Six international artists in North Carolina this week demonstrate that international diplomacy can come in many different forms. While many may imagine diplomats wearing business suits and sitting in conference rooms, these artists paint a drastically different picture.

The Power of the Diaspora Networks conference, highlighted the importance of Ethiopian diaspora networks in promoting trade and investments in the region. Focusing on Jewish  experience, Powers of Diaspora forcefully argues that diasporic communities exercise a distinct form of cultural power in order to maintain powerful networks to empower the Horn of African states.

"Culture is the bridge for enhancing mutual understanding and trust between nations. China and Kenya share similar cultures that emphasize the importance of peace, harmony and friendliness," said the Chinese ambassador. [...] Kenyan officials hailed the martial arts’ prowess of Shaolin Monks and underscored the role of the ancient practice to promote cultural diplomacy.

Unlike Yo-Yo Ma’s ongoing Silk Road Project, which since 1998 has celebrated the Silk Road’s melange of cultures and history of exchange through chamber music and educational programs, the China Philharmonic’s tour takes a traditional approach to cultural diplomacy. The orchestra is playing Chinese and Western repertory and effectively showcasing its strengths to China’s not-so-distant geographical neighbors.

More than two months after many visitors at the Vietnamese stall at the ongoing 2015 Expo Milan in Italy complained about its "offensively" poor and careless interior displays, Vietnamese authorities have finally moved to fix the problems. In fact, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam House's organizers only acted after a Vietnamese national recently wrote on her Facebook page about how "ashamed" and "upset" she felt about her recent visit to the stall that supposedly cost VND57 billion (US$2.6 million).

Cuba’s Los Van Van are a force in their home country. And the ensemble is prepping for its fifth tour in the United States. [...] In addition to the Los Van Van concert, a Cuban film series has been airing at the NHCC.

 Thousands of members of Sudan's Nuba community turned out the Sudanese capital's twin city of Omdurman Saturday for dancing, singing and poetry in a festival showcasing the culture of their conflict-stricken people. "This celebration is a manifestation of our resilience; we want to maintain our culture," said Guma Kunda Komey, a Nuba academic and author, who had been taking part in the dancing.

The kimono, a garment that dates back to the 5th century A.D. and worn by westerners for at least 150 years, inhabits the slippery gray area between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. [...] For a long time, the kimono as a fashion statement – both contemporary remakes and authentic vintage garments – largely avoided being called out for cultural appropriation.