Ambiguity

From our blog

Diplomacy as poetry

Biljana Scott

Can poetry help diplomacy? A joke, surely! Poetry and diplomacy are worlds apart and have nothing in common other than using language as a medium. Diplomacy is devoid of poetry unless, that is, we count the alliterati...

[WebDebate #10 summary]Diplomats as Writers – Marrying the Arts and Diplomacy

Katharina Höne

In our March WebDebate, we explored the contribution of diplomats to literature and cultural heritage and also looked at how art and diplomacy can be usefully combined. We asked: What can we learn from diplomats who a...

Ambiguity: Clause on aborition (1994 Cairo Conference on Population)

Jovan Kurbalija

29 June 2002

Ambiguity

Louise Lassonde (Coping with Population Challenges, London: Earthscan Publications Limited, 1996, 7) provides the following example: "In the Cairo Programme, various formulations which were contradictory a priori were...

Is ambiguity an effective diplomatic tool?

Jovan Kurbalija

29 June 2002

Ambiguity

Arguments can be found both against and for the use of ambiguity in diplomacy. Opponents point out that an ambiguous formulation in a treaty or agreement does not actually resolve a problem but simply puts it off unti...

Resources

2004

Misunderstood: The IT manager’s lament

Communication between information technologists and their clients – including diplomats - does not work as well as it should. We know that information technology has become ubiquitous. We also know that diplomats rely extensively on web services, electronic mail and ... Read more...

Advertisement, Chart, Plot, Poster, Map, Person, Atlas, Diagram

2004

To Begin the World Anew: The Genius and Ambiguities of the American Founders

When I feel dispirited about the current crop of political leaders in Switzerland or around the world, I like to take refuge in one of the most uplifting political stories of mankind – the American Revolution.... Read more...

Book, Publication, Advertisement, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Poster, Face, Head

2001

Ambiguity versus precision: The changing role of terminology in conference diplomacy

Part of Language and Diplomacy (2001): Of central concern in the field of negotiation is the use of ambiguity to find formulations acceptable to all parties. Professor Norman Scott looks at the contrasting roles of ambiguity and precision in conference diplomacy. He ex... Read more...