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Cultural Diplomacy, Indonesia’s Tourism and International Events

Nurisnaeny, Kaprisma, and Suwedi’s (2024) article, Cultural Diplomacy and Global Challenges in G20 Indonesia 2022, offers a comprehensive examination of Indonesia’s use of cultural diplomacy to address multifaceted global challenges during its hosting of the G20 summit. The authors situate Indonesia’s efforts within the broader context of post-pandemic recovery and the geopolitical turbulence arising from the Russia–Ukraine conflict. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative thematic analysis with quantitative data—such as tourism statistics and stakeholder surveys—the study explores how both traditional (offline) and digital (online) cultural diplomacy tools are mobilized to achieve foreign policy objectives in a rapidly shifting global landscape.

From a cultural perspective, the article highlights how Indonesia has adapted its diplomatic practices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditional cultural exchanges, such as art shows and live performances, have been complemented—and in some cases temporarily supplanted—by virtual platforms, which have expanded the global reach of Indonesian cultural products (Clarke, 2020; Zamorano, 2016). Despite the advantages of digital media in enhancing accessibility, the authors caution that online diplomacy also poses risks related to information security and the spread of disinformation. This duality underscores a central tension in contemporary cultural diplomacy: the need to balance innovation and tradition in order to maintain authentic cross-cultural exchanges (Nye, 2017).

Economically, the article underscores the pivotal role of cultural diplomacy in revitalizing Indonesia’s tourism and creative industries—a sector that has suffered significant setbacks during the pandemic. The Indonesian government’s multi-pronged strategy, which includes high-profile cultural events and side activities aligned with the G20 agenda, is shown to have stimulated domestic economic recovery through increased tourist arrivals and international engagement. The concept of a fiscal multiplier effect is also invoked to illustrate how investments in cultural and tourism sectors can generate broader economic benefits, reinforcing the argument that cultural diplomacy is not merely an aesthetic exercise but a strategic economic tool (Carbone, 2017; Ganti, 2021).

Politically, the article reveals how Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy has been employed as a non-coercive means to mediate tensions at the G20 summit. Faced with pressures from Western bloc countries to exclude Russia from summit activities, Indonesia maintained a stance of neutrality—thereby positioning itself as a mediator in the midst of global geopolitical realignments. This balancing act highlights the inherent challenges of global governance in an era marked by fragmented international alliances and underscores the value of soft power as a complement to traditional hard power strategies (Benedict, 2015; Fioretos & Tallberg, 2021).

Socially, the study illustrates that cultural diplomacy serves as a bridge for fostering mutual understanding and social cohesion both domestically and internationally. Through initiatives such as cultural festivals, heritage exhibitions, and collaborative art projects, Indonesia has not only enhanced its national image but also provided platforms for intercultural dialogue. These efforts are seen as essential for the promotion of “positive peace” and for mitigating social polarization—a goal that resonates with contemporary debates about the role of soft power in global affairs (Villanueva, 2018; Chitty, 2017).

In sum, Nurisnaeny et al. (2024) provide a nuanced analysis that connects cultural, economic, political, and social dimensions of diplomacy. The authors argue that Indonesia’s strategic use of cultural diplomacy—through both innovative digital methods and revived traditional practices—has significant implications for global governance and economic recovery in a post-pandemic world. By drawing on a robust mixed-methods framework, the article contributes to the scholarly discourse on cultural diplomacy and underscores the need for holistic, interdisciplinary approaches in addressing global challenges.

References

Benedict, K. (2015). Global governance. In International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences (pp. 155–161). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.75018-5

Carbone, F. (2017). International tourism and cultural diplomacy: A new conceptual approach towards global mutual understanding and peace through tourism. Tourism: An International Interdisciplinary Journal, 65(1), 61–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548408.2017.1301234

Chitty, J. (2017). Virtue-based diplomacy and the challenges of soft power. Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations, 18(2), 89–102.

Clarke, D. (2020). Cultural diplomacy. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of International Studies. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190846626.013.543

Fioretos, O., & Tallberg, J. (2021). Politics and theory of global governance. International Theory, 13(1), 99–111. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1752971920000408

Ganti, A. (2021). The multiplier effect in tourism and its impact on economic recovery. Economic Review, 44(3), 211–228.

Nye, J. S. (2017). Soft power: The origins and political progress of a concept. Palgrave Macmillan.

Nurisnaeny, P. S., Kaprisma, H., & Suwedi. (2024). Cultural diplomacy and global challenges in G20 Indonesia 2022. International Review of Humanities Studies, 9(1), 14–32. https://doi.org/10.7454/irhs.v9i1.1269

Villanueva, R. (2018). Nation branding as cultural diplomacy. Journal of Cultural Policy, 24(2), 155–171. https://doi.org/10.1080/17530350.2018.1422937

Zamorano, R. (2016). Cultural diplomacy and nation branding: A conceptual framework. International Journal of Cultural Policy, 22(4), 450–466. https://doi.org/10.1080/10286632.2016.1152882

[Edited by Pablo Markin. The initial draft has been generated using ChatGPT, OpenAI (February 13, 2025).]


OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
Pablo Markin (February 13, 2025). Cultural Diplomacy, Indonesia’s Tourism and International Events. Open Culture. Retrieved March 23, 2025 from https://doi.org/10.58079/13b7j


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