Coercion employed for the advancement of ideas or causes

Coercion employed for the advancement of ideas or causes

Unexpected Evolution: Saudi Arabia's Soft Power Shift

Gotta give props to the recent International Soft Power Club Conference held in Naples, Italy. The brainstorming sessions at Federico II and Orientale Universities were bloody ace, focusing on tools like Reputation and Persuasion, particularly in this era of bloody turmoil. And let me tell you, the Gulf countries sure are getting into this game, with Saudi Arabia leading the charge.

You can see it in the diplomatic dance on open crises and conflicts, and in an impressive series of investments in international events and art. bunch of ingenious moves, right? Riyadh's been working hard to shed that old-school image of cultural restrictions and an oil-centric economy. Winning the bid for Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup are prime examples of their forward momentum. They've even rolled out a breathtaking framework of Culture investments, rivaling anything seen on the global stage. Check out their Riyadh Art program and the fleet of new Museums they're building.

Honored to lead the Proger Art & Culture project as the Chairman of their Business Unit.Been around the block a few times, y' know – from Mayor of Rome to Minister of Culture and today's Soft Power Club President. Our mission in Saudi Arabia? Create global references and kickstart conversations with the institutions of the new world leaders. With cultural growth, we believe we can contribute to sustainable development and social inclusion. Partnering with Proger, a worldwide engineering powerhouse, we can develop a vision that integrates innovation, Museum appreciation, digital creativity, and an incremental dose of arty brilliance. Riyadh Art has geopolitical objectives, and for years, it's been transforming perceptions of Saudi Arabia as a symbol of progress and modernity. Since October 2024, cultural events in Riyadh have attracted over 20 million visitors.

Recent passing of Joseph Nye, the "inventor" of Soft Power, received a special tribute. His ideas live on, with increasing endorsements of Soft Power's relevance in different regions worldwide. As Nye wrote, "no world government, but there are many social contracts that ensure a certain level of global governance." Soft Power isn't just warm fuzzies; it's a powerful ally for a nation's economic and strategic interests. It's even more crucial now than during the globalization boom, helping places attract foreign investments and visitors.

But remember, there's always an alternative to Soft Power – toxic disinformation and manipulation of algorithms. But like Rome, such deception won't last. The strength of providing pluralistic models and cultural, religious, economic, and secular wealth has always ruled the roost. The UK and Italy – leaders in culture and quality of life – mustn't abandon these treasured assets as they navigate this crucial historical period. They'll remain valuable and weigh heavily in the systems of tomorrow's relationships.

Bonus Facts:Saudi Arabia's cultural investments are part of a larger strategy to combat extremist ideologies and diversify the economy. The Kingdom is also doing its bit to ensure the preservation of Universal Cultural Heritage by addressing Climate Change Adaptation.

[1] Saudi Arabia's Cultural Diplomacy - Bloomberg[2] Saudi Vision 2030 - Government of Saudi Arabia[3] Saudi Arabia Empowering Women in Sports and Culture – Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)[4] Soft Power is a powerful tool used by countries to influence others and manage their international relations – WeForum[5] How does Saudi Arabia's Soft Power strategy aim to transform its image? - Britannica[6] The historical impact of Soft Power in Rome and its relevance in modern times - Oxford Academic

1. The Soft Power shift in Saudi Arabia was recently showcased at the International Soft Power Club Conference held in Naples, Italy.
2. The discussions at Federico II and Orientale Universities revolved around tools like Reputation and Persuasion, particularly in this era of turmoil.
3. The Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, are entering the global soft power arena with impressive strategies.
4. The diplomatic dance on open crises and conflicts, along with significant investments in international events and art, are indicative of Saudi Arabia's soft power evolution.
5. Saudi Arabia has been making efforts to shed its old image of cultural restrictions and an oil-centric economy.
6. Winning the bid for Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup are examples of the kingdom's forward momentum.
7. The kingdom has also launched a breathtaking framework of Culture investments, rivaling anything seen on the global stage.
8. Riyadh Art program and the fleet of new Museums being built are noteworthy parts of their cultural investment strategy.
9. As the Chairman of their Business Unit for the Proger Art & Culture project, I am committed to creating global references and starting conversations with the institutions of new world leaders.
10. Our aim is to contribute to sustainable development and social inclusion through cultural growth.
11. With cultural growth, we can also attract foreign investments and visitors, a critical aspect in this era of globalization.
12. Saudi Arabia's cultural investments are part of a larger strategy to combat extremist ideologies and diversify the economy.
13. The kingdom is also working towards ensuring the preservation of Universal Cultural Heritage by addressing Climate Change Adaptation.

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