Jim Murphy

Public diplomacy - what do you think?

I took part on 21 July in a joint FCO/Chatham House seminar focused on the FCO publication on public diplomacy I launched recently in Washington “Engagement: Public Diplomacy in a Globalised World”. I want to drive forward the debate and the event was a part of this effort. With participants from business, NGOs, the media, civil society, government and academia, there was some pretty lively discussion. I want to hear what you think too. Comment on this blog to share your thoughts about the publication and I’ll come back to you in a few weeks with a round-up of where I think the debate has got to.

Posted at 11:29 22 July 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[3]

Engaging in D.C.

I officially launched the public diplomacy publication "Engagement" on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. last night. I spoke about why public diplomacy needs to change (easy: because the world is changing), and how we do that (harder: but it means engaging with and listening to the right people, in the right way, at the right time - as we develop policies and not just when we deliver them). Read my full speech online.

Congressman Payne, a member of the congressional Foreign Affairs Committee, kindly also spoke at the launch of the book and gave a fascinating snapshot of the shifts in public diplomacy trends in the USA and around the world since the phrase was coined in the 1960s. And he underlined the inclusivity of policy making in a globalised world that the book promotes. Let me know what you think - read it online.

Posted at 09:59 11 July 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[2]

Public Diplomacy and climate change on the west coast

I was in Los Angeles yesterday and I'm in Salt Lake City today as part of a visit to the USA to launch a book on public diplomacy. Academics, consultants, communicators, diplomats and myself have contributed essays about how governments need to revisit the idea of public diplomacy given the new context we're doing foreign policy in: the challenges of globalisation; the opportunities of new media and IT; and the power of publics and not just governments to deliver change. You can read the book online.

With the launch of the UK's consultation on renewable energy and France's aim to get a Europe wide agreement on renewables during the French Presidency of the EU (in the next 25 weeks), I'm also talking about climate change and low carbon in the west. In the spirit of a new kind of public diplomacy, I talked to policy influencers rather than policy makers in California - like the Climate Registry which is recording and tracking businesses' emissions before federal rules in the US require it - so they're making a difference now. And in Utah I met Governor Huntsman to compare the challenges faced by a state 98% dependent on fossil fuels, and to listen to their plans on how to reshape Utah's economy.

Posted at 22:44 08 July 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[0]

Chevening Reception

I'm finally getting the chance to blog about my visit to Edinburgh last week.  I attended one of our annual receptions for Chevening scholars, which are held all over the UK. 

I met a fascinating group of scholars from a wide range of countries studying at several different Scottish universities, plus one studying at Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland.  The Chevening scholarship scheme is important for the FCO and for the UK because it brings to the UK the people who have been identified by our embassies and other overseas posts as the future opinion formers and leaders of their countries. 

All the people I met in Edinburgh showed that they have the spark to be the 'changemakers' and to lead their countries into the future.  So I send them all my best wishes: for their dissertations in the next few months; and in the longer term for a continuing relationship with the UK.

We will be changing funding in future years to redirect FCO resources into climate change efforts, so competition for places will be even keener, but we do want to do more to keep in touch with alumni through the new Chevening website (www.chevening.com).

Posted at 16:22 01 July 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[0]

Diplomacy on the pitch

Last night, at Sarajevo's Skenderija sports centre, I had one of the more light hearted moments of my time in BiH. I played in a football match between the British Embassy and local politicians and diplomats.

I had hoped for a diplomatic draw but we lost 4-3 in a competitive match. It was unusual in another way for me too - I injured my knee ligaments in a bruising tackle from a member of my own team! Anyway, thanks to everyone who helped organise it and played and supported (and a special thank you to the BiH doctor who treated me after the game!).

Posted at 14:42 21 March 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[0]