This book contains a collection of essays by anthropologists and economists who examine issues related to culture and development and their implications for public action.

This special issue of The New Courier offers a selection of excerpts from presentations made worldwide at a series of conferences and seminars organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and other relevant organizations to promote inter-civilizational and intercultural dialogue.

Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, Georgetown University and the Center for Arts and Culture held a Meeting on Cultural Diplomacy on April 30, 2003 in Washington, DC. This is a transcript of the introductory speech entitled “Cultural Diplomacy Best Practices” presented by Thomas Pickering.

Diplomatic historian Frank Ninkovich observed that public diplomacy is “the promotion or communication between peoples as opposed to governments…” and is designed to “build agreement based on common values.” (Ninkovich, 1996, p. 3) As expressed in the motto of the former United States Information Agency, the aim of public and cultural diplomacy efforts is “telling America’s story to the world.” Public diplomacy is a two-way communication process that includes both efforts to project a nation’s image and values to other countries and

Cultural diplomacy practices of nine countries are reviewed and compared.

This essay addresses the divergent approaches regarding government support and subsidies of the arts in countries around the world. As an example, Brooks cites that of the total funding to symphony orchestras in the world, the percentage of government support in Europe is more than 70%; in Japan that total is about 50%; in Canada, 33 % and in the U.S. the figure is less than 10%. (from abstract)

Arts & Minds: A Conference on Cultural Diplomacy amid Global Tensions, held on April 14-15, 2003 at Columbia University, put a spotlight on cultural diplomacy's history, viability, and prospects.

This study contrasts grantmaking by leading American foundations in the years 2001 (the most recent year for which comprehensive data were available) and 1990, the first full year after the Cold War.

This booklet highlights the strategic, five-year framework for the delivery of Arts and Living Culture outcomes in the South Australian city of Adelaide that are "viable, inclusive, and innovative." The strategy was developed to work across the corporation and has the support and endorsement of Council's Business Units to uphold the Strategies Core Values and deliver the Strategy's four goals and three-three actions. The plan is to be reviewed on an annual basis.

In this commentary, Pamela Berlin, president of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SSDC), discusses the inequities in cultural exchange that has caused unfortunate consequences for American theatre artists.