Projects | Selected Past Projects | IDP

Internet Diplomacy Project

In 1997, the Center for Internet Studies at the University of Washington commenced the Internet Diplomacy Project (IDP), an ambitious multiyear program to explore how the power of the web can be harnessed to bring international diplomacy into the information age. The impetus for this initiative began in Manila at the APEC Leaders Summit when US Secretary of State Warren Christopher and eighteen foreign ministers called on the University of Washington to begin conceptualizing how the Internet could be used to improve communications among senior diplomats working throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

In the post 9-11 era, it has become increasingly critical for the Government to have in place effective systems for exchanging information among agencies and departments.

IBM/Lotus features project in  Super.Human.Software Domino R5 ad campaign

Project Team

Chris Coward
Center for Internet Studies, University of Washington
ccoward@u.washington.edu

Rex Hughes
Center for Internet Studies, University of Washington
rbh26@cam.ac.uk

i Envoy 2.0

The main output of the Internet Diplomacy Project is iEnvoy, a pioneering software application developed at the Center for Internet Studies via a public-private partnership between the University of Washington and IBM's Lotus Development Corp . iEnvoy is the first web based software application developed exclusively for international diplomats and senior government officials.

iEnvoy extends the collaborative features and capabilities of Lotus Domino R5 by giving diplomats a fast, secure, and powerful tool for peer to peer messaging and multimedia document production and exchange. Version 2.0 features a streamlined user interface and improved performance across multiple client platforms. The open IP architecture of iEnvoy offers international organizations a reliable alternative to traditional and costly "country to country" diplomatic cable systems.  

With iEnvoy, diplomats exchange and co-author encrypted multimedia documents from anywhere the Internet reaches. iEnvoy also features unique software agent technology that intelligently manages workflow and most administrative functions. iEnvoy especially helps diplomats in emerging countries to keep in touch with their colleagues on important policy matters because the application relies entirely on open standards for information storage and transport, thus obviating the need for complex proprietary networks and costly terminals. 

To date iEnvoy has been used by national governments in over 22 countries and the European Union.

iEnvoy licenses granted to:

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC)
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
United States Department of State
Government of Canada

CIS Internet Diplomacy Project Presentations

ISOC Global Internet Summit (San Jose, June 1999)
Lotus Global Government Forum (Brussels, 2000)

iEnvoy Screenshot

iEnvoy 2.0 screen images - Copyright © 2001 Center for Internet Studies