Trade and environmental diplomacy

As the nation state's role reduced, non-governmental organizations become increasingly important in international politics. In recent decades, the number also multiplied. Non-governmental organizations are now key players, whether it's about human rights, poverty, environment or natural disasters.

Round the globe, there are thousands NGOs (non-governmental organisations) who work in different ways to improve conditions for people at home, but also to shape public opinion and justice, solidarity and participation with people in other parts of the world. Examples of NGOs are trade unions and environmental organizations, but also social and humanitarian movements. Several of them, if not most, are in one way or another operating at an international level.

Many NGOs are important actors on the world stage, although they are not policy-makers and often have much less financial resources than states and corporations. The key to success lies in their ability to elicit opinions, not least in the context of major international meetings and events. Since the first UN environmental conference in Stockholm in 1972, NGOs have organized themselves in order to influence the UN thematic conferences and other international summits, regardless of whether they acted on the environment, trade, women or other issues. Several UN agencies are currently special arrangements for consultation with non governmental organizations. The UN Commission on Human Rights, for example, all organizations with consultative status to make both oral and written suggestions and comments.
With regard to human rights violations, all NGOs, regardless of status, submit information.

Environmental organizations have become increasingly international, largely due to environmental problems today are global. Many environmental organizations, notably Greenpeace, have made themselves known for their sometimes drastic actions, for example, to peacefully occupy hazardous factories. These actions have helped to bring environmental issues on the political agenda, both nationally and internationally. Other major NGOs, for example, humanitarian and social organizations that help people both in acute distress and fighting for human rights, such as freedom of speech.

Therefore their influence becomes essential and significant because they provide a different perspective on issues such as trade and environment.

Examples of NGOs:

The environmental organization Greenpeace, working primarily with issues related to biodiversity, marine ecology, environmental toxins, genetically modified organisms and nuclear weapons.

MSF, working to help victims of war, famine or natural disasters.

Amnesty International's work includes the release of people imprisoned for their views.

Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement, works with emergency and refugee assistance.

My understanding of diplomacy today

I emabarked on this module completely ignorant to what was meant by 'new diplomacy' and I feel that I am leaving it with the same confusion. This is not due to lack of interest, nor lack of reading or understanding but because I believe that the new diplomacy is not a new experience. Furthermore by categorizing diplomacy by traditional and new we are disregardful of the continuous evolution of the subject and process, subsequently naming too many differences as the same.

Of what I understand today I can conclude that every international situation requires a different form of diplomacy, whereas a few months ago I would have understood that secrecy was used by imperialist individuals caring little for ethics.

I would never have thought that I could find examples of diplomacy in a daily newspaper, however the majority of information and case studies for this blog have come from the Guardian. I believe this news is so accessible because the role of the diplomat is evolving aswell, something I was never aware of.

The writer that has interested me the most during this course is Joseph Nye. Nye has had such a crucial involvment in American foreign policy making and International Relations, and I couldn't agree more with the importance of smart power. Crucially we can see how smart power as a tool of foreign policy is debated and implemented in USA, in particular with Hilary Clinton and Barak Obama.

With this basic grasp of diplomacy now it is possible to follow foreign policy from a more critical standpoint and to analyse the diplomatic process's relevance in international relations.

In my opinon the study of diplomacy is vital in order to anticipate future international tensions or conflict because the pursuit of peace remains a global imperative.

My understanding of diplomacy today

First of all, when I selected to study this module I did not know that the diplomacy is such a complex subject. It was very interesting for me to read about it and explore it in depth. During the semester my opinion about the role of diplomacy changed spectacularly in relation to the estimation which I had before to start my studies on diplomacy and scrutinize its functions. Furthermore, I ascertained that the diplomacy requires a combination of solid knowledge of various skills, high intelligence and excessive talent. It is incredibly necessary for me that during the unit I obtained as a result of the learning process, knowledge of politics, history, law, economics, theory of international relations and foreign policy. What is more, from my assignations with several ambassadors, I learned that the success in such an activity as diplomacy is impossible without the fine sense of human psychology, a rich life experience and impeccable tact behavior.

Secondly, this module modified my vision that aspire of the diplomacy is to portray a particular country in its best light and that the prerequisite to do so is to lie the other countries in some way. In contrast, I gain the acquaintance that it is erroneous to make an analogous between the diplomacy and dishonesty. Thus, the lie is an inadmissible means for the virtuous diplomacy. It is not doubtful that the moral qualities of diplomats are considered as the major criterion for their selection and employment. Consequently, it cannot be respected a country that appointed a representative who does not tell the truth and show his genuine nature.

