What is the most important aspect of the new diplomacy?

The main difference we can appreciate from the ‘old diplomacy’ transformation to a ‘new diplomacy’ is the way of how politics are based now, firstly no more politics behind ‘close-doors’, an open dialogue between countries, giving place to a new and dynamic ‘public diplomacy’ where politics are now more transparent and where the citizens have a greater role. Secondly the ‘Para-diplomacy’ of non state actors and the rise of the media as a soft power. Thirdly a Multilateral-diplomacy, have completely changed the way diplomacy is conducted. In my opinion these three factors are crucial in today’s diplomacy, and it is difficult to look at it without one. Nevertheless for me, NGOs are the most important aspect in new diplomacy, they have affected not only the way diplomacy is conducted, it also has imposed new rules to the game, and most of the time have been the political decisions-makers for most of the countries. In some cases NGOs such as multinationals corporations had gain equal status and rights as countries have, and used it against countries who opposed them, eroding their sovereignty in an incredible way. They have been playing the role of diplomats so well, that today their impact is crucial in first and third world countries. As an example we just have to look at Shell Oil in Nigeria, ‘Maquiladoras’ in Guatemala, the Roman Catholic Church, Al-Qaeda in USA or what sub Americans-state units had done to controlled and ruled the Canal Zone in Panama. NGOs have immense influence in the international system, participating in the majority of global diplomacy, and even to challenge global rules. However the roles non state actors play and the influence they exert, depend on political, economic, and social context.