Australia's Approaches to Cultural Diplomacy With/in Asia: An Overview

This report examines Australian cultural diplomacy activities of relevance to Asia literacy and Asia capability-building practices and potentials. There are two dimensions that shape the way that this account of cultural diplomacy activities is organised. Firstly, the report places Australian activities in terms of a spectrum of approaches to cultural diplomacy, public diplomacy and cultural relations. Secondly, the report documents relevant Australian cultural diplomacy activities in terms of the governmental frameworks in which they take place. The report will consider cultural diplomacy activities: 1) within the core DFAT public diplomacy programs 2) other government agencies in partnership or linked to a ‘whole of government’ program, and 3) non-government activity linked to the official activities through government funding or facilitation. This focus on Australia’s ‘official’ cultural diplomacy activities will identify a range of differing understandings and approaches to cultural engagement with Asia. The report does not seek to assess these activities in terms of their strategic effectiveness for Australia as cultural diplomacy, but rather how they contribute, or might potentially contribute to Asia literacy and Asia capabilities. The report will also point to possible synergies between differing cultural diplomacy approaches which may be relevant to developing Asia literacy and capabilities in the fields of arts and culture.