Attention: Public Diplomacy in the Context of US-Finnish Relations Molly Bettie Institute of Communications Studies University of Leeds
Jan 06, 2016
Getting Uncle Sam’s Attention: Public Diplomacy in the Context of US-Finnish
Relations
Molly BettieInstitute of Communications StudiesUniversity of Leeds
US-Finnish Friendship
“I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim 1988 as National Year of Friendship with Finland. I call upon all Americans to observe the year with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
Why Finland?
Neutrality
Long-standing friendship
Educational and Cultural Affairs, a means of engagement between neutral Finland and the US
Roots of Friendship
First World War Debt
Finland makes payments during the Great Depression
American press praises Finland in over 3,000 articles
Roots of Friendship
Impact of Goodwill
ASLA-Fulbright Program
• Fulbright Act, 1946
• Finnish Educational Exchange Act , 1949
• ASLA-Fulbright agreement, 1952
President Kekkonen and Senator Fulbright
Cultural Diplomacy: Performing Arts
• National Ballet tour, 1959: 63 performances around
the U.S.
• Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra makes US debut at New York’s Carnegie Hall, 1968
Program from the Orchestra’s performance at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Design as Culture
• Design Research International introduces Finnish design to USA
• ‘To Finland With Love’ Exhibitions include Alvar Aalto furniture and Marimekko fashions
Marimekko
Founded 1951 D/R brings to US in 1959 Jackie Kennedy wears
Marimekko 1966 Crate & Barrel
collaboration 1967 ‘To Finland With
Love’ exhbition
Further Research Directions The role of heritage organisations in
public diplomacy (Sons of Norway, Vasa, Finlandia, etc.)
Home design as culture—applying Ben Thompson’s concept of design to public diplomacy
Conclusions
• Relational public diplomacy activities in education and culture facilitated Finland’s engagement with the United States during the Cold War.