Location: Geneva, Switzerland Dates: June 13th-15th, 2012  Symposium AgendaThe International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy in Geneva will be held parallel to the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development and will focus on the importance of sustainable development to the future of developed and developing countries.

The conference will offer perspectives on how cultural diplomacy policies can assist in strengthening existing and future sustainable development policies and, in particular, how cultural diplomacy practices are necessary to express and mediate the rationale behind investment in sustainable development during this challenging period.

  Symposium SpeakersSpeakers during the conference will include leading figures and experts from international politics, academia, diplomacy, civil society and the private sector from across the world.

 A Selection of Speakers for Symposia including:Dr.

Catherine Ferrier Coordinator Certificate of Advanced Studies in Corporate Social Responsibility, University of GenevaCecile MolinierDirector, UNDP Office in GenevaClemens BoonekampDirector, Agriculture and Commodities Division, World Trade Organisation (WTO)Deborah VorhiesManaging Director, International Centre for Trade and Sustainable DevelopmentDoaa Abdel Motaal Advisor to the Head of the World Trade OrganizationGérard BiraudFormer Chairman, Joint Inspection Unit, United NationsHaibing Ma China Program Manager &, Chief Representative in China, Worldwatch InstituteIvan UretaProfessor, Geneva School of DiplomacyJon-Hans CoetzerGeneral Manager, Geneva School of DiplomacyH.

E.

Amb.

Luvuyo NdimeniDeputy Permanant Representative of South Africa to the United NationsMario ApostolovRegional Adviser, UNECE TradeHon.

Noemi Sanin PosadaFormer Minister Foreign Affairs, ColumbiaDr.

Philipp KruegerPost-Doctoral Research Fellow, Geneva Finance Research Institute, University of GenevaRonald DerksFocal Point World Alliance of Cities against Poverty, UNDPThe Hon.

Rufus YerxaDeputy Director-General, World Trade Organisation (WTO)Thérèse de Saint PhalleDeputy-Registrar, International Court of Justice ParticipantsParticipants will include young professionals, students and academics, representatives from politics, diplomats, practitioners from the civil society and the private sector, Media representatives and other individuals with an active interest in the Program’s themes.

Participation CostThe participation cost for the program is 195 euros.

If offered a place in the conference, applicants are then required to transfer the participation cost to reserve their position.