Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Dates: June 13th-15th, 2012

Symposium AgendaThe International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy in Geneva will be held parallel to the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development and will focus on the importance of sustainable development to the future of developed and developing countries. The conference will offer perspectives on how cultural diplomacy policies can assist in strengthening existing and future sustainable development policies and, in particular, how cultural diplomacy practices are necessary to express and mediate the rationale behind investment in sustainable development during this challenging period. 

Symposium Speakers

Speakers during the conference will include leading figures and experts from international politics, academia, diplomacy, civil society and the private sector from across the world.

A Selection of Speakers for Symposia including:

• Dr. Catherine Ferrier 
  Coordinator Certificate of Advanced Studies in Corporate Social Responsibility, University of Geneva
• Cecile Molinier
  Director, UNDP Office in Geneva
• Clemens Boonekamp
  Director, Agriculture and Commodities Division, World Trade Organisation (WTO)
• Deborah Vorhies
  Managing Director, International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development
• Doaa Abdel Motaal 
  Advisor to the Head of the World Trade Organization
• Gérard Biraud
  Former Chairman, Joint Inspection Unit, United Nations
• Haibing Ma 
  China Program Manager &, Chief Representative in China, Worldwatch Institute
• Ivan Ureta
  Professor, Geneva School of Diplomacy
• Jon-Hans Coetzer
  General Manager, Geneva School of Diplomacy
• H.E. Amb. Luvuyo Ndimeni
  Deputy Permanant Representative of South Africa to the United Nations
• Mario Apostolov
  Regional Adviser, UNECE Trade
• Hon. Noemi Sanin Posada
  Former Minister Foreign Affairs, Columbia
• Dr. Philipp Krueger
  Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Geneva Finance Research Institute, University of Geneva
• Ronald Derks
  Focal Point World Alliance of Cities against Poverty, UNDP
• The Hon. Rufus Yerxa
  Deputy Director-General, World Trade Organisation (WTO)
• Thérèse de Saint Phalle
  Deputy-Registrar, International Court of Justice

 Participants

Participants will include young professionals, students and academics, representatives from politics, diplomats, practitioners from the civil society and the private sector, Media representatives and other individuals with an active interest in the Program’s themes.

Participation Cost

The participation cost for the program is 195 euros. If offered a place in the conference, applicants are then required to transfer the participation cost to reserve their position.