Culture and Diplomacy
Raising the standard of education, arts and sciences in the Netherlands should be the principal objective of international cultural policy. The objective of establishing good relations with other countries plays a subordinate role. In its report Culture and Diplomacy (Report no. 31, 1987), the WRR stresses that making a clear distinction between these two objectives could help to strengthen the international position of cultural expression in the Netherlands.
Responsibilities
In the new structure the Minister of Foreign Affairs should be responsible only for activities that primarily further the aims of foreign policy. With regard to other activities, their objective would determine which minister would be responsible for them. The implementation of policy should be delegated to autonomous administrative bodies, making use of the services of external experts, according to the WRR.
A broader definition of international cultural policy
The Netherlands’ international cultural policy should also be seen in a far wider context than at present. It should encompass all cross-border activities relating to education, science, the arts, language and the dissemination of information in which the government is involved.