Public diplomacy refers to any of the different government-sponsored operations aimed at directly connecting with foreign publics. Public diplomacy encompasses all official efforts to persuade certain segments of foreign opinion to support or tolerate a government’s strategic goals. In our contemporary world, when economies all around are working together, embassies conduct more than simply diplomatic duties. Embassies not only assist with the country’s relationships, but they also aim to improve economic growth by strategic acts that connect people together.
Embassies, as cultural representations, play an essential role in bringing countries closer together by demonstrating what they value and how to understand one another. If rich and poor nations have solid connections, they can collaborate more effectively. Art displays, language workshops, and youth exchanges enable them better to understand each other’s cultures so that enterprises on both sides can develop.
The phenomenon of hallyu (Korean Wave) in Africa is an enlightening illustration of this, serving as a shared diplomatic resource linking South Korea’s public and developmental diplomacy efforts. The cultivation of favourable images and reputations abroad, a central goal of public diplomacy, is consistent with the positive reception of Korean cultural products in various African countries, as observed in Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and South Africa.
The example, however, reveals a fascinating dynamic. While South Korea’s public diplomacy is successful, the media environment and audience in Africa differ greatly from those in the Global North. The unfettered distribution of Korean screen items on both conventional and digital media exacerbates the cultural consumption gap across Africa’s different socioeconomic Through public diplomacy, embassies are aggressively using private-sector partnerships to advance economic growth. Collaboration between diplomatic missions and technology businesses to boost innovation and economic progress is a good example.
Several nations, including the United States, have launched programs in which embassies collaborate closely with technology companies to enable information sharing, investment, and entrepreneurial efforts. For example, US embassies across the world have been important in sponsoring tech summits, startup challenges, and networking events that connect local entrepreneurs and innovators with American tech corporations.
This can be seen with the collaborative effort between the US embassy in Israel. The collaborative project announced by Vice President Kamala Harris and Israeli President Isaac Herzog, pledging $70 million over five years, highlights the engagement between diplomatic missions and the business sector to enhance economic growth through public diplomacy. This major investment, totalling $35 million from the United States and Israel, focuses on climate-smart agricultural and water management technology across the Middle East and Africa.
By combining the expertise of American and Israeli academic institutes, this effort not only tackles the critical concerns of sustainable food production and water management, but also demonstrates both countries’ shared commitment to global climate resilience. This strategic partnership corresponds with the wider aims of the US-Israel relationship, highlighting the critical role of embassies in building significant collaborations for global economic development and technological innovation.
Through embassies, public diplomacy has grown into a multidimensional tool for encouraging global relationships, cultural understanding, and economic progress. Embassies go beyond typical diplomatic functions to actively contribute to economic growth through strategic initiatives. The interaction of cultural representations pulls nations closer together, encouraging collaboration for successful economic relationships. Furthermore, joint initiatives between embassies and the business sector highlight the transformational influence of public diplomacy on economic progress. The dedication to climate-smart technology in places like the Middle East and Africa underlines the worldwide importance of diplomatic missions in advancing sustainable development.
By The European Institute for International Law and International Relations
References
U.S. Department of State. (2023, July 19). New and ongoing U.S.-Israel Cooperation on Science, Technology, and Innovation – United States Department of State. U.S. Department of State. https://www.state.gov/new-and-ongoing-u-s-israel-cooperation-on-science-technology-and-innovation/
Kim, Suweon. 2018 “Who Watches Korean TV Dramas in Africa? A Preliminary Study in Ghana.” Media, Culture & Society 40(2): 296-306.
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023, October 19). public diplomacy. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/public-diplomacy
