Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

We live in an interconnected world; the connections within this “network society” enable but also constrain our actions. ¹ The dynamics of the multidimensional environment require strategies that can be conducted around numerous hubs, can navigate multiple flows of information, and can engage with the interests pursued by a wide range of communities. The building blocks of a collaborative approach focus on ways to include the multiple dimensions, hubs, and flows of information that combine to form complex operational environments. Public diplomacy in a globalized world embraces networking and collaboration with diverse actors as a fundamental necessity in devising novel solutions to complex problems. No single actor has the answer; it must be generated collaboratively. Public diplomacy is an attempt to change the odds of specific outcomes occurring.