DiploFoundation's IG Village on Second Life

 

DiploFoundation recently launched Diplomacy Island in the virtual world of Second Life. Diplomacy Island is host to a village dedicated to Internet Governance which includes panels, round tables and conferences on Internet Governance issues. During the launch, visitors could consult various books, articles and other materials on Internet Governance. The IG Village focuses on two sets of issues. First, it addresses issues related to Second Life, such as privacy, security, digital identity and taxation in cyber-space. Second, the IG Village promotes discussion on the Internet and developing countries, tackling questions such as how can the digital divide be narrowed, how can Second Life citizens contribute to this process, and what are the governance challenges in the process of digital divide.

 

Diplomacy Island is the next step in over a decade of research and development in the field of Virtual Diplomacy. Through Second Life, DiploFoundation is exploring new possibilities for diplomatic representation and interaction. Diplomacy Island will also be another channel for DiploFoundation’s main mission of assisting small and developing countries to participate meaningfully in international relations. On the Island, DiploFoundation will also promote development issues among Second Life citizens.

The formal inauguration of Diplomacy Island took place in May 2007.

 

 

What is Second Life?

 

Second Life (abbreviated as SL) is an Internet-based virtual world which has developed substantially over the past year (2007). More than five million users worldwide have registered to become part of this virtual world developed by Linden Lab.

 

The users, or Residents, interact with each other through motional avatars, providing an advanced level of a social network service. They can explore, meet other Residents, socialise, participate in educational and social activities, both individually and in groups, and create and trade virtual property and services from one another.

 

The stated goal of Linden Lab was to create a world like the Metaverse described by Neal Stephenson in his novel Snow Crash. Residents define Second Life – they create a world in which to communicate, interact, play and do business.

 

Second Life’s virtual currency is the Linden Dollar (Linden, or L$) and is exchangeable for US Dollars in a marketplace consisting of residents, Linden Lab and real life companies.

 

More than 60 universities have established campuses in Second Life, along with many companies and media houses. Some of these are Aarhus Business College of Denmark, Harvard University, Leeds Metropolitan University, New York University, Newcastle University, Sheffield Hallam University, Stanford University, University of Edinburgh and Virginia Tech.

 

Address of Diplomacy Island on Second Life:

- from the Net: Diplomacy Island

- DiploFoundation's SL “latitude/longitude” (if you are in SL) is: 150,191,26

 

Other resources on Diplomacy Island:

Diplomats Convene in Cyberspace Metaverse Messenger 13.03.07 (PDF)

Report in The Sunday Times of Malta (PDF)