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INTRODUCTION
“You cannot solve the problem
with the same kind of thinking that has created the problem”
(Albert Einstein)
The quote aptly describes the challenge that the contemporary topic of
climate change presents for diplomacy. Both the urgency of climate change issues and their complexity require innovation in diplomatic processes. In fact, many recent innovations in diplomatic practice – including the involvement of non-state actors – are linked to climate change and other environmental negotiations.
What are the specific features of climate change diplomacy? It is a multi-disciplinary field demanding input from a wide variety of disciplines including science, technology, policy processes, legislation, ethics, and philosophy. Climate change is a global issue that transcends national borders, but it must be addressed on all levels from the individual to the United Nations, in local, national, regional, and global fora. By necessity, climate change diplomacy is multistakeholder diplomacy. Although states must take the leading role in addressing climate change issues, other actors, including civil society, the business community, and academia are essential partners.
Participants at the International Conference on Climate Change Diplomacy in Malta will discuss both traditional and innovative approaches used in climate change diplomacy. The conference will focus largely on capacity-building. It will address the training and other needs of small states, and other actors who, due to limited financial or human resources, currently do not participate fully in climate change diplomacy.
Featured speakers:
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The Hon. Dr. Michael
Frendo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malta
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HE Amb. Michael Zammit Cutajar,
Ambassador for Climate Change, Vice-Chair of the Ad Hoc Working
Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the UNFCCC
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Mr. Aubrey Meyer,
Global Commons Institute
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Prof. Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe,
Royal American Institute on Monaco
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Dr. Alex Sceberras Trigona,
DiploFoundation
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Mr. Shane Tomlinson,
E3G, Third Generation Environmentalism Ltd
Initial list of conference themes:
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Achievements and limits of climate change diplomacy (Kyoto process, ozone layer diplomacy)
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Elements which climate change diplomacy may borrow from other complex multilateral negotiations such as Internet Governance
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Participation of multiple stakeholders in climate change diplomacy (business sector, civil society)
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Challenges of inter-professional communication in climate change diplomacy (e.g., scientists and diplomats)
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Use of online tools in climate change diplomacy
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The current situation: the individual and institutional capacities of small island states
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Priorities for capacity building in the “Bali process” (immediate and long-term needs of small states)
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E-learning and other innovative techniques for training and expert assistance
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Survey of present and future training and capacity-building programmes in the field of climate change diplomacy
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Developing capacity-building partnerships for climate change diplomacy.
For further information, please e-mail conference@diplomacy.edu.
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