Cultural Exchange Research Articles

Preserving and Promoting Saudi Heritage Nationally and Globally: The Role of the Saudi Heritage Commission

This paper is to investigate the pivotal role of the Saudi Heritage Commission in the preservation and promotion of Saudi heritage and culture, both locally and internationally. By addressing the research question, "How does the Saudi Heritage Commission contribute to the preservation and promotion of Saudi heritage?" I explore three sub-questions focusing on local preservation strategies, international cultural promotion efforts, and the measurable impacts of these initiatives. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, It examines various strategies employed by the Commission, including community engagement, technological integration, and cultural diplomacy. The findings reveal a multi-faceted approach that successfully enhances global awareness of Saudi culture while promoting cultural pride and economic benefits. However, challenges such as resource allocation and authentic representation persist, highlighting the need for ongoing evaluation and adaptation. This study contributes to the understanding of cultural heritage preservation and offers insights for similar initiatives worldwide.

Outstanding Beauty: Study of Publicity Translation and Cultural Diplomatic Value in the Internationalization of Domestic Cosmetic Brands

This study delves into the translation strategies employed in the export process of Chinese-style cosmetics, with a primary focus on how these strategies facilitate cultural communication. Emphasis is placed on ensuring accurate and culturally adaptive translation of product packaging, which plays a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining brand cultural identity in international markets. In particular, the proposal of naming lipstick shades after literary works—linking both Chinese and Western literary traditions—demonstrates a novel approach to fostering cross-cultural exchange through product exports. Additionally, marketing strategies are explored, showcasing how this differentiation not only enhances cultural relevance but also strengthens consumer emotional connections. Case studies of TIMAGE and Proya serve to evaluate brand performance in cross-cultural communication, offering valuable insights for the international promotion of Chinese-style cosmetics. The findings of this study suggest innovative directions for combining translation and marketing strategies to further cultural exchange and brand growth globally.

Unity in diversity: navigating global connections through cultural exchange

Unity in diversity: navigating global connections through cultural exchange

Students Perception of Roblox and Language Barrier in ESL

This study explores students' perceptions of Roblox to study English as a Second Language (ESL). Roblox provides a dynamic platform where players learn English through chat interactions, game instructions, and teamwork, fostering global connections that make language practice and cultural exchange easier. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining questionnaires and interviews. Questionnaire data were analyzed for validity and reliability, while interview data were examined using inductive, deductive, and comparative analysis techniques. Findings reveal that student’s perceive Roblox positively regarding its impact on English competence. Participants reported vocabulary improvement through exposure to new words and phrases during gameplay. However, challenges persist, particularly in grammar, as limited proficiency often hinders the clarity and precision of communication. Student’s highlighted the importance of grammar in ensuring that listeners effectively convey and understand messages. This study underscores the potential of online gaming platforms like Roblox as innovative tools for ESL learning, while also identifying areas for improvement to address language barriers more comprehensively.

Islamophobia and International Peace: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Religious and Political Themes of Imran Khan’s Speeches at United Nations General Assembly as Prime Minister of Pakistan

This study critically examines Imran Khan's speeches at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from 2019 to 2021, focusing on his discourse surrounding Islamophobia and its implications for international relations. Utilizing Fairclough’s three-dimensional model and Paul Gee’s seven building blocks of discourse, the research analyzes the linguistic and strategic elements of Khan's rhetoric. The findings reveal that Khan frames Islamophobia as a systematic global issue, advocating for cultural exchange and mutual understanding while countering anti-Islamic narratives. His speeches emphasize the need for recognition of Muslim rights and challenge misconceptions about Islam, portraying it as a peaceful and united faith. This analysis highlights the intersection of religious identity and political strategy in Khan's discourse, positioning Pakistan as a moral actor in the global arena. The study contributes to the understanding of how political leaders utilize language to address complex religious and political issues and combat prejudice at international forums.

