Lecture: “Soft Power: Language, Culture, and Higher Education in the Modern World”
On April 8, 2025, a lecture on cultural diplomacy and education entitled “Soft Power: Language, Culture, and Higher Education” took place at the Russian Orthodox Spiritual and Cultural Center in Paris. The audience included students, members of the academic community, and professionals in the field of international relations.
The lecture was delivered by Valentina Khlistun, an expert in business and social etiquette, and Anne-Sophie Louise Vigneau, PhD in Political Science and Associate Professor at MGIMO University (Moscow State Institute of International Relations) of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The presentation drew on academic sources, including Joseph Nye’s 2017 work, as well as original research conducted by Anne-Sophie Louise Vigneau in 2022 on cultural policy and international education.
Particular attention was given to the analysis of cultural and educational initiatives implemented by France, Russia, and Austria, as well as to language policy as a tool for humanitarian cooperation. Participants explored examples of institutional collaboration — from the French Institute in Cameroon to the University of Vienna — and discussed how language and culture contribute to building sustainable professional and humanitarian ties.
The lecture took an interdisciplinary approach, combining perspectives from political science, cultural studies, and etiquette. It offered participants a new understanding of the role of education and language in international dialogue.
