The Policies and Power of Public Diplomacy: Wilton Park’s Road

This volume examines the higher-level discussions convened at Wilton Park, the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office’s policy forum, since its inception in 1946.

Originally a ’re-education’ camp after World War II in the principles and practice of democracy, Wilton Park has evolved into a first-class international policy forum and UK soft power asset working in more than 50 countries. Over the decades, senior decision makers and opinion formers from around the world have advanced and shaped thinking and policies on global issues including building post-war Germany, transatlantic security, East-West relations, the transition from apartheid in South Africa, the UK’s relations with Europe, European integration, trade, human rights, climate change, sustainable development and health. With unique archival access, this book comprehensively details the discussions which have helped shape post-war Europe and international policymaking, particularly in the UK, US and wider Europe.

The Policies and Power of Public Diplomacy will be of interest to anyone interested in international relations and is essential reading for academics, diplomats, decision-makers and students from around the world.

Nick Hopkinson is a writer and chair of the Sir Heinz Koeppler Trust. He was acting chief executive, director, reports editor, and programme director (EU, global economy and democracy) at Wilton Park, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office’s policy forum, between 1987 and 2010.