February 7-8, 2008
Malta and Second Life

Minister Michael Frendo

Twenty years ago, Malta raised awareness at the United Nations about the seriousness and graveness of climate change, culminating with the General Assembly declaring that “Climate Change is the Common Concern of Mankind”. This eventually led to the adoption of the Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol.

Being a ‘Common Concern for Mankind’ means that we cannot tackle this subject in isolation; developed countries should not lead policy to the exclusion of developing countries, or vice-versa; or large States to the exclusion of small States, particularly islands. Put simply, anything dealing with climate change must be inclusive of everyone’s participation because we can all make a positive difference, and failing to do so, we all suffer the consequences.

While one should not minimize the multifaceted challenges faced in tackling climate change, including adaptation, mitigation, technology and finance, one of the biggest hurdles to surmount is the willingness and readiness of all multi-stakeholders to work in a partnership to provide a coordinated leadership to pursue agreed objectives in dealing with the negative impact of climate change.

Amb. Michael Zammit Cutajar

Shaping the response to Climate Change: The response involves economic interest, building markets etc. In doing this, one aspect we all share is that we are all vulnerable, even if climate changes are positive. Nobody is immune. Thus, we should unite around a common unified message of adaptation. Adaptation is something all of us should be thinking of about now. It should take place here, now, and it must come first. Keeping adaptation within manageable limits is what mitigation should be about.

When we start to develop a mitigation strategy, it has to be inclusive. Since it is a global phenomenon, everybody is on the receiving end, so the response has to be inclusive, effective and fair. It is not a question of formula but of judgment. It must take into account what each of us can do.

The argument about historical responsibility and equity is a strong one, but the main aim is to reduce emissions globally. And in the negotiation forum, when we are talking about what to do and what the mitigation strategy should be, there are many options.

Aubrey Meyer

The key thing is not well understood: the flow of emissions is like the flow of an open tap of water. To reduce emissions, we must turn the tap off. However, even with the tap off, emissions will not stop completely.

We need to project the future: as we stand, if we want to system to stablise and not collapse, all emissions from fossil fuels should be reduced. The world needs energy from other sources.

The next 18 months ahead of us will be the most important 18 months of human history.

Aldo Matteuci

The issues climate change poses are mostly political and economical, instead of being entirely scientific.

Negotiations and discussions are stalled because of four obstacles:

Open discussion

Replies by:

Andre Stochniol

(Re: shipping’s cooling effect)
Shipping should contribute a lot to reduction of emission. If we know now the growth of emission, we calculate how much emissions are above the target and we translate that in monetary value. We should not reduce shipping; analogous as shooting oneself in the foot. Shipping is the backbone of some countries.

Shipping has a cooling effect because shipping emits large portions of the gasses SO2 and NOx, both of which have cooling effects. However, shipping must be made cleaner.

Allocation is one of key problems, as it is practically impossible to allocate to emissions to a particular country. On the other hand, who pays in the end? The payer is the customer; the end-buyer of an imported product..

We can only dramatically reduce emissions if we opt for hydrogen transport. This needs to be backed up by research.

Dr Ilan Kelman

(Re: Disaster management and volcanoes)
Two of the most successful volcanoes programmes are WOVO and VAAC - superb examples of scientific and technical coordination. They are considered as most successful because they do not involve diplomats and politicians.

When diplomats and politicians try to deal with disaster management, they may influence the short-term actions and consequences, but not the long-term. Scientists only have one tool. It may not be the most effective or accurate, but it is the most adequate, even if I recognize science’s limitations.

Aubrey Meyer

(Re: climate change diplomacy as a profession)
Before you engage in any role-play in this debate, use your intelligence. Take a view of where the system is going as a whole. With an eye on education, I can safely say that both scientists and diplomats need to talk to each other.

They started off brilliantly in 1992. Tragically, all has been ruined by a noisy debate (economics). Make the education process a function of that.

Dr Simone Borg

Seventeen years ago, in 1990, Diplo invited me to talk on CCD. Seventeen years later, the discussion is still valid. Back then, it was Professor David Attard who gave it a legal impetus: Malta introduced the common concern (originally common heritage) to the UNGA.

This did not mean a watering down of common heritage concept. The Maltese delegation worked very hard to come up with name for draft resolution: the common concern concept. It promoted the idea that common concern is a problem for all humanity, not just some states; any state could claim interest even if not directly effective; it would not only affect us but future generations.

Martin Galea

What parameters does industry need to change itself?
1st parameter: We need to have level playing field. Incorrect for Europe to take on one level, while rest of the world takes on another. President Barroso has already made this point.
2nd parameter: problems need to be diffused to all consumers. Industry driven by market forces; change should be driven by consumers
3rd parameter: improve our technology.

