Exploring the act of diplomacy and the implication of communication in good governance

EXPLORING THE

ACT OF DIPLOMACY

& THE IMPLICATION

OF

COMMUNICATION IN

GOOD GOVERNANCE

Dr. Oyewole O. Sarumi

Senior Partner, Teaching & Learning Strategies, Lagos

Tel: 0803 304 1421, E-mail: [email protected]

1 | P a g e Prepared by Dr. Oyewole O. Sarumi Senior Partner, Teaching & Learning Strategies, Lagos


EXPLORING THE ACT OF DIPLOMACY & THE IMPLICATION OF

COMMUNICATION IN GOOD GOVERNANCE Introduction Prevailing views on good governance centre upon concepts of capability, accountability and responsiveness. They focus on the need for the full participation of citizens and civil society actors in governance and are predicated on the effective flow of information and dialogue between citizen, governments and other actors. By situating communication, information dissemination and dialogue as key components of governance, a positive correlation between communication and good governance is tacitly assumed. If the above is going to be effectively done, diplomacy will play an active role as the lubricant to ensure the positive flow of information and dialogue between government, citizen and organisations. Communication plays a number of roles in fostering good governance. It can:

Improve communities’ ability to identify and articulate their needs and to measure government performance.

Improve citizens’ understanding of their rights and build their capacity to engage in public dialogue and public affairs.

Provide citizens with direct information on the performance of government and the information required to hold government to account.

Better communication between citizens and states has also been credited with encouraging government responsiveness to citizens’ demands and resulting in better public services. This communication between citizen and state cannot be realised directly and must be facilitated by intermediary actors.

Creating the ideal public sphere for good governance requires an active and inclusive civil society and a self-regulated, professional media sector; both of which are able to interact effectively with each other and with the state. REVISITING THE CONCEPTS - “Diplomacy”, “Communication” and “Governance” DIPLOMACY The ability to assert your ideas or opinions, knowing what to say and how to say it without damaging the relationship by causing offence. Prerequisites for Successful use of Diplomacy The effective use of diplomacy relies on the following key skills: A high level of common sense, Good judgement and practice, Active listening, Emotional intelligence, Showing empathy, Assertiveness, Rapport and Politeness.

COMMUNICATION Communication plays important role in governance Communication=process of sending information via medium to receiver who sends feedback on information received.



Communication Types: 1.Mass (large segment of receivers) 2.Interpersonal (small segment of receivers) Objectives of Communication - 1.Inform 2.Persuade 3.Resolve 4.Clarify 5.Influence Objectives are two way (Sender/Receiver)

Communication Media

Physical media

Person who is talking can be seen and heard by the audience

Not only hear the messages but also to see body language and feel the climate

Does not need to be two way channel

Especially used when dealing with high concern messages - organizational change or down sizing

Examples of Physical media

Large meetings, town hall meetings

Department meetings (weekly meetings)

Up close and personal (exclusive meetings)

Viral communication or word of mouth Mechanical Media

Second of the two types of communication medium

Written or electronic channels

Used as archives for messages or for giving the big picture and a deeper knowledge

Examples of Mechanical media - Radio/TV, E-mail, Weekly letters or newsletters,

Personal letters, Billboards, Magazines or Newspapers, Social media GOVERNANCE Defining Governance - Governance can be understood as: The rules that regulate the public realm – the space where state as well as economic and societal actors interact to make decisions……and the processes and institutions, both formal and

informal, through which public authority is exercised

Communication Channels

Physical MediaMechanical

Media



The UN-Agency of The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific defines

governance in general as “the process of decision-making and the process by which

decisions are implemented (or not implemented)” (UNESCAP, 2013). The World Bank points out “the capacity of the government to effectively formulate and

implement sound policies” (Worldbank,2013). “Good Governance” Agenda Term emerged in 1990s from growing concerns about governance. “Good Governance” defined as essential to promote development, build capacity, and combat

poverty (e.g. UN, Commission for Africa, DFID, World Bank, Commonwealth Secretariat, etc.) Concept of “good governance” is broad but there is agreement on several key principles Governance Revisited… The United Kingdom Department for International Development (DfID) defines good governance as ―… not just about government. It is also about political parties, parliament, the

judiciary, the media, and civil society. It is about how citizens, leaders and public institutions

relate to each other in order to make change happen.

Explaning Good Governance World Bank: Good governance entails sound public sector management (efficiency, effectiveness, and economy), accountability, exchange and free flow of information (transparency) and a legal framework for development (justice, respect for human rights and liberties).