Spatial Configuration of Market Spaces: Accessibility and Management Challenges in Bamenda City, Cameroon

Market spaces are fundamental to urban life in Cameroon, serving as key centers for commerce, social interaction, and cultural exchange. However, rapid urbanization has intensified challenges related to the spatial placement and organization of markets, particularly in Bamenda. Poor infrastructure, congestion, spatial disorganization, and inadequate parking facilities hinder accessibility and affect the efficiency of market operations. These challenges not only limit economic activities but also create difficulties for vendors, customers, and other stakeholders who rely on these markets for daily sustenance and business. The research problem centers on the inefficient spatial arrangement and poor management of market spaces in Bamenda, which contribute to accessibility constraints, safety concerns, and overall dissatisfaction among market participants. This study, therefore, aims to examine the spatial location, layout, and design of major markets in Bamenda, including Bamenda Main Market, Nkwen Market, Food Market, and Ntarikon Market. It seeks to analyze how these spatial characteristics impact accessibility and functionality, as well as to identify the major challenges faced by market participants. To achieve these objectives, the study employs both qualitative and quantitative methods, including informant interviews and the administration of 324 questionnaires to vendors, customers, and shop owners. Spatial analysis mapping is utilized to assess market locations, layouts, and proximities, providing a comprehensive understanding of their spatial organization. The findings indicate that congestion, narrow pathways, inadequate infrastructure, and unregulated market expansion significantly impede accessibility and market efficiency. Given these challenges, the study strongly advocates for the effective implementation of Bamenda’s proposed Master Plan to regulate urban spaces, particularly market infrastructure. Additionally, the proper execution of the Plan of Soil Occupation (POS) is recommended to address the haphazard arrangement of market stalls and control illegal market operations.

Globalization, Entrepreneurship and Emerging Economics India Marching Forward

Globalization commenced ever since humanizing of the globe took place at variable paces depending on the situational advantages and dis-advantages. Human beings are endowed with the best cognitive qualities and variable social traits. They expanded globalization through various land and sea routes, presently through air communication. It has accompanied with trade, cultural exchange, scientific ideas and clashes of interest etc. Simultaneously it manifested the entrepreneurship across the world which culminated into the fourth stage of globalization with the emergence of artificial intelligence, use of semiconductors in various small and powerful devices. Today the multipolar system in geo politics is endangering existence of small and weak nations. It is a big challenge for today’s world.

Cross cultural exchanges in the ancient world: Early connections between Azania and diverse civilizations of the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean basin and distant regions in the African continent

Cross cultural exchanges in the ancient world: Early connections between Azania and diverse civilizations of the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean basin and distant regions in the African continent

Building Symbolic Capital through International Cultural Exchange

Building Symbolic Capital through International Cultural Exchange

Celebrating The Art of Storytelling and Digital Stories: The Impressions from The 1st International Digital Storytelling Festival

This is a reflective essay about the 1st International Digital Storytelling Festival held on the Greek island of Zakynthos between 27-29 September 2024 as a result of an extensive international collaboration involving Hacettepe University and TED University from Turkey. Celebrating the unifying and transformative power of digital storytelling, the festival showcased digital stories around the world on themes of "Culture", "Education", "Environment", "Health", "Science and Research" and "Society". Through screenings, panel discussions and workshops, it promoted cultural exchange, social awareness and dialogue on global issues. This reflective essay aims to highlight the importance of the festival as a forum for interdisciplinary collaboration and how digital storytelling bridges divides, inspires action and contributes to collective understanding and change.

Pop Culture Exchange Through Screens: The Effect of Globalized Film and Television Industry on National Income in China

Pop culture has recently been impacted by the background of a globalized community. Based on the previous studies of digital prospects and cultural influences on the film and television industry in the world, the research objects are the elements that would cause modifications in national income in China. By using both quantitative and qualitative analysis of the positive impact the film and television industry has on national income and economic growth in China, the research suggests ways that the film and television industry affects the national income in China from three dimensions: the direct impact of increased government taxes and development funds, augment of workers and elimination of structural unemployment, and finally the inter-industrial effects on education and cultural promotion. The paper also illustrates policies for the government to implement in order to increase national income in China, and the investors could utilize the information from the paper as reference for investment and forecasting developmental trends of the film and television industry in China.

A comparative analysis of Kazakh-English toponyms from linguistic and cultural perspectives is explored in this study.

