RENEWING DIPLOMACY

The Danish Foreign Service faces major challenges in the 21st century.

Globalisation has led to a loss of distinction between domestic and foreign politics, with the nation state reduced to being just one player among many on the global scene. This trend will continue in the coming years. At the same time, states, companies and civil societies are coming ever closer to each other. And that makes new demands on the foreign service.

“In the 21st century we must still be adept at using the traditional diplomatic tools which ensure our good relations with the governments of other countries,” says Denmark’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Per Stig Møller. “But we must do a lot more besides. Globalisation poses such major challenges that traditional diplomatic tools are insufficient.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Per Stig Møller: “Globalisation poses such major challenges that traditional diplomatic tools are insufficient”

New networks
“Diplomacy must listen to popular opinion abroad and in Denmark. We must watch educational trends, market forces, media and religious movements. We must establish networks among opinion formers, both abroad and in Denmark, to collect information and impressions, but also to influence and be part of setting the agenda. Naturally we must continue to have close contacts with the governments of other countries and official organisations, but at the same time we must prioritise contacts with political opponents, the corporate sector, universities and all the non-governmental players who are becoming increasingly influential on the global scene. Altogether we must be geared to see a more complete picture of those societies in which we are represented, and also actively communicate Danish views and values.”

Globalisation is not a new phenomenon says Per Stig Møller. But globalisation is growing rapidly and this is causing a blurring of the boundaries between domestic and foreign politics.

“Because of globalisation, domestic political issues in one part of the world might be regarded as foreign political issues in another. We saw it in the cartoons case and with the terrible Tsunami disaster which hit large areas of south eastern Asia. This made immediate demands on the foreign services of many countries – demands which turned out to be difficult to fulfil. On that occasion, we also learned that diplomacy needs to be even more open and more capable of decisive action for the benefit of our citizens.”

Fighting protectionism It is in the cross-field between politically and economically directed globalisation, and the more uncontrolled, technological and popularly influenced globalisation, that Per Stig Møller wants to make a difference.

“In the political and economic area we must influence developments by fighting protectionism and braking down trade barriers,” he says. “We are seeing many signs that a new, powerful protectionism is forming in many places around the world. If it is allowed to spread, it will prevent us all from reaping the benefits of a fair globalisation process. Protectionism and global terrorism are unfortunately the shadow of globalisation. We must take both matters very seriously. As a small country with a very open economy, Denmark is completely dependent on its relations with other countries. So we must try our hardest to help keep globalisation on track. It also means that we must make a special effort for the group of poor countries which have not yet seen any advantages of globalisation. We must work with shared ground rules and international laws laid down by major international organisations and communities, and we must make an effort for all countries to reap the advantages of globalisation.”

FOREIGN SERVICE: The challenges of globalisation are of such dimensions that the traditional diplomatic tools of the Danish Foreign Service are insufficient. Diplomacy must be geared to listen to popular opinion.

Internationally active “Regarding technological developments and the balance in society, we must help and create opportunities rather than limitations. It is inevitable that individuals, companies and the structure of society itself will be exposed to intense pressure as a result of globalisation – culturally, doctrinally, economically and socially. It is important that we are flexible and open to the opportunities which present themselves both at home and abroad. Globalisation means that an increasing number of Danish citizens are outside Denmark – either in jobs, in education, on holiday or as pensioners – just as more foreign citizens and people with other ethnic backgrounds than Danish will be in Denmark. It makes greater demands on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs both in the shape of service to citizens and in cultivating good networks which transcend borders.”

“Denmark must be an active player on the international scene,” concludes the Minister for Foreign Affairs Per Stig Møller. “We must be prepared to engage in the international debate on global issues, we must apply our influence and make our mark when it matters, and we must help to preserve peace and promote exports. In order to be able to do that, an efficient diplomatic service is required which is prepared to take up the challenges of globalisation – both for the benefit of our own citizens and for global society.”