NACDI was pleased to see the launch of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s report on the role played by culture and arts in Canada’s international affairs. Released on June 11, 2019, the report is titled Cultural Diplomacy on the Front Stage of Canada’s Foreign Policy. The report draws on hearings and consultations since 2017. It is, in fact, the first comprehensive study since 1994 to consider art and culture in Canadian foreign policy. The report contains eight recommendations that call for a strategic approach and government investment to centre arts and culture as a pillar of Canada’s foreign policy.

Several NACDI members participated in this study and their views are reflected in the final report. Sarah E.K. Smith (Carleton University) advised the committee to consider non-state actors. The report notes she “suggested that the committee take into account the role of ‘diverse networks of cultural exchange,’ for instance artists, students, cultural institutions and non-governmental organizations” (2019, 27). Nicholas Cull (University of Southern California) argued for the key role played by individuals. He stated: “The big change that has come from our communications revolution is that you can no longer put people at the edge of foreign policy. They have to be at the centre. Culture is all about people, so finding ways of engaging people, not just politically but culturally, is the way to think about it” (2019, 61).

NACDI looks forward to engaging in conversation with numerous individuals and groups to discuss the findings of the report.

You can access the report in full here: https://sencanada.ca/content/sen/committee/421/AEFA/Reports/Report_CulturalDiplomacy_e.pdf

For further information, see the Senate website, which contains the recommendations, media release, and executive summary: https://sencanada.ca/en/info-page/parl-42-1/aefa-cultural-diplomacy/