Kazakh-english toponymic space has been stated many centuries in a rather complex historical, cultural and linguistic sphere. In general,toponymy is one of the most essential areas of Kazakh and English linguistics and onomastics, continues to attract the attention of scholars, as evidenced by the large number of publications dedicated to various aspects of its study. This article analyzes the lexico-semantic features and grouping of Kazakh and English toponyms. The facets of toponymic names in the Kazakh and English languages ​​are also discussed and it is shown that the lexical-semantic grouping plays an pivotal role in revealing the meaning of toponyms. The purpose of the study is to compare toponymic names in English and Kazakh languages ​​and group them according to lexical and semantic characteristics. As a result, it was determined that English place names are more figurative, while Kazakh place names represent real facts, persons, etc. In addition, it has been determined that both languages ​​have many similarities in the semantic area. In the course of the study were used , explanatory research, classification, structural word-formational analysis, and etymological analysis. .The study of Kazakh and English toponymic names do not only expands theoretical knowledge in this field, but also contributes to the deepening of knowledge about cultural exchange and development, national values of the two countries, as well as a comprehensive understanding of toponymic sphere.

The contribution of education and cultural diplomacy to strengthening civil society in the Republic of Moldova

Our study aims to explore the dynamics and transformations of civil society in the Republic of Moldova, taking into account the post-communist realities, which lay its foundations as a soft power. Civil society is represented by the social and civic institutions and organizations that form the foundation of a functioning democracy. Civil society organizations are involved in decision-making on social development or decisions of public interest. Civil society can include the media, churches, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, educational associations, etc. What is the link between cultural diplomacy, education and civil society? Based on Bordieu's theory, which provides us with a conceptual and analytical perspective suitable for a critical understanding of the role of civil society in making cultural diplomacy more effective, in our study we tried to establish what role cultural diplomacy in turn plays in the social distribution of local/national/international power in the form of an awareness of interdependence. We also try to follow in our analysis: what is the role of civil society in the Republic of Moldova in the accession process?; in the implementation of its tasks, does the EU-Moldova CSP envisage the use of culture and education, implicitly cultural diplomacy, in the EU accession process?; what role does cultural diplomacy play in the social distribution of power?; in the regional context given by the war in Ukraine, can cultural diplomacy and education help civil society in solving problems related to the judiciary, public administration, the fight against corruption, public finance management and freedom of the press? The methodological framework of the paper is structured around the analysis of the "EU-Moldova Civil Society Platform", in order to underline the role of the EU-Moldova Civil Society Platform and other civil society organizations in the development of civil society, internally, and of cultural diplomacy, externally, in favor of the state interests of the Republic of Moldova, both being seen as soft powers, necessary to fulfill the political and economic interests of the state.

Michael Balcon's Vision of a National Cinema: Propaganda, the Producer and the Market

This article examines Michael Balcon's vision of a British national cinema, as articulated in a series of lectures and articles in the 1940s and early 1950s. Balcon is best known for his role as Director of Ealing films during that studio's peak years, yet he also was a significant spokesperson for Britain's film industry in a period of world war and the post-war reconstruction of Britain's social contract. For Balcon, it was crucial that British national cinema reflect the mundane qualities of daily life, that it appeal to audiences rather than hector them, and that it convey British values to international audiences in the service of cultural diplomacy. This article argues that Balcon's vision of a producer-based film theory not only served the strategic needs of an industry faced with seemingly overwhelming competition from Hollywood, but also appropriately reflected the democratisation of British society. Moreover, by addressing the state's increased need for cultural diplomacy as the material basis of its international position declined, Balcon cast cinema as a nationally crucial industry.

Cultural Diplomacy and Informal Artistic Relations in china in the 20th Century: A Global Perspective

Cultural Diplomacy and Informal Artistic Relations in china in the 20th Century: A Global Perspective

Exploring Tourism Prospects and Challenges: A Case Study of Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin in Bangladesh

Tourism remains an urgent economic driver, cultural exchange, and community development. This paper will discuss the prospects and challenges of tourism in two well-known destinations in Bangladesh: Cox’s Bazar, with a sea-facing long beach, and Saint Martin, renowned for coral islands. The present study focuses on an assessment of the perceptions of local and international visitors, identification of key strengths and weaknesses, and the socio-economic and environmental impacts of tourism in these areas. By applying qualitative and quantitative means of research-a survey and SWOT analysis-the study provides a comprehensive review of the current scenario of tourism. The findings revealed tremendous potential for growth, especially by the promotions of sustainable tourism and adopting strategic marketing methods. However, challenges like infrastructure deficits, environmental degradation, and crisis management issues still are very critical barriers. Recommendations at the end will be done toward a sustainable and inclusive tourism framework that guarantees long-term benefits to the local community, and in general, economic development.

