Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in partnership with
University of Siena, Italy

MA Program in Global Governance & Cultural Diplomacy

Operating under a joint partnership, the University of Siena and the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy are the first institutions to offer a Master of Arts degree program that will educate students from around the world in several academic disciplines related to Global Governance, International Relations and Cultural Diplomacy. The traditional academic components of a degree in these fields have been adapted to fit in the dynamic, rapidly changing world. To that end, our approach to contemporary global affairs focuses also on the increasingly important roles of soft power and cultural diplomacy in world affairs.

The degree focuses on several academic disciplines related to Global Governance, International Relations & Economics, Global Politics and Cultural Diplomacy, with a particular emphasis on the theory, the development and the rapid evolution of global governance institutions in the twentieth century, which in the globalized world of the twenty-first century, is of paramount importance for the next generation of leaders.

The degree prepares students for careers in a number of diverse fields, such as the field of international relations, the humanities, politics, and culture, with a special focus upon the application of Cultural Diplomacy in the framework of global governance and international organizations.

The program provides a thorough background in Global Governance and Cultural Diplomacy, using a historical and case study approach. The program addresses contemporary international issues, with classroom seminars supplemented by lectures and briefings at international and non-governmental organizations; educational events, conferences, tours, and meetings with foreign officials are further incorporated into the curriculum. Students will meet with leading experts working in international organizations, embassies, and academic institutions, and will engage with specialists in the areas of International Relations, Politics, Human Rights, Culture, Peace Building, Multilateral Diplomacy, Conflict Resolution, Development, and Economics.

The program provides students with practical experience for both academic and professional development. It allows students to create a solid professional network and form a concrete base for future academic and professional career choices. On a practical level, the program prepares students for engagement in the international arena, civil society, politics, governmental organizations and international economic organizations.

Program Structure

The program consists of 60 ECTS credits in total and has duration of two semesters and a professional development training program, which take place in the Center of Cultural Diplomacy Studies (CCDS) of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy - Berlin, Germany and the University of Siena, Italy. This unique structure of the program provides the students with the advantage of learning in 2 different major European cities and thus the opportunity to gain academic, professional and personal experience from living in different cultures. Furthermore, the program’s structure provides a unique opportunity to benefit from the study environment in both an international nongovernmental organization and a traditional public University.

The MA program follows the conventional university structure of a one-year course divided into two different semesters and a Professional Development Training Program, designed individually for each student.

The first semester of the program is hosted by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin. Students are offered an array of elective courses to accompany mandatory courses. The main priority of the curriculum for the first semester is to provide students with a solid foundation and understanding of the history and contemporary practice of Cultural Diplomacy, as well as future applications of the field.

The second semester is hosted by the University of Siena. The primary focuses of the curriculum for the second semester are the essential theories, practices, and institutions in the fields of International Relations and Global Governance. Students will attend four modular classes and will be assessed based on class participation and the completion of term papers and dissertation.

The Professional Development Training Program provides students with the opportunity to apply in practice what they learn in theory in their studies. The program is of 7 weeks in duration and is to be completed after the conclusion of the first or the second semester of studies. The program may be scheduled in the period either immediately following the first semester (before the second semester) or following the second semester either in Berlin or in the location of the student's choice (however under the supervision of the student's professional advisors at the ICD).

Accreditation

The Master’s Degree is awarded by the University of Siena, which is recognized as a fully accredited institution of higher education with the right to award university degrees. The University of Siena is part of the Bologna Process set in place by the European Commission, and uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) to award degrees. Credits obtained through our MA program are equivalent to those of courses at universities in all other 30+ signatory countries.. Upon Completion of the Program students will earn 60 credits.

The University of Siena in partnership with the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy also offers other academic programmes such as:
One Year MA Program in International Relation & Cultural Diplomacy

Admission requirements

Individuals studying for the MA in Global Governance and Cultural Diplomacy will represent a diverse range of cultural and academic backgrounds, and will have consistently demonstrated academic excellence and leadership. Candidates will include recent BA graduates as well as young professionals who combine academic backgrounds with work experience. Individuals are required to hold a BA degree (or equivalent Degree) of minimum of 3 years studies, as degrees from across the world and from any field are acceptable.

The admissions panel does not consider any one element of an application exclusively. Rather, the panel considers academic achievement as well as personal qualities such as strength of character, motivation and the ability and willingness to take on new academic challenges. Our aim is to attract students from a variety of backgrounds and countries that will foster a unique and diverse learning environment.

All courses will be taught in English, and proficiency in English is therefore a pre-requisite for application. For non- English native speakers, a Test (TOEFL or similar) or a proof attests that the applicant has studies at least one semester in English is sufficient for proving the level of English.

