Public diplomacy plays a crucial role in the promotion of a fair and democratic order. Some of the benefits of employing public diplomacy to expand a democratic and equitable international order include:
- Countering negative propaganda and increasing awareness: Public diplomacy possesses the capacity to rectify misinformation and foster constructive dialogue. It also enhances people’s understanding of global realities.
- Promoting democratic values and countering authoritarianism: Public diplomacy serves as a mechanism to disseminate and fortify democratic values such as freedom of expression, the rule of law, and human rights on a global scale. By presenting diverse perspectives and providing access to free information, public diplomacy can counter narratives of authoritarianism.
- Strengthening civil society and civic participation: Through public diplomacy, non-governmental organizations and civil activists receive support, thereby reinforcing the foundations of democracy. It also encourages citizen participation in democratic processes by involving them in international dialogues.
- Transparency and accountability: Public diplomacy aids in fostering transparency within governments and international institutions through the exchange of information and ideas, which are fundamental principles of a democratic order.
- Global solidarity and peaceful conflict resolution: Public diplomacy contributes to the strengthening of global solidarity by fostering cultural and social ties, which are crucial for addressing shared challenges in a global democratic order. Additionally, it promotes dialogue and understanding among nations, which are essential for the maintenance of peace and stability within a democratic order (Best Diplomats, 2023, https://shorturl.at/YkBPg).
This article delves into Iran’s most significant initiatives in promoting a democratic and equitable international order through public diplomacy. These initiatives include utilizing international media, engaging with civil societies and academia, employing cultural diplomacy, supporting social and political movements, as well as leveraging digital diplomacy.
Utilizing International Media
Iran employs international television networks, such as Press TV and Al-Alam, as significant tools in its public diplomacy. Press TV, established in 2007, broadcasts in English and aims to present Iran’s perspective on global and regional issues (PressTV, 2024, https://shorturl.at/WQJz7). This network seeks to provide global audiences with an alternative narrative to that presented by Western media. Al-Alam, Iran’s Arabic-language news network, also plays a crucial role in conveying Iran’s views to the Arab world (Alalam, 2024, http://www.alalam.ir/). This network specifically focuses on West Asian issues and endeavors to reflect Iran’s perspective on regional developments.
Moreover, Iran utilizes other media platforms, such as news agencies (like IRNA and Mehr), and news websites in various languages. The goal of these efforts is to present an alternative narrative of global and regional events, critique Western policies, particularly those of the United States, and advocate for a more equitable world order. These media outlets frequently address topics such as injustices in the international system, criticism of unilateral policies by major powers, and support for the rights of developing countries. They also strive to portray an accurate image of Iran and its domestic and foreign policies.
Engaging with Civil Society and Academia
Iran is committed to actively engaging with civil society organizations and academic institutions around the world. This approach is founded on the belief that fostering communication with intellectual and academic elites is instrumental in fostering a more comprehensive understanding of Iran’s perspectives on the international stage. A key component of this endeavor involves organizing scientific meetings and academic conferences. On occasion, Iran extends invitations to foreign professors and researchers to participate in these scientific symposiums held within Iran. These events serve as valuable platforms for exchanging ideas and presenting Iran’s perspectives within an academic setting.
In addition, student and faculty exchange programs play a crucial role in this strategy. Iran has established programs that welcome foreign students, with a particular emphasis on those from Muslim and developing countries. Furthermore, several Iranian universities have forged cooperative agreements with foreign counterparts, encompassing faculty and student exchanges. Iran also provides support for Iranian studies centers at foreign universities, where the Iranian language, culture, and history are extensively researched. These centers contribute significantly to promoting a more nuanced understanding of Iran within foreign academic environments (Tehran Times, 2023, https://shorturl.at/yTfK7). This engagement serves as a foundation for advancing a just and democratic international order, aligning with the pursuit of new world order ideals within this context.
Using Cultural Diplomacy
Iran leverages its rich cultural and historical heritage as a powerful tool for public diplomacy. This strategic approach is grounded in the belief that culture can serve as a bridge to connect with people from other nations and foster a positive perception of Iran and Islamic culture. A key component of Iran’s cultural diplomacy is the organization of art exhibitions, which are often hosted in prestigious museums worldwide. These exhibitions showcase a wide array of Iranian artworks spanning various historical periods. The primary objective of these exhibitions is to highlight the cultural abundance of Iran and Islam, while piquing the interest of foreign audiences in Islamic culture of Iran.
