Communication and the national interest

Consistently and in the past few months, we have been hearing people speak about national security and its concerns, especially when it comes to nation building. I am, like many others, a firm believer that every single person in this country must be part of nation building and that matters involving our national security is an integral component of our daily operations as we participate in building a strong nation.

Even now, as I write this column, our country and its leaders, including our public servants, are in the thick of nation building as they do their own bit to ensure that government and other social services are delivered to the people.

Despite our efforts at encouraging the public to be part of all this, it has become increasingly clear that we as a people are facing a different kind of crisis that, to me, goes back to the individual and the cognitive domain. For a few years now, you have heard some of us consistently embark on an educational journey that includes the development of intellectual skills, critical thinking and problem solving in order to respond to rapidly evolving times that have a profound impact on our national security.

This being said, it has been realized by some, including myself, that in order for our people to understand the importance of national security and participate fully in this, we must first and foremost have a clear concept of national interest. While national security can be clearly defined, articulated and even debated by experts, such a concept must be clearly understood by the people wherein security and prosperity, put together, become part of national interest. In short, as stated in a lecture I will be having soon, national security must have within its reach the national interest of the people. It must therefore be clear that every country, most especially ours, is fully committed to the security, prosperity and social well being of its citizens, where the formation of our national interest contributes to the necessary problem-solving process on matters that need attention and skills essential for nation building.

All things considered, when it comes to national security, it must be taken seriously by all that we are in the midst of a different type of warfare, the kind that targets the mind of individuals to influence their behavior and affect their decisions. It is because of this that we must equip ourselves with the right strategies in order for our people to identify and understand any threat to our national security.

With the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, where businesses are also realizing how the use of such tools have competitive advantages, it must also be noted that machine-driven ecosystems are on the rise and is putting our human cognition to the test. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, the success of a nation, such as its economy for example, generates more wealth and opportunity that will in the long run remunerate security, thus establishing a well functioning society that reduces economic and security risks.

It must also be clear that mitigating risks to national interest is important and that practical ways are established in order to do so. Such ways are essential in the area of communication, where people-to-people connections become well established and bring about cooperation rather than conflict. Ultimately, communicating our national interest improves our social order and promotes success. While both defense and security are public goods provided by government, communication helps the people develop relevant national interest which leads to participation in nation building, thus ensuring a safe future for the people.

Effective communication is crucial for the growth of our nation as this helps us create a clear picture of our position on matters that need our closest attention as well as to be able to draw out the best possible response to issues that affect our country. Communication is the nation’s engine for change and being able to connect with others to either solve problems or resolve conflicts builds on our national interest.

Communication plays a very big role in the security of every nation, therefore, it must be understood that the impact on our national interest will in turn affect our national security, when citizens understand the importance of particular strategies and skills necessary in shaping society, crucial in influencing policies and ultimately advocate for the greater good.

Communication educates the public and empowers them to take action and responsibility for issues that impact everyone. It’s time we build on our national interest in order to fully support national security concerns as well as become informed partners in good governance.