A brief history of Diplo
Diplo’s roots date back to October 1992 when Jovan Kurbalija established the Unit for Computer Applications at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies in Malta. After a few iterations, this unit became DiploFoundation on 20 November 2002.
This year, we celebrate 20 years of Diplo, as well as 30 years of research and education on the impact of digitalisation on diplomacy. Join us on the journey through the evolution of digital diplomacy, and Diplo!
Jovan Kurbalija initiated digital diplomacy in 1992 at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies in Malta, highlighting the need for diplomacy to evolve alongside technological advancements. In June 1993, a presentation on computerization and diplomacy was given at a UN-sponsored event in Malta. It discussed how computers could enhance diplomatic methods, especially for newly established countries in Eastern Europe. The Unit for Computer Applications in Diplomacy, led by Dr. Jovan Kurbalija, released its inaugural publication in January 1994, titled "New Tools for Diplomats: Computer Applications in Diplomacy. In January 1994, the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies held a workshop on Computer Applications in Diplomacy in collaboration with the UN Secretariat and Malta's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This workshop later transformed into an annual event and developed into a Postgraduate Diploma course on Technology and Diplomacy. Commonwealth diplomats participated in a workshop in Malta from 20 November to 1 December 1995, focused on information technology's role in international relations. In 1995, a MedGate workshop in Malta offered digital diplomacy training for Mediterranean nations. The MedGate portal facilitated policy discussions among these countries in collaboration with the Council of Europe. A presentation on computer applications in diplomacy was given at the African Union Summit in Yaounde, Cameroon on July 8-10, 1996. In August 1996, a workshop on the influence of information technology on diplomacy was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain. A presentation on this topic was delivered by the Unit. In August 1996, Dr. Kurbalija published the first paper discussing the relationship between information technology and diplomacy, marking the inception of e-diplomacy or digital diplomacy. The domain www.diplomacy.edu, established in 1996, is one of the oldest in the field of diplomacy and international relations. Despite increased competition, it remains a top domain for topics related to diplomacy, ranking high on Google for various key concepts. The text discusses the incorporation of computers in diplomacy, particularly highlighted in the first presentation at the International Forum on Diplomatic Training in Ankara, Turkey in 1996. Subsequently, computer applications in diplomacy became a recurring theme in annual Forum meetings. Jovan Kurbalija discussed the impact of digitalization on diplomacy at a conference in July 1997, presenting a threefold methodology to assess its effects. Dr Jovan Kurbalija conducted a course on IT and diplomacy at the first Geneva training session. Jovan Kurbalija discussed the connection between cybersecurity and security at the 3rd International Security Forum in Zurich in October 1998, where the importance of cybersecurity as a policy topic was emphasized among a diverse group of decision-makers in the field of international security. The Conference on Knowledge and Diplomacy, organized by DiploProjects, united global experts to exchange insights and publish conference papers in a book named "Knowledge and Diplomacy. In 1999, DiploProjects collaborated with the University of Malta to introduce the first Postgraduate Diploma course in and Diplomacy. It attracted 14 participants from 9 countries, with a blended learning approach including a workshop in Malta and online sessions. This course later developed into the Master in Contemporary Diplomacy, continuing to be provided by Diplo and the University of Malta. Jovan Kurbalija presented on using the internet for diplomat training at the International Studies Association convention in Washington in February 1999. DiploNews, an electronic newsletter for the diplomatic community, started on September 1, 1999, offering brief news and useful web links. The Internet Guide for Diplomats, published in 2000 by Jovan Kurbalija and Stefano Baldi, was the inaugural resource designed to aid diplomats and international affairs professionals in utilizing the Internet effectively. It encompassed fundamental technical details about the Internet and addressed pertinent issues relevant to diplomatic Internet usage. In February 2000, experts convened for the second international conference on Knowledge and Diplomacy to delve deeper into the subject. DiploProjects delved into Language and Diplomacy in 2001, organizing an international conference on the subject. This initiative resulted in a book titled "Language and Diplomacy," comprising papers from conferences held in 2000 and 2001. Dr. Jovan Kurbalija and Hannah Slavik edited the collection. DiploProjects held the International Conference on Web-Management in Diplomacy in Malta from February 9-11, 2001. The second International Conference on Web-Management in Diplomacy, held in Malta in February 2002, emphasized addressing specific diplomatic service needs through functional and reliable web-management. Diplomats, web designers, and specialists collaborated on strategies during the event. Caribbean diplomats were trained in modern diplomacy, trade, and diplomatic relations by DiploProjects and the Institute of International Relations in Trinidad and Tobago. The workshop aimed to provide skills for navigating the evolving diplomatic landscape. DiploProjects introduced their new series, Diplo Handbooks, with the release of "Bilateral Diplomacy" by Ambassador Kishan S Rana in April 2002. The book focuses on the significance of bilateral diplomacy in international relations for practitioners and students. In September 2002, DiploProjects initiated an online forum specifically focused on language and diplomacy. DiploProjects organized a conference in Geneva in 2002 on Web-Management for International Organizations discussing the strategic importance of websites for effective communication in multilateral diplomacy.
- Journey starts…
- First public presentation on computerisation and diplomacy
- First manual on computers and diplomacy
- First workshop on computer applications in diplomacy
- Training on information technology in international relations for Commonwealth diplomats
- Mediterranean digital diplomacy initiative
- ICT and diplomacy presentation at African Union Summit
- Training on information technology and diplomacy in Trinidad and Tobago
- First publication on information technology and diplomacy
- Domain www.diplomacy.edu starts
- First presentation on computers and diplomacy at the International Forum on Diplomatic Training
- Is diplomacy profession in peril?
- First Geneva training on IT and diplomacy
- Cybersecurity emerges as policy topic
- Knowledge and diplomacy conference
- First postgraduate accredited course
- Expanding the offering
- DiploNews starts
- Internet guide for diplomats
- Knowledge and diplomacy (2nd conference)
- Language and diplomacy conference
- Web-management in diplomacy (1st conference)
- Web-management in diplomacy (2nd conference)
- Training for Caribbean diplomats
- Diplo Handbooks launch
- A dedicated language and diplomacy forum
- Getting strategic about websites
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