Digital Diplomacy as an Emerging Tool to International Negotiations

Cordero, Edshi-Lee A.

Malapad, Kathleen Grace C.

Marcos, Julie Anne D.

Reyes, Lairi T.

IR-456

Interview Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on Digital Diplomacy in your work application? - It is very important.

2. Do you think Digital Diplomacy is a new tool for achieving traditional diplomatic goals or a new

form of diplomacy? It is both.

3. How does going digital affect your work performance? It makes performance more efficient and

effective.

4. What digital platforms do you consider at work? Mainly we use our own Embassy website, and

Facebook Page.

5. Social Media is said to be the most effective tool because of its reach to the general public. Do you

agree? Yes.

6. Do you think Social Media an effective tool for Official purpose? Yes.

7. Who are you trying to reach through social media? Other embassies? The national press? The

local population? (1) Overseas Filipinos as first priority, (2) Local Population, (3) National Press,

(4) Other Embassies

8. How does traditional diplomacy differ from digital diplomacy in term of international

negotiations and relations? International Negotiations and Relations still mainly rely on

Traditional face-to-face ways of meeting.

9. The greatest difference between Traditional Diplomacy and Social Media mediated diplomacy is

direct contact with the audiences. Do you think it is important to respond to what your followers

write on social media? Yes

10. Has feedback from the public been positive so far? Yes. What did you learn from the replies
received? That the public appreciates immediate responses.

11. Has the medium changed the message? Yes. Or does Digital Diplomacy bring with it a new sort

of message? Yes.

12. How is Digital Diplomacy practiced at the Embassy level? We have an official website and FB

Page. I also have my own FB and Twitter accounts, which are semi-official. Department level?

DFA has an official website and twitter account.

13. What are the advantages in using Digital Diplomacy to international negotiations? You get more

information about the other side, and may even help to influence outcomes.

14. What are the challenges encountered in using Digital Diplomacy to international negotiations? It

is still not the main channel for international negotiations.

15. How does the Embassy/Department (DFA) cope with the said challenges? As DD is not the main

channel for negotiations, we still focus on Traditional Diplomacy for negotations.

16. Does Digital Diplomacy enhance diplomatic relations and international negotiations among states?

How? Can you cite a specific case? Yes, by providing a way for the publics of both sides to share

their views. For example, many citizens are concerned about Climate Change, they have urged

their governments to be more visionary in their negotiations with the UN Framework Convention

on Climate Change negotiations.

17. Are there any plans or strategies of the government that will help legitimize Digital Diplomacy in

the Philippines? I am not sure what you mean by legitimize

18. What can the government, particularly the Department of Foreign Affairs, do to help train

ambassadors, diplomats, Foreign Service officers etc. in using Digital Diplomacy in the

Philippines? More training and encourangement.

 19. How does Digital Diplomacy change the landscape of Traditional Diplomacy? It allows the public,

media, etc to have more input in diplomacy.

20. What is the future of Digital Diplomacy? Where are we headed? It is becoming more and more

important, and will be increasingly used for official purposes.

GENERAL COMMENT: Your questions are too vague, you need to be more specific and really define

what you mean by Digital Diplomacy.