DFID Good Governance is defined focusing on legitimacy (government should have the consent of the governed), accountability (ensuring transparency, being answerable for actions and media freedom), competence (effective policy making, implementation and service delivery), and respect for law and human rights. Towards Good Governance Good Governance…widely contested terms

Provisionally=process & structure of decision-making & implementation in organizations, states or communities. Good governance includes management of

resources for effectiveness and equitable

distribution.



Governance: Operation of 3 Key Actors –Governance goes beyond government

Good Governance Indicators 1.Voice & Accountability (Democracy, Participation) 2.Political/Organizational/Community Stability and Absence of Violence/Disruption/Resistance 3.Government/Organizational/Community Effectiveness (Service Delivery) 4.Regulatory Quality (Service Delivery) 5.Rule of Law 6.Control of Corruption

Characteristics of Good Governance □ Accountability

□ Key requirement of Good Governance □ Applicable to government, civil society and private sector □ Types : Political, legal, administrative and social accountability □ Components :Answerability, sanction, redress, and system improvement



□ Transparency □ Free flow of information □ Accessibility of information to those affected by decisions taken in governance

process □ Responsiveness

□ Citizen orientation, citizen friendliness □ Timely delivery of services □ Redress of citizen grievances

□ Effectiveness and efficiency □ Optimum use of resources □ Competency and performance of civil servants □ Result orientation

□ Rule of law □ Fair legal framework □ Impartial enforcement machinery □ Independent judiciary

□ Participation □ Cornerstone of Good Governance □ Opportunities for citizens to participate in decision making, implementation and

monitoring of government activities □ Freedom of expression and association, organized civil society

□ Equity and inclusiveness □ All groups, particularly the most vulnerable, have opportunities to improve or

maintain their well being □ Equal opportunities for participation in decision making process

□ Consensus Orientation □ Mediation of different interests in society to reach a broad consensus on

□ What is in the best interest of the whole community □ How this can be achieved



Strategies for Good Governance

□ Reorienting priorities of the state through appropriate investment in human needs, and provision of social safety nets for the poor and marginalized

□ Strengthening state institutions □ Introducing appropriate reforms in the functioning of Parliament and increasing its

effectiveness □ Enhancing civil service capacity through appropriate reform measures that matches

performance and accountability □ Forging new alliances with civil society organisations □ Evolving a new framework for government-business co-operation

Critique of Good Governance

□ Need contextual understanding □ Good Governance – Neo liberal thrust + Globalization

□ Tendency to depoliticize government □ Reduce the art of governing to an apolitical and technical exercise

□ Ambiguous definition of good governance □ ‘Good’ in Good Governance is subjective and is subject to interpretations □ Who defines what is good ?

□ Over emphasis on governance indicators and quantification □ "Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can

be counted“ - Albert Einstein □ Good governance institutions do not guarantee automatic reduction of poverty and

sustainable development □ Tendency to do governance without government

□ PPPs, NGOs (non-state actors) – unaccountable, invisible Communication in Good Governance

1) 1.Creates flow of information between the governors and the governed



2) 2.Promotes dialogue between the governors and the governed 3) 3.Enables the governors to influence opinions, attitudes and behavioural change of the

governed 4) 4.A voice for the governed to be heard by the governors

GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA What we have presently and how they are operating…… for GG

1. Executive President Vice President Cabinet Ministers (FEC) NEC All the MDAs All public employees Others???

2. Legislature The Senate members - 109 The Members of HOR - 360 The Clerks of the 2 Chambers All Standing committees – over 100 Oversight functions of MDAs

3. Judiciary The Supreme Court The Court of Appeal The Federal High Courts The State High Courts The Magistrates/Alikalis The Customary Courts/Sharia Court

4. Auditor General’s

Office Constitutionally independent Operationally dependent on Executive Report submitted via the Executive Limited performance audit – mainly regularity & compliance Delayed submission Audit/ Accounting functions

5. Anti Corruption

Commissions EFCC, ICPC, CCB, CCT etc. Legally independent Dysfunctional/Bounds Inadequate resources Poor human resources Subjugation of rules and policy Lack of political willingness to prosecute

6. Election Commission

(INEC) Constitutionally independent….but? Get funding directly appropriated by the legislature…..but? Lack of capacity to expedite election irregularities REC/National Commissioners post still vacant Lack of Political will, better now…. But?

