A world in crisis: lack of leadership, failure of global institutions, forecast of new and more diverse crises; all together shapes an international stage in which negotiation becomes the paramount epicenter for building a new and resilient global map.

Negotiation is an essential tool for mainstreaming strong roots that sustain a homogeneous global community by the systemic implementation of technics and skills able to strengthen and minimize differences among countries and leaders.

As shown in the picture, current crises may have different interpretations in relation to “how” they could be addressed, however there is always a point in common: the need for an urgent and effective response to those crises. It´s here that we need to keep our focus on, and be united towards a goal of supremacy of values, equal to all political systems. It´s also true that climate change, financial or migration crises could be analysed from different perspectives including ideological aspects, but the essence of its complexity remains always unquestionable. A reliable and open negotiation platform is the path to achieve solutions at all levels, particularly institutionally. Despite cultural and political differences it is important to work towards a common language under universal principles as all actors are subject to the same devastating impact. It’s precisely this political focus the one that should bring the possibility for new and diverse approaches facilitating the road for sustainable solutions. Holding extremist positions and search for the competition of one country over another is not the solution for achieving a sustainable road. To harmonize political ideology and negotiations processes the respect for multicultural values seems to be the most powerful tool to address current imbalances on communication among countries. In fact this state of “continuing crisis” seems to sharpen those differences.

Is not a momentum for “ideological approaches” but of “problem-solving”, like recent Paris agreement on climate change, that has left clear the idea that the negotiation game must be transformed into a global exercise of diplomacy addressing current crises through a joint action orientation. COP21 has shown the feasibility of managing different kinds of cultures and leaders and get through a process of negotiation successfully, up to current global standards.

 Just to give an example of the paramount importance of taking in account cultural aspects in negotiations process we have the sound failure of Troika with Greece. Both parts have confrontational styles of negotiating but are exactly the contrary on emotional aspects. The Greeks have the typical Mediterranean style that is expressive and the Germans a sharp inexpressive way.[1] The distance that those cultural differences create is of key importance and the clumsy exercise of this weakness may lead to a total ineffectiveness in the negotiation process.

 “You cannot negotiate with people who say what´s mine is mine and what´s yours is negotiable.” J.F. Kennedy

 In the past, negotiations tactics were a matter of business field, but in a consolidated global world it has acquired relevant importance for establishing geopolitical relationships based on balance and equal links. It is real that countries with more power would have better positioning in relation with countries with less influence however, a solid institutional system accompanied by an articulated framework of negotiations it is translated in more balanced international relationships and a better approach to address current global crises. More than ever the correct combination of tactics and skills on negotiation and negotiators become the real hope in which relies the future of a global structure of successful agreements, and hence a world sufficiently resilient to face crises at a global level.

 The “art of negotiation” in a global world is a complex strategy but more effective than just applying the “art of politics”. This approach supposes not just successful agreements but the real art of linking societies on culture and general interests. It is paramount to build a common front against the “storm” that politics create, sweeping all possibility for a clean process based on good faith and supremacy interests, different from national interests but at the service of the latest.

[1] bit.ly/1UC3Fyk