The Impact of Information Technology on Diplomatic

ActivityBy By

Aimee ReederAimee Reeder

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

The skills necessary for diplomacy have to The skills necessary for diplomacy have to be adapted to the nature of the times.be adapted to the nature of the times. Today’s diplomatic paradigm is largely Today’s diplomatic paradigm is largely

defined by the rapid speed in which defined by the rapid speed in which information can be shared.information can be shared.DigitizationDigitizationTelecommunications Telecommunications ComputersComputers

The Primary Areas of Impact

1.1. The organizational structure of The organizational structure of diplomatic missions diplomatic missions

2.2. The need for public diplomacy to The need for public diplomacy to respond to real-time media respond to real-time media coverage coverage

3.3. The capacity for international The capacity for international collaboration on supra-national collaboration on supra-national issuesissues

4.4. Security Security

1.Structure of Diplomatic Missions The ability for fast secure communications between The ability for fast secure communications between

missions and the foreign ministry at home through missions and the foreign ministry at home through intranet systemsintranet systems Briefings and reports can be done in the field where Briefings and reports can be done in the field where

the knowledge base is the highestthe knowledge base is the highestRapid response to emergenciesRapid response to emergencies

IT facilitates lateral communications between missionsIT facilitates lateral communications between missions Important for understanding regional dynamicsImportant for understanding regional dynamics

RegionalismRegionalism• EU, NAFTA, APECEU, NAFTA, APEC

Results

The flattening of traditional The flattening of traditional vertical vertical hierarchical structure hierarchical structure Power relationshipsPower relationships

Reduces formalityReduces formality Smaller missionsSmaller missions

Less staff is need for administrative dutiesLess staff is need for administrative dutiesConsular Matters Consular Matters

• Reduction in bulky time consuming Reduction in bulky time consuming filing systemsfiling systems

Information Overload   Danger of information overloadDanger of information overload

Knowledge = PowerKnowledge = Power Too Much Information = HeadachesToo Much Information = Headaches

A successful diplomat can sort A successful diplomat can sort through the masses of information through the masses of information and create knowledge that is: and create knowledge that is: Accurate Accurate Precise Precise RelevantRelevant TimelyTimely

More Challenges

Installation of IT infrastructure and training Installation of IT infrastructure and training are expensive are expensive Developing countriesDeveloping countries

Assistant from G8 countriesAssistant from G8 countries•World Bank’s Information for World Bank’s Information for

Devolvement DivisionDevolvement Division IT becomes obsolete before it wears out.IT becomes obsolete before it wears out.

Moor’s Law: Moor’s Law: The performance of processors will The performance of processors will

double every 18 to 24 monthsdouble every 18 to 24 months

2.Public diplomacy and Real-Time Media Coverage The internet as a tool of public diplomacyThe internet as a tool of public diplomacy

Increasingly important due to real-time Increasingly important due to real-time media coverage.media coverage.

• Proliferation of new mediaProliferation of new media

–The public is constantly The public is constantly bombarded with 30 news bitsbombarded with 30 news bits

–ConvergenceConvergence

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 The ability to set the agenda in ways that

shape the preferences of others.”shape the preferences of others.” VisibilityVisibility

Internet, media interviews, and conferencesInternet, media interviews, and conferences VersatilityVersatility

The ability to communicate with foreign The ability to communicate with foreign governments and foreign publicsgovernments and foreign publics

Explain your country’s position in a way your Explain your country’s position in a way your audience will understandaudience will understand

3.Collaboration on Supra-National Issues Health IssuesHealth Issues

AIDSAIDS Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues

Natural resource conservation.Natural resource conservation. RefugeesRefugees TerrorismTerrorism

Cyber-TerrorismCyber-Terrorism Organized CrimeOrganized Crime

Trafficking of women and childrenTrafficking of women and children Illegal drugsIllegal drugs

4. Security

Secure networks of communication are Secure networks of communication are possible.possible. PasswordsPasswords EncryptionEncryption FirewallsFirewalls Proper trainingProper training

The Other Side of the Coin

Encryption software and security measures are widely Encryption software and security measures are widely available.available.

Some agencies of the US government are opposed to Some agencies of the US government are opposed to this encryption capability because it reduces their this encryption capability because it reduces their ability to gather intelligence about other countries.ability to gather intelligence about other countries.

National Security Agency National Security Agency CIACIAFBIFBI

Conclusions

IT is a double edged sword for diplomats.IT is a double edged sword for diplomats. Benefit from IT Benefit from IT Overcome the challenges it presentsOvercome the challenges it presents

IT tools will be able to handle an increasing IT tools will be able to handle an increasing number of tasks in the future, however, that will number of tasks in the future, however, that will never replace the insight of an experienced never replace the insight of an experienced diplomat.diplomat.

““Only people can solve problems people Only people can solve problems people create”create”President Richard NixonPresident Richard Nixon