The future of Saudi digital diplomacy considering the current international transformations: The International Communication Center as a model, a quantitative and qualitative study

The most ideal way to predict and judge the future begins from observing the present, and recognizing its issues. This is the reason behind this Thesis which is outlining the features of Digital Diplomacy’s future in Saudi Arabia, and displaying the role that the Kingdom can play to positively influence other nations and countries through technology. This paper also studies the impact of the current international shifts on the future of Digital Diplomacy. It also aims to predict the future of the Saudi Digital Diplomacy by implementing it at the Center for International Communication through studying the current state of the Saudi Digital Diplomacy, and highlighting the differences in those of statistical significance among the average responses of the participants who are professionals in the Saudi Digital Diplomacy and who work at the Center for International Communication. This paper has used the quantitative and qualitative research method using the Delphi estimation technique to exclude opinions (11) of professionals in the Digital Diplomacy field in two rounds. In addition, personal interviews were arranged for those who work at the Center for International Communication. The results of this research regarding the future plans of the Center for International Communication indicated an establishment of a “Soft Power Council” which specializes in promoting soft powers and applying Digital Diplomacy by specialized professionals, and having the Center for International Communication adopting this Council. The center will also extend the use of languages of Friend Countries such as China’s and those geographically close such Iran’s. Moreover, the center will contribute in clarifying the cultural, social, and political image of Saudi Arabia to the whole world by promoting the use of technology in reaching others, and by posting everything regarding Saudi Arabia’s current developments. Shortage in human and financial resources alike is considered one of the challenges that the Digital Diplomacy will face in the future, unless addressed now by including a Digital Diplomacy major in universities. The researcher emphasizes on the necessity of being inspired by the pioneering international experiences in Digital Diplomacy, with what aligns with the Islamic teachings and the Saudi traditions. She also emphasizes the necessity of establishing a unit to evaluate the performance of the Digital Diplomacy in the country, consisting of people from different majors and levels, to follow up the evaluation processes and to monitor the performance. Furthermore, providing all necessary training, instructions, and authorizations for them. In addition, they send their reports and recommendations directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Media. Finally, including a major of Soft Powers along with Digital Diplomacy classes, their strategies and applications.