Virtual diplomacy in the twenty-first century

Diplomacy has for centuries been caricatured as something of a dark art - conducted behind closed doors by faceless bureaucrats or unscrupulous politicians.

In past decades, focus groups, opinion polls and consultations have arguably improved perceptions of policy formation and informed decision-making processes. Yet interactions between governments and with their people have remained largely one-dimensional.

This is all set to change in the 21st century, the “era of virtual networks”, argues Eduardo del Buey, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat, writing in the latest edition of the ‘Commonwealth Ministers Reference Book’.

“Traditional diplomacy has relied on a very limited and select number of state actors,” Mr del Buey says, “21st century diplomacy relies in good measure on a wide variety of non-state actors – academics, non-governmental organisations and cyber publics.”

‘Ideas that will enrich dialogue’

“These players have far more access to information and to each other today than ever before. They are quickly developing their own networks that are often more open and dynamic than those pursued by governments.”

Governments and public bodies around the world are embracing new technologies such as the internet, mobile phones and social media to communicate with citizens. Meanwhile ordinary members of the public, online networks and bloggers are ever more vocal in trying to influence decision-makers.

This revolution in the relationship between state and citizen creates a new opportunity for public diplomacy, explains Mr del Buey. “New technologies,” he says, “allow governments to engage in a more symmetrical dialogue with both individuals and networks involved in foreign policy issues to ensure that policy formation is inclusive and represents the views of a broad swathe of society. Creating allies in the early stages of policy formation can go a long way towards getting major buy-in later on.”

“The objective is to create synergies in ideas that will enrich dialogue among interested parties, and to create policies that address the challenges faced in this century. Bringing together state and non-state players in international diplomacy can help solve the intricate, myriad, and highly interrelated challenges we face globally, regionally, nationally, and as members of our local communities.

New ‘Partnership Platform Portal’

The Commonwealth Secretariat itself has been trying to blaze a trail in the virtual world. In addition to launching Commonwealth Connects, a programme set up to improve the use of information and communications technologies (ICTs), the Secretariat earlier this year launched CommPedia, a collaborative ‘wiki’ encyclopaedia about the Commonwealth and its various affiliated organisations.

The Secretariat is also exploring a new conceptual Partnership Platform Portal (CP3), which will provide people and governments around the world with a mechanism to connect with one another using newly developed technologies.

Commonwealth Ministers Reference Book

“We have to start from the role of the individual as the key actor on the multimedia stage,” continues Mr del Buey. “It is by truly embracing this era of networks and becoming inclusive and interactive that public diplomacy will remain both vibrant and active throughout the 21st century.”

As well as looking at the transformations in public diplomacy, the new edition of the ‘Commonwealth Ministers Reference Book’ book looks at the key priorities facing governments, including economic growth and investment, the environment, energy and natural resources, education and information and communication technologies.

The book offers practical advice and briefings for ministers and senior officials across the Commonwealth and contains a complete directory of all key ministries with contact details for more than 1,000 ministers.

Related Websites:

• Commpedia
• Publications