At the invitation of Fudan University's Shanghai Institute for Overseas Development Research, Ms. Li Haiyan, Vice President of the Italian Innovation Center, attended a professional lecture and exchange event titled "A 'Crash Course' in Cultural Diplomacy" on July 11, 2025. The lecture was delivered by Italian cultural diplomacy expert Professor Paolo Sabbatini and took place in the lecture hall on the third floor of Fudan University's Art Research Institute, attracting widespread attention.

Speaker Profile

Professor Paolo Sabbatini is an internationally renowned expert in cultural diplomacy. He currently serves as the Cultural Ambassador for Sino-Italian exchanges at the World Literature Center (China), spokesperson for New Public Cultural Diplomacy, and advisor to the President of Piedmont Region on China relations. His career spans academia, diplomacy, and cultural promotion, with extensive experience in countries such as China, Egypt, Belgium, and the Czech Republic. Professor Sabbatini has achieved significant accomplishments in cultural diplomacy, having served as the Director of Italian Cultural Centers in Belgium, Egypt, the Czech Republic, and Shanghai, China, organizing over 1,800 cultural events. He is also dedicated to promoting Sino-Italian cultural exchange, coordinating the 'Sino-Italian Institute' project at Tongji University in Shanghai, and serving as a special advisor to institutions such as the Shanghai Theatre Academy and Hengyuanxiang Group. Additionally, he has been a visiting professor at several universities, including Henan Agricultural University, the European Academy, and Ain Shams University.

lecture content

The lecture was themed around 'A Crash Course in Cultural Diplomacy,' and Professor Sabbatini, drawing on his family's historical ties with Matteo Ricci, elucidated the core values and practical methods of cultural diplomacy in an accessible manner. He mentioned that cultural diplomacy is not only a bond between nations but also a crucial tool for promoting global understanding and cooperation. During the lecture, Professor Sabbatini shared his insights on cultural diplomacy, such as building bridges between different cultures through art, architecture, and academic exchanges. He also highlighted Matteo Ricci's contributions to cultural exchange between China and Italy, believing that there is great potential for collaboration between the two countries in the fields of art, education, and technology.

Future

The on-site audience responded enthusiastically to the lecture, expressing that Professor Sabbatini's speech was both rich in theoretical depth and full of practical wisdom. Ms. Li Haiyan, Vice President of the Italian Innovation Center, stated: 'Professor Sabbatini's experience has deeply impressed upon me the power of cultural diplomacy and how specific actions can promote cross-cultural understanding between China and Italy.' This lecture not only provided valuable learning opportunities for the audience but also injected new momentum into future cooperation in cultural diplomacy between China and Europe. Professor Sabbatini's sharing once again proves that cultural diplomacy is an indispensable soft power in the era of globalization, capable of making significant contributions to world peace and development.

The successful hosting of this event marks a further deepening of cultural diplomacy exchanges between China and Italy, as well as between China and Europe, and also lays a solid foundation for future international cooperation.