IR 312 DIPLOMACY INFORMATION A ND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

IR 312 DIPLOMACY & INFORMATION A ND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Dr. Jared O. Bell, Assistant Professor of International Relations and Public Administration Faculty of Business and Administration International University of Sarajevo

Announcements Papers due January 9, 2017 Final Exam January 24, 2017 (15: 45 -17: 45)

Information Communication and Technology What is information communication and technology?

Information and Communication Technology Information and communications technology (ICT) is an extended term for information technology (IT) which stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications (teleph one lines and wireless signals), computers as well as necessary enterprise software, middleware, storage, and audio-visual systems, which enable users to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information.

Information and communication technology & Technology How Might technology information and communication technology impact diplomacy?

What Information and Communication Technology has done Globally Information and communication technologies have not only affected the various functions of diplomacy, but these technologies have altered the very nature of international relations. Information technology has blurred borders and territoriality, created new types of non-state diplomatic agents, and put official diplomacy on the defensive as increased information across the world strengthens critics of government policy. Not only has the media gained leverage over foreign ministries, but other actors such as NGOs and private businesses have considerable power both in traditional diplomatic channels and in their own interactions with foreign governments and audiences

Information and Communication Technology and the transformation of Diplomacy Traditionally, diplomats have served several key functions including collecting and processing information, relaying and receiving messages, and representing a country in negotiations as well as in the public arena. Information and communication technology of the 1990 s has altered all three functions in critical ways. The types of diplomatic exchanges range from communication between foreign ministries, communication within a ministerial bureaucracy, and communication with foreign populations and entities such as the media and NGOs. Information technology has changed the way that each of these audiences is reached. Information and communication technologies have not only revolutionized diplomacy, but they have drastically changed the geopolitical environment surrounding diplomacy.

What are some examples of this? What might be some examples of ICT in diplomacy?

Examples of ICT in Diplomacy Twitter Facebook Email Websites Mobile Apps Instagram Crowd Sourcing

For Example: Denmark’s Virtual Working Group The Danish Foreign Ministry created a geographically dispersed “Virtual Working Group” to address all Security Council-related questions concerning Sudan. “The working group is composed of representatives from all relevant units, including the MFA’s Africa Department and the Security Policy Department as well as the some reluctance to fully apply ICT in their foreign ministries. Embassies in Washington and Cairo (which covers Sudan), the UN Mission in New York and the Permanent Representation of Denmark to the EU in Brussels. The working group works on a virtual level using emails and videoconferencing, as well as making use of a shared archive on the MFA Intranet. ” 4

How do you think ICT has changed diplomacy Diplomacy? How can we use information communication and technology in diplomacy?

Collection Information and communication technologies have made finding news easier than ever before. Although diplomats have traditionally been in charge of collecting information about the events in a country and relaying it back to the ministry, this function is increasingly filled by the global media, which often breaks a story even before diplomats catch wind. Whereas reporters used to rely on diplomats for access to information, reporters now have independent networks that quickly find and disseminate news. This abundant and instant media has benefited greatly from the Internet and communication technologies such as satellite phones. These technologies have empowered the media to assert its own power and legitimacy on the international stage.

Processing and Analyzing Information On the other hand, it is increasingly necessary for diplomats to process and analyze information in response to this wealth of news. The heightened speed of communication has truncated the time for diplomats to prepare reports and analyses, complicated by the general public demanding immediate public statements following events.

Receiving and Relaying Messages The receiving and relaying of messages is largely an intra-department function as diplomats have to coordinate with their principals, who must coordinate with the foreign ministry. Whereas news of declarations and agreements used to take months to reach foreign and domestic audiences, today’s news travels almost instantaneously. Although diplomatic corps have traditionally been slow to incorporate new communication technologies, from the telegraph to the telephone, foreign ministries eventually have incorporated these technologies to improve efficiency.

Receiving and Relaying Messages (Cont. ) Not only do professional diplomats have increased access to communication technology, but ambassadors have increased control over the planning process because of the speed and accessibility of new communication technologies. Given the heightened speed of communications, instructions can be relayed very quickly, and many diplomats report that instructions are more detailed and frequent. Finally, given the extremely high amount of information, the ability to recognize where and how that information was derived has become an ever more important skill for leaders. Diplomats and heads of state are more empowered than ever to influence policymaking in an increasingly interconnected world.

Negotiation Top leadership in foreign policy has also risen in importance, considering state-to-state negotiation. As transportation and communication technologies have developed, direct contacts between political leaders have become more frequent. The increase in the number of high-level summits has decreased the need for diplomats to mediate and represent their head of state. Negotiation has thus become more important to toplevel officials as the negotiating responsibilities of the diplomatic corps has waned. However, negotiations remain a key role for diplomats in the information age. The increased sophistication of information and communication technologies enhances the ability of diplomats to provide immediate updates for principals and for the foreign ministry

Receiving and Relaying Messages (Cont. 1) Media’s lightning-fast reporting has enabled decision makers to have instant access to information about a situation, whereas previously such information would come from the embassy via an official cable including background and context. This quickness of communications has sometimes forced decision makers to respond hastily, in some instances bypassing traditional diplomatic channels.

Representing the Country Abroad Information technology has not only shaped the way that diplomacy is accomplished, but diplomats have also actively utilized information technology to reach their goals, specifically in the field often termed “soft power. ”

Representing the Country Abroad (Cont. ) The influence of global media and business leaders aside, foreign ministries such as the U. S. Department of State have many communication and informational tools at their disposal. With increased capability to reach foreign populations through Internet outreach and programs like Voice of America, modern diplomatic corps have the enhanced ability to create and mold norms. Information creates norms and represents a sphere of influence foreign ministries within the global information space. With the advent of the Internet, the ability of foreign ministries to reach populations worldwide has increased tremendously.

Representing the Country Abroad (Cont. 1) Additionally, ambassadors today write op-eds in both local and international newspapers, reflecting the increasing porosity of diplomacy and the increasing presence of diplomats in public spheres. In a world where public opinion and the media matter more than ever, the ability to affect what the media covers and what the public cares about is critical to foreign policymaking.

Dispelling General Information During natural disaster or a man-made crisis, social networking sites are often the most efficient means of reaching large numbers of people. MFA officials have to be competent at using these instruments, and learn from the methods used by others.

For example: Unrest in kenya and the Earthquake in Haiti During the civil unrest in Kenya following the 2007 presidential election, Kenyan activists developed the “Ushahidi” network, as a “crowd-sourcing” method of locating centers of unrest (the Swahili word means “testimony”). This method was used after the Haiti earthquake to locate the remote village communities that had been badly affected.

Human Resource Management Human resource management is transformed with the use of ICT. For instance, assignments are posted online and “bids” invited from those due for reassignment. This adds to transparency. The same holds good for any changes in rules that are being contemplated—these are posted online to invite comment. These are two of many ways technology helps in good management. It also adds to transparency.

Information and Communication Technology and Training Diplomats are dispersed in different places; at any point in time half or more of the personnel are overseas. Even while mid-career and senior level training has gained in salience, so has the direct and indirect cost of flying in officials from their global locations for training. This makes e-learning a good, partial alternative to in situ training.

Willingness to use Information Technology ICT works on the implicit principle that information is a commodity and not a source of power. The one who succeeds in the ICT age is not the one who controls information but knows how to use it to best effect. For traditional organizations this requires a mindset shift, and not all countries and agencies are willing to do this. Situations persist where officials at different levels tightly control information; this may give short-term advantage, but produces inefficiency plus damage to the organization.