Pritzi Castaneda, January, 2026
Language, food, artistic expression, intellectual traditions and societal norms have served throughout history as connectors to deepen understanding among people and societies. Today, we live more than ever in a multicultural, interconnected world, where cultures constantly blend, share and influence each other. Embracing culture at the heart of public diplomacy can build essential trust and rapport between nations enabling effective communications, avoiding diplomatic incidents and strategically advancing national interests.
Concepts and communication styles differ across cultures. It is what makes our world rich and unique. Cultural norms can profoundly influence negotiation strategies and conflict resolution approaches. Understanding whether the other party values a direct and efficient approach, or a relationship-based and collaborative one, allows diplomats and foreign representatives to adapt their strategies and achieve more successful outcomes in the global sphere. It can help overcome misunderstanding and find common ground across diverse societies and their respective perspectives.
Without cultural mindfulness, communication, messages, non-verbal cues and protocol expectations can be misinterpreted and lead to unintended consequences during a crisis or cause unnecessary strain on international relations. A misstep in diplomatic precedence, can be perceived as a sign of disrespect or a misunderstanding of the underlying causes of a conflict. Without cultural awareness, policies and programs of one nation may not resonate or be accepted by other nations. Ignoring cultural diversity can lead to the imposition of one dominant view on others, causing resentment and critics in international forums, rather than leading to compromise and consensual approaches.
Culture builds bridges. At times, culture is the one bridge across impossible divides (Upton, 2025). It can serve as a neutral platform for dialogue allowing nations to connect with foreign publics on a deeper, more personal level, becoming the corner stone of soft power and a foundation for global engagement. Demonstrating respect, openness and appreciation for each other’s culture can establish a foundation of trust that can endure changes in government or specific policy differences. It can help break down stereotypes and build genuine, long-lasting connection between societies. When culture is not leveraged, a nation can lose a powerful, sustainable tool for shaping its international image and leadership role in a positive manner.
Cultural sensitivity moves public diplomacy beyond transactional interactions. It enables authentic and effective engagement in a complex geopolitical world. Cultural empathy can serve as an anchor to navigate uncertain situations. It can serve as the guiding compass to influence others through attraction rather than coercion. It can transform diplomatic relations into a one-way communication to a two-way dialogue leading to more sustainable and cooperative international relations.
Discussing culture should not be left to government officials and elites only. It is through public diplomacy, being strategic in its communications and connecting with different audiences, that cultural connections can be made with foreign publics. This approach can give a better and more diverse sense of local culture nuances and not the perspective of one group alone.
Being such a powerful tool, why not aim to have cultural curiosity by asking questions and being open to other perspectives. To show interest in what others are saying or doing. Moving beyond assumptions and having a dialogue to understand underlying cultural perspectives. Paying attention to non-verbal behaviours. Being and allowing people to authentically represent their narratives and correct misunderstandings. Being vulnerable to ask more to understand and break our own assumptions built from our lived experiences. By giving space to curiosity, empathy and vulnerability, we will allow culture to be the bridge between our societies and shape, together, a world built on diverse perspectives and representative of each societies’ uniqueness.
Paper presented by Pritzi Castaneda during the Mastering Public Diplomacy course, University of Ottawa. Dr. Eugene Matos G., Instructor.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this essay are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the University of Ottawa Professional Development Institute.