7. Civil Service

Several cadres & other services Insensitive and bureaucratic Political, unhealthy service conditions for junior cadres Merit is not primary criterion- (Federal Character quota is Alive) No whistle blower’s protection

8. Political Parties About 40 are legally registered. Representation of the people order. There is no compliance of election expense return and even fund source False public disclosure by most parties Funds used illegally – buying votes.

9. Civil Society Growing & vibrant NGO’s role is also increasing Few advocacy/human right groups Environment & Women’s rights groups Some are politically inclined which…….



Many are very weak and without ideology

10. The Media

Over 500 radio/TV stations , over 50 million online, 100 newspapers and magazines

Freedom of press constitutional

There are still restrictive laws….

Media ownership is now more private, but still tribal, sectional…..

Many Reporters without borders….

Use of advertising for revenue generation…….. ……compromise very high……

The FOI Bill ….. Any effect???

11. Politics

Politics is the process of making uniform decisions applying to all members of a group. It also involves the use of power by one person to affect the behavior of another person. Politics usually refers to how a government wants to run its own affairs and how it interacts with other states.

12. Human Rights

Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible. Obstacles of Good governance a) Ignorance b) Corruption, c) Politicization of administration, d) Weak democratic institutions, e) Ineffective parliament, f) Absence of the rule of law and g) Absence of meritocracy etc. Improving Governance through Strategic Communication: The Public Sphere, Media and Civil Society Here, we shall first review the Art of Diplomacy in Effective Communication. It was Lao-Tzu, the Chinese philosopher that said: “Respond intelligently, even to unintelligent treatment.” Diplomacy and Tact are methods used to aid effective communication, especially during negotiation and when attempting to be persuasive or assertive. When deploy appropriately, diplomacy can lead to improved relationships with other people and are a way to build and develop mutual respect, which in turn can lead to more successful outcomes and less difficult or stressful communications. Tact and diplomacy - Skills centred around an understanding of other people and being sensitive to their opinions, beliefs, ideas and feelings. Effective use of such skills comes from being able to



sense accurately what another person is feeling or thinking at any given time and then responding in such a way as to avoid bad feelings or awkwardness, whilst at the same time asserting or reflecting your own ideas and feelings back in a delicate and well-meaning fashion. All people and all communication situations are unique. Developing effective tact and diplomacy skills requires practice and good judgement. These skills are not limited to use in formal communications, such as in the workplace: tact and diplomacy are also important when developing and maintaining friendships, romantic relationships and relationships in the family. We all have to communicate painful or sensitive information at some point in our careers. And, while it's important to tell the truth, we need to think about how we do it. Tact allows us to be honest, while respecting a person's feelings. When we communicate tactfully, we can preserve relationships, build credibility, and demonstrate thoughtfulness. Here we will examine what tact is, and we'll look at how you can develop this important quality.

“Communication is to diplomacy as blood is to the human body. Whenever communication ceases, the body of international politics, the process of diplomacy, is dead, and the result is violent conflict or atrophy”. -Tran, Van Dinh (1987)

Defining Diplomacy or Tact…. …..the ability to assert your ideas or opinions, knowing what to say and how to say it without damaging the relationship by causing offence. Tact is the ability to tell the truth in a way that considers other people's feelings and reactions. It allows you to give difficult feedback, communicate sensitive information, and say the right thing to preserve a relationship. Tact encompasses many things, including emotional intelligence,

respect, discretion, self awareness, thoughtfulness, compassion, subtlety, honesty, diplomacy,

and courtesy. Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy.- Isaac Newton Diplomacy is the art of letting somebody else have your way. - David Frost Why is Tact/Diplomacy Important? The ability to communicate with sensitivity and diplomacy offers many benefits:

1) Tact is important when you have to deliver bad news or provide critical feedback, whether in personal or professional situations.

2) Communicating tactfully strengthens your reputation and builds your credibility. 3) It allows you to preserve existing relationships and build new ones. 4) A tactful approach shows character, maturity, professionalism and integrity. 5) Tact also demonstrates good manners. If you can communicate with grace and

consideration, you'll stand out from the crowd, and you'll get noticed for the right reasons. This can lead to career opportunities.

6) Tact can help you to avoid conflict, find common ground, and allow others to save face. 7) It can therefore be an important asset in negotiations and in conflict resolution.



