As we say goodbye to another year, this edition of MCCD’s Soft Power features events from last month that are likely to impact cultural diplomacy in 2016. In the spirit of the New Year, we’ve coupled these highlights with soft power resolutions that anyone can take part in. Soft power diplomacy comes in many forms – maybe this month’s selections will inspire grassroots efforts in 2016.
Program Theme Spotlight is intended to promote ideas, brainstorming and best practices on frequent IVLP project topics.
Climate change is one of President Obama’s top foreign policy and national security priorities. While world leaders continue to seek consensus on emissions reduction, the impacts of a changing climate are already being seen in regions and communities around the globe. Increasingly, International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) projects will reflect this reality. While projects on key related topics such as green energy and sustainable energy management will continue in importance, one topic will make its way to the forefront: adapting to the impacts of climate change.
I had the privilege of showcasing my work alongside other pieces in Past Forward’s stop at The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, a contemporary art museum at Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing. The architecture of the museum, designed by the famous Zaha Hadid, is outstanding, and the museum is considered to be one of the most significant of its kind in the US, so that was an honor in and of itself.
As the last orange and yellow leaves fall and the holidays approach, we’re looking back at November in this edition of MCCD’sSoft Power: The Monthly Roundup. The following selection highlights eight notable cultural diplomacy projects that took place around the globe this month.
In May, Meridian launched the Social Innovation Fellowship. This year-long engagement of social entrepreneurs from across Europe will yield community improvement projects in 5 countries (Belgium, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, and Spain), however the implications will be significant throughout the region as each project addresses overlapping issues. Over the summer we shared some of the individual stories from the fellows’ experience – particularly their impressions and observations from their time in the U.S. (May, 2015). Now that they are back in their own communities, they are working to put into action best practices they learned while here. While each...
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