Culture and Education: Oman’s Soft Power Instruments

Abstract

Oman is striving to promote good and equal relations with other states, and to adopt a policy of good neighbourliness and non-interference in others’ internal affairs. Moreover, it is working in maintaining respect for international law, conventions and customs. Nowadays, the Middle East goes through remarkable changes that require the use of quiet diplomacy and in a way; soft power. This paper offers a comprehensive understanding of educational tools as a public diplomacy and soft power instrument through analyzing state and non-state actors of Oman. The paper examines the extent to which the practices of Oman have succeeded in wielding soft power. A great deal cultural assets, Omani universities, number of international students in Oman and their contributions and the Omani international cultural initiatives will be examined and assessed. The research adopts a qualitative approach, in which analyzing the current literature. Moreover, some secondary data will be examined. At the end of this paper, we formulate some recommendations to help Oman to adapt its foreign policy with the dynamic international environment.