Cynthia P. Schneider
Cynthia P. Schneider
Full Name and Common Aliases
Cynthia P. Schneider is a renowned American diplomat, cultural mediator, and public policy expert.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on November 6, 1940; passed away on August 18, 2017.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Schneider was an American national with expertise in international relations, diplomacy, culture, and public policy. Throughout her career, she served as a diplomat, academic, and cultural expert.
Early Life and Background
Cynthia Schneider grew up in New York City, surrounded by the vibrant arts and cultural scene of Manhattan. Her early life experiences fostered an appreciation for art, music, and international relations, laying the groundwork for her future endeavors. Schneider earned her Bachelor's degree from Wellesley College and went on to study at the Sorbonne in Paris.
Major Accomplishments
Schneider's illustrious career spanned multiple roles:
Ambassador: She served as the United States Ambassador to Belgium (1989-1993) and to Ireland (1993-1994).
Diplomatic Service: Schneider held various positions within the U.S. Department of State, including serving as a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Diplomacy.
Academic Career: She was a Professor at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and its Center for International Media and Cultural Studies.Notable Works or Actions
Schneider's notable works include:
Co-Founding the Cultural Diplomacy Network (CDN): A global network aimed at enhancing international relations through culture, arts, and education.
Promoting Public Diplomacy: Schneider championed the use of cultural exchange programs to build bridges between nations and foster a deeper understanding of diverse cultures.Impact and Legacy
Cynthia P. Schneider's dedication to cultural diplomacy has had a lasting impact:
Enhanced International Understanding: Through her work, Schneider helped bridge cultural divides, promoting mutual respect and cooperation among nations.
* Inspiring Future Generations: Her legacy serves as an inspiration for young professionals in the fields of international relations, diplomacy, and public policy.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Schneider's quotes and writings often highlight her vision for a more harmonious world:
> "Culture is not just about entertainment; it's about understanding."
ā Cynthia P. Schneider
Cynthia P. Schneider's remarkable life and career have left an indelible mark on the world of international relations, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. Her dedication to promoting cross-cultural understanding continues to inspire future generations.
Quotes by Cynthia P. Schneider
If President Obama really means what he has said repeatedly about supporting the aspirations of the Egyptian people, then he will have to recognize that in Egypt today, as in America in 1963, that can mean opposing government policy.
The most successful cultural diplomacy strategy integrates people-to-people or arts/culture/media-to-people interactions into the basic business of diplomacy. The programs in Afghanistan, Egypt, and Iran all contribute to core goals of U.S. policy in those countries.
During his brilliant campaign, President Obama wove a powerful narrative about the American we all hope for. And that hope was grounded in a very powerful reality: President Obama's own inspiring life story.
Washington was taken by surprise by the Egyptian revolution because policy experts focused too much on Mubarak and his government, and too little on the 'voice of the people.'
Through the potent example of his own life, President Obama enabled us to believe the best about America, and, therefore, about ourselves. That uplifting narrative - essentially equating the promise of America with his extraordinary life story - swept candidate Obama into the presidency.
The power of protest depends not only on how many turn out, but also on what legislative, judicial, and civil society institutions exist to enact the will of those marching in the streets.
Humor, humility, and, of course, honesty, all are qualities that work in public and cultural diplomacy.
Richard Holbrooke is known for many things, but I will remember him as an impressive, sometimes even intimidating diplomat who understood the value of culture in diplomacy.
Measuring success in cultural diplomacy - the use of education, creative expression in any form, or people-to-people exchange to increase understanding across regions, cultures, or peoples - is challenging. How does one quantify changes in attitude, abandoning stereotypes, or feeling empathy as a result of a performance, a film, a book?