E-Diplomacy: The Digital Revolution

Hosted by: AIIA ACT Branch

The event will start on: Monday, 04 April 2011 12:30 PM

And will end on: Monday, 04 April 2011 1:45 PM

At Stephen House, Canberra

32 Thesiger Court, Deakin , Canberra ACT

02 6232 4978     act.branch@aiia.asn.au

Posted by: act   

E-Diplomacy

The Digital Revolution

Fergus Hanson, Research Fellow and Director of Polling,

Lowy Institute for International Policy

Monday 4 April 12:30pm

AIIA Conference Centre

Level 1, Stephen House, 32 Thesiger Court, Deakin, ACT

The rapid spread of the internet and mobile phones together with new technology is  changing the way international diplomacy is being conducted. Diplomatic services in many countries are adapting well to the change, but some are being left behind. Fergus Hanson believes new digital tools mean foreign ministries need to change the way they communicate, manage staff, pursue foreign policy goals and solve problems.

He says, “the digital revolution is changing diplomacy whether governments like it or not. E-diplomacy is about figuring out how we can make the most of these changes and improve diplomacy at the same time.”

Mr Hanson believes the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) needs to keep pace with technological advances that could increase efficiency, improve internal and external communication, and facilitate information exchange and gathering.

He will address these issues in his talk but you can also follow him on Twitter @FergusHanson

 Fergus Hanson has a Masters in International Law from the University of Sydney. His published thesis focused on regional stability in the Pacific. He worked for DFAT from 2004 to 2007. From 2005 to 2007 he served at the Australian Embassy in The Hague where he was responsible for Australia’s relations with five international legal organisations and domestic political issues.

Prior to joining DFAT he was a fellow at Cambridge University’s Lauterpacht Research Centre for International Law. Mr Hanson has also studied at Uppsala and Fribourg universities. He was awarded a 2011 Fulbright scholarship to continue his work on E-diplomacy at Georgetown University.

Entry is free for AIIA members, $10 for non-members and $5 for students.

Please RSVP by pressing the register button on the page or the event at www.aiia.asn.au, by emailing events@act.aiia.asn.au or by calling (02) 6232 4978