Diplo Blog

View the agenda here.

E-diplomacy panel on 
Diplomatic Reporting in the Internet Era after WikiLeaks

Policy Briefing: WikiLeaks and the Future of Diplomacy

The release into the public domain of thousands of confidential documents leaked from diplomatic services was for some an embarrassing scandal 

and for others a healthy push for transparency and accountability of governments in foreign policy.

How deeply has this WikiLeaks phenomenon affected international security, and what are its implications for the future of diplomacy, a sector traditionally shrouded in secrecy?

While we are discussing the thousands of diplomatic telegrams revealed by WikiLeaks, it is important to review the leaking (intentional or otherwise) of a few other telegrams that have shaped diplomatic history.  The Ems telegram, leaked by Prussia’s Prince Otto Von  Bismarck, led to war between France and Prussia and ultimately to the unification of Germany in 1871.

The Second Committee of the General Assembly yesterday approved the draft resolution on ‘Information and communications technologies for development’ (A/C.2/65/L.56). The text was approved by consensus.

The Second Committee of the General Assembly has just negotiated a final version of the draft resolution on the future of the Internet Governance Forum, a reliable source has confirmed.

'Your 37 friends are waiting', says the Facebook e-mail which I have just received. They’re waiting for me to accept their friend request. That is, for me to share personal information, photos of me and my loved ones, and other bits of info which six months from now I wish I hadn’t.

Where better to post a 'Twitter Blog' of the Washington DC E-diplomacy Initiative Launch than in e-participation? Read the tweets, make your comments, continue the discussion!

eDiplomat: About to start Wash DC Launch of #ediplomacy #etools for #digitaldiplomats AT&T Innovation Center Info at http://edip.diplomacy.edu

eDiplomat: Marilyn Cade opens Wash DC Launch of #ediplomacy #etools for #digitaldiplomats AT&T Innovation Center Info at http://edip.diplomacy.edu

Consular departments take advantage of several e-tools to keep in touch with nationals overseas. Here are three recent trends in using e-tools for consular assistance and protection. (Links point to examples on the web)

Call centres: 24/7 call centres operate from the capital to respond to calls from nationals overseas during emergencies. Nationals are also encouraged to register online with the foreign ministry or the nearest mission. (See Australian DFAT’s Smartraveller website)

On Wednesday, March 3, an interesting event was organized during the visit of theSecretary of StateHillary Clinton in Brazil. Significantly, it was called townterview – a mix between the ideas of “closeness” and participation embodied in town meetings with the press conferences organized for the traditional media channels. The event provides some interesting points for the debate about the current US public diplomacy strategy.