Gastro-Diplomacy: A Strategy for Guatemala

• Main Authors: MENDEZ RODRIGUEZ, K. JOSELYNNE, 蔓賀喜
• Other Authors: CHANG, ROLANDO J.N.
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2018
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/4xa23a

碩士 === 銘傳大學 === 國際事務碩士學位學程 === 106 === Food is one of the most essential elements in people’s lives. It is present everywhere at all occasions. The fact that it is experienced with all of our senses makes it an ideal and very powerful tool. As for international diplomacy it is not an exception; many nations have allocated numerous resources in this strategy known as gastro-diplomacy in order to enhance awareness about their country, improve national image and exert global influence. The purpose of this study is to analyze how certain governments have jumped on the bandwagon as they have seen the great potential that food has on strengthening national identity, economy and development in general. This paper intends to provide an understanding of the different actions that governments have taken on their successful international promotion. Four countries were chosen; Japan, Nordic Countries, Peru, and Taiwan because of their distinguished gastro-diplomatic campaigns as well as for their shared similitudes to Guatemala. An analysis of shared characteristics will be done to find the best possible methods that a developing country, like Guatemala, can implement. With the use of food, a developing country can enhance its international soft power and cultural diplomacy thus, carve its name in the international arena.