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The Impact of Information Technology on Diplomatic Activity

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.

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The Impact of Information Technology on Diplomatic Activity

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  1. The Impact of Information Technology on Diplomatic Activity By Aimee Reeder

  2. “Diplomacy is a child of its times.”-Peter Marshall • 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

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

  4. 1.Structure of Diplomatic Missions • 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 • Important for understanding regional dynamics • Regionalism • EU, NAFTA, APEC

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

  6. 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: • Accurate • Precise • Relevant • Timely

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

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

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

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

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

  12. The Other Side of the Coin • 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

  13. Conclusions • 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. • “Only people can solve problems people create”President Richard Nixon

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