As of today, neither the United States nor Israel has a vote in UNESCO -- the United Nations’ organization that leads global initiatives on everything from HIV/AIDS and climate change to literacy and Holocaust education. (Its name is short for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.) The downgrade is the result of two sets of laws that the United States and UNESCO have had for years.

A few months ago, the Pew Research Center observed that Americans’ “isolationist sentiment” hit an all time high. According to Pew, Americans want to pay attention to problems at home, rather than focusing on problems overseas.

A new organisation called EMMA for Peace has been launched to support and promote music education and cultural dialogue across the Mediterranean and the Middle East. EMMA for Peace, or the Euro Mediterranean Music Academy, is supported by UNESCO. And, according to its website, the organisation aims to create a network of music institutions ‘brought together in the shared interest of music and the promotion of peace in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions.’

The Earth Anthem has been composed and sung by Nepalese musicians Sapan Ghimere and Shreya Sotang and highlights people-to-people relations between Nepal and India, for a better world. Veteran Nepali actor Rajesh Hamal emphasised the need for greater and intensive cultural diplomacy between Nepal and India to advance the interests of both the countries as well as their peoples.

Romania’s governing coalition, the Social Liberal Union (USL), has proposed a new president for the country’s Cultural Institute (ICR). The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Culture, Georgică Severin, said yesterday (June 24) that diplomat Lilian Zamfiroiu has been proposed to lead the ICR.

To mark the five-year anniversary of that designation, organizers of the annual George Town Festival have amped up the island's cultural offerings, stuffing a huge amount of art, film, music, dance and food into a single month. Despite the heritage connection, the festival isn’t just an ode to the city’s history.

Enhancing cooperation between Chinese culture and different cultures and civilizations of the world is important for mutual understanding and learning, as well as the maintenance of world peace and harmony, she said.