia`s war and their search for
their own place in the new world power constellation. Thecountries of the
Global South are diverse, have their own histories and identities, and are
rejectinggeopolitical binaries in favour of multi-alignment and interest-based
dialogues. The EU and its Member States, acting collectively, have by far the
largest cultural network to engage effectively in third countries across the
globe in terms of reinforced cultural relations approach, conventional forms
of cultural diplomacy, and public diplomacy. The paradigm shift in
international relations due to the Russian invasion and due to the way culture
is used by other prominent global actors would fully justify continuing the
implementation of the Joint Communication with high ambitions. This
implementation should be based on a coherent vision in terms of the overall
objectives of the EU`s international cultural relations approach, supported
with strong political commitment, leadership, and personal involvement from
the top level of EU institutions. |