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The evolving nature of international diplomacy stresses the growing importance of intercultural competence in effective diplomatic practice. This competence can only be achieved through intercultural communication, often considered a cornerstone of global dialogue and one of the most complex processes in the cultural sector.

Enhancing intercultural competence in public and private cultural organizations is essential. However, it cannot be over-engineered, as doing so risks creating restrictive frameworks that stifle the very creativity and connections they aim to foster. Instead, intercultural communication thrives when leadership encourages co-creation, fosters confident conversations with stakeholders, and embraces the full scope of creative practice.

Policymaking in the cultural sector presents an opportunity to create systems that support intercultural dialogue across nations and communities. By developing policies that integrate innovation with intercultural understanding, we can achieve outcomes that satisfy all parties involved.

An active approach of learning, adapting, and innovating in real time forms the backbone of effective policies. This requires attention to the intricacies of intercultural engagement, encompassing grand narratives and the subtleties of how people communicate and create.

Cultural policy plays a significant role in embedding intercultural competencies into everyday life, whether through national strategies, local initiatives, or high-profile events like sports, which enhance cultural agility.

Cultural policies must be flexible enough to adapt to unique cultural nuances while maintaining a clear focus on the broader goals of promoting dialogue, creativity, and accessibility.

Recent events, such as the Common Ground Festival in Riyadh, held in December 2024 to explore and celebrate Iraqi culture, and the initiatives of the 2025 Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year, serve as powerful platforms to promote intercultural dialogue and collaboration. These occasions celebrate cultural diversity and create meaningful opportunities for mutual understanding and connection.

Leadership in this field is not without its challenges. It requires finding common ground while accounting for cultural differences and ensuring that policies are both innovative and actionable. UNESCO, with its mission to build peace through education, science, and culture, provides essential frameworks for fostering intercultural dialogue. These frameworks can be effectively applied to heritage and historic sites, which offer valuable opportunities for such dialogue.

For instance, AlUla Old Town, part of a broader UNESCO World Heritage site, holds special significance for the local population, with some still recalling its use within living memory. AlUla Old Town exemplifies how the revitalization of heritage sites can serve as a platform for intercultural dialogue, bridging the past and present while promoting a shared cultural identity. This connection makes the site an ideal venue for fostering intercultural exchange, providing a space where intergenerational stories and cultural traditions can be shared and preserved.

Another key organization in this domain is King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, an international organization established in 2012 to promote mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among different religions and cultures. A relevant example of their initiatives is the KAICIID Fellows Programme. This fellowship includes a vital component of visiting various cultural institutions to deepen participants’ understanding of intercultural dynamics.

Cultural policies must be flexible enough to adapt to unique cultural nuances while maintaining a clear focus on the broader goals of promoting dialogue, creativity, and accessibility. This can be achieved by embedding intercultural competencies into institutional frameworks, national strategies, and global collaborations. Such an approach ensures that countries and organizations achieve lasting outcomes aligned with their visions and position themselves as influential leaders at the global policymaking table.

• Dr. Ghadah W. Alharthi is an international cultural adviser and an associate professor specializing in culture and innovation at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. X: @GhadahWA

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