Brussels launch up close, from a distance

I was not even in Europe, but I attended the Brussels launch of the e-diplomacy initiative. Not only that, I shared the step-by-step process with our eDiplomat Twitter followers!

E-participation and remote participation in meetings are very important for me, because living in the “interior” of South America can make travel long and complicated. All of us deal with travel, time and other complexities. That doesn’t mean we must miss out on what is going on, or even that we must read a summary of the event, or view a webcast. We can attend and participate.

My colleagues were (physically) at the Brussels event. Pier called me on Skype, and over the sound of his typing as he blogged the event, I could hear Jovan Kurbalija, Stefano Baldi and others as they introduced e-tools for diplomats. Pier is a multi-tasker, so he also sent me notes and clarified anything I missed. As a result, I was able to follow the arrival of invitees, and the complete event, even though this was a “private” workshop with no formal remote/online participation.

I benefitted, and followed our event from beginning to end. I shared the event in real-time with colleagues all over the world who could not join us. They got a quick series of snapshots on Twitter, in the time-frame they set for themselves. For me, and for them, this is e-tools for e-diplomats in action. Give it a try… But remember, Twitter is public… . Once you hit “Tweet” your words “belong to the world”.

Here is what the Brussels E-diplomacy Initiative Launch looked like on Twitter:

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 03:53

eDiplomat: Want to apply #ediplomacy #digitaldiplomacy? Learn to use the #etools for diplomats. April 14 Brussels Launch

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 11:17

eDiplomat: Brussels launch of ·#ediplomacy Initiative: Appropriate use of #etools for diplomats about to start. Details at

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 12:16

eDiplomat: #ediplomacy J Kurbalija introduces Amb. Malta in opening of launch of ediplo initiative-communication is crucial: Internet facilitates

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 12:18

eDiplomat: Amb. of Malta at #ediplomacy launch in Brussels: Managing information, staying effective as diplomats is new challenge in Internet era

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 12:21

eDiplomat: Rep. of Swiss mission at #ediplomacy launch: Use of online platform helps consolidate internal positions, issues like environmental policy

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 12:27

eDiplomat: Launch in Brussels: Swiss rep says #ediplomacy is happening now, up to us to use the etools that are out there.

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 12:30

eDiplomat: Stefano Baldi says #ediplomacy tools help work smarter, not harder, can empower diplomats in daily activities

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 12:34

eDiplomat: Stefano Baldi says #diplomacy tools must be chosen carefully to manage time, tasks: see his etools blog

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 12:41

eDiplomat: Baldi emphasizes use of #etools to foster effective collaboration in #ediplomacy: see descriptions at

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 12:49

eDiplomat: Baldi points out #etools to organize #ediplomacy: mind mapping, bookmarking, online scheduling, organize information, rss aggregators

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 12:54

eDiplomat: Brussels #e-diplomacy launch Baldi demonstrates use of netvibes/rss/aggregators to see relevant news and info all in one place–save time

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 13:00

eDiplomat: Baldi explains that #ediplomacy #etools do not always require access to your PC, but any Internet connection–easy, access anywhere

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 13:05

eDiplomat: #etools 4 #ediplomacy: News aggregators affect conference dynamics as outcomes are disseminated, results publicized, shared effectively

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 13:09

eDiplomat: Kurbalija at #ediplomacy launch: online negotiations #etools effective, but must be managed properly — example: careful version control

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 13:19

eDiplomat: #ediplomacy #etool question: how to manage large amount of email, attachments? Baldi suggests search techniques, doc management

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 13:24

eDiplomat: Successful launch of #ediplomacy initiative in Brussels. Using Skype #etools I tweeted from US. More at

Wed, 04/14/2010 – 14:58

eDiplomat: #ediplomacy Brussels Launch of #etools initiative:

Thurs, 04/15/2010 –

eDiplomat: Brussels Launch of #ediplomacy initiative highlights #etools for #diplomats See article and link to blips