2008 Woodie Awards
Cultural diplomacy comes to IC
Jennifer Delgado - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 12/6/07 Section: Metro
- Page 1 of 1
Martin Davidson, the head of the British Council, will speak to the UI students, faculty, and staff today about cultural relations in a time of war, with a focus on the Middle East.
His lecture will be the first open discussion about the nature of public diplomacy from the council.
"The big thing for students to see is that this is a complicated area," Davidson said. "We've tried to simplify it. Governments want to build influence overseas, but to engage the public we must express common issues. "
Davidson said Iowa City was chosen as destination because of the UI International Writing Program and its work with UNESCO and the council. Furthermore, Iowa's central location is a change to hosting the presentation strictly on the east or west coasts, he added.
Christopher Merrill, the director of the IWP, said Iowa City is well positioned to host such an event because of its sophisticated audience. Merrill also sees the upcoming caucuses as an integral role.
"The war in Iraq is up and most important in Americans' minds," he said. "Cultural diplomacy will be helping to find a solution to the problem."
Many UI offices and departments have helped to work with Davidson's arrival, including the UI Lecture Committee.
"What's interesting is Davidson's discussion of cultural diplomacy," said Sharon Benzoni, a UI student and committee member. "I think we as a community are interested to see how we can be ambassadors for ourselves."
Davidson stressed that the lecture is not meant to be a political discussion, but a way to look at building friendships, relationships, and long-term engagements.
"This asks us what role places like the UI might play to build bridges," Merrill said. "We are wise to the issue of cultural relations and many would be interested in what he has to say."
The British Council is the United Kingdom's organization to increase educational opportunities and cultural relations. The council builds relationships and understanding between people in the United Kingdom and other countries. It operates in 233 cities in 110 countries and territories worldwide.
"An occasion like this puts ideas in the air," Merrill said. "We're used to presidential campaigns. It makes sense that a British official would add his ideas to the mix."
E-mail DI reporter Jennifer Delgado at:
jennifer-delgado@uiowa.edu
His lecture will be the first open discussion about the nature of public diplomacy from the council.
"The big thing for students to see is that this is a complicated area," Davidson said. "We've tried to simplify it. Governments want to build influence overseas, but to engage the public we must express common issues. "
Davidson said Iowa City was chosen as destination because of the UI International Writing Program and its work with UNESCO and the council. Furthermore, Iowa's central location is a change to hosting the presentation strictly on the east or west coasts, he added.
Christopher Merrill, the director of the IWP, said Iowa City is well positioned to host such an event because of its sophisticated audience. Merrill also sees the upcoming caucuses as an integral role.
"The war in Iraq is up and most important in Americans' minds," he said. "Cultural diplomacy will be helping to find a solution to the problem."
Many UI offices and departments have helped to work with Davidson's arrival, including the UI Lecture Committee.
"What's interesting is Davidson's discussion of cultural diplomacy," said Sharon Benzoni, a UI student and committee member. "I think we as a community are interested to see how we can be ambassadors for ourselves."
Davidson stressed that the lecture is not meant to be a political discussion, but a way to look at building friendships, relationships, and long-term engagements.
"This asks us what role places like the UI might play to build bridges," Merrill said. "We are wise to the issue of cultural relations and many would be interested in what he has to say."
The British Council is the United Kingdom's organization to increase educational opportunities and cultural relations. The council builds relationships and understanding between people in the United Kingdom and other countries. It operates in 233 cities in 110 countries and territories worldwide.
"An occasion like this puts ideas in the air," Merrill said. "We're used to presidential campaigns. It makes sense that a British official would add his ideas to the mix."
E-mail DI reporter Jennifer Delgado at:
jennifer-delgado@uiowa.edu
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