Who are the players: 1. ourselves; 2. consumers; 3. governments.
A report (source from speaker) stated that 60% of all emissions are dictated by consumers, so consumers play a fundamental part. They must be informed of the consequences of their purchasing power. They need to have more access to products having lower carbon output.

The government also has a major role to play. The government needs to put in fiscal and other incentives to change the situation. It also needs to set out a framework by which the industry can work. It should also fund research and innovation.

The EU’s emission trading scheme needs to be extended downwards to more industries. Such an EU initiative needs to be extended to major stakeholders such as the US and China.

As regards industry, we need to have our own educational process and carbon emission statement. Companies must conduct research to meet the government’s framework. Companies which already work hard should also be rewarded (ex, through consumers’ custom).

Martin Scicluna

Advocacy is the name of the game. Advocacy lies at the heart of diplomacy. Firm, honest diplomacy, I would suggest, is also fundamental to the success of an NGO. Advocacy, in the diplomatic context, means to give active verbal support for a cause, normally governments or legislators – on behalf of a particular interest or cause.

The role of NGOs is to safeguard the rich heritage and natural environment of their countries. In the case of climate change, to safeguard the future of the planet. To do this effectively they must be prepared to speak truth unto power – however unpalatable that truth may sometimes be to those in power. To fail to do this in the face of any government neglect of our environment would be to betray the very purpose for which the NGOs were set up.

Paul Mifsud

Global warming will create upheaval in the Mediterranean but especially in the southern area. It is expected to have negative effect on the natural resources, and cause extreme meteorological events. It therefore calls for an urgent need for adaptation and mitigation measures.

There is a strong parallel between environmental, disaster and climate change diplomacy. Climate change offers an opportunity for dialogue and cooperation, new relations, and rapprochement

Dr Claude Heimo

Climate change has both the potential to unite the international community, as well as the possibility of drawing deeper lines between countries.

Diplomats are increasingly confronted with environmental and climate change issues; they are required to contribute to the formulation of policies and positions. The principle challenge for the diplomat is to engage all participants across sectors, and to ensure they contribute to the process.

While education is required under Articles 4 and 6 of the Convention, so far, little attention has gotten into education and training to assist diplomats.

Climate change poses a conceptualization difficulty when of the amalgamation of so many different issues. A further difficulty is that any discussion on environmental issues will undoubtedly be met with some controversy.

Climate change education must make certain that the diplomat can understand the transborder issues and their extent.

Dr Alex Sceberras Trigona

Small states have had a major role in international affairs. The concept of the common heritage of mankind was launched by Malta, which faced a tough negotiation period in 1981-1982 (when President Reagan started changing bits and pieces of what was already formulated).

Malta’s contributions led to the Law of the Sea, which is a staple in international law. For those who view the US as still dragging its feet, the Law of the Sea is not only international law but also has the strength of customary international law.

December 13, 2007
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Second Life

At the recent Global Knowledge Conference, called GKIII, Emerging People, Emerging Markets and Emerging Technology, the idea of virtual worlds was presented to the ICT for development community (ICT4D) at one of its parallel workshop sessions.  Diplomacy goes virtual gave a glimpse on what was happening in the diplomatic virtual world; bringing together other SL creators and enthusiasts to join Jovan Kurbalija, Director of DiploFoundation and conceptual creator of Diplomacy Island to Kuala Lumpur where people were present in real life. 

They were Stefan Geens, Project Manager of the Second House of Sweden; Joshua Fouts, Director of the USC  Center on Public Diplomacy who had created Annenberg Island and Rita King, SL journalist and entrepreneur.  An event like this is nothing without bringing Second Life, itself, to the session, Jean Miller; Vice President of International Initiative of Linden Labs was virtually present at a simultaneous SL session on Diplomacy Island.  Jean’s avatar gave an excellent overview of what was Second Life, its current usage and what the future may bring.  As she eloquently pointed out, ‘avatars spend 1 hour visiting your island rather than 15 minutes on your website.’

With many in the real life audience new to the idea of the virtual world, the session evolved naturally to presenting the reasons why businesses and governments are becoming increasing more interested.  It was an awareness building session focusing on how governments are now understanding it as an excellent platform for public diplomacy.  We are just beginning to see governments wanting to be apart of this new use of technology rather than trying to catch up later, commented one panellist.

Some insights on the use of virtual worlds for developing countries and the ever pressing question of access were addressed.  As Jovan Kurbalija mentioned, ‘It is essential to avoid widening digital divide through the use of SL”. One of the temporary approaches that Diplo uses is to broadcast SL events to users with low-bandwidth access. Long term solution would require better access as well as training people in the field of virtual reality developments.

