Transforming role of a Diplomat

Guerilla Diplomat

This is an interesting idea of a need for a changing nature of the conventional diplomat into a more, in my understanding: “people’s diplomat”, which Daryl Copeland termed as the “Guerilla Diplomat”. Copeland is the major supporter of Public and Cultural Diplomacy, who argues that the sole use of military force in conflict zones will not solve the problem, but instead worsen the conditions and endure the issue even further. Thereby, he argues for a more pacifist nature of problem solving-through negotiation, persuasion and communication.

Consequently, he argues for the need of “Guerilla Diplomats”, who are substantially different than that of traditional diplomats in a sense that “Guerilla Diplomats” are given more freedom to rely on their own judgment and rationality without being commanded hierarchically, more interaction in the "out and about" rather than that of working through the office only, adaptation into the environment to the greatest possible extent so that there will be less need of guardians and more ability to engage with the people more freely without being isolated by the security forces. The tools of the “Guerilla Diplomat” are the uses of public diplomacy mixed with “classic qualities of guerrilla warfare: improvisation, self-sufficiency and popular support”.(Copeland, 2008, p293)

“To all of the core attributes associated with public diplomacy-networked communications, relationship-building, cultural ease and creativity-the guerilla diplomat would highlight the importance of abstract thinking, advanced problem-solving skills and rapid-adaptive cognition” (ibid)

The description of the “Guerilla Diplomat”, if simplified into a particular association, comes analogous to the role of the “Avatar”, whose main aim was, as far as I understood, to learn from the local inhabitants and report on strategic actions.

Consider for example the competencies required for a potential “Guerilla Diplomat” extracted from Copeland’s description:

• Local knowledge, cultural sensitivity, language and communications ability

• Irregular representational capabilities and characteristics

• Rapid-adaptive functionality in conflict situations

• An affinity for collaboration and teamwork

• A value premium placed on the generation and use of intelligence

• Autonomy, agility, acuity, self-reliance and resilience. (Copeland,2008, p295).

This illustrates the greater need and call for the use of public diplomacy through “Guerilla Diplomats” in dealing with contemporary issues: whether it is the struggle with terrorism or development.

Copeland, Daryl and Potter, Evan (2008) “Public Diplomacy in Conflict Zones: Military Information Operations Meet Political Counter-Insurgency” The Hague Journal of Diplomacy No:3, p-277-297.