The International Cultural Diplomacy Network Launches as a Canadian Organization Specifically Built to Treat Culture as the Trust-Building Foundation of Trade and Diplomacy
New nonprofit connects cultural communities, government, diplomats and business to strengthen the relationships Canadian trade and diplomacy depend on
MONTRÉAL, Sept. 21, 2026 /CNW/ -- The International Cultural Diplomacy Network (ICDN) announces its official launch as a Canadian independent organization built specifically to use culture as the mechanism for building the trust that trade and diplomacy depend on. The launch falls on the UN's International Day of Peace, whose 2026 theme -- "Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day" -- reflects the same premise ICDN is built on: that trust between nations is built through everyday relationships, not only at negotiating tables. The ICDN brings together Canada's cultural communities, government institutions, private enterprise, and partnering nations into a single network, putting the country's cultural strengths to work to open markets, deepen international relationships, and build understanding across borders.
Key Pillars of the ICDN
The newly deployed network operates across three foundational pillars:
- Global Network Facilitation: Create open, cross-border pathways across multiple stakeholders including but not limited to cultural actors, researchers, educators, entrepreneurs, c-suite executives, human resources professionals and government officials, to practice cultural diplomacy on a peer-to-peer level.
- Diaspora & Community Mobilization: Activate multicultural diaspora networks and official language communities as organic, trusted pathways for diplomatic goodwill.
- Socio-Economic Activation: Partner with trade initiatives and business networks to demonstrate practically how cultural diplomacy lowers friction and builds relational trust in international commerce.
"Trust is the currency of global relations, and respect for cultural differences is how trust is built," said Thi Be Nguyen, Founding Chair of ICDN. "The launch of the International Cultural Diplomacy Network (ICDN) is highly timely; as Canada's global leadership grows and its market diversification accelerates, the network will equip stakeholders to deeply understand our trading partners' cultures, building the deep trust required for mutual, long-term growth."
"In an increasingly interconnected yet fragmented global economy, cultural diplomacy is no longer just a soft power tool - it is an economic imperative," added Louis Vachon, Honorary Chair of ICDN. "By deepening our cultural literacy, we actively open new markets and create more resilient global commercial partnerships."
"I am proud to serve as Honorary Chair of the International Cultural Diplomacy Network (ICDN) and remain committed to advancing this essential mission," expressed The Honourable Senator Tony Loffreda, Honorary Chair of ICDN. "Together, we can harness the power of culture to build stronger bridges, open new markets and foster a more united and prosperous world."
The ICDN's work is guided by four commitments: mutual respect, empathic dialogue, positive change, and shared growth. Members of the network - across cultural communities, government, diplomats, and business - share a commitment to building trust through these values, and to using that trust to drive sustainable, shared growth across global communities.
Governance structure
The ICDN is built on a collaborative three-tier governance structure, bringing together an honorary group of global Governors, an Advisory Board, and a core governing team. Leading the network's strategic direction, financial accountability, and long-term vision is our newly introduced Board of Directors, which includes Thi Be Nguyen, Founding Chair, Claudia Gervais, Vice President, Narjisse Andaloussi, Vice President, and Valérie Dupré, Administrator.
About ICDN
The International Cultural Diplomacy Network (ICDN) is a Canadian not-for-profit corporation founded in Montreal, that bridges Canada and the world. It connects cultural communities, public institutions, and businesses to foster international relationships, building understanding across borders and generating mutual economic growth. The ICDN is Canada's unique institution to treat cultural diplomacy as economic and diplomatic infrastructure.
To learn more or join our network, please sign up at www.icdn-ridc.org
SOURCE International Cultural Diplomacy Network
For further information: Claudia Gervais ⏐[email protected] ⏐514.778.9870
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