Jakarta, July 14 (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi opined that innovation and digital diplomacy have become a necessity.
"Digital diplomacy connects individuals, and we call it earthly diplomacy between humans. I think this issue was discussed during the meeting. Innovation and digital diplomacy have become a necessity," Marsudi noted in a statement here on Saturday.
The statement was delivered during an international seminar on digital diplomacy on July 12, 2018, in Jakarta.
The seminar was attended by diplomatic corps, representatives of ministries and institutions, and civil society and private organizations. The seminar was opened by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marsudi.
Traditional diplomatic practices have been applied through controlled communication of and between international agencies and institutions, embassies and governments.
"Thanks to improved access to the internet and digital technologies, diplomacy has adapted to the current trends," she stated.
In response to such dynamic changes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Pulse Lab Jakarta, and DiploFoundation have co-organised "The International Seminar of Digital Diplomacy" with a view of addressing some of the emerging challenges and opportunities.
Several other practitioners of diplomacy, including Allaster Cox, deputy head of Mission Australian Embassy; Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, ambassador of the Embassy of Denmark; Professor Jovan Kurbalija, founding director of DiploFoundation; and Derval Usher, head of Pulse Lab Jakarta, took part in the seminar.
From an overview of the successes and challenges of digital diplomacy to its influence on diplomatic activities, the seminar involved several engaging discussions and provided real-life examples of everyday interactions and challenges.
Jovan Kurbaija, the director of DiploFoundation, spoke at length about the application of digital diplomacy via social networking sites.
"In this digital era, the use of social media for conducting diplomacy has become a necessity. Almost all global leaders have Facebook and Twitter accounts now and use them as diplomatic channels," he pointed out.
However, digital diplomacy has huge potential beyond social media. This seminar provides a platform to facilitate several of these dialogs, he remarked.
Reporter: Azis Kurmala
Editor: Andi Abdussalam
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