1. The Public Sphere The public sphere was first conceptualized by Jürgen Habermas (1984) as the locus of free, open and informed public discourse. The public sphere - the locus of discussion and deliberation, where citizens come together to form public opinion, is at the center of participatory approaches to development via democracy. Within this sphere, arguments and reason prevail over status and tradition, allowing decisions to be made through a fair, democratic process. A public sphere adequate to a democratic polity depends upon both quality of discourse and quantity of participation.’ 2. Civil Society Societies with dense networks of civic associations, even if the majority of them are not overtly political, are more likely to have high levels of reciprocal trust and efficacy. Participation in civic associations has been shown to increase trust between citizens, a process that then enhances political self-confidence by improving tolerance and negotiation and problem-solving skills. Civil societies in developing countries in Latin America and Eastern Europe have been credited with democratizing society ‘from below’, while also pressuring authoritarian regimes for change. The role that civil society can and will play depends upon the larger political setting. The importance of state-civil society interaction =>the institutional framework – which exist and flourish. Through effective use of communication strategies, CSOs can cultivate and strengthen a public sphere that holds its government accountable, and facilitates the development of a society. THE MEDIA

What is media? Media is a umbrella term, which covers several medium- print, television, radio, internet, etc. Content wise Media can cover news, entertainment and education. Media And Public Opinion TVs, Radio, political debates, Newspapers’ surveys, Investigations, Web-sites, Blogs, Polls, Facebook, Twitter, etc. are means informing the people about: the main challenges (economic, social, etc. at international/domestic levels), how the government is facing these challenges, how families and citizens are affected by the situation and react to these measures. A nation’s media system is integral in nurturing a well functioning public sphere, and is an invaluable part of good governance because of its promotion of dialogue, its stimulation of a responsive and well-informed civil society, its role as political and governmental watchdog and its agenda-setting function. The World Bank sees free, plural and independent media systems as playing a major role in laying down the institutional infrastructure that enables dialogue and the organization of public interests, both nationally and internationally. Media systems also dictate the framing and agenda setting of information dissemination. Framing is the process through which a particular issue is presented, and can influence will by highlighting certain issues or aspects of an issue, and deemphasizing others.



Agenda setting works much in the same way, and describes the ways that media, public and political agendas influence which issues are considered important. Media and Good Governance Media is most influential institution today The NBC had in the last 20 years licensed 402 operational broadcasters, out of which 123 are privately owned. Over 90 million Nigerians are online. SOCIAL MEDIA - Social Media and Governance

SM=media created by new info technologies

Social because helps people relate

Share personal and official information

Covers distance, space, time and people

Can be measured more effectively

Has feedback: comments, replies, shares, likes

Most important: Facebook, Skype, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Email, Website

Benefits of Social Media

Increase customers

Create awareness of products/services

Test perception of products and services

Grow loyalty (retention) of client base

Clarify existing information/misinformation

Receive feedback on products and services

Convert potential customers (on inquiries)

Promote image of the organization Social Media Ethics/Principles

1) Work with a plan (usually three months) 2) Consistence (message and schedule) 3) Be reliable (offline action same as on-line communication) 4) Keep messages short and effective 5) Use images 6) Share/Multiply/Recruit 7) Time-Space (allow posts to be internalized)

The Role & Implication of Diplomacy & Communication in Good Governance - Diplomacy,

Media & Good Governance Effective Communication involves using tact and diplomacy. Good governance cannot be birth in any nations without the use of diplomacy to communicate to the citizen, relate with CSO and other stakeholders in the polity. Media plays an active and important role in bringing together all parties to speak and to be heard in the public sphere.

Communication Platforms Available: for an Effective Good Governance Government – Citizen, Media to Government, Media to Citizen, Civil Society Organisations to



Citizen, Media to Media, Citizen to Citizen, Government to Stakeholders etc.

NOTE: The medium or channel for these paltforms to be heard is THE MEDIA The Essential Role Of Pluralistic Media To Understand Society

Media analyse and explain to citizens political issues at global, European and domestic level,

Media analyse and explain to politicians and citizens, both:

political situations, and social reactions and behaviours. Pluralistic information: a mediator between politicians and society. Media works, because….

