E-diplomacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

E-diplomacy - Essay Example Moreover, modern diplomatic service being faced with enhanced roles, requests for extended outreach and accountability. Reduction in resources is also confronted with multi stakeholder and multidisciplinary international arena. The occurrence of information and communication technologies (ICT) has rather carved out a substitute pathway towards progress. This paper inspects the role of information and communication technology in conveying diplomatic services, as a case of the ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. E-Diplomacy has emerged as an internet based resource that combines different applications tool to help secure diplomatic goals of different countries (Hanson). In the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2012) digital diplomacy is considered as an important tool in managing foreign policy issues via the internet. The current scope and definition of e-diplomacy is however limited as it does not cover internal electronic collaboration processes, mobile applications or related technologies. The US State Department (2013) applies the concept of 21st century statecraft to encompass the elements and applications of e-diplomacy, where the focus is on three primary information networks of international relations and trade, personal communications and mass media. With the increasing involvement ICT into diplomatic affairs, political scientists refer this transformation as the shift in the paradigm. It offers a much more targeted way of delivering information, and empowers the government in establishing new connections across the globe. Moreover, e-diplomacy has changed the role of diplomats; they are no more bound to carry all the official documents, as these files are always present at the distance of their fingertips. Foreign ministries will have little option but to take advantage of IT if they are to remain