From Public Diplomacy to Knowledge Diplomacy

Transcription

1 From Public Diplomacy to Knowledge Diplomacy International Education Research Network International Education Association of Australia Round Table October 18, 2016 Melbourne Jane Knight Ontario Institute for Studies in Education University of Toronto, Canada

2 Key Questions What is the role of IHER (Int Higher Ed and Research) in strengthening international relations? and What is the role of international relations in strengthening IHER?

3 Principle Premise From Public Diplomacy Knowledge Diplomacy Public Diplomacy is the use of multiple actors and involves foreign publics in the building and managing of international relations. Knowledge diplomacy is the use of education, knowledge creation, sharing and use to build and manage relations between and among countries

4 Context of Challenge and Change We live in a more interconnected and interdependent world with complex challenges --climate change, poverty, inequities, terrorism, political unrest, refugees, natural disasters Higher education and research is changing- new networks, partners, forms of mobility, and research collaboration Diplomacy- building and managing relations between and among countries is being transformed.

5 Changes in Diplomacy From Classical to Contemporary Classical Gov t to gov t through Dept of Foreign Affairs Focus on national security and economic competitiveness Use of agreements, summits, treaties Contemporary Multi-actor: other govt depts, civil society, private sector Importance of hearts and minds of foreign public Broader set of issues- climate change, health, human rights New forms of diplomacy- Theme based- public, cultural, health, science and technology, environment Strategies- new media, track II (expert networks), pandas

6 Public Diplomacy and Cultural Diplomacy Int Higher Ed usually seen through lens of public and cultural diplomacy Focus on attracting the hearts and minds of foreign publics through - student and scholar exchange, language training, cultural and sporting events, new forms of IHE With public diplomacy comes the idea of Soft power Soft power ( Nye, 2004) ability to influence others and achieve national self-interests through attraction and persuasion IHE commonly referred to as a tool of soft power

7 Is a Diplomacy approach most appropriate? Past decade many references to IHE as soft power Fulbright Program, Erasmus Mundus, DAAD projects, student and staff mobility Is a Power framework the most appropriate for IHE? or An appropriate framework for IHER

8 Power Paradigm -- Diplomatic Framework Power Framework Key concepts Dominance Authority Control Supremacy Competitiveness Diplomatic Framework Key concepts Negotiation Mediation Communication Representation Collaboration Self interests Self interests

9 Is Public Diplomacy appropriate Does public diplomacy capture the extent and intent of IHER activities? Collaborative research networks and projects Joint and double degree programs Education hubs- zone, city and country levels Int and regional centres of excellence Policy mobility- QAA, credit systems, qualification recognition Bi-national and joint universities International innovation centres In addition to scholar, student and staff mobility

10 Knowledge Diplomacy The contribution of education and knowledge creation, sharing and use to building and managing international relations and engagement between and among countries Reciprocal- two way process The contribution that international relations and engagement makes to strengthening higher education and research at local, national, regional and global levels

11 Components of Knowledge Diplomacy Knowledge diplomacy includes Education and Training Research Innovation Culture These components reflect a more comprehensive approach than public diplomacy Limits of the concept of Education Diplomacy

12 Role of Knowledge Diplomacy (KD) Global challenges and opportunities can not only be met by single nations only. In the knowledge society, IHER through KD has a role to play to address local, national and global issues recognizing the importance of mutuality of benefits.

13 Challenges and unintended consequences Knowledge is power and can become a force of competition, dominance and widen the knowledge divide. Will the intention and operationalization of KD be used to advance national self-interest without limiting the prospects of others? Diversity of values, priorities, needs, resources among countries. Values matter- exchange-collaboration- mutual but different benefits, reciprocity

14 From Public Diplomacy Knowledge Diplomacy Public Diplomacy is the use of multiple actors and involves foreign publics in the building and managing of international relations. Knowledge diplomacy is the use of education, knowledge creation, sharing and use to build and manage relations between and among countries

15 Q & A Thank you jane.knight@utoronto.ca J Knight 2014