Grassroot Diplomat

Established in 2008 by Talyn Rahman-Figueroa^[1], Grassroot Diplomat is a diplomatic agency that aims to 'bridge the gap between civil society and political leaders'^[2]. Unlike political consultation groups, Grassroot Diplomat does not lobby, provide strategic advice to political parties or manage fundraising campaigns. Instead it provides assistance in strengthening policy-related projects and promoting such projects to relevant government officials and institutional bodies that can make a difference.

The founding principle behind Grassroot Diplomat was to build a culture that values peoples’ interests, and not national or governmental interests.^[3] Its client audience therefore targets members of society without the institutional means, power or influence to express and promote its ideas on how to improve society. This includes individuals, NGOs, or former government officials and Members of Parliament who no longer have the means to implement projects they may have been working on previously.

By utilizing a network of international connections and a group of varied consultants, Grassroot Diplomat offers services including project management, policy research, political and diplomatic liaison, and media marketing outreach.

Background

In recognition of the disconnectedness between individuals and the governments that are meant to serve and represent them, Grassroot Diplomat facilitates a relationship between the most influential members of society and the ordinary citizen - thereby placing the ordinary person at the forefront of political change. ^[4]

By marrying diplomacy and civil society together, Grassroot Diplomat is in a position where it can provide strategies to clients that are looking to reach high-level decision-makers and ensure that the foundation of their project is strong from the outset.^[5]

In this way, Grassroot Diplomat epitomises terms known as “citizen diplomacy” and “public diplomacy”, whereby issues of an international nature are taken upon by members of society who do not necessarily belong to a government.^[6]

Definition: Grassroot Diplomacy

Grassroot diplomacy refers to the political engagement of members of civil society with political leaders on a national and international level. As such grassroot diplomacy facilitates a closer relationship between diplomats and policy-makers, and the people they are meant to represent. ^[7]

Services

Grassroot Diplomat provides a range of services aimed at various groups from NGOs and former politicians, to individuals and students. Its main services aim to boost policy-projects in different ways to give them a strong platform on which to voice it’s agenda and successfully achieve its social goals. These include:

Policy Research
Sustainable Development
Media Marketing
Project Assessment
Content Editorial Review

Grassroot Diplomat also periodically offers Career Coaching Sessions to students and young professional looking for personalised advice on how to build a career in politics, diplomacy, and international affairs in general.^[8]

To encourage corporations to engage with grassroots organisations, Grassroot Diplomat has a Corporate Social Responsibility Programme. Corporates as well as individuals can donate to grassroots projects so they can afford services to help achieve their targets to help their community.

Events

Grassroot Diplomat is involved in organising large events that give recognition to important contributions made to policy and diplomacy by different actors in the political sector.

On the 8th of November 2012, Grassroot Diplomat, will be hosting the annual* Grassroot Diplomat Initiative Awards Ceremony which will give recognition to diplomats and politicians who have, by championing certain causes in different ways, helped ordinary people at a grassroots level. ^[9]

On International Womens’ Day on the 8th of March 2013, Grassroot Diplomat will be organising a conference celebrating ‘Women in Diplomacy’. This will attract hundreds of women from the political, diplomatic and international affairs sector from around the world.

Clients

Grassroot Diplomat’s clients have included

In setting up Grassroot Diplomat Talyn Rahman-Figueroa has also worked with the Minister for Equalities Lynne Featherstone MP, and Nobel Laureate Mohammed Yunus to clear his name against the smear campaign launched against him by the Bangladesh government.

References

External links

[1] Huffington Post

[2] Diplomatic Courier

[bare_url-3] International Politics Energy Culture - 'Grassroot Diplomat: The Power of Relationships

[4] At the Grapevine

[bare_url_a-5] The Next Women - 'Grassroot Diplomat'

[6] The Diplomatic Insight

[internationalpeaceandconflict-7] The New Age of Grassroot Diplomacy

[careergeekblog-8] Career Geek: Grassroot Diplomat

[9] Politics First

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