Podcast #10 | Jorg Kustermans on Diplomatic Gifts
The Hague Diplomacy Podcast aims at bringing the themes of the journal's research off the page, and onto the discussion table. Each episode will feature a guest who will share their insights and personal experience within their practice of or research on diplomacy. Available via SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts and Spotify!
In this episode, Ilen Madhavji sits down with Jorg Kustermans to unwrap the world of diplomatic gift giving and the influence it has on power dynamics. By building on The Hague Journal of Diplomacy's recent forum on this same topic, they try to understand the evolution of this practice over time, as well as how dominant and subordinate states use it differently. Additionally, the United Nations has been the recipient of diverse gifts in the form of artwork, entire rooms, and building materials for their HQ structures--what are states trying to achieve by donating these? Listen in to find out!