Additionally, this unit not only developed my awareness of diplomacy in profundity but also facilitated me how to distinguish the perceptions of foreign policy and diplomacy. I classify this ability as a fundamental because at the very beginning of the module these two concepts were equivalent item for me. As a result of this, now I can clarify the role and the major functions of the diplomacy and foreign policy. Hence, the foreign policy defines the tasks and objectives of the state in its international relations and the diplomacy is an integral, organic part of this policy and a set of actions for its realization. Likewise, diplomacy is an activity through which the state carries out its foreign policy objectives. Since these goals provide maximum favorable external conditions for ensuring national security and peaceful development of the country, protecting its citizens and its interests in the international arena, development of mutually beneficial political, economic and cultural cooperation with other countries and their representatives, it is perfectly clear that this activity - diplomacy, is vital for the particular state to resolve the issues of the day with due seriousness and responsibility.
Last but not least, at the commencement of the module I found myself in a very awkward situation when I was taught by my tutor the so – called term ‘new’ diplomacy. For this reason, I started to ask myself why I never before heard about this new expression and what is it. When I started to read my books and prepare for the seminars I found out that the there is nothing new in the ‘new’ diplomacy. Thus, I learned that the ‘new’ diplomacy is built on the ‘old’ one, even though the situation in the in international system changed during the years. So, the majority of the functions and activities of the ‘old’ diplomacy are contemporarily relevant. In other words, this module developed in me the picture that the so – called ‘new’ diplomacy is based on the theoretical fundamentals of the ‘old’ diplomacy, despite the fact that the ‘new’ one is modified in many aspects. Moreover, the ‘new’ diplomacy obviously can be improved by revising the ideas of the ‘old’ one. So, at the end of this unit I am able to conclude that anything can be up to date, if it is from the roots of its old version.



On the whole, during this module I educated myself about the nature, evolution, meaning, the rules and trends of the diplomacy and diplomatic services. Also, I acquired worthwhile skills such as analyzing, assessing and justifying the accuracy of the diplomacy, especially in its historical and modern perspective.

The Dalai Lama as a non-state actor and his influence on environmental negotiations

At 75 years old the Dalai Lama has been one of the most influential and inspirational leaders to demonstrate the human spirit and will to change the entire world and to engage with individual people in the most positive way, making him incomparable with any political, spiritual or religious leader.
Although exiled to India by the PRC and with no real political control over Tibet he continues to have significant power over the future of his homeland. I am going to examine two ways in which the Dalai Lama uses his unique diplomatic skills in this extremely unique situation by looking at the evidence brought to recent public attention by WikiLeaks.

The first way that the exiled leader uses the situation to his advantage is by calling on the USA to survey the circumstances environmentally. The environment, global warming and the greenhouse effect are global buzz words that every country on this planet has to deal with one way or another, and so the Dalai Lama is calling on the USA to engage the international community on fighting atrocities being committed on the Tibetan Plateau as a result of Chinese occupation.

“The Dalai Lama criticized China's energy policy, alleging that dam construction in Kham and Amdo have displaced thousands of Tibetans and left temples and monasteries underwater. He recommended the PRC compensate Tibetans for disrupting their nomadic lifestyle with vocational training, such as weaving.”

As a result of the concerns the Dalai lama has expressed the USA and China seem to be working closer together on environmental challenges and have launched a ‘Strategic and Economic Dialogue’ focusing on the issue of climate change. Furthermore the leader has suggested increasing collaboration between scientists from the USA and China. By encouraging a closer relationship between these two states the future of Tibet looks brighter as it is inevitable China will have to give way to American and hence international pressure.

The second way that the Dalai Lama has shown the world that Tibet has not lost yet is by a more subtle act of diplomacy, a use of soft power. The emancipation of Tibet seems an impossible task against a state like China that is seemingly so impenetrable and strong. However, the people are always stronger than their leaders, internationally and domestically. The international community has an increasing awareness of the political situation in Tibet, an increasing understanding of the Dalai Lama and his philosophies as his books sales rocket and an increasing preoccupation for global warming; of which new and frightening effects are being felt. The Chinese community has also started to stand stronger against oppression as the Dalai Lama has

“…continued to strengthen ties with Chinese scholars and authors.”

By appealing to the intellectual public a new found wave of hope may be found, a courage that is needed so as to prevent the extinction of a peoples.

