While traditional diplomacy involves government leaders at the highest levels, public diplomacy allows a country to engage with citizens in other countries at many different levels, particularly as citizen to citizen. Down through the years, the international NGO community has played an important role in public diplomacy, and Wednesday’s panel demonstrated that even more and newer opportunities abound.
While traditional diplomacy involves government leaders at the highest levels, public diplomacy allows a country to engage with citizens in other countries at many different levels, particularly as citizen to citizen. Down through the years, the international NGO community has played an important role in public diplomacy, and Wednesday’s panel demonstrated that even more and newer opportunities abound.
The panel, The NGO Role in Public Diplomacy, was moderated by Nasserie Carew, Managing Director of Public Affairs, Millennium Challenge Corporation, and InterAction’s former Senior Public Relations Director.
Tina Tchen, Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, opened the panel, stressing the importance of two-way dialog so that diverse voices are heard.
Dan Glickman, President of Refugees International, an InterAction member organization, said the NGO community should lead with our strengths and that NGOs are strong in soft power. “Soft power is about attraction, not coercion. We encourage engagement with a country’s citizens. Our communities keep Americans engaged around the world. We stay engaged by the good work NGOs do everyday.”
Bruce Wharton, Director of Public Diplomacy for the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs said, “NGOs provide an incredible voice and reach beyond traditional audiences by recognizing that not one side fits all. All public diplomacy is local. People on the ground know best.” Wharton said for the first time in a decade there will be an increased number of public diplomacy officers in African embassies.
Karl Stotz, Director of Public Diplomacy for the State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs said in his region, while some countries are closed, others are open and that presents a great opportunity. “The prevailing theme is that we are at the stage of potentially being able to do more than we’ve been able to do in many years. And so we must coordinate our efforts and messages more effectively. We must get public opinion in the countries where we work to recognize the contribution of the U.S. is making to help citizens help themselves.”