The Impact of Information Technology on Diplomatic Activity By Aimee Reeder

“Diplomacy is a child of its times.”- Peter Marshall The skills necessary for diplomacy have to be adapted to the nature of the times. The skills necessary for diplomacy have to be adapted to the nature of the times.  Today’s diplomatic paradigm is largely defined by the rapid speed in which information can be shared.  Digitization  Telecommunications  Computers

The Primary Areas of Impact 1. The organizational structure of diplomatic missions 2. The need for public diplomacy to respond to real-time media coverage 3. The capacity for international collaboration on supra-national issues 4. Security

1.Structure of Diplomatic Missions The ability for fast secure communications between missions and the foreign ministry at home through intranet systems The ability for fast secure communications between missions and the foreign ministry at home through intranet systems  Briefings and reports can be done in the field where the knowledge base is the highest  Rapid response to emergencies IT facilitates lateral communications between missions IT facilitates lateral communications between missions  Important for understanding regional dynamics  Regionalism EU, NAFTA, APECEU, NAFTA, APEC

Results The flattening of traditional vertical hierarchical structure The flattening of traditional vertical hierarchical structure  Power relationships  Reduces formality Smaller missions Smaller missions  Less staff is need for administrative duties  Consular Matters Reduction in bulky time consuming filing systems Reduction in bulky time consuming filing systems

Information Overload Danger of information overload Danger of information overload  Knowledge = Power  Too Much Information = Headaches A successful diplomat can sort through the masses of information and create knowledge that is: A successful diplomat can sort through the masses of information and create knowledge that is:  Accurate  Precise  Relevant  Timely

More Challenges Installation of IT infrastructure and training are expensive Installation of IT infrastructure and training are expensive  Developing countries  Assistant from G8 countries World Bank’s Information for Devolvement DivisionWorld Bank’s Information for Devolvement Division IT becomes obsolete before it wears out. IT becomes obsolete before it wears out.  Moor’s Law:  The performance of processors will double every 18 to 24 months

2.Public diplomacy and Real- Time Media Coverage The internet as a tool of public diplomacy The internet as a tool of public diplomacy  Increasingly important due to real-time media coverage. Proliferation of new mediaProliferation of new media –The public is constantly bombarded with 30 news bits –Convergence

Public Diplomacy Joseph Nye’s idea of “soft power” Joseph Nye’s idea of “soft power” “The ability to set the agenda in ways that shape the preferences of others.”“The ability to set the agenda in ways that shape the preferences of others.” Visibility Visibility  Internet, media interviews, and conferences Versatility Versatility  The ability to communicate with foreign governments and foreign publics  Explain your country’s position in a way your audience will understand

3.Collaboration on Supra- National Issues Health Issues Health Issues  AIDS Environmental Issues Environmental Issues  Natural resource conservation. Refugees Refugees Terrorism Terrorism  Cyber-Terrorism Organized Crime Organized Crime  Trafficking of women and children  Illegal drugs

4. Security Secure networks of communication are possible. Secure networks of communication are possible.  Passwords  Encryption  Firewalls  Proper training

The Other Side of the Coin Encryption software and security measures are widely available. Encryption software and security measures are widely available.  Some agencies of the US government are opposed to this encryption capability because it reduces their ability to gather intelligence about other countries.  National Security Agency  CIA  FBI

Conclusions IT is a double edged sword for diplomats. IT is a double edged sword for diplomats.  Benefit from IT  Overcome the challenges it presents IT tools will be able to handle an increasing number of tasks in the future, however, that will never replace the insight of an experienced diplomat. IT tools will be able to handle an increasing number of tasks in the future, however, that will never replace the insight of an experienced diplomat.  “Only people can solve problems people create” President Richard Nixon