City Diplomacy: An Introduction

This book examines the theoretical, historical, and practical dimensions of how a city operates internationally. It explores the various approaches of the contentious term ’city diplomacy’, its impact and follows examples throughout history, the origins of city diplomacy and its evolution through traditional town-twinning, city networks and smart cities.
Cities have become important actors on the world stage, they have developed diplomatic apparatus, and play an important role in securing sustainable futures across a range of key global issues, including climate change, inclusive economic growth, poverty eradication, housing, infrastructure, basic services, productive employment, food security and public health.
Practitioners along with scholars and students of political science, spatial planning, economic geography, international relations, and local government will find this an insightful, invaluable view of the subject.

Antonios Karvounis has been working at the Hellenic Republic Ministry of Interior since 2003 as the Head of the Independent Department of International and European Relations and chairman of the inter-ministerial Committee for the international cooperation of the local authorities. Since 2018 he is a member of the educational staff at the Hellenic Open University, teaching the Modern Greek Administrative System. He studied political science and public administration at Panteion University (PhD, 2019) and the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne (PhD, 2003). He is certified Project Management Professional (PMP)(R) according to PMI(R) and is in charge of the book series City Diplomacy at the Ministry of Interior. At the same time, he has published articles and studies on the international activities of local government, as well as, among others, articles and monographs titled ’City Diplomacy and the Europeanisation of Local Government. The Prospects of Networking in the Greek Municipalities’, 2023; ’City Diplomacy and Public Policy in the Era of COVID-19: Networked Responses from the Greek Capital’, Journal of Public Policy Studies, vol. 9, no 2, 2022, pp. 47-62; ’Networks of Solidarity Cities: The Social Dimension of the City Networks within the Europe for Citizens Programme, 2014-2020’, Social Cohesion and Development, Volume 16, Issue 1, 2021, pp.61-88; Paradiplomacy and social cohesion: The case of the participation of the Greek municipalities in European city networks, Social Cohesion and Development, Volume 15, Issue 1, 2020, pp.81-95; ’The Europeanization of the Local Government in the EU Multi-level Governance System: The City Networking Paradigm and the Greek Case’. In E. Van Bever, H.Reynaert, K.Steyvers (eds.) The Road to Europe. Main Sreet or Backward Alley for Local Governments in Europe?, (pp.211-231). Vanden Broele, Brugge 2011.