The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) is an international, not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation based in Berlin. Founded in 1999 by Mark Donfried, its activities focus on promoting and developing the field of cultural diplomacy by conducting research, initiatives and programs as well as holding International conferences and event series.

The ICD was founded in 1999 by Director Mark Donfried. Originating in New York, the organisation's main base for activities is now Berlin, Germany.

The organisation organises several annual international conferences.

Annual conferences include: "The Berlin International Economics Congress (BIEC)", “The Human Rights Congress”, “The Freedom of Speech Forum”, “The Language of Art and Music”, "The Rise of Africa" and "Hard vs. Soft Power". Previous events held by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy include the International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy (Berlin, May 11-15 2011 ), which hosted The Hon. Lucinda Creighton - Minister of European Affairs of Ireland; The Hon. Michael Chertoff - Former United States Secretary of Homeland Security; The Hon. Rexhep Meidani - Former President of Albania; The Hon. Senator Tim Hutchinson - Former United States Senator from Arkansas; The Hon. Judge Theodor Meron - Former President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia; The Hon. Yasar Yakis - Former Foreign Minister of Turkey.

Cultural Diplomacy (the science/study of diplomacy between cultures) has existed as a practice for centuries. Explorers, travelers, teachers and artists can be all considered examples of informal ambassadors or early cultural diplomats who performed interaction between cultures. The establishment of regular trade routes enables a frequent exchange of information and cultural gifts between traders and government representatives.

Such deliberate efforts of cultural exchange can be identified as early examples of cultural diplomacy. Indeed, any person interacting with different cultures, in the past as today, facilitates an important form of cultural exchange. The practices that this individual implements are an integral part of the science of cultural diplomacy.

A starting definition of Cultural Diplomacy is offered by the American political scientist and author, Milton C. Cummings, in his description of cultural diplomacy as: “the exchange of ideas, information, values, systems, traditions, beliefs, and other aspects of culture, with the intention of fostering mutual understanding”.