Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed Mohammed Al Ansari (right) speaking during the conference, yesterday.
Doha: Katara Public Diplomacy Center (KPDC) in cooperation with Qatar University (QU) Gulf Studies Center organised ‘Public Diplomacy in the Arab Gulf States: Policies and Practices’ conference at the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) Drama Theatre which concluded yesterday.
Dr. Majed Mohammed Al Ansari, Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed the opening session entitled ‘Thoughts and Reflections on Qatar’s Experience in Public Diplomacy”, which discussed Qatar’s interest in using public diplomacy in its foreign policy and the existence of a difference between the concepts of public diplomacy and soft power.
Dr. Al Ansari said, “As part of our outreach programmes for think tanks, research centres, universities working together aim mainly at reaching the goal of affective public diplomacy. Qatari charities, NGOs and the State have been paying a lot in humanitarian relief in various places. We are working with the international community to be visible and I think we are making strides in that.”
Speaking about the informal initiatives, he said, “Qatar has succeeded in promoting Qatari concepts, including the cultural year, through which the culture of Qatar was presented to other people. Many things can be done for specific communities for promoting Qatari values and society and one of the things is hosting of mega events internationally which has started since the mid-nineties of the last century.”
Citing example of Doha Forum, Dr. Al Ansari noted that it brings together thought-leaders, policy makers, researchers and academics to tackle shared challenges and discuss solutions and opportunities.
The forum provided platform for mediation and dialogue between various parties.
He further discussed the importance of sports as tool of public diplomacy. “We have been hosting international events such as Asian Games, FIFA World Cup, recognising different communities in sports. Our investment in international sports clubs, unions, and leagues has given us exposure in this side also. All this can be lumped together under public diplomacy umbrella. These activities among others are some examples of how the State perceives its position.”
The two-day conference witnessed the presentation of 30 papers and working papers on the new trends and practices of public diplomacy, as well as its overlaps with other fields such as culture, education, health, sports, humanitarian and relief aid.
The conference also reviewed the Qatari experience in public diplomacy and its modern methods in the Arab Gulf states.
