USA Africa Dialogue Series - Nice one!! Food diplomacy or gastrodiplomacy by Augustine Togonu Bickersteth London England 🇬🇧 july 4 2026.

Only a week ago I wrote about  Patrick  jude oteh who may be Callled the Nigerian father of  culture  diplomacy. He actually  studied  Theatre arts  international  law and diplomacy. And a phd  with a distinction  in at least one masters  program..so I had good  reason as putting  his nane forward  as a potential  minister of  foreign affairs. I have perhaps  been vindicated  with the summit  I think  yesterday  on culture  diplomacy  at the Nigerian Institute of international affairs. The first  of it's  kind.  By goje Africa.So the idea of culture diplomacy  is now mainstream  in Nigeria  thanks to the influence  and activities  of Dr Patrick jude Oteh of the Jos Repertory Theatre 

As a subset of culture diplomacy  we have food diplomacy. 

Food diplomacy (or gastrodiplomacy) is a form of cultural soft power where governments and non-state actors use cuisine to build cross-cultural understanding, boost national branding, and improve bilateral relations. 

By sharing meals and culinary traditions, nations humanize their foreign policy and bypass political tensions to connect directly with the public

.Food diplomacy generally operates on two levels:

Formal Culinary Diplomacy: Government-directed efforts like embassy receptions, state dinners, and chef exchange programs—such as the US Department of State's Diplomatic Culinary Partnership—that are used to build relationships among political elites.Grassroots Gastrodiplomacy: 

Public-facing campaigns designed to reach everyday citizens. Notable examples include Thailand's "Global Thai" program, which actively funded and standardized Thai restaurants worldwide to promote the country's culture and tourism.

Specific Examples and Impact:Soft Power & Tourism: Countries strategically promote their culinary exports (like Italian pasta or French fine dining) to counter negative stereotypes and entice global travelers.

Symbolic Gestures: Symbolic "food gestures" are frequently utilized, such as India's famous "mango diplomacy" to smooth relations with neighboring countries.

Humanitarian Aid: Food security programs and international aid serve as vital tools to relieve global crises while establishing geopolitical goodwill.

To explore how international relations and culture intersect through the culinary arts, you can read more about the academic and practical frameworks behind these programs on the Diplo Foundation or explore the soft-power evolution of food on Food Unfolded.

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