Minimum IELTS: 5.5

Required Documents:

• Official Undergraduate Degree certificate and Transcript*
• Copy of Passport
• Personal Statement- Applicants are asked to submit a personal statement of no more than 700 words explaining their motivation for undertaking the MA Program.
• Curriculum Vitae (Resumé) no longer than 2 A4 pages.
• Certificate for language competencies- required for applicants whose mother tongue is not English. If you have studied at least 1 semester in an English language, a certificate which attests this fact will be sufficient as well.
• Essay - An Essay relating to applicant’s personal interests and passions, pertaining to the fields of the MA program is required. The Essay should be of no less than 2 A4 pages long and of no more than 5 A4 pages long. Possible themes and reading materials will be sent to the applicant in the e-mail responding to the online application.
• Additional Documentation (not compulsory)- recommendation/reference letters

*Current undergraduate students are required to submit a confirmation of their current studies and copy of their current transcripts

The Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies (CCDS) and the University of Siena

The Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies (CCDS) is the world's leading center for the study of Cultural Diplomacy, offering educational and professional development opportunities for individuals, interested in pursuing further education and careers in academia, diplomacy, government, and/or the private sector, related either wholly or in part to the field of Cultural Diplomacy. The CCDS focuses in particular on exploring the balancing between hard and soft power, the process of globalization in an interdependent world, international economics & business multiculturalism, intercultural dialogue & exchange, human rights, religion, and the ability for culturally based initiatives to further mutual understanding and in turn to foster global peace and stability.

The CCDS programs offer high levels of leadership and provide students the skills to shape their future leadership roles, while addressing the critical issues challenging the world today. The programs provide advanced knowledge and analytical tools for the study and practice of cultural diplomacy and the potential that it has in shaping international policies and global strategies

The CCDS programs are divided into the following categories: Distance Learning Courses, Professional Development Certificate Programs, and Degree Programs in Cultural Diplomacy.

The CCDS Faculty is composed of professors, high profile politicians and experienced professionals from the public and private sectors.

The CCDS’s faculty and advisory members have worked intensively and collectively to design innovative degree programs that provide a unique approach to the study of the fields of international relations, global economics, intercultural relations, art & culture, globalization and global governance. The traditional academic components of a degree in these fields have been adapted to fit in the dynamic, rapidly changing world. To that end, our approach to contemporary global affairs focuses also on the increasingly important roles of soft power and cultural diplomacy in world affairs.

The programs are unique and innovative in their content and approach and offer professional development in cultural diplomacy and related fields. For students with an interest in foreign policy, international affairs, cultural diplomacy, political science, or international economics, the programs provide a platform from which students can gain hands-on experience and high-level knowledge; equipping students with the tools to launch their career even before the completion of their studies. The CCDS Degree Programs operate under a joint partnership between the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy and leading European universities. The Degrees are all awarded by the Universities, which are recognized as fully accredited institutions of higher education with the right to award university degrees, are part of the Bologna Process set in place by the European Commission, and use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) to award degrees. The programs provide the students with the advantage of learning in various major European cities and thus the opportunity to gain academic, professional and personal experience from living in different cultures.

The University of Siena, located in Siena, Tuscany, is one of the oldest universities in Italy and, as such, has a rich and intriguing history. Founded in 1240, it is in fact thanks to the university that many of the city's historically important buildings were not lost, as they became used for study spaces and faculty departments. Since its founding, the University of Siena has grown to become home to over 20,000 students and schools dedicated to a variety of fields including Engineering, Economics, Humanities, Philosophy, and Political Science. The mission of the university is to nurture a community of students motivated by a thirst for knowledge and learning, with an attentive and approachable academic staff with many innovative services at their disposal.

The University of Siena boasts modern facilities, libraries, and laboratories, and offers all its students an array of services, including a welcoming session, orientation and continuous tutoring activities, support for disabled students, and career services. Another unique aspect of this historic university is its botanical garden, Orto Botanico dell'Università di Siena, a beautiful space cultivated by the university since 1588 when it began to raise medicinal herbs. The University of Siena's campuses are based in the city, and much of the life of the city is centered around the university itself as almost half the population of Siena attend the institution.

The University of Siena is home to an extremely multicultural student base, due in large part to its active academic collaboration with European and international organizations and institutions. The university supports the Erasmus program, with 300 Erasmus foreign study scholarships and approximately 30 Erasmus placement scholarships awarded each year. The university also has agreements with 72 foreign universities for international Doctorate degrees and 20 foreign universities for international Master's degrees. In order to facilitate the academic requirements of as many international students as possible, the university also offers degree programs taught in English, as well as Italian, and has founded the 'International Place,' an office to ensure international students are fully supported and comfortable integrating into university life in a foreign country. All of these factors are in place to provide the foundation for students to experience a culturally diverse academic environment throughout their time at the University of Siena, thus enriching their cultural understanding and better preparing them for working life in the international arena.