Academic Diplomacy and Intercultural Dialogue in the Age of Globalization:

Abstract

In a world characterized by intensified globalization and the simultaneous reassertion of cultural and symbolic borders, intercultural dialogue has become a critical societal and educational challenge. This article examines the role of universities as cultural mediators through the lens of academic diplomacy, understood as a values-driven form of international engagement grounded in dialogue, reciprocity, and knowledge exchange. Drawing on contemporary theoretical frameworks and empirical insights from the International Association of Universities’ 6th Global Survey on the Internationalization of Higher
Education, the paper explores how internationalization can foster intercultural understanding
while acknowledging its uneven effects across regions.
Using the Free International University of Moldova (ULIM) as an institutional case study, the article analyzes three complementary dimensions of academic diplomacy: intercultural virtual exchange, language-based cultural diplomacy, and cross-border academic cooperation within international consortia. These initiatives illustrate how universities create spaces for dialogue, promote intercultural competencies, and contribute to social cohesion in contexts shaped by migration, digital transformation, and geopolitical tension. The findings suggest that internationalization does not automatically generate intercultural understanding; rather, its societal value depends on intentional, inclusive, and values-based
strategies. By acting as cultural mediators, universities play a pivotal role in fostering sustainable intercultural networks and supporting peaceful coexistence in a re-bordered global landscape.