Open Access

Fatemeh Kamali Chirani

• Despite the vast amount of research on the issue of intercultural dialogue, little is known about its role in the foreign cultural policy of so-called Muslim and Western countries. This study investigates the role of different discourses of intercultural dialogue in the foreign cultural policy of Iran and Germany from 1998 to 2013. By focusing on discourses of “European-Islamic cultural dialogue” of Germany and “interfaith dialogue” and “dialogue among civilizations of Iran”, the study investigates the structure of the foreign cultural policy of both countries. It applies the methodology of grounded theory and consequently analyzes published texts, including annual reports, legal statements and budget bills, as well as the views of some 81 interviewees who have been involved in the implementation of intercultural dialogue activities. The relevant activities of the cultural section of the German embassy in Iran, the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, the Institut fürDespite the vast amount of research on the issue of intercultural dialogue, little is known about its role in the foreign cultural policy of so-called Muslim and Western countries. This study investigates the role of different discourses of intercultural dialogue in the foreign cultural policy of Iran and Germany from 1998 to 2013. By focusing on discourses of “European-Islamic cultural dialogue” of Germany and “interfaith dialogue” and “dialogue among civilizations of Iran”, the study investigates the structure of the foreign cultural policy of both countries. It applies the methodology of grounded theory and consequently analyzes published texts, including annual reports, legal statements and budget bills, as well as the views of some 81 interviewees who have been involved in the implementation of intercultural dialogue activities. The relevant activities of the cultural section of the German embassy in Iran, the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen, and the Goethe Institute, as well as relevant activities of Iran’s Rayzani in Germany (the branch office of the Organization of Islamic Culture and Relations) and the International Center for Dialogue among Civilizations are explored in detail. Intercultural dialogue has played a supplemental role in the foreign cultural policy of Germany and Iran towards each other, but in different ways. It created an opportunity for German actors to continue implementing cultural activities with Iranian partners, even in difficult times. It likewise created a chance for Iranian actors to assist in Germany’s cultural projects. Intercultural dialogue played a supplemental role in the foreign cultural policy of Iran and Germany in different ways because of the differences between the structure of the foreign cultural policy of Iran and Germany, the organizational efficiency of their respective cultural actors, and their political considerations. This finding illustrates that although the cultural relationship between Iran and Germany has been affected by political tensions, it has been influenced by apolitical factors (organizational efficiency and the integrated or dual structure of their foreign cultural policy) too. Five main characteristics of intercultural dialogue are as follows: firstly, German actors have played a more active role in implementing intercultural dialogue than Iranian actors; secondly, Iranian actors have not been as active as German actors but have mostly accompanied German actors; thirdly, besides classic activities like seminars and round tables, there have been new forms of intercultural dialogue activities such as exchange of interns; fourthly, there has been a high number of intercultural dialogue activities in the academic field; fifthly, the activities were adversely affected by the presidential change in Iran from Khatami to Ahmadinejad.…