Call for Papers

Academic Conference on Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy in a Fragmented Global Order

 Fudan University, Shanghai, China

 Nov 16-17

Cosponsors

 Institute for Global Public Policy (IGPP), Fudan University

Treccani Cultura FoundationTreccani Institute

Villa Vigoni (German-Italian Centre for European Dialogue)

Conference Background

The current global political landscape is undergoing profound shifts, in the cultural foundations that underpin international relations as well as in terms of power distribution and institutional arrangements. Established international rules and norms are weakening, as incumbent powers increasingly undermine the post-WWII order through unilateral actions, military and technological leverage, and efforts to reshape global interests. At the same time culture, whether expressed through heritage, education, media, or creative industries, now plays a decisive role in defining national images, shaping international perceptions, and fostering mutual understanding. Many countries in the Global North and South are calling for a more equitable and inclusive system of global governance, that recognizes culture not merely as a soft-power instrument, but as a foundation for dialogue, empathy, and cooperation across civilizations In this context, scholars from the European Union and China propose an international conference to critically examine the role of soft power and cultural diplomacy in addressing these challenges and opportunities.

This conference is an extension of the trilateral conferences co-organized by Fudan University, Treccani Cultura Foundation Treccani, and Villa Vigoni in 2025. The first conference was hosted at Fudan in May with a theme of “China–EU Dialogue on Culture and Global Governance” (weblink), and the second one was hosted by Villa Vigoni in Oct with a theme of “Multilateralism in the Post-Global World: Nations, Politics and International Relations” (weblink). Based on these and other interactions, the international journal Global Public Policy and Governance (GPPG) published a special issue of “Trumpism and Global Governance: Assessing Impacts and Prospects” (weblink). The 2026 conference aims to refresh the established tradition of open-minded and serious academic discussions and produce another high-quality special issue on GPPG.

Call for Submissions

We welcome contributions from political science, international relations, cultural studies, communication studies, sociology, and law. Scholars, practitioners, and early-career researchers are strongly encouraged to apply.

We invite original contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Theoretical reflections on soft power, culture, and global justice

• Soft power strategies in an era of geopolitical competition

• Cultural diplomacy as a driver of mutual understanding, trust-building, and peace-making Comparative perspectives on EU and Chinese cultural diplomacy and approaches to global governance and multilateralism

• The role of emerging powers and the Global South in reshaping global norms

• Digital technologies, cultural communities , and new forms of cultural engagement

• Case studies of successful multilateral or bilateral cultural initiatives

Submission Guidelines

We invite proposals for individual papers or pre-formed panels (comprising 3-4 papers).

Abstracts for individual papers should be no more than 300 words and include the paper’s title, research question, methodology, and main arguments. For practitioners, the abstract shall include speech title, major issues and arguments

Panel proposals should include a panel title, a brief description of the panel’s rationale (up to 250 words), and abstracts for each paper (following the individual paper guidelines).

All submissions must include the name(s), institutional affiliation(s), and contact information of the presenter(s).  

Visa Issue: If participants may apply for Chinese visa, please indicate it and provide detailed personal information in your proposal including: Full name in your passport, Nationality, Passport Number, Gender, Date of Birth, and Place of Birth. The conference organizer will put such information in the invitation letter.

Important Dates

Proposal Submission Deadline: Sep 15, 2026  

Notification of Acceptance: Sep 30, 2026

Full Paper Submission Deadline: Nov 1, 2026

Conference Dates: November 16-17, 2026

Publication Opportunities

High-quality papers presented at the conference are invited for submission to Global Public Policy and Governance (GPPG). Authors may indicate their publication interests in the proposal submitted to the conference. Publication decisions will follow regular review policies of the journal.

Logistics

The conference will be held at the campus of Fudan University. It is the responsibility of participants to arrange their travel and local hotel. The conference will provide local transportation, tea breaks and conference meals.

Contact

For any inquiries regarding the conference, please contact the organizing committee at: igpp_research@fudan.edu.cn

About Conference Cosponsors

IGPP

The Fudan Institute for Global Public Policy (IGPP) is dedicated to research and education in global public policy and governance. IGPP studies public administration and policy issues at local, national, international and global levels highlighting the influences from globalization. Through interdisciplinary research and innovative international cooperation, IGPP aims to train for China and the world young talents with visions, capabilities, and sense of responsibilities of global governance, and provide academic research and policy advice for China and other global actors. IGPP hosts the LSE-Fudan Research Centre for Global Public Policy and the Fudan-Arab Research Centre for Global Development and Governance, the international journal Global Public Policy and Governance, and the China-Arab Network of Schools of Public Policy and Administration, striving to build itself as an open and excellent global public policy school. Web: IGPP

Treccani Cultura Foundation Trecanni Institute

Fondazione Treccani Cultura is a non-profit institution founded by the Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana Treccani (IEI), the Italian cultural institute that, with a century-long history and a wide network of collaborations with major international cultural institutions, represents a cornerstone of Italy’s cultural landscape. IEI is entrusted with functions related to the protection, promotion, and dissemination of cultural heritage, fostering initiatives and publishing activities that support the advancement of humanistic and scientific knowledge, as well as education, research, and social engagement. Rooted in the Institute’s long-standing encyclopedic tradition, Fondazione Treccani Cultura promotes the dissemination of knowledge as a key driver of cultural growth, civic engagement, and democratic development. Through collaborations with schools, universities, and cultural institutions, as well as public events, research initiatives, and digital platforms, Fondazione Treccani Cultura fosters access to reliable knowledge and encourages active participation in cultural life. Its activities span themes such as intercultural dialogue, education, sustainability, and the role of culture in contemporary societies.

Villa Vigoni

Villa Vigoni is a binational institution founded by the Italian and German governments to promote high-level dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation between the two countries in the fields of politics, academia, culture, and society. Located on Lake Como, Villa Vigoni serves as a premier venue for strategic discussions and policy-oriented reflection, hosting international conferences, expert roundtables, bilateral programmes, and research initiatives aimed at strengthening German-Italian relations and contributing to the future of Europe. Its mission is to foster European integration through German-Italian cooperation, acting as a platform where decision-makers, scholars, institutions, and practitioners can collectively address the major political and societal challenges shaping Europe’s future.