Ambassadors and foreign academics participate in the 1st International Congress on Cultural Diplomacy at Universidad Santo Tomás

The activity, organized by the cultural center Mohamed VI of the Embassy of Morocco, together with the University of Santo Tomás, highlighted the importance of cultural diplomacy as a bridge of dialogue among civilizations.

The importance in the communication and the approach between the peoples were the central themes of the inauguration of the I International Congress on Cultural Diplomacy, which took place on August 6, 2018 at the Santo Tomás University, Santiago. Organized by the Cultural Center Mohamed VI for the Dialogue of Civilizations, belonging to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Chile, in collaboration with the UST, diplomats from Morocco, Argentina, El Salvador, Greece and Iran attended, together with outstanding international academics.

“Acceptance and appreciation of cultural diversity is essential in our globalized world and universities are called to play a leading role in this exchange (…). I hope that this congress allows us to assess the role of culture and diplomacy in the rapprochement between the different nations of the world, a process in which our university will continue to contribute with its work and its international linkage, building bridges that will allow spaces for mutual collaboration and growth “, assured Jaime Vatter, National Rector of the UST at the start of the day.

Also, Vatter stressed that the University, since its inception, has had the vocation to link academics and students with their peers from various countries in the world, strengthening the teaching and learning processes. “But this has not been the most important, the cultural exchange that occurs in this interaction (…), allows there to be greater knowledge and acceptance of different cultures and realities,” he added.

For his part, Roberto Lafontaine, Director of International Projects of Santo Tomás, stressed the importance of creating instances of conversation between different nations. “This is a very important activity that brings together several ambassadors, diplomatic relations are not only political or economic, but culture is playing an increasingly important factor. The congress opens a new path in Chile because it had not been deeply analyzed, “he said.

Check the full story in Santo Tomás Online