People to People Diplomacy, Beyond Friendship

People to People Diplomacy, Beyond Friendship

Historically, international relations between nations have been developed due to an array of needs and purposes; such as one more inclined to the growth of international business through trading or even for social benefits by bridging the gap between nations through cultural exchanges.

Socially it is very beneficial to learn from others through people to people diplomacy. An increase of both efficiency and effectiveness within communities is automatically witnessed once individuals are left to their own devices to build relations. It is no strange news that we continually hear about reports that developing countries throwing huge amounts of money on lobbyists, recent trends also showing inclined interests on PR, where companies land lucrative contracts in improving the images of governments/nations.

Is this method of getting attention for developing nations really sustainable? could it be done differently in a more sustainable manner by not spending valuable resources that could be used to finance infrastructure projects, promote food and social security, etc that could transform the lives of many desperate citizens of these nations?

In an effort of avoiding all the pitfalls and learning from other developing nations the Eritrean government in its approach has been exerting efforts on public diplomacy by regularly holding seminars between government officials and citizens both inside the country and abroad. In these seminars politics is communicated well and citizens are updated with current affairs both on the national and international contexts thereby creating a multiplier effect where citizens can become active Ambassadors engaging in people to people diplomacy.

In the long run, many complications can be avoided due to the deeper understanding of history, culture, and most importantly the national philosophy, being communicated. Throughout this journey there are exchanges of passion that create a deeper bonding between communities promoting the interests of the masses that is built on mutual respect.

On this front, a very commendable relationship between the Scottish and Eritrean citizens in Scotland has been developed over such a short period of time. The population of Eritrean’s in Scotland may be minimal, however this has not limited the effectiveness of their work in their bid of attaining their goal in building this close bond and establishing a special relationship with the Scottish community. The people to people diplomacy has thus proven to be successful in such a limited amount of time.

Amongst their many endeavours the Eritrean Scottish Friendship has managed to the lay all the necessary groundwork that should one day enable it in carrying it forward for generations to come. Just to name a few

· The Eritrean Martyr’s Park in Scotland that was established in Campsie Glen, near Lennoxtown by the Eritrean Community in collaboration with Forestry Commission (Scotland) in March 2010 after a concerted effort since 2008.

· Seminar at the University of Edinburgh University where it was discussed about the nation building process.

· The Eritrean Scottish friendship held cultural exhibitions at the Edinburgh festival, facilitated and sent high Scholars and Academia’s to Eritrea working with educational institutions, attended demonstrations in Geneva against the UNjust security council resolution 1907, and also launched a radio station in Scotland.

· Organised by the Eritrean Scottish friends in association with Cross Party Group on International Development, the Ambassador of the state of Eritrea to the UK and Ireland H.E. Tesfamichael Grahtu was invited to address Scottish parliamentarians on Water, Self Reliance and sustainability from African perspective, the Ambassador also gave extensive presentation on why we hear so much about drought in the Horn of Africa, but not in Eritrea? The event took place at the avant-grade Scottish parliament situated in the Hollyrood area of Scotland’s capital Edinburgh.

The effort of the Eritrean Scottish friendship is one that deserves recognition and huge credit for the extensive work to date. Commenting on the people to people diplomacy works, Ambassador of the state of Eritrea to the UK and Ireland H.E. Tesfamichael Grahtu expressed satisfaction and thanked the Eritrean Scottish friends noting that these exemplary achievements should replicated elsewhere.

In these times of great diplomacy efforts that are being led by the President Isaias Afeworki of Eritrea, there still remain pressing issues that are of concern to Eritrea and her citizens. The withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from sovereign Eritrean territories & the demarcation of the border with Ethiopia, the defamation of Eritrea by anti Eritrean forces, the issue of security in the Horn of Africa, the building of solid partnerships in various sectors and institutions, building of national capacity, and most importantly a link between Eritrean professionals in the Diaspora and inside Eritrea.

· While all of these are of concerns to Eritrea how can it be made possible to harness the social power that exists on Eritrean Friendships all over Europe and America?

· Does the fact that the Eritrean Scottish friendship success in such a short time with very minimal numbers achieving such high diplomatic efforts raise a question on other Eritrean friendships?

· Are Eritrean professionals who are best positioned for people to people diplomacy exerting enough efforts to monetize on their contacts from their respective institutions they work and the communities they live in?

This is not to negate past diplomatic efforts by Eritrean friendships worldwide, but rather to debate and build upon experiences to make all Eritrean friendships effective and capable of mounting high-level diplomatic efforts.

Carrying on this theme on our next article we aim to explore what the role of the media is in communicating politics, and its push for the purposes of advocacy and campaigning.

Embassy Media

London UK, 21 September 2011

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