Another integral aspect of Iran’s cultural diplomacy is its active participation in film festivals. Iranian films enjoy a notable presence in international festivals and have even garnered significant accolades. This presence not only serves as a means to introduce Iranian cinema to a global audience but also offers a glimpse into Iranian society and culture. Moreover, Iran arranges cultural events such as cultural weeks, traditional music concerts, and handicraft exhibitions in other countries (Tehran Times, 2024, https://shorturl.at/anjEn). These events provide a valuable opportunity to acquaint foreign audiences with various facets of Iranian culture. By employing cultural diplomacy, developing countries can showcase the significance of their own culture within the context of international cultures, thereby promoting a more equitable international order.
Supporting Social and Political Movements
Iran provides support to select social and political movements in other nations that share Tehran’s ideologies. This support can manifest in various forms, including political endorsements, media backing, and financial as well as logistical aid. One prominent example of this approach is Iran’s assistance to Palestinian resistance groups. Iran perceives this support as an integral part of its commitment to the Palestinian cause and its opposition to Israel. Such assistance encompasses financial backing, educational resources, and the provision of arms to certain Palestinian factions.
In Lebanon, Iran offers support to Hezbollah, portraying it as a resistance movement against Israel. This support entails financial, military, and political assistance.
Moreover, Iran extends its support to certain Shia and Muslim groups across different countries. This backing can be interpreted as part of Iran’s endeavor to foster a more equitable regional order and to stand by Muslim communities. While the Islamic Republic of Iran offers such support with the aim of promoting a just and democratic world order, it is criticized by certain nations, particularly the United States and its regional allies. However, the legitimacy of such support has become increasingly evident in recent years, as public opinion in Western countries has also come to support the claims of groups, such as Palestinian organizations, to assert their rights.
Utilization of Digital Diplomacy
In recent years, Iran has utilized social media and online platforms to effectively communicate its messages. This approach enables direct engagement with global audiences. Notable examples of this strategy include:
- Presence of political officials on Twitter: Prominent political figures, such as Mohammad Javad Zarif, the former Iranian Foreign Minister, actively utilize Twitter to express Iran’s positions and engage with a wide range of global audiences. Zarif’s Twitter account boasts over 1.5 million followers (Javad Zarif, 2024, https://x.com/JZarif).
- Utilization of Instagram: Certain Iranian officials employ Instagram as a means of communication with both domestic and foreign audiences. This platform allows them to effectively convey their perspectives.
- Multilingual websites: Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other governmental institutions maintain websites in multiple languages, through which they disseminate official news and viewpoints from Iran.
- Hashtag campaigns: Iran occasionally launches hashtag campaigns on social media platforms to draw attention to its positions. For instance, the hashtag #JCPOA gained widespread usage during the nuclear negotiations.
These endeavors in digital diplomacy enable Iran to promptly and directly communicate its messages to global audiences. However, there are challenges, such as the filtering of certain platforms within Iran. Digital diplomacy serves as a platform for Iran to promote a democratic and equitable international order, as Tehran has sought to export its revolutionary messages to global audiences since the inception of the Islamic Revolution. These messages align with the promotion of global justice and support for the oppressed.
Conclusion
The Islamic Republic of Iran employs several strategies to promote a fair and democratic international order, one of which is public diplomacy. Tehran utilizes various methods to effectively carry out public diplomacy. This includes using international media outlets such as Press TV and Al-Alam, as well as news agencies, to spread its message. Iran also engages with civil societies and academia to advance its objectives. Additionally, Iran draws upon its rich cultural heritage, which is deeply rooted in Islamic traditions, to advocate for a more equitable international order. By incorporating cultural and Islamic elements, Iran effectively extends its influence in this context. Furthermore, Tehran has demonstrated its commitment to supporting a fair democratic order through active support for Palestinian movements and Hezbollah. The use of social media platforms and online channels like Twitter, Instagram, and multilingual websites is also viewed as an important avenue for public diplomacy in promoting a just order.
References
- Best Diplomats (2023), The Concept of Public Diplomacy In the 21st Century, Accessible at: https://shorturl.at/YkBPg
- PressTV (2024), What Press TV Is, Accessible at: https://shorturl.at/WQJz7
- Alalam (2024), About Al-Alam TV channel, Accessible at: http://www.alalam.ir/
- Atlantic Council (2023), Iran joining the SCO isn’t surprising, But Beijing’s promotion of illiberal norms in Eurasia should get more attention, Accessible at: https://cl.gy/MHqEc
- Tehran Times (2023), Iran spends $335m a year on foreign students, Accessible at: https://shorturl.at/yTfK7
- Tehran Times (2024), Iran to celebrate Handicrafts Week with special programs, Accessible at: https://shorturl.at/anjEn
- Javad Zarif (2024), @JZarif, Accessible at: https://x.com/JZarif