Cultural and public diplomacy have become increasingly important in international relations which once relied solely on traditional diplomacy for its interactions. People to people diplomacy has also become an important factor in cultural and public diplomacy. According to the American ambassador to Panama Linda E Watt, ‘the multifaceted subject of people to people contacts includes the role of nongovernmental players in the world, private citizen groups, academics, business people, civic organisations, religious institutions, etc.’ (panama.usembassy.gov) She continues to explain that with the growing influence of non-state actors ‘an ambassador is now but one of many figures and forces influencing relations between nations and peoples.’
Over the past year, people-to-people diplomacy achieved important results in strengthening solidarity, friendship and cooperation with people in neighbouring, regional and traditionally friendly countries, mobilising and gaining support from international friends, according to the report of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations presented at the conference.
In a conference held in Hanoi on March 15 to review people-to-people diplomacy in 2010 and discuss activities for 2011, it was discussed how ‘through external activities, mass and people’s organisations joined hands with relevant agencies to fight erroneous acts, and to promote the rights of women, children, the disabled and the elderly. All activities were applauded and supported by international countries and organisations.’ (english.vovnews.vn)
Public opinion holds more sway now than at any previous time in history. Information and communication technologies are cheap and ever-present. A dense network of private companies, non-governmental organizations, and social movements exert ever more influence relative to governments, according to Kristin M Lord. The USA is taking full advantage of this to ‘strengthen efforts to engage, persuade, and attract the support of foreign publics’ by the creation of the USA-World Trust. The USA-World Trust will draw on the enormous goodwill, creativity, knowledge, and talent of the American people and likeminded partners overseas to
- present a more accurate and nuanced vision of America to counterbalance the one-sided views sometimes promulgated by popular culture and foreign media
- contribute to an environment of mutual trust, respect, and understanding in which cooperation is more feasible
- promote shared values and their champions
- inform and support our government’s public diplomacy efforts through the sharing of knowledge regarding communication, public opinion, foreign cultures, and technology.
Voices of America: U.S. Public Diplomacy for the 21st Century, foreign policy at brookings.edu
We are now living in a multi-polar world where public opinion is more bearing than ever. It's a world in which constructive informational, cultural and educational exchanges are vital. Despite the fact that diplomacy is still, and probably will always be associated with politics, diplomats and foreign office officials, we can not ignore the fact that cultural and public, especially people to people diplomacy are increasingly relied upon to change or introduce the image of a country.
People to People Diplomacy Remarks by Ambassador Linda E. Watt American Society Installation Dinner – United States Embassy, Panama June 12, 2003
http://panama.usembassy.gov/sp061203.html
Voices of America: U.S. Public Diplomacy for the 21st Century
http://www.brookings.edu/reports/2008/11_public_diplomacy_lord.aspx
People-to-people diplomacy helps country’s achievements VOV News 16/03/2011 http://english.vovnews.vn/Home/Peopletopeople-diplomacy-helps-countrys-achievements/20113/124801.vov
people to people Diplomacy is very important in todays world for many reasons. in my opinion one of the biggest reasons for scepticism and non acceptance of ones culture is ignorance. people are very unlikely to accept or understand what they dont know of. there's only so much a Government can do to explain and promote their culture, they cant reach everybody around the globe, so the common citizen plays an important role in the promotion of he's/her's culture. with official Diplomatic missions focused mainly on a state to state basis, people to people diplomacy plays a fundamental role in shapping the image of a certain nation among foreign audiences.
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