It is known that diplomacy, as an instrument of influence of the heads of state and government on the implementation of the goals and objectives of foreign and domestic policy, has always played and still plays an essential role in establishing mutually beneficial relations between countries. And the actual effectiveness of all kinds of diplomatic actions and actions has always been achieved to a large extent thanks to taking into account the results of the efforts of people’s (public) diplomacy, which is understood only as a historically continuous process of communication, mutual knowledge of peoples, development of mutual understanding between them and mutual enrichment of cultures. It is not related to the activities of professionals of the official diplomatic corps. It is carried out by non-governmental entities not associated with government institutions, such as educational, cultural, sports, legal, and public organizations. Including the International Congress for the Protection of the Rights and Freedoms of Citizens “SHIELD,” which I have the honor to lead.
We are constantly convinced that today when nuclear-space and environmental threats hang over humanity, military conflicts arise in different regions of the planet, and people’s democracy is an essential factor in world politics. The world community has come forward and is doing so in our time with many initiatives aimed at ensuring universal security, reducing nuclear weapons, fighting hunger and disease, and strengthening peacekeeping activities. And in my opinion, with the development of technological processes, and the revolution that has taken place in recent years in the field of communications, the role of people’s diplomacy will continuously increase. In particular, in improving political and economic relations between countries, stopping and preventing military conflicts, ensuring interfaith and interethnic harmony, strengthening interethnic relations, in developing cultural and multilingual diversity. It is difficult to overestimate the role of public diplomacy in the fight against terrorism and extremism, as well as against racism and xenophobia.
People’s diplomacy should be based primarily on trust and persuasion. The dialogue of the contracting parties should be based on mutual respect for traditions and national values. It is a comprehensive, balanced dialogue based on common sense, and not gunboat diplomacy, that should underlie the institution of both official and public diplomacy. And this can be achieved with the participation of the general public, the media, charitable non-profit organizations, and famous and authoritative personalities from scientists, writers, artists, artists, athletes, and business people.
I want to finish my reflections with a reminder of the need to involve young people in active participation in public diplomacy. Without this, its further development as an essential tool for influencing the course of political and economic processes on a regional, national, and global scale is impossible.
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