The 3rd CPD Summit on City Diplomacy

Register here for in-person attendance.

The USC Center on Public Diplomacy (CPD) will convene in Los Angeles on March 30 the Third CPD Summit on City Diplomacy. We will bring together city leaders, practitioners and scholars to explore current trends and pressing issues driving the next chapter of city diplomacy. The Summit will take stock of the growing role of subnational actors in navigating global policies and relationships, the value of networks for city diplomacy, latest research insights on frameworks and practices, and the convergence of sports diplomacy and city diplomacy in cities’ effective delivery of mega-events. The Summit will also highlight international engagement by the State of California, as subnational diplomacy encompasses a multitude of local actors from cities to states.

Just as cities were on the front lines of addressing the pandemic, they also offer public diplomacy platforms for fostering international understanding and cooperation to deal with a host of other concerns, including climate, trade, cybersecurity and immigration. With appropriate planning and resources, cities can build networks and partnerships for global impact while furthering the interests of their constituents. To address these possibilities and challenges, since 2018, CPD has been hosting summits and private roundtables on city diplomacy, and publishing research and analysis on the topic. This third summit will further explore analytical insights and practical solutions to seek better ways to connect local communities for a more peaceful and prosperous world.

The summit will feature panel discussions that will engage the broad public audience.

Program (Pacific time)

9:30 – 9:40 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

9:40 – 10:15 IN CONVERSATION: LEADING THROUGH CITY DIPLOMACY

10:15 – 11:15 GROWING NETWORKS FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Cities now have unprecedented opportunities to promote their interests through global relations, and wide-ranging networks are vital assets in achieving this through city diplomacy. But leaders must prioritize approaches according to the potential for maximizing network impact to benefit their cities and constituents. What frameworks and strategies best support cities’ engagement in these networks?

11:30 – 12:30 CITY DIPLOMACY: VIEW FROM THE CONSULAR CORPS

A natural but often overlooked connection exists between the core function of consulates conducting public diplomacy locally and their partnerships with host cities. Successful strategies must drive such collaborations based on foreign policy priorities while heeding local contexts. How can consulates adapt and succeed through city diplomacy? What are the most innovative and creative ways to engage local residents and organizations to foster cooperation and understanding?

12:45 – 2:15 LUNCHTIME PRESENTATION: SUPERPOWER CALIFORNIA

Superpower California asks the following questions: What role does the state of California – or any large and influential subnational entity – perform in the world? What role can it play? What role should it play? Must the state strictly accept and pursue U.S. diplomatic, trade, and national security goals in order to align with, comport to, achieve and extend the global power, presence, and blessings of the United States of America? The answer is critical to defining the future of American power.

2:30 – 3:45 RESEARCH INSIGHTS ON CITY DIPLOMACY

The academic community is increasingly applying conceptual frameworks and analytical tools to better understand the drivers, mechanisms and impacts of city diplomacy. This panel highlights recent research that exemplifies and advances the theory and practice of city diplomacy.

4:00 – 5:00 SPORTS DIPLOMACY MEETS CITY DIPLOMACY

The universal popularity of sports also provides diplomatic opportunities. Mega events like the Olympics enable the world to come together while spotlighting host cities on the global stage. They require close collaboration with cities and local governments. How can cities best leverage the tools and techniques of sports diplomacy to effectively deliver mega-events — including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 L.A. Olympics?

5:15 – 6:30 RECEPTION

Speaker announcements are forthcoming.

Register here for in-person attendance.

For inquiries, please contact César Corona, Assistant Director of Engagement, at coronaco@usc.edu.

When

Thursday, March 30, 2023 - 9:00am

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Where

USC University Club

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