The importance of being credible
A recent FCO publication on public diplomacy included a chapter by USC professor Nick Cull. The chapter suggested seven lessons for public diplomacy practitioners:
1. Public diplomacy begins with listening.
2. Public diplomacy must be connected to policy.
3. Public diplomacy is not a performance for domestic consumption.
4. Effective public diplomacy requires credibility, but that has implications for the bureaucratic structure around the activity.
5. Sometimes the most credible voice in public diplomacy is not one's own.
6. Public diplomacy is not always 'about you'.
7. Public diplomacy is everyone's business.
I see these lessons as sound and sensible. Behaving this way could help us develop better influencing programmes around the world. I would be interested in the thoughts of my readers.
I wonder what the Russians think of Cull's advice. Did anyone notice their recent supplement in The Washington Post? The Weekly Standard Blog covered it.
Posted at 13:35 24 September 2008 by Andy Pryce | Comments[0]
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