EURAFRI Symposium

Today we live in a globalised world, where distance and space have almost disappeared, and communities and regions are becoming more integrated. The globe is becoming more densely populated. Different cultures live side by side and come into daily contact with each other.

In 1945 at the creation of the United Nations there were approximately 50 states in existence. Today there are over 200. The explosion in technology and development of all fields of human knowledge, distributed instantly around the globe by the internet and other forms of telecommunication, is at breakneck speed. One of the most powerful tools in influencing the opinions of global citizens is cultural diplomacy.

Cultural relations between different peoples and nations have always existed, from the earliest of times, and cultures have always had influences on each other, sometimes by intent, and sometimes by default, from the travels of Marco Polo, the sea expeditions of the Vikings, the long journeys of peoples along the silk route and the spice route across the width of Asia into Europe and Africa, the expansionism of the ancient Egyptian, Nubian and various Asian civilisations, and the Roman Empire, the Italian Renaissance and the movement of African peoples and nations through the Continent, and beyond, not forgetting that Africa is the cradle of human-kind and people moved from here to all continents to establish new nations, carrying with them their identities and culture.

Cultural diplomacy is therefore a long-term investment for any state. It creates a positive view and impressions of the sending state among the people of the receiving state, over time. It projects the (positive) values and interests of the sending state abroad. But it also creates a sense of shared culture, shared art and shared heritage. For example, the pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China, the barrier reef in Australia, the ancient cities of the Mayan and Inca civilisations, the manuscripts of Timbuktu and the rock temples of Lalibelo in Ethiopia are considered to be the heritage of humankind as a whole. Cultural diplomacy therefore has its own objectives, which are to promote and share one country’s culture in another country, to showcase the best of visual art, performances, poetry, music, film, theatre, books, dance and craft.

To share values and beliefs and promote ideals and aspirations. But culture and cultural awareness also creates an environment conducive to other priorities of state, whether political or economic.

The EURAFRI Global initiative is established to connect the world, people, nations and cultures through Sports, Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage, this will be witnessed at the Inaugural EURAFRI Indaba 2025 .
The EURAFRI team is looking forward to host you as a special guest at the EURAFRI Indaba 2025.

Yours in Sports, Tourism, Arts Culture and Heritage