The Role Of Parliamentarians In Promoting Public Diplomacy In Myanmar

Myanmar is a unitary presidential constitutional republic and has faced many gaps in the field of diplomacy because of its isolation for many years.The country did not have a parliament for over 50 years.Parliament reestablished in 2011 along with a number of reforms.At present,the role of the Parliament has been more recognized by the people as the main institution in the democratic reform process of the country and that it plays a vital role in the development of the country.This thesis is intended to contribute to a more comprehensive view of the concept of public diplomacy that will help to develop a national image with national branding strategies.The term ?public diplomacy? was widely introduced as a mechanism of soft power after the 9/11 attack and the outbreak of war in Iraq and is well known in the practice of diplomacy in foreign affairs.Public diplomacy can be defined as “white propaganda/ information”,or the promotion of an opinion using known sources and characterized by the use of gentle persuasion.The thesis consists of five chapters.Chapter one is the introduction and discusses the concept of public diplomacy,theories and historical background of public diplomacy and how public diplomacy and nation branding are related to each other.The origin of the theory and practice of public diplomacy was first expressed as a ?particularly American term? rather than nation branding used by the British when it evolved from European root and request with a clear British influence.It was first used and defined by Edmund Gullion,a former Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1965.He stated that “Public diplomacy deals with the influence of public attitudes on the formation and execution of foreign policies”Although public diplomacy has traditionally evolved through one-way communication with foreign populations in the Post-Cold War era,it has now become a method of two-way communication to influence both domestic and foreign audiences in the 21 st Century.One of the main actors in promoting public diplomacy in a country are policy makers who are essential for dealing with determining domestic and international issues that could affect the national interest.The second chapter deals with the structure of the Myanmar Parliament,its development and involvement in international relations,and in what way Parliamentarians can capture the attitudes of the foreign and domestic public.In line with the 2008 Constitution,the formation of the Union Parliament(Pyidaungsu Hluttaw)comprises two parliaments;the House of Nationalities(Amyotha Hluttaw)and the House of Representatives(Pyithu Hluttaw)which were reestablished on 31 st January,2011.Since then,it has actively participated in the regional and international community with organizations such as ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly(AIPA)and the Inter-parliamentary Union(IPU).In addition,assistance from domestic and international donors is focused on improving the capacity of both Parliamentarians and staff of the Myanmar Parliament by conducting online courses,improving library services,induction programs,research and ICT training courses and other support program.The third chapter addresses the core question of the research by analyzing the role of Parliamentarians in promoting public diplomacy in Myanmar.This involves a review of the current achievement of public diplomacy in Myanmar,how the development of foreign policy can formulate public diplomacy and the efforts of Parliamentarians in mobilizing the public for promoting public diplomacy.It notes that one of the important factors in promoting public diplomacy in the country is that public opinion is very valuable for the development of foreign policy.Chapter four examines the challenges faced by Parliamentarians in building social consensus for promoting public consensus and how Myanmar faces challenges in image building with other countries.It also looks at best practices from the US,China and Singapore in developing and using public diplomacy.Finally,chapter five provides conclusion and recommendations.