It enjoys credibility, built over years of faith and trust

It is perceived to be – Truthful, Unbiased, Knowledgeable, Having basic humane values, Having a moral universe, Having social responsibility

More reasons, why media is important It informs, It acts as a platform, forms opinion, shapes perceptions, reinforces belief, influences people at the grass roots as well as decision makers, prompts action, can act as a catalyst in a change process, can inflict serious damage on the reputation of a company/individual Why Should Media Play A Role In Governance? In democracy governance needs willingness of the people to be governed. That willingness stems from the feeling that it is for their good. For that feeling, information is essential, Media can provide information, shape perception and influence. It has a stake in doing this. Its survival as an independent entity depend on this. It is also its source of power. WHAT ROLES MEDIA CAN PLAY IN GOVERNANCE?

Media as a Watchdog o It is said that sunshine is the best disinfectant. o That somebody is watching me- is the best deterrent to lot of social maladies like

corruption

Media as an Informer o Democracy implies participative governance, and it is media that informs people

about various problems of society, which makes those wielding power on their behalf answerable to them.

Media as a Platform o People can participate in governance o Air their grievances

Media as an Enabler o Media increases people’s access to information. Information that brings them

power and prosperity. o consumption and Development

Media as a Public sphere o Media as a Public sphere o People can air and share their ideas. o Issues can be discussed.



o Socially responsible journalism is a struggle to gain public space within the private sphere.

“In the present Nigerian context, media plays an important role in the exertion of power and distribution of values”. How can Media play its role in governance effectively? Media should be: Positive Proactive and

Informed [PPI]. This is called the PPI role of media in governance. What can be done to help Media play its role in governance? We should consider Media as an ally and provider of information for dissemination and don’t try to hide/mislead. Effective Communication for Good Governance 1. Is planned 2. Achieves objectives 2. In language understood by receivers 3. Use appropriate medium for receivers 4. Enable feedback and evaluation 5. Be integrated (mix communication channels) Development Communication – This is what Communicating Diplomatically should birth… Development Communication – the art and science of human communication applied to the speedy transformation of a country and the mass of its people from poverty to a dynamic state of economic growth that makes possible greater social equity and the larger fulfillment of the human potential. Goals of DevComm…

Dynamic state of economic growth

Greater social equality

Larger fulfillment of the human potential – desire to achieve a constant evolution towards perfection.

What DevComm is not…

Publicity per se

Mass communication alone

Just a slideset, leaflet, or a seminar

Source-oriented but audience-oriented

Only an exercise of profession but a commitment to social goals Lent’s Perspective – In 1977, He maintains that Development Communication can both be the government’s LAPDOG or WATCHDOG. Our understanding of development communication is that it is a discipline, which makes use of various communication media and materials to educate and motivate the community to change, as well as initiating research and applying scientific methods to be able to analyze all aspects of a development problem. Focusing on the people as its end-user or intended beneficiaries, it is capable of achieving its goals and accomplishing change in a shorter time what normally takes years to do so.



Conclusion Flexibility, which was always the trademark of diplomacy, provides the hope that diplomacy will not only adapt to new challenges but will also be helpful both for states and other new actors on the international scene, in their efforts to create a better world for the twenty-first century. The purpose of government is to protect and serve the people being governed, to insure that they enjoy the basic rights and freedoms needed to live useful, fulfilled lives. Effective communication spiced with diplomacy is a great instrument to help in the cultivation of good governance culture. REFERENCE LIST CONSULTED 1) Agere, S. (2000). Promoting good governance. Commonwealth Secretariat, London. 2) Natascha Zeitel-Bank. Good Governance And Political Communication In The EU. World Bank.

(2013). The Worldwide Governance Indicators WWGI). Retrieved from http://info.worldbank.org /governance/wgi/index.asp.

3) UK DfID CommGAP Working Paper on: “Communication For Good Governance”. From [email protected]

4) KPMG. Communications and Governance -Lessons from the Governance and Transparency Fund. DEVELOPMENT IN PRACTICE: International Development Advisory Services (IDAS) AFRICA. Impact Paper 6, February 2012

5) The Role of Communication in Governance. An output from a project entitled "ICD Knowledge Sharing and Learning Programme". The work was carried out by members of the Gamos Consortium. www.ic4dev.org/

6) Fr. Cornelio Lagerwey. Introduction to Development Communication. Retrieved from http://cfamedia.org/main/?p=2427

7) Vladimir Petrovsky. Diplomacy as an instrument of good governance. From Modern Diplomacy. Ed by J. Kurbalija (1998)

8) Ephraim Okoro. The Media, Development Communication, and Governance in Nigeria: The Press for National Integration. Culled from http://hrmars.com/hrmars_papers/

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Exploring the act of diplomacy and the implication of communication in good governance