Migrancy and Diplomacy: Fostering Cross-Border Dialogue and Collaboration in the Age of Hyper-Mobility

Koichi Iwabuchi

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearch

    Abstract

    In this globally connected world, the discussion of diplomacy gives increasingly more weight to enhancing grassroots exchange and mutual understanding
    beyond conventional practices of negotiation, as notions of “everyday diplomacy”
    and “public diplomacy” demonstrate. Especially relevant for the advancement of
    grassroots exchange and mutual understanding is how to take cross-border flows of people and media culture (such as films, TV programs, pop music, animation, comics, and video games) seriously. Governments have come to recognize international circulation of media culture as a great resource for promoting the national interest, as policies of soft power, nation branding, and creative industry encouragement show. However, such policy discussions tend to be associated with a one-way projection of national culture in the international arena. More serious consideration needs to be given as to whether and how cross-border cultural connections can enhance grassroots dialogue. Cross-border mobility of people—including job training, studying abroad, and international event participation—is also considered useful for promoting international exchange and diversity. Nevertheless, today, migration and multicultural diversity are apt to be discussed as detrimental to social cohesion and national interest. Embracing migration and fostering diversity within and across borders is imperative, and cultural diplomacy should play a critical role in it.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1-13
    Number of pages13
    JournalThe Brown Journal of World Affairs
    Volume25
    Issue number1
    Publication statusPublished - 2018

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