Diplomacy in the Digital Age
- By Brian Hocking and Jan Melissen
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E-mail China.org.cn, October 26, 2015
Some but not all diplomatic work will be easier
• No area of diplomacy will become redundant as a result of digitalization. Diplomatic functions will be re-defined to meet changing needs. The obvious example here is that of diplomatic reporting, which has changed fundamentally in the changing information environment of the last two decades.
• Gathering information may be easier for foreign ministries: processing and analysing it will be much more complex. Ironically, the enhanced information through social media platforms and big data gives added importance to the traditional diplomatic functions of information analysis and policy prediction.
Foreign ministries that don't go digital will not survive
• As governments are adapting their structures for international policy management, the jury is still out as to whether digitalization enhances or lessens the significance of the MFA.
• MFAs have no choice but to develop digital strategies if they are to survive. They see themselves challenged in two senses: first in efficiency terms, namely their ability to perform functions effectively. Second, in legitimacy terms, that is the degree to which their role is acknowledged as valuable and an important component of the 'national diplomatic system'.
• Digitalization further erodes the claim that the MFA is a gatekeeper with privileged access to crucial bodies of information. Digitalization will enhance the need for MFAs to redefine their roles and to develop narratives to explain to their stakeholders and to themselves what they are for.
Digitalization will accelerate the changing balance between the MFA and its missions
• The impact of early modes of digitalization suggests that the implications will be significant for the relationship between the foreign ministry and diplomatic posts that are taking on more prominent roles. The introduction of secure e-mail already changed the relationships between the MFA and missions, for example in patterns of information distribution and allocation of functions. This will increase dramatically as the implications of new technologies are better understood and exploited.
How MFAs should not respond to the challenges of the digital age
• 'Following the herd' in proclaiming the adoption of digital diplomacy without clearly defining their objectives.
• Treating digital resources as another form of top-down communication rather than developing a policy dialogue with stakeholders.
The digital strategy checklist for MFA senior management
There is no 'magic bullet'. As with all organisations confronting the challenges of the digital age, each MFA will need to define its own needs and responses in a radically changing environment. Here is our checklist:
• Developing a 'digital profile' which matches functions performed by the MFA and the potential for utilising digital technologies.
• Evaluating key needs and resources in the digital field.
• Promoting supportive internal structures such as digital units.
• Establishing a 'mainstreaming' strategy whereby digitalization percolates throughout the organisation.
• Identifying and/or recruiting 'digital champions'.
• Determining the key skills needed and modes of training to promote them.
• Developing rules for using digital tools and guidelines on risk management.
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