September 10, 2008
Dear
I’m delighted to invite you as a “guest speaker” “moderator” “parcipant” at a panel discussion on “Music as a vector for Cultural Diplomacy and Peace” jointly organized with Melody for Dialogue among Civilizations Association (www.melodydialogue.org). The panel will be convened from 9.30 to 11 am on November 14, 2008 at the Cercle de l’Union Interalliée (33 rue du faubourg Saint-Honoré), in Paris.
As an integral part of the inaugural edition of the Aspen Cultural Diplomacy Forum, planned from Nov 13-15, 2008, this discussion panel will concentrate on issues such as “can music be a transformative factor to connect people culturally in the age of globalizations; Can music become a means of diplomacy and reconciliation among conflicting parties; Can music be an enabler for intercultural dialogue, respect for diversity and harmony among people; What is the potential of music for peace-building and ultimately, to what extent music can represent a common language for reconciliation and communication among people of different background, race and language. .
Your participation in this Panel will contribute very much to a better understanding of the multiple dimensions of this vast topic. Your experience and insight will be invaluable to us in exploring the extent to which music and musicians can further contribute to the strengthening of international cultural relations and the creation of an enabling environment for public diplomacy, peace building, and conflict resolution.
It is needless to say that you are also welcome to participate in all other meetings of the Aspen Cultural Diplomacy Forum that are planned for 13-15 November 2008 at the above mentioned address. Our website, www.aspeninstitute.org/cdf, provides an overview of the event, a sense of the program, and the selected list of speakers who have confirmed thus far (there will be approximately 40 presenters and 200 participants in all). One of the expected outcomes of the Forum is the launch of the Aspen Cultural Public Diplomacy Network to which you are hereby invited to join. Your participation in the network and contribution to issues to be debated during the Forum will bring an essential perspective to the table, especially with respect to not only the quest for a comprehensive definition of the field and the extent to which cultural diplomacy can better serve humanity, but also to the design of resource mobilization strategies and future actions.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for any questions on the program of the Forum (damien.pwono@aspeninst.org; +1-202/297-7088) or to follow up with Ms Mehri Madarshahi on the organization of the Music Diplomacy discussion panel (madarshahi@madarshahi.org. Appreciate alos receiving a short bio (less than 300 words) and your photograph for the program brochure.
Thank you very much for accepting our invitation and we look forward to your participation that will help us shape an action plan for continued knowledge building and cooperative engagement. With highest regards and I remain
Sincerely,
DMP