Diplomatic Culture & its Domestic Context

1. Diplomatic Culture & its Domestic Context Kishan S Rana

2. 1. Circumstances • More sovereign actors, celebrate diversity. • Shared values persist, professionalism, integrity. Surface diversity, some core homogeneity. • Diplomatists need to be more open, accessible. • Our narrative both descriptive & normative Dip Cul/Rana/2004

3. 2. Sources Diplomatic culture comes from: • National culture • Culture of own institution • International professional culture Dip Cul/Rana/2004

4. 3. Professional Culture • Ability to handle cross-cultural interface, language + functional skills. • Outreach, communication, advocacy, negotiation. • Ability to synthesize, produce cross-connections, leverage. • Work as ‘generalist-specialist’. Dip Cul/Rana/2004

5. 3. (continued) • Gradualism, pragmatism, working for incremental gain, long-term orientation. • Public diplomacy entails two-way dialogue with multiple stakeholders. • Moving to greater accountability, ‘customer satisfaction’, good governance. Dip Cul/Rana/2004

6. 4. Domestic interactions • ‘Diplomatic services feel under siege’ – (comment at Wilton Park 2003). Strong public criticism in many countries. • Domestic publics increasingly involved in external affairs. • Past elitism is fading, greater plurality now. • MFAs want to integrate better with home publics and institutions. Dip Cul/Rana/2004

7. 4. (continued) • MFA moves from ‘gatekeeper’ to coordinator, networker, value-provider. • MFA has no sectoral agenda, natural harmonizer, ‘centrality’. • Work culture shifting from ‘confidential’ to open, cooperative. • Archives are a barometer, not too open in the global South. Dip Cul/Rana/2004

8. 5. Change Process • Is a distinctive diplomatic culture good from perspective of home partners? • Training is key, especially for senior officials, ambassadors. • Periodic ambassador conferences. • Personnel exchanges between MFAs & home agencies. • Performance management. Dip Cul/Rana/2004