Deep-lomacy #14

A “Do it Yourself” guide for creating your own diplomatic initiative / Arik Segal
Technological developments and globalization gave new actors an opportunity to play a meaningful role in international politics. Among those are also non-state actors such as ngo’s and individuals who have an interest and passion to influence international relations.
In this article Arik will share his experience in designing and implementing an international initiative that engages unofficial and official diplomacy. It is a short history of a project Arik established ten years ago - the “Turkish-Israeli Civil Society Forum” (TICSF)
Step one: Find an unmet diplomatic need and co-founders
When the Israeli-Turkish crisis peaked following the Marmara incident in 2010, it was clear for me that there was a need to fix relations between both peoples. At the same time and just by chance, I met a former high-level Turkish diplomat who shared the same views. Realizing that the need was imminent, both of us looked for partner organizations in Israel and Turkey that can help them sponsor and develop it further. After a while, I found that the Jerusalem and Istanbul offices of the German Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty were interested to support the idea of Israeli-Turkish cooperation and serve as a “third party”.
Step two: Recruit a team of superheroes
As the idea was slowly forming, I started searching for professionals that will be interested in joining the core team that will assist in the development of the idea. Since such role is usually unpaid, interested team members must have a vested professional interest, or a strong belief in the importance of the cause (preferably both). It is also important that team members have the capacity and willingness to expend and develop the initiative outside its original framework: create more connections with relevant stakeholders, look for resources and expose it through their networks.
Step three: Research, focus and structuralize
When both teams were established it was time to meet. The first meeting was held in Istanbul in 2011 and turned out to be a complete disaster. The teams found little common ground and saw little interest to develop the initiative. Nevertheless, we did not give up and when the political climate improved, we had a breakthrough in a series of other meetings we held in Tel Aviv and Istanbul between 2013 and 2016. The most important output of our meetings was the understanding that a mechanism that can connect both Israeli and Turkish civil societies was missing. This insight was revealed to us through two extensive research projects we conducted. We decided to establish such a mechanism that will include annual “matchmaking” seminars to which we invite Turkish and Israeli Ngo’s to meet and collaborate. In addition, we decided to build a website and open social media accounts.
Step four: Find your comparative advantage
The traditional role of establishing and developing inter-state relations relies on official diplomacy. What value could we bring which the Israeli and Turkish Ministries of Foreign Affairs did not bring? Since the TICSF is not an official state initiative, it is easier for some organizations and institutions to be affiliated with it and gives us freedom to work even when official ties brake. In addition, working outside the lines of official diplomacy entails less restrictions, less bureaucracy and allows more flexibility and creativity.
Step five: Connect with official diplomacy
Although unofficial diplomacy has its advantages, to make it more influential it is essential connect it with official diplomacy. When the TICSF grow bigger and once we had online presence, I contacted the Israeli Ministry of Foreign affairs and presented the initiative. The MFA saw it relevant and interesting and started developing a close professional relationship which translated into collaboration and participation of the MFA staff in our events and meetings.
Step six: Keep going, evolve and adjust
The development of the TICSF was not completely smooth. Diplomacy has its own pace and there are many hurdles along the way: political tensions, lack of resources, miscommunications, losing momentum and more. Despite the difficulties a strong spirit of belief is imperative. The international environment keeps changing and it is important to evolve and to adjust to keep the original idea relevant.
The TICSF recently celebrated 10 years. We did not fix relations between Israeli and Turkey, but we established a strong mechanism that helped connect several Israeli and Turkish organizations and institutions. We have an active website, Facebook page and Twitter account where we frequently receive messages from individuals interested to support Israeli-Turkish rapprochement. The path we made so far can support Israeli Turkish relations and serve as a case study for anyone interested to develop a DIY diplomatic initiative.

Arik Segal is the founder of Conntix, a consultancy that connects people and nations using technology and innovation. He is a lecturer at IDC Herzliya and leading several unofficial diplomatic and conflict resolution initiatives.