'Soft Power' and President Obama's Upcoming Indonesia Trip

President Obama’s trip to Indonesia later this month, in addition to advancing policy goals, offers Americans an opportunity to build cultural diplomacy with the world’s most populous Muslim nation. “Soft power begins with an understanding of culture, and one of the best ways to do this is through artistic exchange,” says Asia Society Cultural Programs Director Rachel Cooper, who worked in Indonesia for many years and has just returned from a visit there as part of delegation of American performing arts professionals. “By creating ‘people to people’ exchanges, we continue to foster deeper and more meaningful relationships between our two countries. This ongoing work makes the ideas of cultural exchange and soft diplomacy concrete and encourages the kind of global competency that is based on knowledge and exchange of ideas.” Her trip was part of Asia Society’s larger initiative “Creative Voices of Islam in Asia,” which seeks to build understanding.

Rachel is in New York. To arrange an interview, contact the Asia Society communications department at 212-327-9271 or [email protected].