Digital Diplomacy
This blog discusses the findings from, "Digital Diplomacy – Understanding Islam Through Virtual Worlds," by Rita J. King and Joshuah S. Fouts. It can be found at: http://bit.ly/a3oIp0.
Digital Diplomacy, also known as Public Diplomacy 2.0, refers to interactive environments though the virtual world. Virtual interactions, while they involve real people, do not involve physical contact and therefore provide a medium for exploring productive ways to channel conflict without the threat of violence and intimidation (p. 7).
Digital Diplomacy can include interactions through a multitude of sites such as, Twitter, Skype, Facebook, blogs and Second Life. This report focuses on the virtual world, Second Life. When this report was released in December 2008, there were 16 million registered users on Second Life from all over the world.
Why is Second Life so popular?
Second Life allows people from different backgrounds to contribute to meaningful conversations on “religion, society, and democratic coexistence,” (p.8). Virtual worlds allow for organic development of discussions regarding all facets of life and society, and create a interactive venue for all of this to occur.
The State Department has been utilizing such communication techniques, but not to the extent it can and should be. This initiative needs to be a part of the strategic communications plan (think Edward R. Murrow’s famous line that policy makers should be involved “on the take-offs as well as the landings”). Policymakers need to invest in Digital Diplomacy; it is the new wave of communications. In order to effectively engage Americans with other cultures, there needs to be an understanding of these communications. But a main concern is that not enough money is allotted to public diplomacy initiatives such as this.
There is much value in investing in the arts and cultures. Culture can also be explored through virtual worlds and it has the ability to establish respect and understanding between the U.S. and Muslims around the world.
Many individuals in Second Life have never met a Muslim or even learned about Islam until they interacted with Muslims via Second Life. In virtual worlds, non-Muslims can pose questions to Muslim clerics and scholars, and attend virtual events to learn more about Islam.
Another benefit of Second Life, is that it transcends many societal attributes that could otherwise prohibit one from approaching sensitive topics as religion. Virtual worlds offer people the ability to immerse oneself in another culture. However, it must be noted that virtual worlds cannot and should not replace real-life exchange programs.
I am on Second Life, and recently I visited the Kabaa, in Mecca. It was such a bizarre feeling but amazing at the same time. I was able to meet other Muslims from all over the world and understand more about Islam. I also have the opportunity to now participate in a virtual pilgrimage, or Hajj, to Mecca. In the future I hope to explore other religious sites around the world.
This is a picture of my Avatar standing in front of the Kabaa in Mecca, in Second Life:
