The most important aspect of the new diplomacy

The face of diplomacy has changed with valuable constant face lift. The old doctrine is still existent in terms of secrecy but the field of employing diplomacy has gone through important transformations.

Diplomacy has gone through refined and inspiring channels to promote state interests in the 21st century.

Public diplomacy has for example: given a strategic definition of countries in the sense of rebranding, realignment and reconstruction. This particular type of diplomacy has shaped the perception of countries in the international system and continues to do so. Obama’s speech like I discussed last week was a practical tool to publicly reshape the perception of the Islamic world into a proponent of better cooperation with America stating: ‘America is not an enemy of Islam’. This in my opinion is a very critical statement at a time of Islamic fundamentalism. The Geo-political position of Indonesia was a suitable stage to declare a new form of American – Arab relationship. Analysts responded: ‘ this will be his most high-profile attempt to engage the Islamic world since a landmark address in Cairo in June 2009’. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11723440
There is no better way of declaring a new era of cooperation than the use of public diplomacy in this instance to avoid cultural and social anarchy as the world has become anarchic in theories of realist conceptions.

Multilateral diplomacy defines the fundamental interconnectedness of the global world. Multilateral diplomacy projects not only politics but relations and ethical barometer to measure and secure balances of mistrust, abuses and war critiques. This type of diplomacy has a human face as I always explain to my peers. It is has a functional capacity to provide hope and stability across boundaries.

Multilateral diplomacy has paved the way for the pursuit for peace, security and understanding key characteristics of functional aspects of different countries, indeed, the stakes are high but multilateral diplomacy is truly of great importance in a world of colliding cultures and constant changes. Asian migrant workers for example had been experiencing domestic abuses in Saudi Arabia but the use of multilateral diplomacy quelled off violent tensions. ‘President Yudhoyono of Indonesia expressed his anger and told his ministers that he wanted “all-out diplomacy.” And the article continues: ‘Diplomacy has multiple channels. Reaching bilateral agreements is desirable due to their direct nature, but since the odds are stacked against Indonesia, multilateral diplomacy should be the top priority’.http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/opinion/multilateral-diplomacy-is-the-key-to-protecting-the-rights-of-migrant-workers/408741. Track II diplomacy has also reshaped the new future of the new diplomacy.

Track II diplomacy in theory has changed the face of diplomacy in a humane way. This type of diplomacy involves retired military and civil officials, public figures, social activist and academic scholars. The in-depth skills/outcome attributed to this type of diplomacy is very effective but it lacks credibility as it operates outside official government parameters, many will argue. However, it should not be sidelined for lacking government influence. An article from the Clingendael institute’s Dalia Dassa Kaye gave constructive arguments for the ‘use of this kind of diplomacy to achieve the Oslo accords between the Israelis and Palestine’s’. http://www.clingendael.nl/publications/2005/20050601_cdsp_paper_diplomacy_3_kaye.pdf

Adversaries could use this type of diplomacy and find lasting solutions to discuss issues affecting them in a personal way. Track II diplomacy plays a very vital role in the finding of solutions to regional conflicts. Greater appreciations for stakeholders are guaranteed through the use of Track II diplomacy in conflicts deeply rooted on ethnocentric or religious lines.

To conclude, open diplomacy has paved a very healthy path for all stakeholders including, NGO’s, Multinational co operations and social groups to interact with government on all levels for a better organized world. Secrecy in the old type of diplomacy indeed marginalized the international system, coherently, activating for example: Islamic Fundamentalism. I have always argued that, if the International system was quiet open like now, many stakeholders on the ground through the use of multilateral and Track II diplomacy could have long ago identified the up rise in factionalism and fundamentalism.