For all the controversies and fear that may have come out of the WikiLeaks scandal, I hope at least one thing can be seen as positive. I hope that the international community continues to help Tibet seek emancipation and that they truly understand the difficulties awaiting in the future, especially if major states continue to resist the importance and relevance of the environmental crisis.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11876423

Just something to add about what has been happening in the news this week about the wikileaks.

I think it is outrageous that someone would think to jeopardise the security of so many states however I think this just shows that in the world we live in nowadays, in regards to the levels of communication and technology we have, nothing can be kept secret, and this is of course fundamental to secret classical diplomacy.

Adding from this, many people believe that they have the right to involve themselves in issues such as diplomacy, but their intentions are malicious.

The new releases are of course fascinating but largely unsurprising.

Internet - a new stage for new actors.

The most import aspects of the new diplomacy.

Generally speaking the term diplomacy means mainly placing state’s representatives in another state and maintaining good relations between them (Berridge and James 2003: 69-70). But is it the only case nowadays? International politics has become so important and widespread that sending professional diplomats to various embassies all over the world is not enough for any country which wants to play a significant role on the world stage.

As I see it the most groundbreaking moment in the new diplomacy was abundance of the Internet. Everyone can be online now and spread their views and opinions throughout the world. What is more it became the main source of information. It is quick and cheap as well. In fact anyone can be kind of a diplomat now but without years of difficult education and competitive path of career. If we take it into account there suddenly appear more players on a diplomatic stage. Hence traditional players - national governments started to use this platform of communication to influence international politics as well.

There are number of websites with the news updates 24 hours a day which means that quick and relevant reaction of state actors is essential. Moreover NGOs which are more and more heard and listened to by people use the Internet as their major way to aim their goals. There are numerous campaigns spread out with the Internet (for example Facebook). They establish forums which are used to discuss controversial issues. With the usage of Internet it is relatively easy to gather a lot of people who share the same point of view about certain issue and who are likely to do some action about it.

This creates a big pressure on politicians. Citizens can easily verify their words and influence actions. That’s why an answer to the question who actually is the diplomat nowadays is ambiguous. The border between professional policy makers, NGOs, media and the people is blurred. The fact that now you can actually write an e-mail to the foreign minister or MP or sign a petition to introduce a law on banning landmines with a couple of clicks - changed the face of diplomacy completely. Now everything needs to be clear and explained to the people. However a lot of people believe that the highest politics is still happening behind the closed doors. But didn’t uncle Google and aunt Wikipedia change it a lot during past years?

Soft Power

Joseph Nye is famous for coining the term 'soft power' as a way of making somebody (or a state) wanting the same things that you want. Combining this with military 'hard' power for example creates smart power which is undeniably relevant as Barcak Obama has infamously attempted to enforce it as his method of deployment of American Foreign Policy. In regards to diplomatic relations however, I see soft power through culture as being the key factor that has been consistent not just with the USA but globally as a form of this 'new diplomacy'.
Looking at the USA as an example we can see how the Voice of America (VOA) was purposefully created to influence people across the globe, in particular to demonstrate democracy, freedom and all good american values in contrast to those demonstrated by communism. At its peak the VOA was broadcasted in 53 languages to 91 million people. This is not considered diplomacy in classical terms but it no doubt has had an effect on influencing the way the US has been abe to implement its foreign policies over the years. In more recent years the creation of al-hurra, the arabic speaking program, has specifically dealt with the domestic question that came up after 9/11; "Why does evreybody hate us?" by trying to create an understanding of american policies in the muslim world.
Joseph Nye said that "Information is power, and today a much larger part of the world's population has access to that power." This indisputably confirms the need for this direction that states need to go in order to fulfill their diplomatic purpose. Culture is attainable through information, and you can make foreign audiences want to be a part of that culture.
In regards to the UK there is evidence of strategic communication during the 1990's conceived by a branch of government. The British Tourist Agency sought to brand the UK as "modern and multi-ethnic" and as a "creative island". The multi-ethnicity of the country being portrayed is fundamental in diplomacy to demonstrate to any state Britain hopes to have relations with that we can be empathetic and are by no means ignorant.
It would be foolish to disregard this trend in cultural diplomacy as it is vital to the way we build international relations. In certain cases there can be no denying the need for more classical forms for example with imminent threats and 'high politics'. However soft power cannot be rejected as paramount in ensuring our future security and from reducing global threats in which ever form they may take.