Jean Miller emphasised the risk of another “divide” that may emerge between various virtual reality platforms such as Second Life. According to her ‘interoperability’ is becoming the key word for virtual reality developments. Interoperability should enable users to move easily among different virtual reality platforms such as Second Life. Moreover, interoperability should extend to mobile phones and other devises.  So one day, mobile phone clients will be able eventually to connect to SL.

Looking at the prospects that about 80 percent of all online users will be using virtual environments, we may see that whenever they use the Internet, they will be using all the virtual environments that are and will be available. Contemplating this future scenario, it is no wonder that diplomacy is in the right place.  Especially when, we see diplomacy is all about creating bridges between cultures and people. Diplomacy Island has been in the forefront by presenting the virtual embassies of developing countries beginning with the Maldives, Philippines and Macedonia.  With the current press releases showing Estonia and the Vatican joining the ever growing list of country representation going virtual.  This session reinforced the importance of this emerging use of technology as a communication tool to overcome physical and social barriers.

For now, as Rita King mentioned, some people are hesitant to enter the virtual world because the media has been either demonising or trivialising Second Life; it is hard to see the positive aspects that it can bring to the real world.  Yet, you are not seeing status quo or any hierarchy in Second Life but rather a new culture is forming with new ways of forming relationship.  Technology is new and is clearly the direction of the world.  And Virtual environments are not far away in where we should go.

While, Stefan Geens complements the discussions by pointing out that in Second Life, we see informal group communications excelling, adding to its sustainability including helping the environment by leaving less carbon footprint.  Second Life can not get one and one on physical presence, but it has potential.

Clearly, this session was only the beginning stimulated by the real interplay between space and place, as audiences from both the SL and real life worlds were able to listen and question what they were hearing.  It was a real feat for DiploFoundation’s technical team by bridging the differences of time zones and various players.  The discussions could have continued endlessly and other pertinent questions relating to diplomatic issues could have been examined.   Yet, real time limits had to be drawn and respected.  Therefore, DiploFoundation plans to have a conference in 2008 bringing together players who are using the virtual world as a diplomatic tool and its opportunities and limitations as more research is accumulated on this new use of technology.

Articles

BBC Future of Media – About the Panel

Djibouti: Diplomacy Goes Virtual

ICT for Peacebuilding (ICT4Peace)

Global Knowledge III - Virtual Diplomacy Session - videos

November 15, 2007
Male, Maldives and Second Life

Three Foreign Ministers from very different island states came together to jointly voice their concerns for action now on the effects of climate change. Held at the virtual embassy of the Maldives on Diplomacy Island, we saw the Foreign Minister of the Maldives, Mr. Abdulla Shahid, the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, Mr. David Milliband, and the Foreign Minister of Malta, Dr. Michael Frendo, in a historic virtual press conference addressing the devastating effects of climate change, particularly for the world’s small island states. As governments and individuals from around the world prepare to gather in the upcoming Bali meeting on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), this event was a timely contribution to the current momentum for global action.

This virtual press conference was a culmination of two intensive days of discussion by representatives of small island states looking at the human side of climate change and how they have been affected the worse, yet contributed the least to climate change. As Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid points out there is a need now for “…turning rhetoric into action and promises into results.”

Speaking further on the human dimension of climate change, the UK Foreign Secretary, David Milliband, told the members of the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS) that “you are at the front line of the battle against climate change. I think you can send not only a very clear alarm, but also a very clear message to the international community.” He further added, “all countries must live up to their responsibilities in this important area.”

While, the Maltese Foreign Minister Michael Frendo, stressed the need for capacity building of all small island states. He commented, “climate change affects all of us. Yet, our voices are not always heard. We are often faced, as small countries, with limited human and financial resources needed to articulate our position global diplomatic fora.”

In order to bring promises to reality, Second Life audiences heard Foreign Minister Frendo announce Malta’s commitment to host a climate change diplomacy conference in February of 2008 as a follow-up to the Bali meeting and to provide training for diplomats from small island states in climate change diplomacy over the next three years. In order to assure effective involvement of small island states in the climate change debate for years to come, Malta has committed an annual support of Euro 25.000.

In the concluding remarks of the virtual press conference, the Director of DiploFoundaton, Dr. Jovan Kurbalija, stressed that “climate change is an example in which diplomacy is not only the more ethical approach, but, in fact, the only approach to solving problems of the contemporary world. Climate change is so complex that it can be addressed only by compromise and conciliation – two key tools of diplomacy. Nobody can be left out, especially those who are most vulnerable, such as small island states. Let us hope that climate change will trigger broader changes and make diplomacy the main tool in sorting out global problems.”