The Challenges of Cultural Diplomacy - Intercultural Relations between the European Union and Latin America

Cultural diplomacy is facing various evolutions and conversions on a national, regional, and global scale. In the first instance, the governments' systems are increasingly influencing the agenda and the objectives of states' foreign cultural policies. On the other hand, several actors, such as local and regional governments, as well as social organizations and transnational cooperation networks, have gained much more importance regarding the international cultural scenario. From this standpoint, the relation between Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean have been frivolously analyzed despite their long history -marked by a tumultuous past with many migrations-, the rich flow of exchanges in cultural heritage, and their vast diversity representing a monumental pillar in the general understanding of the concepts of public diplomacy and international cultural relations. For a greater understanding regarding this controversial topic, many questions concerning the future strategies of the EU and Latin American relations were raised, highlighting the validity, reliability, and limitations during the data collection process. The aim of the paper is thus to provide a holistic understanding of cultural diplomacy and the impetus is, therefore, to investigate cultural challenges, using the qualitative research method as a basis to indulge in further analysis and research. Hence, the main objective of the research is the comparative analysis of diplomatic activities and cultural relations in relation to the two regions - the European Union, respectively Latin America and the Caribbean, closely studying the ideology, agreements, and challenges, underlying these relations, and carefully pursuing future perspectives. To find as many answers as possible on this highly debated and often controversial topic, various reports have been studied, focusing especially on the last four years, but also considering vital events that happened in the distant past, specialized literature and scientific reports playing a vital role in meticulously shaping this article.