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Opening Remarks from the Master of Ceremonies: Penny Abeywardena

Speaker:

Penny Abeywardena, Founder & CEO, Fellow, Soft Power Strategies, NYU McSilver Institute

“Soft power, as opposed to the hard power of laws and incentives, originated in foreign policy. It's about attracting people toward the values and solutions you want, creating more affinity that we can then act on.” Penny Abeywardena

Key takeaways:

  • Soft power´s role in global challenges: Soft power, as opposed to hard power like laws and incentives, focuses on attracting people toward desired values and solutions by shaping norms and offering marginalized voices a platform.This grassroots approach extends beyond traditional diplomacy. 
  • Declining global voter turnout: Despite significant global issues, global voter turnout has been steadily decreasing,  with approximately four billion people (about 40% of humanity) voting in national elections this year, signaling a need to use soft power to inspire electoral participation.
  • The paradox of artificial intelligence: While 95% of adults have access to advanced AI through mobile phones, a remarkable increase in knowledge and opportunity, many feel disempowered. Managing AI’s impact on privacy, jobs, and decision-making is essential to make it a positive force. 
  • Global renegotiation of power dynamics: There is a profound reassessment of how soft and hard power are used globally, impacting how governments and markets shape norms and choices within and across countries. 
  • Expansion of soft power initiatives: Over 200 countries now use “nudges”—subtle messaging tweaks—to encourage positive behaviors, like handwashing in Bangladesh and reducing cyberbullying in France and China. However, challenges include replicating these efforts across borders, measuring impact, and ensuring transparency. 

Action items:

  • Utilize soft power to increase voter engagement: Develop strategies that employ social norms and nudges to motivate voter turnout, addressing the declining trend in global electoral participation. 
  • Address ethical concerns of artificial intelligence: Implement policies to manage AI’s impact on privacy, employment, and decision-making, ensuring technological advancements empower individuals rather than contribute to feelings of disempowerment. 
  • Enhance collaboration on soft power strategies: Create international platforms for sharing best practices and lessons learned from soft power initiatives to overcome replication and measurement challenges. 
  • Ensure transparency in behavioral nudges: Establish ethical guidelines that promote transparency in the use of nudges to build public trust and address ethical concerns related to influence without awareness.
  • Empower marginalized and youth voices: Actively include young and marginalized populations in decision-making processes, giving them a seat at the table or a voice at the podium to leverage diverse perspectives in addressing challenges. 
  • Reevaluate global power structures: Engage in dialogues to reassess how soft and hard power are utilized globally, facilitating a renegotiation that reflects current potentials and expectations. 

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