Professional Development - Certificate Programs
International Relations, Global Governance, Business, International Management, International Economics, Cultural Diplomacy
Structure & Methodology
The Certificate Programs in Cultural Diplomacy are two-week-long sessions that explore the role of Cultural Diplomacy in contemporary globalized interdependent world. The programs feature lectures, seminars and workshops led by experts from the fields of international politics & economics, diplomacy, academia, civil society, and the private sector. During their time in Berlin, participants will have the opportunity to take part in cultural and social activities and to visit historical and contemporary landmarks such as cultural institutions and foreign embassies.
The Certificate Programs comprise specialized courses designed to provide participants with core knowledge on both theory and practice of the field of Cultural Diplomacy and provide a unique experience for those interested in innovative points of view and progressive ideas in the practice cultural diplomacy. The certificate program's methodology is based on the complementary practices of learning from experts, interacting with speakers and participants, and exchanging perspectives on important issues.
The programs will therefore be interdisciplinary and contain the following components:
Lectures & Seminars
A range of lectures will be held by experts from the fields of politics, diplomacy, academia, civil society, and the private sector. These components will inform the participants about key perspectives related to the history and development of cultural diplomacy and its contemporary application by different actors, as well as other issues specific to each certificate program.
Experts from the field will give presentations based on their work or academic area of focus, following which participants have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues with the speakers in more detail.
Panel Discussions & Workshops
Participants will take part in structured group discussions on salient issues related to the themes of the certificate program, providing them with an opportunity to share their personal experiences and perspectives.
In addition to the seminars and workshops, participants will be asked to adopt positions and take part in panel discussions on actual & controversial issues.
Visits & Excursions
While based at the ICD Academy House of Arts & Culture, each certificate program visits a number of other institutions across Berlin during the program.
Social & Cultural Activities
The programs will include social and cultural activities for the participants. These components give participants the opportunity to see a different side to the city of Berlin, help to provide a more informal environment for the participants to get to know each other, and allow the participants to see cultural exchange initiatives that are already being organized.
Experience from the Field - Meet the Experts
The programs are designed to encourage and support discussions amongst the participants, whilst involving experts from the field to provide stimulation for discussions and offer informed perspectives on the topics concerned. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with prominent figures from politics, economics, academia, civil society, culture & the arts, and the private sector.
Looking into the Future
Sustainability and Opportunity
The ICD Academy was developed to have a sustainable impact on intercultural relations. It is therefore an integral part of the Academy's work to offer support to participants who would like to conduct research or organize their own cultural exchange initiatives in the future. Such activity allows the principles of dialogue, understanding, and trust between cultures to be spread to individuals at all levels of society, across the world. During each certificate program the programs will provide examples of cultural exchange programs that have been organized by participants, which we refer to as "Leadership Initiatives".
Support for Leadership Initiatives
We can support leadership initiatives in a number of areas including networking (gaining the cooperation of high-profile speakers, sponsors, and participants of other programs), marketing (raising awareness of activity amongst potential participants), as well as logistical support (human resources, locations and equipment), and consultation (offering guidance and support in concept development).
In addition to this support, we also provide an online Forum through which participants of our program can communicate with each other directly and share information on research, related events, career opportunities, and their leadership initiatives.
Support for Research
Participants who would like to conduct research into an issue relating to the field of cultural diplomacy are encouraged to do so by the ICD. We are able to offer guidance in selecting an appropriate topic, and will publish studies online once they have been completed, allowing your case study to reach a large audience across the world.
