Why some diplomatic events cannot go virtual
May 28, 2021
Not all pandemic-related disruptions can be solved by Zoom video calls. Associate Professor Ian Chong (NUS Political Science) weighs in on the challenges of virtual diplomatic conferences in ‘Why some diplomatic events cannot go virtual’ (The Straits Times, 2021).
A/P Chong highlights the importance of physical presence during high-level conferences such as the annual Shangri-La Dialogue and the World Economic Forum, which was slated to take place in Singapore in August before being recently cancelled. For some, the attendance of diplomats allows them to make a political statement on the issues to be discussed. Others make political statements by ‘duking it out over disagreements’ during question-and-answer sessions or behind closed doors.
A/P Chong also notes that quiet and candid conversations can be more valuable for diplomacy as physical conferences provide the opportunity for informal discussions. Nonverbal and bodily cues allow diplomats to test out ideas and sense the positions of their counterparts, all without giving away too much information. Moreover, security concerns prevent informal exchanges from happening over video calls due to the fears of third parties eavesdropping into private conversations.
These factors lead A/P Chong to believe that future high-level diplomatic conferences will still take place in the flesh.
Read the article here: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/why-diplomatic-events-like-the-shangri-la-dialogue-cannot-go-virtual
