Blogging or Cultural Diplomacy?

The Thames & the City of London from the Richmond House by Canaletto

Do you blog? Then you just might have a new job title: a Cultural Diplomat.

Milton C. Cummings defined Cultural Diplomacy as being “The exchange of ideas, information, values, systems, traditions, beliefs and other aspects of culture, with the intention of fostering mutual understanding”.

So far, only travellers, teachers and artists are considered cultural diplomats or informal ambassadors; however, if we think about Milton Cummings’ definition then bloggers must be included in the whole concept.

Blogging is an exchange of thoughts, information, values, culture, history, traditions, beliefs, emotions and so much more that it brings people (from all corners of the world) together.
Through blogging we understand that, regardless where they are, people are people who just want, and need, exactly the same things as we do: love, freedom, a job, healthcare, respect, dignity, self-determination, peace, happiness and a future.

The goal of Cultural Diplomacy is to yield long-term benefits (e.g. promoting national interests, building relationships and enhancing socio-cultural understanding) and blogs can do just that.
Does this imply that governments should start using bloggers as informal diplomats/ambassadors? If they don’t yet, they definitely should because blogs are an extremely effective means to promote mutual understanding.

Political parties, religious institutions, the media and other groups tend to shape societal opinions. In order to be successful, they must limit the horizons of people and thus the amount (and quality) of information they receive. However, the Blogosphere expands our horizons: it offers other perspectives of life, of people and of the world. It also complements our personal & travelling experience. It further transmits a sense of humanity, generosity and solidarity. And, finally, the blogosphere builds relationships that can reveal themselves to be vital to all sorts of national interest (e.g. the promotion of tourism, trade and foreign investment). And this is the beauty of the Blogosphere's potential.

It is said that the Patron Saint of Diplomacy is the Archangel Gabriel. Since he is the deliverer of the word of God, a born-communicator and an emissary, I’d say he is also the Patron Saint of Bloggers, when these work as ambassadors.

So, if you promote your nation’s history, gastronomy, art, philosophy and religion; if you promote politics, human & international relations thus, contributing to a peaceful existence through understanding...Are you just a blogger or are you a Cultural Ambassador?