‘Cartoons and jokes are very useful as a teaching tool. Students love it when you present them with something amusing that also illustrates a main point in the lecture’, said Stan Dubinsky from the University of South Carolina, summarising his experience of teaching difficult-to-grasp linguistic concepts through jokes and cartoons.
Why we do not teach diplomacy through cartoons and jokes? Diplomacy is full of paradoxes and situations where the unexpected (which is core of good humour) can emerge. Diplomacy is also intercultural, and often leads to comic (sometimes tragic-comic) situations.
Here are a few building blocks for a future curriculum ‘Diplomacy through jokes’.
Father Peter Seraccino Inglott introduced the concept of serious jokes in diplomacy. He argued that jokes could be effectively used in difficult diplomatic negotiations in order to open new possibilities and overcome stalemates.
Aldo Matteucci discusses Laughter and Diplomacy.
Diplo has a long tradition of illustrating complex policy issues (Internet governance, climate change) through cartoons and comic books.
Here are some ingredients. Please add more and suggest next steps (including a good diplomatic jokes).
