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Main Topics
Diplomacy is conducted through the medium of language. Language is used to transmit, create and record knowledge in diplomacy as in other fields. Although we usually concentrate on the message rather than the means, awareness of language use in diplomacy can lead to a better understanding of the way diplomacy functions and why some diplomatic processes are more successful than others. We will examine traditional aspects of language in diplomacy, for example, diplomatic signalling, rhetorical patterns and ambiguities, as well as new issues raised by information technology. As IT increases the opportunities for direct communication between people—diplomats and others—awareness and understanding of cultural differences in communication become more and more important. At the same time, IT is changing the way we use language to communicate: indirectly, as fast and personal communication leads to less formality; and directly, as we begin to explore the new possibilities for enriching our communication with IT based tools such as hypertext.
Although many diplomatic processes begin with spoken words, they all end with written documents. Diplomatic documents can therefore be considered concentrated records of diplomatic information and knowledge. How can documents be analysed in order to reveal more than the obvious information? IT assisted methods such as DiploAnalytica can aid in the process of revealing information and knowledge, both focal and tacit, contained in diplomatic documents. IT also offers possibilities for the creation of more adequate documents, both in the working phases and in the final phase. For example, hypertext allows the presentation of information in layers. The first layer can contain a condensed version while subsequent layers can offer more details and pointers to additional information providing a richer and more complete coverage of a particular issue.
One of the purposes served by written diplomatic documents is to create a lasting record diplomatic processes and results. This record, which includes the initial information, the expertise and experience diplomats and other actors bring with them, and the resulting knowledge (policy, action, agreement, etc.) constitutes the institutional memory of a diplomatic service. As the operation of diplomatic services is largely based on information and knowledge, the preservation of institutional memory is of particular importance. Diplomatic services, like other knowledge based institutions, have, over the years, developed their own methods of preserving institutional memory. Today IT offers great advantages to such institutions in terms both of capturing the more elusive tacit knowledge used by diplomats in order to carry out their work, and in terms of making recorded information and knowledge readily accessible in useful forms.
International organisations, like diplomatic services, both depend on and produce information and knowledge. Although they can benefit from many of the same information and knowledge management tools as diplomatic services, they have particular needs: they involve greater diversity than diplomatic services. International organisations deal with a broader spectrum of information and knowledge, from political to technical, as well as a multi-cultural staff, constituency and audience.
The Internet facilitates many international networks which increase the speed of exchange of information and knowledge among diplomats, scholars and others interested in international relations. We will examine how these networks influence diplomatic processes, research in the field of diplomacy and international relations, and communication between the academic community and diplomatic circles, focusing on three examples: the International Security Network, Caribbean On-Line and the Euromed Internet Forum.
We have already examined many of the tools available for information and knowledge management. The use of IT in diplomatic services and knowledge management raises several new questions. Can we measure the efficiency of diplomatic services as we can with companies? Can small countries with limited human resources use “virtual embassies” to enhance or, in some cases, even replace a physical embassy? What new skills and abilities can a Diplomatic Knowledge and Information Officer (DKIO) contribute to diplomatic services? The conference will conclude with a presentation of DiploWizard, a customised information and knowledge management system for diplomatic services developed by DiploProjects for the Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |