Citizen Diplomacy is a political term which describes where ordinary individuals can take an active role in promoting their nation through culture and individual efforts. This may be a deliberate action, or as a by-product of some other achievement, such as world recognition of winning a gold medal at the Olympics. The importance of Citizen Diplomacy as a means to propagate a positive world image is vital, especially if that message is meant to credibly portray independence from governmental or institutional control and doctrine. In general, if a government or institution is seen as dictating how and which areas to promote, there is a lack of belief in the validity of the claims, and more importantly the intentions. Displays or comments from ordinary citizens, on the other hand, give a sense of sincerity and genuineness, as they are perceived as being independent. So for a nation to be successful in promoting a positive image, it is best done independently through its people. However, there is a notable caviat to this rule when it comes to the US. Because of an increasing negative image of America and its politics, it is even more vital that a counter-image is promoted. Unfortunately, much of this anti-American feeling derives not only from the actions of its government, but of its citizens too. This means that any Citizen Diplomacy practiced would be viewed with suspicion, and this is the barrier the US must overcome.
The US has recognised that neither its government, nor its people as a whole, has a strong positive image. It also knows that to reverse this trend it must practice Citizen Diplomacy much more effectively, and at an individual level. According to the US Center for Citizen Diplomacy it states that
“Citizen Diplomacy is the concept that the individual has the right, even the responsibility, to help shape U.S. foreign relations, ‘one handshake at a time.’ Citizen diplomats can be students, teachers, athletes, artists, business people, humanitarians, adventurers or tourists. They are motivated by a responsibility to engage with the rest of the world in a meaningful, mutually beneficial dialogue.”[1]
This quotation from the document shows just important the role of Citizen Diplomats is the US, and uses the term: “responsibility” to instil an almost evangelical impetus and urgency to the task. That there are many organisations such as the Council for Educational Travel, the Public Diplomacy Council, and the US Center for Citizen Diplomacy, shows their commitment to encouraging individuals to take part to promote US culture abroad.
This approach plays to America’s strengths, in that they already have positive ambassadors abroad thanks to its highly successful film and television industries, and sports. As an example, when Angelina Jolie visited the Turkish border with regard to the conflicts in Syria, she was met with sympathy by Turkish and Syrian citizens. Turkish authorities even went as far as to describe her as the "Goodness Angel of the World."[2] It is fair to assume that any US governmental authorities would not have been welcomed as much as Angelina. Similarly the Gates Foundation, as directed by Melissa Gates, has been working throughout Africa, helping the development of good health, agriculture and other areas. This work is widely supported by African society, and helps to reduce the US’s negative image[3].
But it’s not just the American film stars and philanthropists who are beginning to build better perceptions of America, other ‘normal’ citizens are also playing their part. When some peace keepers and environmental activists such as Jodie Evans and Medie Benjamin visited Iran, Iranian President Ahmedinejad welcomed them. Again not something that would have been possible without Citizen Diplomacy to connect the leaders of the American Peace Movement and Ahmedinejad[4].
So is Citizen Diplomacy efficient? Certainly in the case of the US where to counter the ever-increasing anti-American sentiment, particularly in the Muslin world, the role of the Citizen Diplomat to connect governments and citizens of other nations is vital. Specifically, the more the sceptical view of the States continues to grow, the greater the weight of individuality of the representative becomes. This is a lesson worth learning by other nations if they want to be seen as credible and open countries.
Baris Akin
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2011, CBC News, Angelina Jolie visits Syrian refugees in Turkey http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/06/17/501364/main20071886.shtml
(Accessed : 17.07.2011)
Bıll and Melinda Gates Foundationhttp://www.gatesfoundation.org/regions/Pages/default.aspx?4#/?action=region&id=africa
(Accessed : 17.07.2011)
(Accessed : 17.07.2011)
Milazzo. L, 2008, Monthly Review Foundation, US Citizen Diplomats Arrive in Iran, Invited by Ahmadinejad http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2008/milazzo251108.html
A tribute to Citizen Diplomats http://www.nciv.org/category/4-publications.html?download=24
PDF Document (Accessed : 17.07.2011)
PDF Document (Accessed : 17.07.2011)
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