E-diplomacy: Online Discussion and Malta Conference (3-4 June 2010)

The Diplo’s E-diplomacy initiative focuses on the Internet and information and communication technology-driven changes in the conduct of diplomacy and international relations. Today, the Internet is used for gathering and sharing information, negotiating, communicating, and other diplomatic functions. Increasingly, diplomatic services use Web 2.0 tools. Some have established virtual embassies. Even "corridor diplomacy" – strongly linked to traditional diplomacy – is increasingly supplemented by SMS and Twitter. The Internet has opened up two-way channels of communication, providing tools that allow individuals and organisations around the world to influence global policy.

This E-diplomacy initiative will address a wide variety of questions starting from straightforward ones such as “Should diplomats blog?” to very complex questions seeking a deeper understanding of the impact of Internet on the way  diplomatic relations are conducted. The main e-diplomacy themes include: e-participation, e-negotiations, e-learning, public diplomacy and e-tools.

Please join the online discussion on e-diplomacy at http://edip.diplomacy.edu