Digital diplomacy-perspectives and impact on traditional diplomatic practices-case study: Digitization Impact on Romanian and Belgian national diplomatic systems

Internet emergence multiplied the number of voices involved in international policy-making, accelerated the spread of information and increased its sources, and offered a framework from real-time communication, so diplomats have to handle with a complex international agenda. To stay competitive, they have to assimilate digital tools in their daily practice, digital diplomacy defining changes in structures, resources requirements, organizational management and processes of MFAs. This is a central point of this paper that is focused on the impact of digital disruption on traditional diplomatic practices. Based on digital diplomacy perspectives the article argues that, even if traditional diplomatic customs remain at the heart of diplomatic activities, internet introduces a new dynamism in conducting diplomacy. A key change refers to embassies empowerment, their role inside diplomatic systems increasing while the centrality of MFA is challenged by the changing operating environment. The article emphasizes that some activities conducted today in headquarters will be assigned more and more to the embassies, ICT using optimizing the resources and the structure of the diplomatic network. The case study regarding digitization impact on Belgian and Romanian MFAs, showed that ICT transformed the manner of sharing information and of attracting foreign audiences having huge penetration potential, data being transmitted quickly to millions targeted people. In this context, diplomats’ professionalization is an obvious and welcomed approach, each MFA having particular methods to develop digital competences. Therefore, the integration of digital tools in the diplomatic work and their optimal use represent the prerequisites for efficiency in the 21 st century.