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Episode: Public Diplomacy - Steps to the Future

Speaker: Lord Triesman (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office)
Host: Dr. Anne Lane
Date: April 23, 2007

Overview

This episode centers on the transformation of British public diplomacy: its evolution from traditional “elite” diplomacy to strategies engaging global public opinion. Lord Triesman details developments in the UK’s approach to influence abroad, emphasizing dialogue, debate, and partnership with non-governmental actors. He provides examples from counter-terrorism, climate change, cultural initiatives, and policy measurement, followed by an engaging Q&A session touching on the EU, Pakistan, Ascension Island, humanitarian interventions, and hard vs. soft power.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Changing Nature of Diplomacy

• Transition from Elite to Public Diplomacy
  • Lord Triesman underscores how diplomacy is no longer confined to private dealings among elites, citing Lord Carter's observation:

    "Where influence was once the preserve of elites, diplomats meeting ministers in gilded ministries... it is now diverse and dispersed." (05:40)

  • The Foreign Office must now “convince millions” directly, not just a handful of decision-makers.
• The Logic of Old vs. New Public Diplomacy
  • Previous efforts simply promoted a positive image of Britain (e.g., “red buses, black cabs, cream teas”), but these did not affect how others valued the UK’s global role.
  • New diplomacy focuses on engaging global audiences in debate about significant international issues, not just explaining policy.

2. Approach to Influence

• The UK no longer aims to change how people view Britain, but seeks to engage in dialogue about global challenges.
  • “We have moved away from the impossible and unmeasurable goal of trying to change how people think about the UK to engaging people in the defining issues of our times.” (08:43)
• Engagement means encouraging debate, including with those who disagree, rather than just explaining policy.

3. Examples of Public Diplomacy in Practice

• Counter-Terrorism
  • The FCO works with vulnerable groups, seeking to counter terrorist narratives and break down the "clash of civilizations" myth:

    “I personally completely reject the notion of the clash of civilizations and defend vigorously the reality that British Muslims are integral to British society.” (10:39)

  • Collaboration includes support for British Hajj pilgrims and engagement with schools, madrasas, and communities domestically and abroad.
• Afghanistan
  • Diplomatic efforts combine support for democratic processes and media (the BBC Pashtu Service) to influence hearts and minds.
• Climate Change Activism
  • Examples include a YouTube youth film competition at one embassy and leadership at the UN Security Council:

    “Our efforts... have created the pressure on governments to take the issue seriously. Classic and public diplomacy, in that case, working best together.” (13:37)

• Forced Marriage Initiatives in Pakistan
  • The BBC Urdu Service radio drama addressed forced marriage, immigration, and human rights, sparking debate and legislative progress.
• Uganda & Ethiopia: Diversity Initiatives
  • Cross-sector research led by the British Council contributed to Uganda’s Equal Opportunities Act.

4. Partnerships and Alliances

• “The new public diplomacy relies as much on alliances and cooperation as it does on classic diplomacy. But... alliances can no longer just be with governments.” (14:17)
• Collaborations involve pressure groups, charities, businesses, human rights organizations, communities, and media.
• Make Poverty History is cited as a model for broad-based, effective advocacy.

5. Traditional Tools Remain Relevant

• Chevening and Marshall Scholarships, arts, and cultural outreach continue to be vital:
  • “Cultural diplomacy may at times be part of our public diplomacy effort... art, poetry, theatre or classical music can open the door to greater understanding.” (16:38)

6. Innovation, Measurement, and Reform

• The creation of the Public Diplomacy Board: Central to strategy, fostering synergies and new initiatives.
• Demand for fresh, sometimes radical ideas:

  “If an idea in the public diplomacy area doesn’t startle me, it’s probably wrong. My default position is challenge.” (18:05)

• Focus on measurable outcomes—not just attendance or approval ratings but legislative and societal changes relevant to the UK’s goals.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Role of the Diplomat:

  “Diplomats are deliverers of influence. They want to be the cause of things... Their successes at delivering influence determines whether the government can deliver our foreign policy objectives.” (04:01 – Lord Triesman)

• On Changing Strategies:

  “We would simply be shouting in the wind in order to try and effect change that way.” (07:04 – Lord Triesman) “We debate it, we encourage other people to debate it, we engage with people who may agree with us or they may passionately disagree with us.” (08:35 – Lord Triesman)

• On Partnerships:

  “The new public diplomacy relies as much on alliances and cooperation as it does on classic diplomacy.” (14:17 – Lord Triesman)

