DiploNews – Issue 158 – 13 April 2010
E-Diplomacy Initiative – Brussels Launch
The first pre-conference event for the E-Diplomacy Initiative will be held on 14 April 2010 at the Permanent Representation of Malta to the European Union in Brussels. The event is part of the lead-up discussion to the International Conference on E-Diplomacy to take place in Malta from 3 to 4 June 2010. Dr Jovan Kurbalija (founding director of DiploFoundation) and Mr Stefano Baldi (Italian diplomat and pioneer in the field of e-diplomacy) will address such questions as Are we using e-tools in an optimal way? Can e-tools help diplomats to work smarter, not harder? and How can we manage the possible risks related to online communication? The next pre-conference event will be in Washington, DC on April 26. To register for pre-conference events and learn more about the E-Diplomacy Initiative please visit the E-Diplomacy website.
Climate Change Diplomacy May 2010 Course: Last Call for Applications
Diplo’s online course on Climate Change Diplomacy provides relevant knowledge and practical skills for diplomats, scientists, and others who participate in the climate change policy process. The course focuses on scientific, economic, social, and governance aspects of climate change, with emphasis on development issues. It will equip participants to represent and promote effectively the interests of their own countries in the global climate change policy process. In preparation for the 2010 climate change meeting in Mexico, Diplo will offer several sessions of Climate Change Diplomacy. Scholarships will be provided for diplomats, civil servants, and academics from small and developing states involved in climate change policy processes and negotiations. The course was developed and is conducted with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malta and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
The first session of Climate Change Diplomacy begins the week of 17 May 2010 (application deadline 26 April). For more information about our 2010 courses, and to apply, please visit the course webpage or contact us at climate@diplomacy.edu.
May 2010 Online Courses – Application Deadline Extended
You can still apply for the following courses beginning the week of 10 May 2010:
- Bilateral Diplomacy
- Diplomacy of Small States
- Multilateral Diplomacy
These courses are available as Diplo Certificate Courses. Apply as soon as possible to reserve your place. For further information or to apply, click on the titles of the courses above or visit our courses website.
Books on Diplomacy in April
As we know that diplomats have little time to fit reading and study into their schedules, we hope that a monthly review of new publications may assist in choosing some of the most relevant. At this time, we would like to introduce a handbook on multicultural negotiations and an edited book on the topic of the United Nations Security Council and war.
Christopher W. Moore and Peter J. Woodrow. Handbook of Global and Multicultural Negotiations. (2010). Jossey-Bass.
In this handbook, which belongs on the bookshelf of diplomats and people working in intercultural settings, the authors describe their aim as follows: “Although many books have been written about the negotiation process and many more about culture, few analytical frameworks provide practical guidance about how individuals, groups, and organizations from different cultures solve problems, negotiate agreements, or resolve disputes. This book addresses this gap.” Moore and Woodrow start by taking a broad look at culture and at how it influences behaviour and perception. Subsequently, they look at different phases of negotiations and their requirements and challenges. Here, Moore and Woodrow identify a set of stages of negotiations that is both broader and more detailed than other models. The last part of the handbook looks into third-party involvement, such as facilitation and mediation, in negotiation. Look for more information, including a reading sample, on the Jossey-Bass website.
Vaughn Lowe et al. (eds). The United Nations Security Council and War: The Evolution of Thought and Practice since 1945. (2008). Oxford University Press.
This edited volume brings together the views of a variety of scholars and practitioners who provide a useful resource for historians, lawyers, diplomats, and the international relations specialist. The book proves a valuable source for a broad overview of the United Nations involvement in various conflicts. After setting the stage with a historical overview and an introduction to the United Nations charter, the text provides an analysis of the changing roles of the Security Council, exemplified with a variety of case studies, ranging from the Korean War to Afghanistan. The final section is devoted to Security Council efforts to adapt to the changing character of war. An appendix proves valuable as a source of Security Council sanctions, vetoes, and military operations. More information is available from the publisher’s website.
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