DiploNews – Issue 134 – 23 March 2009
May 2009 DiploFoundation Courses
Diplo invites you to apply for the following courses that begin the week of 11 May 2009:
- Bilateral Diplomacy
- Diplomacy of Small States
- Multistakeholder Diplomacy
These courses are available as Diplo Certificate Courses (application deadline 6 April). For further information or to apply, click on the titles of the courses above, or visit our courses website.
Energy Pact Conference
On March 16-17, the first Energy Pact Conference took place in Geneva. Bringing together governments, industry, UN-bodies, non-governmental organisations and academics, the conference combined energy, environmental, and developmental issues. Presentations stressed the need to raise awareness and to generate policy. The strong focus on the connection between energy and environment and a high level of attendance were signs of new momentum in the field. Against the background of the current economic crisis, the link between energy, the environment, and development gains heightened relevance. Dr. Jovan Kurbalija took part in the conference for DiploFoundation. For more information, see the Energy Pact Conference website.
International Renewable Energy Agency
After a year of preparatory events, the International Renewable Energy Agency was officially established on 26 January 2009. The agency will promote increase of the use of sustainable and renewable energy. Originally, 75 developed and developing countries joined. On 17 March, India joined the agency; this is a positive sign since India is one of the largest developing countries and it already has a strong record in renewable energies, even having a Ministry of New and Renewable Energies. For more information, see The Preparatory Commission for the International Renewable Energy Agency website.
Understanding Islam through Virtual Worlds
Two senior fellows from the Carnegie Council, Joshua S. Fouts and Rita J. King, wondered if cultural understanding could be promoted through virtual worlds such as Second Life and if virtual tools could useful in public and cultural diplomacy. They published their results under the title Understanding Islam through Virtual Worlds. Part of their journey took to them to a virtual re-creation of Ancient Mesopotamia and a virtual Mosque, and they embarked on a virtual Hajj. A video introduction to the project can be found at the Carnegie Council Policy Innovations website.
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