November 6, 2024

New Malaysia Times

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Malaysia needs fellowship programs as part of cultural diplomacy

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Kuala Lumpur, Sept 17 — Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s Information Chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan has suggested that the Covid-19 period also be used to plan a Cultural Diplomacy program that is structured, directed, and to be strengthened by adequate allocations.

“If the program is well structured and strategic, as well as planned to be included as one of the Budget 2022 agenda, I believe we can do it,” he said in a Facebook post.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah had previously stated that among the six focal points of the foreign policy being formulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to encourage cultural diplomacy.

Commenting further, Wan Saiful said, cultural diplomacy is an important element in order to increase Malaysia’s soft power in the eyes of the world.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato Saifuddin Abdullah

According to Wan Saiful, cultural diplomacy can be understood as the use and exchange of ideas, traditions, and thoughts between nations. It can be embodied thru the exchange of delegations between countries, cultural activities, the proliferation of ideas, and many others to introduce our way of life to the world.

“When international borders are reopened, it would be good if Malaysia could compete with well-known cultural diplomacy programs such as the Fulbright Fellowship from the United States and Chevening (United Kingdom)” he further added.

Wan Saiful also stated that Malaysia has many things to share with the world, including the way we manage racial and religious diversity, the richness of customs, the success of economic development, as well as the nation’s recovery efforts from the effects of the Covid-19 epidemic.

NMT