Cultural Dialogue in International Security

This project aims to create a neutral ground where policy-makers and opinion leaders from different cultural backgrounds can come together and pragmatically discuss approaches to current strategic challenges.

The project takes as its starting point the recognition that the strategic environment in which policy-makers operate has become increasingly complex – and that they make decisions in a world of diverse risks rather than one of clear and concrete threats. The experience of the last decade has underlined the strategic reality that a state can rarely – if ever – effectively manage security risks on its own, and therefore must increasingly act with both partners and competitors though formal institutions, or via informal and flexible groupings. And yet there are clear cultural gaps between the United States and its Euro-Atlantic allies, and emerging powers such as China, Russia, Brazil, India and South Africa which often produce contrasting approaches to security. Moreover, in an era of severe financial anxiety, fierce competition for resources among countries often dictates policy. The aim of this project is to create a framework for dialogue that recognizes the inevitability of cultural difference and the divisive nature of the competition for resources.

More about the Project (pdf) >>

Output

The project seeks to provide a framework for effective and meaningful discussion on security via a three-pronged approach of events, publications and creating a global network of those engaged in the project.

Within a global context, the project and its partners will conduct further high-level roundtable workshops in the United States, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Norway, Austria, West Africa, and the Gulf. The key concepts and findings of these events will be disseminated through the publication of briefing papers and reports, in addition to concise op-eds in major international newspapers. Through these events and publications, the project aims to draw together a diverse group of individuals from contrasting cultural and disciplinary backgrounds who seek to affect change in security policy. As the project draws to a close, the final task is to present the summary findings in a clear and concise policy briefing to key decision-making units in several global capitals.

Steering Committee

The project is guided and advised by a steering committee who determine the direction and focus of the project and associated meetings.

Dr Jamie Shea, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary-General for Emerging Security Challenges
Professor Janne Haaland-Matlary, Professor of International Politics at Oslo University; former Deputy Foreign Minister of Norway
Robin Davies, Head, Brussels office, British Council
Stephan Roman, Director, South Asia, British Council
Dr Spyros Economides, Senior Lecturer in International Relations and European Politics, Deputy Director of Hellenic Observatory, London School of Economics and Political Science
Professor Christopher Coker, Professor of International Relations, London School of Economics and Political Science
Professor Mats Berdal, Department of War Studies, King's College London
Yves Boyer, Professor, Ecole Polytechnique, Paris; Deputy Director, Fondation pour la recherche strategique (FRS), Paris
Vice Admiral Sir Anthony Dymock (retd), former UK Military Representative to NATO and the EU, and the US
Shahid Ullah, Chief Operating Officer, Afren Plc.
Dr Christiane Günther, Goethe-Institut, Munich
Claire Yorke, Manager, International Security, Chatham House
Dr Alexis Crow, Research Fellow, International Security, Chatham House