The concept of Citizen Diplomacy

The work of Citizen Diplomacy emphasizes the value of deep relationships between all people, particularly those divided by cultural, religious, ethnic and various identity differences. It is a lifestyle choice of unconditional love for people and a choice to see the inherent value of all people, not a hierarchal perspective of people groups ranging from most valuable to least valuable, which is often how we relate to the world. We often look at people and relationships in terms of the benefit they can offer us (both at an individual level as well as in the political and foreign relations world). Citizen diplomacy is standing as we did yesterday a Christian, a Muslim, and a Jew side-by-side in a church respecting and supporting one another and each worshipping and praying in our own personal fashion. It was a powerful symbol of how love can bring people together in the reality of their differences but with the presence of authentic love and a hopeful vision for a peaceful future in community together. In this field we often find ourselves fixated on the technical work of problem-solving. But we argue that citizen diplomacy instead focuses on the emotion and depth of genuine relationships and envisioning a future for the relationship. This offers a hopeful, optimistic viewpoint of the possibilities as opposed to a purely pragmatic and generally negative focus on the problems. When we stop focusing on how to fix people or situation we will know how to relate and respond.

Citizen diplomats serve as connectors between people groups and link social networks together to influence positive social change. It is also important to consider the ethical dimension of the work. In the field the best of intentions can in fact do harm to communities. If you empower and educate women in a tribal community but do now likewise integrate the men into the work and education then violence may very well erupt against the women. In cases like these practitioners must understand the relationships existing within the community and remember the value of integrating all parties into solutions even those parties one might identity as the "perpetrators" of violence or disempowerment.