UAE launches weekly cultural diplomacy webinars

The series begins on Thursday night with a talk on the Silk Roads

Omar Ghobash is Assistant Minister of Public and Cultural Diplomacy,. Chris Whiteoak / The National

In 1947, French philosopher Albert Camus penned the famous words in his novel The Plague, “The evil that is in the world comes out of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence, if they lack understanding.”

Inspired by these words, the Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy will launch its new talk series, The Future of Diplomacy, on Thursday.

The series begin at 9pm with a discussion between historian Peter Frankopan and UAE diplomat Omar Ghobash about the Silk Road and its implications today.

Prof Frankopan is a professor of Global History at Oxford University and author of Silk Roads (2015) and The New Silk Roads (2018). Prof Frankopan has been described in The New Statesmen as 'the history rock star du jour' and a 'literary star' by The Times.

Each weekly discussion will be led by Mr Ghobash, Assistant Minister of Public and Cultural Diplomacy, and author of Letters to a Young Muslim.

The series will feature leading figures in science, technology, governance, cultural theory, history, religious studies, computer security, philosophy and mental health.

Thursday's talk examines how old Silk Road connections will shape a world battling with the challenges of a pandemic, and explore questions on global trade and Chinese international policy.

Registration is here.