Introduction

Foreign cultural policy is one of the tools of Austrian foreign policy used to present and illustrate Austria’s foreign policy goals in a world that is increasingly inter-connected and in which different cultures strongly influence each other.
In order to promote and preserve international cultures, the foreign cultural policy department, which belongs to the Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs (BMeiA), is thus confronted with a creative as well as foreign policy-related challenge. 
Other countries primarily associate Austria with its culture. It is indeed true that Austria’s cultural sphere is more influential than its political or economic status in the world. 
It must be the task of foreign cultural policy to continuously update this positive image that is often based on Austria’s rich, cultural heritage by including new cultural, scientific and economic performances, particularly those of the post-war era. It has been and will be our goal to present a unique image of a contemporary, innovative, and creative Austria, which must be promoted and consolidated by means of high-quality cultural projects, be it on our own or in collaboration with regional partners. In this context, it is our goal to promote cooperation between cultural institutions and artists, including on a regional level. Moreover, we are trying to promote Austria’s contributions to the international cultural discourse, as well. 
At the same time, Austria sees itself as an important key player in the process of the European integration, dedicated to promoting the inter-cultural as well as inter-religious dialog in the midst of a legal community of states that is committed to peace under the charter of the United Nations. 
In the context of this continuously changing area of tension, foreign cultural policies and their goals and strategies significantly help to adhere to the strategic guidelines of foreign policy and the international expectations leveled at an active member of the community of states.