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Are women the key to soft power?

*This article was submitted by Indra Adnan, The Downing Street Project

Soft power is getting results without the use of force. It's the opposite of hard power, which is getting results using force. Words that are associated with soft power are dynamic, flexible, connected, transformative - all the words that say change is possible without destruction.

Some, like Professor Joseph Nye who first made the distinction, call it the Power of Attraction - the power that draws people to work with you and support you in your endeavours. How much you have depends on how much others appreciate the way you are in the world, what you stand for. Also how open you are to engagement.

If you want to think of a soft powered individual, think Barack Obama. Everyone - even Republicans - want to be around him, work with him, be his friend. With that kind of power, he can move quickly and effectively.

In the world of international relations, soft power arises out of listening and mediating, being democratic, acting like a global citizen and having attractive goods and services on offer. Soft power is the opposite of using arms, money or the threat of exclusion to set the terms of your engagement. If hard power is the one-way deal, then soft power is reciprocity - mutual agreement, mutual benefit, mutual appreciation.

Research has shown that women are excellent mediators, networkers and problem solvers. They are skilled at keeping cool in a crisis and willing to develop themselves in the face of difficulty. The Downing Street Project founders believe that these qualities are called for to address the challenges we currently face and for that reason, women have a responsibility to step up to take leadership roles.

This is not a call for simple numerical equality, but a plea for deep cultural change. How can we move on from our 'hard powered' ethos - with its excessive risk, competition and reliance on force - to a 'softer powered' public space? One more reliant on co-operation, co-creation and what President Obama describes as 'the power of our example' being the change we wish to see?

If you are interested, visit us at www.thedowningstreetproject.com or www.softpowernetwork.com ... more

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