Tribune News Network
Doha
The University of Indonesia in Jakarta hosted a thought-provoking lecture on ‘Cultural Diplomacy: A Safety Valve for International Relations’, featuring Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, State Minister and President of Qatar National Library (QNL). This special event was organised as part of the concluding ceremony for the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture.
Opening the public lecture, Dr. Bondan Kanumoyoso, University of Indonesia lecturer at the History Studies Program at the Faculty of Humanities, said, "Qatar has succeeded in making innovations in the world of diplomacy, including becoming a mediator of peace for countries in conflict by carrying out purposeful cultural diplomacy. I thank His Excellency Dr. Al-Kawari for being here and Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Indonesia, Her Excellency Fawziya bint Edrees Al-Sulaiti, and our university’s Arabic Studies Program for their support in organizing this lecture.”
Dr. Al-Kawari, who also serves as the Years of Culture Ambassador, shared insights on the pivotal role of cultural diplomacy in developing international relations. With a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of cultural exchange initiatives, Dr. Al-Kawari is uniquely positioned to shed light on the transformative power of cultural engagement as a means of building bridges between nations.
"I had the privilege of visiting Indonesia last year, leading a Qatari delegation as part of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture to strengthen bonds between nations and peoples. This initiative reflects Qatar’s deep-rooted belief that culture serves as a more impactful language of communication than official diplomacy, playing a pivotal role in extending bridges of compromise and fostering dialogue and interaction,” said Dr. Al-Kawari.
He went on to explain, "Through my diplomatic experience and life-long career, I have come to understand that the path to global harmony begins with enhancing the role of culture in international relations. Thus, I firmly believe that cultural diplomacy is the key to bringing nations closer and serving as a catalyst for stability. The Years of Culture stands as a unique testament to the success of culture in connecting nations and promoting understanding through the exchange of creative experiences. This diplomatic approach, blending cultural exchange with traditional diplomacy, has proven effective in projecting Qatar as a state that values global peace and actively encourages nations to pursue it.”
During the event, His Excellency Dr. Al-Kawari also signed copies of his book ‘Bridges, not Barriers,’ which delves into the intricacies of inter-civilizational relations and advocates for a fresh collaborative approach between the North and the South, echoing the lecture’s emphasis on cultural diplomacy.