Q1: The panel you will be moderating at GK3 will discuss changes in diplomacy triggered by the Internet. Would you highlight a few interesting applications that demonstrate the new opportunities?

There are many examples! These can be divided as Web 1.0 applications, such as website presence, Web 2.0 examples that include blogging and social networking, while Web 3.0 refers to virtual worlds like Second Life.
There are more than a hundred countries with diplomatic websites. Most of them are used for the promotion of these countries. Some countries, like Armenia, have gone one step further by issuing visas online. When it comes to Web 2.0 and 3.0 applications, most countries are still in an experimentation phase. The USA has recently introduced the first official diplomatic blogers. The Maldives and Sweden have opened embassies in Second Life and more will come.

Q2: Nations are moving in Second Life! The first virtual embassy on Diplomacy Island is managed by DiploFoundation. What are your first experiences? What are those specific expectations you have to meet when operating in a virtual world?

The virtual world is a novelty. We are, in a way, "back in time". When we started assisting countries to create websites in 1995, it was received with a lot of suspicion. Today, the web-presence of diplomatic services is a matter of routine. Now, there is a lot of skepticism about virtual spaces, especially about Second Life. It is healthy and we encourage it both within the Diplo-team and with our partners. The ultimate question is whether virtual space can bring additional value to diplomatic services? Currently the answer is "yes", especially for small countries like the Maldives which have less than 10 embassies. Probably, it is too early for countries like the USA, China, Russia which operate extensive networks of "real" embassies. But with more Internet interaction shifting to virtual spaces they will have to join as well.
As a recent study by Gartner Consultancy indicates, 8 out of 10 Internet users will use virtual reality tools such as Second Life by 2011. Diplomatic services will have to be there as well. Paradoxically, small states that started early out of necessity and due to the lack of resources will have a strategic advantage.

Q3: Your panel is part of the Emerging People GK3 track. What is the relevance of virtual diplomacy for the developing world?

Virtual diplomacy is particularly important for small and developing countries. For most developing countries, diplomatic channels are the main channels for building relations with foreign states and other entities, unlike developed countries which maintain a broad net of business, civil society and other communication networks supplementing official diplomacy. Furthermore, effective diplomacy is particularly important in the field of development: the more interlinked domestic development issues are with international regimes ( e.g. trade), the more relevant the role of diplomacy becomes. Poorly operating diplomatic services in developing countries may become a bottle-neck for development and poverty reduction.
Diplomatic services of small and developing countries often lack the financial and human resources and also the organisational structure to perform this crucial work with full efficiency and effectiveness. Virtual diplomacy is an important part of the solution for this problem, together with training and restructuring.

Q4: In your view, what are those priority challenges virtual worlds will face (and your panel will hopefully discuss)?

Like with other technologies the main challenge will be the way it is used. There are many questions to be answered. For example, similar to the early days on the Internet, there is a lot of pornography in Second Life. How is it going to be streamlined? There is also a risk of the development of many parallel platforms. Today, beside Second Life, other companies such as Sony, Nintendo and Google are also preparing for virtual spaces. How can we make sure that the virtual space will not be divided in proprietary spaces? There is a need for common standards and for a possible open source approach.
We can also expect dramatic changes in the way we use Internet and computer technology. Those changes will require new legal and organisational solutions. The panel should reflect on some of those developments.

Q5: What are your expectations regarding GK3?

GK3 should provide context for discussions on visions.