• On Innovation:

  “I want ideas that are different. I want them to be scary. I want them to be alarmingly new.” (18:01 – Lord Triesman)

• On Success Measures:

  “I don’t personally believe that it’s necessary for the United Kingdom to get credit ... I want to see the change take place.” (19:19 – Lord Triesman)

• On Listening:

  “A good ambassador in this kind of process needs to listen carefully and to speak persuasively. And I think that this has to be our approach to all forms of diplomacy.” (19:59 – Lord Triesman)

Q&A Highlights (Timestamps indicate start of response)

• Future of EU security policy and British role
  (24:41)

  • Lord Triesman argues for non-duplicative approaches to European security, underscoring NATO’s relevance and the lessons from Bosnia and Kosovo.

• Change in UK foreign policy post-new PM
  (24:41)

  • Predicts continuity in goals, but an increased emphasis on “soft policy methods” and innovation.

• On the UK’s stance in Pakistan, democracy vs. support for Musharraf
  (24:41)

  • Recognizes the tension and explains efforts within the Commonwealth to move towards civilian government.

• On persuasion vs. power politics in diplomacy
  (31:03)

  • “I’d love to live in a world where that was all you needed to rely on, but I don’t, and nor do you... There are, I’m afraid, instances where the interests of world security demand that other options are available to us as well.”

• On transparency and 'Britishness' in diplomacy
  (36:09)

  • Acknowledges perceptions that the UK acts as if it “knows best.” Emphasizes new partnership approaches and striving for greater public openness when possible.

• Blair Doctrine and humanitarian intervention (Darfur)
  (36:09)

  • Endorses the “responsibility to protect,” distinguishing between interventions for regime change and humanitarian aid.

• On handling hostage crises (e.g., British sailors in Iran)
  (36:09)

  • Emphasizes “intensive discussions” and international solidarity as key to successful resolutions.

• On listening, trust, and democracy in Overseas Territories (esp. Ascension Island)
  (45:24, 48:23)

  • Addresses challenges and describes efforts to devolve powers and support local choice, reiterates commitment to anti-colonial principles.

• On abolishing the House of Lords and funding for public diplomacy
  (48:23)

  • Expresses personal support for an elected chamber, details budget allocations, and stresses priority on funding active partnership programs.

• On measuring public diplomacy effectiveness
  (57:07)

  • Critiques superficial measures (“number of attendees”), promoting outcome-oriented evaluation like legislative or policy changes in target countries.

• On selective intervention (e.g., Lebanon vs. Darfur)
  (57:07)

  • Asserts desire for consistency in global humanitarian responses, highlights the role of regional actors in peacekeeping.

• On hard power undermining soft power
  (65:27)

  • Acknowledges tension and the need for balance; cites Sierra Leone and Kosovo as cases where hard and soft power together were necessary.

• On achieving peace in Northern Ireland
  (65:59)

  • Cites the eventual realization among combatants that their objectives couldn't be achieved by violence, crediting persistent diplomatic effort.

• On listening and learning in diplomacy
  (72:25)

  • Shares case studies on listening to smaller (Eritrea/Ethiopia) and larger (Russia: energy and security) powers, emphasizing nuanced understanding.

• On Chagos Islanders and human rights
  (72:25)

  • Stresses the importance of the new UN Human Rights Council having real teeth—“it is a requirement now that we make the new Human Rights Council work.”

Key Timestamps

• 00:00 – 02:09 Introduction (skip for summary focus)
• 02:09 – 20:48 Lord Triesman’s keynote address
• 20:48 – 77:53 Audience Q&A

Closing

Dr. Anne Lane concludes by thanking Lord Triesman for a “very interesting, stimulating evening,” noting his openness to counsel and dialogue.

Overall Tone & Takeaway:
The episode is candid, reflective, and reform-minded, marked by Lord Triesman’s calls for innovation, measurable impact, and humility before new global realities. He encourages not only engagement with the world’s pressing issues but also introspection and willingness to listen—a through-line both in his speech and responses. The audience Q&A adds nuance, raising concerns about trust, double standards, selective intervention, and the mechanics of real-world influence.

For Further Engagement

• See LSE Events Podcast for more episodes
• Read Lord Carter’s Report on Public Diplomacy (referenced throughout)
• Explore work from the British Council, Wilton Park, and FCO on public diplomacy

This summary is designed to provide the depth, flow, and nuance of the episode for those unable to attend or listen, structuring content for clarity and future reference while preserving the speakers’ own language and emphases.