Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NARDIV (United in Narrative Diversity?Cultural (Ex-)Change and Mutual Perceptions in Eastern and Western Europe at the threshold of the digital age)
Reporting period: 2023-06-01 to 2024-05-31
Europe faces a resurgence of cultural and national stereotypes driven by the migration crisis, COVID-19, democratic backslides, and the war in Ukraine. Decades after the Cold War, Eastern and Western Europe appear increasingly alienated, with diverging views on Europe and the EU. These trends suggest a post-colonial relationship within Europe, particularly in East-West dynamics.
Involving France, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania, NARDIV explores the past, present, and future of transnational relationships in culture and heritage, examining how intercultural exchanges shape perceptions between Eastern and Western Europe. Scholars, artists, and cultural practitioners collaborate to address issues like conflicting memories and the impact of digital media on perceptions.
The project’s goal is to develop strategies to revitalize cultural diplomacy to counter nationalist populist discourses. It aims to rethink cultural exchanges, promote European values, and identify best practices in an environment increasingly shaped by social media and digitalization. Methodologically, NARDIV combines field research, artistic workshops, and media analysis, integrating research with creative practices. It emphasizes minority and youth experiences, incorporating gender and intersectionality perspectives to raise awareness of the media’s influence on shaping perceptions.
The project seeks to improve East-West relations by fostering understanding of shared European heritage and countering disinformation. It aims to create a sustainable network for cultural diplomacy and intercultural exchange, promoting a cohesive and resilient Europe.
Involving France, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania, NARDIV explores the past, present, and future of transnational relationships in culture and heritage, examining how intercultural exchanges shape perceptions between Eastern and Western Europe. Scholars, artists, and cultural practitioners collaborate to address issues like conflicting memories and the impact of digital media on perceptions.
The project’s goal is to develop strategies to revitalize cultural diplomacy to counter nationalist populist discourses. It aims to rethink cultural exchanges, promote European values, and identify best practices in an environment increasingly shaped by social media and digitalization. Methodologically, NARDIV combines field research, artistic workshops, and media analysis, integrating research with creative practices. It emphasizes minority and youth experiences, incorporating gender and intersectionality perspectives to raise awareness of the media’s influence on shaping perceptions.
The project seeks to improve East-West relations by fostering understanding of shared European heritage and countering disinformation. It aims to create a sustainable network for cultural diplomacy and intercultural exchange, promoting a cohesive and resilient Europe.
During the first year, cooperation between university partners and cultural institutions proved fruitful.
WP2 conducted textual analysis, organized an expert workshop in Amsterdam (October 2023), and presented research at academic events. Key achievements include the recruitment of a PhD candidate, submission of a book proposal, and insights from a workshop with Roma women in Hamburg.
WP3 examined postcolonial currents in France, Germany, and Ukraine’s relationships, based on archival research and expert interviews. The findings were discussed in a workshop, leading to a journal article and a code book for further research.
WP4 identified key Russian disinformation narratives during the first 18 months of the war against Ukraine, developing methods to analyze how they are perceived in France, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia. These findings were presented at expert workshops.
WP5 focused on cultural transfers, policy proposals for the ECOC program, and organizing events like the European Diplomatic Cultural Cabaret. Milestones include recruiting two PhD candidates, creating a French-Romanian cultural relations database, and preparing an academic conference.
WP6 researched foreign cultural policy, conducting interviews and workshops, including one on media literacy and another on social media communication for cultural institutes and artists. A university course on social media in foreign cultural policy was also developed.
WP7 prepared workshops, policy papers, and artistic research, securing approval for a master’s program in cultural diplomacy and organizing a partner meeting in Bucharest.
WP2 conducted textual analysis, organized an expert workshop in Amsterdam (October 2023), and presented research at academic events. Key achievements include the recruitment of a PhD candidate, submission of a book proposal, and insights from a workshop with Roma women in Hamburg.
WP3 examined postcolonial currents in France, Germany, and Ukraine’s relationships, based on archival research and expert interviews. The findings were discussed in a workshop, leading to a journal article and a code book for further research.
WP4 identified key Russian disinformation narratives during the first 18 months of the war against Ukraine, developing methods to analyze how they are perceived in France, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia. These findings were presented at expert workshops.
WP5 focused on cultural transfers, policy proposals for the ECOC program, and organizing events like the European Diplomatic Cultural Cabaret. Milestones include recruiting two PhD candidates, creating a French-Romanian cultural relations database, and preparing an academic conference.
WP6 researched foreign cultural policy, conducting interviews and workshops, including one on media literacy and another on social media communication for cultural institutes and artists. A university course on social media in foreign cultural policy was also developed.
WP7 prepared workshops, policy papers, and artistic research, securing approval for a master’s program in cultural diplomacy and organizing a partner meeting in Bucharest.
In its first year, the project made significant progress in understanding culture’s role in social cohesion and European integration.
WP2, in collaboration with WP5, gained insights through expert workshops, young adult workshops focused on media and minorities, and artistic workshops with Roma women. These efforts aimed to better integrate specific social groups into European cooperation. WP5’s contribution includes a cultural diplomacy database, informing future EU cultural policies.
WP3’s research confirmed that bi- and multilateral perceptions are influenced by historical circumstances, often tied to (post)colonial narratives. These sensitivities must be considered in developing strategies for intercultural exchange.
WP4’s research on Russian disinformation suggests a need to tailor countermeasures to different media and cultural contexts within the EU. A unified ‘market’ approach to information quality, as proposed by the EU Commission, appears more effective than creating multiple counternarratives, which risk deepening divides between countries.
WP6 is developing tools, strategy papers, and workshops to adapt cultural diplomacy to digital trends. Research shows that AI is underestimated in content production for cultural institutions, and media literacy in Western Europe is particularly lacking regarding verified news from Eastern Europe.
With the accreditation of a master’s program in cultural diplomacy, WP7 achieved a milestone that could shape future cultural diplomats and influence EU initiatives. However, sustained funding and collaboration are needed for long-term impact.
WP2, in collaboration with WP5, gained insights through expert workshops, young adult workshops focused on media and minorities, and artistic workshops with Roma women. These efforts aimed to better integrate specific social groups into European cooperation. WP5’s contribution includes a cultural diplomacy database, informing future EU cultural policies.
WP3’s research confirmed that bi- and multilateral perceptions are influenced by historical circumstances, often tied to (post)colonial narratives. These sensitivities must be considered in developing strategies for intercultural exchange.
WP4’s research on Russian disinformation suggests a need to tailor countermeasures to different media and cultural contexts within the EU. A unified ‘market’ approach to information quality, as proposed by the EU Commission, appears more effective than creating multiple counternarratives, which risk deepening divides between countries.
WP6 is developing tools, strategy papers, and workshops to adapt cultural diplomacy to digital trends. Research shows that AI is underestimated in content production for cultural institutions, and media literacy in Western Europe is particularly lacking regarding verified news from Eastern Europe.
With the accreditation of a master’s program in cultural diplomacy, WP7 achieved a milestone that could shape future cultural diplomats and influence EU initiatives. However, sustained funding and collaboration are needed for long-term impact.