BACKGROUND
ICDiplomacy is "...an excellent idea. There should be many such fora."
Professor Johan Galtung
Principal Founder of the Peace and Conflict Studies Discipline
Mediator of over 150 conflicts among nations, religions, and civil society
E-DIPLOMACY
INITIATIVES
SINCE 2014
ICDiplomacy is a network of citizens and organizations that pursue e-diplomacy initiatives and policy commentaries within a peace and conflict studies context. It consists of concerned citizens, experts, civil society organizations, former diplomats and semi-official personalities that lead multi-track e-diplomacy initiatives between countries in major conflict with each other.
​
ICDiplomacy also provides a much needed platform for other organizations to take e-diplomacy leadership as well.
ADOPTING NEW APPROACHES
In 2013, a paper on the concept of "Diagonal Communications" was presented at the Peace and Justice Studies Association Conference, organized by the International Peace Research Association. The paper focused on citizens and former diplomats transparently utilizing modern communication technologies to verify governmental narratives in the lead up to a war by corresponding directly with the conflicting parties or government officials.
In 2014, the crisis in Ukraine brought various professionals with a background in communication technologies, broadcasting and official diplomacy together to launch semi-official e-diplomacy initiatives, as part of the implementation of the paper of presented at the PJSA.
ENDORSEMENTS
​The need to involve civil society as a participant and witness to ensure a credible diplomatic process was recognized by several notable personalities that endorsed the launch of this new concept.
The following personalities endorsed the concept of e-diplomacy initiatives:
​
General Bernard Norlain
5-Star French Air Force General
Ambassador Edward L. Peck
Former U.S. Chief of Mission, Iraq
Terry E. Arnold
Former U.S. Senior Diplomat
Peter Scott
Former Canadian Diplomat
Walter G. Pitman
Officer, Order of Canada
President Emeritus, Toronto Metropolitan University