The Cultural Exchange Between Tang Dynasty and the Western Regions under the Influence of Hu Feng

The Cultural Exchange Between Tang Dynasty and the Western Regions under the Influence of Hu Feng

:Stories between Christianity and Islam: Saints, Memory, and Cultural Exchange in Late Antiquity and Beyond

:<i>Stories between Christianity and Islam: Saints, Memory, and Cultural Exchange in Late Antiquity and Beyond</i>

Refugee Integration and Peaceful Coexistence in Kenya: A Case of Kakuma Municipality, Turkana County, Kenya

An important and relevant research area was the integration of refugees and their peaceful living with the host community in Kakuma Municipality of Kenya. Kakauma is host to over 283, 969 refugees of different nationalities, the study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of refugee integration programs in promoting peaceful coexistence between host and refugee communities in Kakuma, Kenya. Of the other concern of the study is to understanding the perception of the host community towards refugee integration and peaceful coexistence and assessing the efficiency in implementing the concept of refugee integration in concern to peaceful coexistence among groups. The study was anchored on Intergroup Contact Theory, the theory claims that people of different groups might reduce prejudice and harmony among the groups and favorable interface through contact. A mixed-methodologies approach to was the study was used, whereby both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were used. The target population includes the Kakuma Municipality citizens and the Kakuma refugee camp residents that are approximately 439,708 people. The sample size of 400 was used for quantitative part by using Yamane‟s formula and the participants were selected purposively. The qualitative component comprised of 20 key informant interviews. For the quantitative component, data was obtained using structured questionnaires, while the qualitative component was acquired using semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data was examined using SPSS version 28.0, which included descriptive and inferential statistics such as Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression. Thematic analysis was used to examine qualitative data. The study’s goal was to give thorough insights on refugee integration and peaceful coexistence in Kakuma Municipality, which will help to influence refugee management policy and practice. The results revealed that perceptions of refugee integration, efficacy of integration programs were significantly and positively correlated with peaceful coexistence, with regression analysis showing that these factors explained 75.6% of the variance in peaceful coexistence. Key findings based on the objectives included: generally positive host community perceptions towards refugee integration and peaceful coexistence, with daily interactions, cultural exchange, and economic integration being important factors; the crucial role of access to healthcare services in promoting peaceful coexistence, with equal access, quality care, and addressing language barriers being key issues; the effectiveness of refugee integration programs in promoting peaceful coexistence, particularly when addressing diverse needs and involving local government support. Based on these findings, recommendations were made to engage the public in promoting positive perceptions and intensify efforts towards implementing effective integration strategies.

Friction and Fragility in Encountering Cultural Difference: Why Global South Fulbright Students Withdraw From Cosmopolitanism in the United States

ABSTRACTScholars have extensively written about how convivial cross‐cultural encounters, driven by global mobility, underpin mutual understanding and cosmopolitan aspirations. However, little attention has been paid to encounters that cause friction or require considerable effort to bridge differences. This paper centres on conflictual and negative experiences of encountering cultural diversity through the lens of Global South Fulbright students in the Boston area of the United States. As one of the most prestigious educational and cultural exchange programmes in the United States, the Fulbright Program advocates for cultural diplomacy, and its participants are regarded as cultural ambassadors to enhance cross‐cultural understandings. By examining the unfavourable experiences of these cosmopolitan‐oriented students, I develop a framework to analyse how the friction and fragility of cosmopolitanism are produced through interpersonal, structural and circumstantial causes, leading to their withdrawal from cosmopolitanism. This framework helps analyse challenges to cosmopolitanism in a post‐pandemic world marked by growing xenophobia and provincialism.