Diplomacy and technology
A story of continuity and change
DiploFoundation emerged from a project to introduce ICT tools to the practice of diplomacy, initiated in 1992 at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic studies in Malta. In November 2002, Diplo was established as an independent non-profit foundation by the governments of Malta and Switzerland. Diplo has received wide recognition for its work, including consultative status with the United Nations. Today, Diplo works to increase the capacity of small and developing states to engage effectively in international policy, negotiations, and diplomacy. We do this by providing capacity development programmes in areas such as Internet governance and climate change diplomacy; using and developing tools for e-participation in global governance, including remote participation in international meetings and social media for global negotiations; and providing specialised and effective academic programmes – accredited with the University of Malta - for professional diplomats seeking cost-effective and high-quality training in both traditional and contemporary diplomacy topics.
Diplomacy and technology
A story of continuity and change The evolution of diplomacy has involved an interplay of continuity and change: continuity in the core diplomatic function, i.e. solving conflicts peacefully; change in the ways in which diplomacy is performed. Diplo’s 2013 calendar presents the evolution of diplomacy as seen through the changes in technology. The calendar aims to anchor our discussion about the impact of the Internet on diplomacy in diplomacy’s long history dating back to the dawn of humanity. Each monthly illustration is supported by a short essay on the evolution of diplomacy and technology. These essays can be accessed at www.diplomacy.edu/2013/evolution.
The beginning of diplomacy: when our predecessors realised that it was better to negotiate than fight. This lesson is one we’re still learning today.
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DECEMBER 2012
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4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
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7 14 21 28
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3 10 17 24
FEBRUARY
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Application deadline*
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
* Apply for online courses • Diplomatic Theory and Practice • Public Diplomacy • Multilateral Diplomacy II: Current Issues in the United Nations • Diplomatic Protocol and Etiquette • Language and Diplomacy (www.diplomacy.edu/courses)
The Amarna Diplomacy (14th century BC) is named after the Egyptian city of Tel-el Amarna, where archeologistcs discovered the oldest diplomatic archieve. The Amarna diplomacy was the first full diplomatic system with missions, ambassadors, treaties, privileges and immunities.
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JANUARY
7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
7 14 21 28
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
MARCH
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4 11 18 25
Ancient Greece: an early innovation in secure communication. The word diplomacy originates from ancient Greek meaning paper folded in two.
march2013 monday
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FEBRUARY
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
7 14 21 28
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24
4 11 18 25
1 8 15 22
2 9 16 23
3 10 17 24
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
7 14 21 28
APRIL
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Ancient Rome preferred war to diplomacy. Diplomacy – with its accompanying elaborate protocol – flourished in the Byzantine Empire.
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MARCH
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
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2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
7 14 21 28
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2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
MAY
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* Apply for online courses • Bilateral Diplomacy • Diplomacy of Small States • E-Diplomacy (www.diplomacy.edu/courses)
Gutenberg’s printing press introduced an early form of social media in diplomacy, making the distribution of texts much easier.
may2013 monday
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APRIL
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
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4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
JUNE
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3 10 17 24
The telegraph (early Internet) reduced the distance problem and introduced immediate communication among diplomats.
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MAY
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7 14 21 28
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3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
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2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
7 14 21 28
JULY
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Application deadline*
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* Apply for online courses • Multilateral Diplomacy • Diplomatic Law: Privileges and Immunities • 21st Century Diplomacy (www.diplomacy.edu/courses)
The telephone enabled direct communication and closer links between top decision-makers.
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JUNE
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6 13 20 27
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6 13 20 27
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3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
AUGUST
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5 12 19 26
Railways facilitated the mobility of leaders and their more frequent meetings. This was the start of summit diplomacy.
august2013 monday
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JULY
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SEPTEMBER
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Radio broadcasting: the beginning of Public Diplomacy
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6 13 20 27
OCTOBER
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AUGUST
7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
* Apply for online courses • Development Diplomacy • Language and Diplomacy • Consular and Diaspora Diplomacy • Economic Diplomacy (www.diplomacy.edu/courses)
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** Apply for Master/Postrgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy (www.diplomacy.edu/courses/MAPGD)
‘CNN Effect’: TV brings global issues in every home.
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NOVEMBER
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3 10 17 24
The Internet has changed how we gather information – a core diplomatic function.
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OCTOBER
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DECEMBER
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Social media increases interaction and brings public in diplomatic rooms worldwide
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NOVEMBER
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5 12 19 26
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JANUARY 2014
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Milestones in the evolution of diplomacy and technology Amarna diplomacy (Ancient Egypt) – the first full diplomatic system with diplomatic archive (Amarna letters), elaborate communication system, diplomatic protocol and diplomatic envoys Hittiti era – the first written international treaty
Ancient Greece – Advanced use of cipher protection, emergence of public diplomacy Byzantine diplomacy – use of elaborate protocol and rituals
Papal diplomacy (Middle Ages) – use of parchment for diplomatic communication
Renaissance diplomacy – first resident mission between Milan and Genoa (1455), well-developed cipher protection for diplomatic messages
Reformation era – the end of the ‘parchment era’ and the start of the ‘printed documents era’ in diplomatic communication (invention of the Guttenberg press) Pavel Schilling (Russian diplomat) conducts an early successful experiment in electric telegraphy (1835)
Lord Palmerston receives first diplomatic note by electric telegraph and reacts: ‘My God, this is the end of diplomacy’ (1860s) International Telegraph Union (ITU) established (1868)
Three important telegrams in the history of diplomacy: Ems Telegram – 1870 (French-Prussian War and German Unification); Kruger Telegram – 1896 (Germany’s role in South Africa and start of AngloGerman antagonism); Zimmerman Telegram (United States enters the First World War) Regulation radio communication – first conventions adopted after the sinking of the Titanic Red phone – hot-line between Moscow and Washington during the Cold War, more direct lines between capitals
Radio broadcasting – extensive use during the Second World War by Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin Tele-conferencing by the ITU between New York and Geneva (1963)
CNN effect – the Impact of TV on global public opinion during the Gulf War (1990/1991) Mailing lists used in multilateral meetings at the Rio Earth Summit (1992)
Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) established (1998) Diplomatic services websites start to appear (1990s)
World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) (2003-2005) Social media used in diplomacy (2010+)
For more information and discussion on the evolution of diplomacy and technology please visit: http://www.diplomacy.edu/2013/evolution/