ifa supports and accompanies national and international research on topics of international cultural relations. In the Forum for International Cultural Relations, ifa presents the findings of its research. In the projects of ifa's research programmes, experts develop recommendations that can strengthen and further develop international cultural relations.
The External Cultural Policy (ECP) Monitor provides information on the foreign cultural and educational policy of selected countries.
Geopolitical changes, such as the increasing influence of China in Southeast Asia and in sub-Saharan Africa or the increasing influence of Russia in the Sahel, make it clear that knowledge of these regions should be available for targeted policy engagement in terms of security policy, development policy, and foreign policy, not only by Germany but also for Europe as a whole. In the context of this research project, the relevance of regional expertise for foreign and security policy is to be demonstrated through the case of the Francophonie, political control instruments are to be identified in an internationally comparative way and potentials for international cooperation are to be explored. The Francophonie, as one of the largest regional organisations, represents almost a third of the UN members, but only about 4% of the global GDP, and is thus a serious ‘voting bloc’ in international organisations, but only a limited economic power.
Prof. Dr. Matthias Middell is a Professor of Cultural History and Vice-Rector for Campus Development, Cooperation and Internationalisation at Leipzig University, where he has established the subject of Global Studies together with colleagues. He has published widely on the modern history of revolution, the history of world history writing, processes of spatialiszation under the global condition, and inter-cultural transfer.
Based on conversations and discussions, this research project examines critically the intersections between international cultural relations and sustainable development. It focuses on the process of conversations, but uses also thought experiments, scenario planning, storytelling and autoethnography to ultimately understand complexity through relationships. What different goals are pursued when we approach sustainable development from the perspectives of cultural diplomacy, cultural relations and cultural cooperation? What values play a role and whose interests? What are the limits of measurement? What is impact and who defines it? How do we take processes into account?
Kai Brennert is the Founder and Director of edgeandstory, a creative studio for data-driven insight into arts, culture, heritage, and the creative industries in the context of sustainable development. He is based in Cambodia and writes the cultural policy newsletter curious patterns.
Sarah Abdu Bushra is a curator of visual and performing arts exhibitions. Her interest lies in East Africa, sharpening its regional gaze, centring its archives and post-contemporary practices of art making. She is a co-founder of Contemporary Nights, an Addis Ababa-based curatorial forum.
Zainab Kakal is an Innovation Specialist at UNDP in Fiji where she applies her 15 years of experience in sustainability and social innovation to design and manage initiatives that accelerate learning and action for the SDGs.
The ECP Monitor was developed during a pilot phase for a first set of countries. Based on these initial studies and feedback received from users and experts, the Monitor will be revised and further refined. Once fully developed, the ECP Monitor will cover all EU, OECD and G20 countries, and be updated regularly.
The ECP Monitor is produced by a team at the Hertie School in close cooperation with ifa's Library and ifa's Research Programme. Find out more on the ifa website.
In the research programme “Culture and Foreign Policy”, experts investigate current issues of foreign cultural and educational policy. The research programmes set topics and develop recommendations to strengthen and further develop international cultural relations. The research assignments are accompanied by conferences and workshops. The research results are published in the ifa edition Culture and Foreign Policy, as ifa Input or as Policy Brief.
Find out more on the ifa website.
Researchers and practitioners exchange views on questions of International Cultural Relations through the International Cultural Relations Research Alliance (ICRRA) network. The network sees itself as a bridge builder between practical cultural work, academic reflection, policy advice and the media. It supports the transfer of research-based knowledge into politics and society and promotes evidence-based discourse. Find out more on the ifa website.
ICRRA Network: Become a member
Contact: dialogundforschung(at)ifa.de
Sarah Widmaier
Scientific Coordinator of ifa’s Research Programme on Culture and Foreign Policy
Charlottenplatz 17
D-70173 Stuttgart
Dr. Christina Buck-Rieder
Project Coordinator Dialogue and Research Culture and Foreign Policy
Charlottenplatz 17
D-70173 Stuttgart
