Events
International Workshop: Towards a ‘third wave’ in sub-state diplomacy? 19 January 2010
This international workshop brings together both policy officers and academics to exchange ideas on the latest develoments in sub-state diplomacy. The occasion for this gathering is an international study which was conducted by the Flemish Centre for International Policy between April 2007 and December 2008 on the foreign policy and diplomatic representation of Bavaria, Catalonia, Flanders, Québec, Scotland and Wallonia.
This study hints that currently a ‘third wave’ is developing in sub-state diplomacy, especially in Europe. It is characterized by steps towards a ‘verticalization’ of the organisational structure of the administration or department of external/foreign affairs, a strategic re-orientation of the geopolitical and functional priorities, and attempts to integrate the external instruments of a sub-state foreign policy into a well performing whole.
What lessons can be learned? What do these developments tell us about the changing width and nature of sub-state diplomacy in its relation to other policy levels (macro-regional, national, city, etc.)?