5) Description of initiative: International diplomacy is dominated by the powerful and diplomacy has become increasingly complex, specialised and arcane. The skills and knowledge required to effectively represent your country or group’s interests are often concentrated among the already-powerful and privileged and unavailable to those who need them most – oppressed minorities, poor countries, and new states.

When I was working on the UN Security Council as a British diplomat, it was clear that many governments and groups were undermined by their lack of experience and skills, and their interests and needs were often ignored. Later, working in Kosovo for the UN, I realised that the government there was totally unequipped for the complex diplomatic challenge it now faces as it approaches possible statehood. When frustrated with available means, some groups can turn to violence: I witnessed this in person with the widespread riots in Kosovo of March 2004, when intense political frustration turned violent.

Helping the marginalised increase their voice and impact in international relations will help level the playing field, allowing them to make their case peacefully and effectively, and thus promote a more just and peaceful world. This was the inspiration to establish Independent Diplomat (ID), which provides high-level diplomatic advice, expertise and assistance to those governments and groups – new or transitional states, poor countries, oppressed groups - which may be inexperienced and ill- equipped for today’s international challenges.

My organisation is designed to offer the inexperienced impartial advice and assistance, e.g. in devising a strategy to promote their cause, preparing negotiations, legal advice or simply writing a speech at the UN. I am already undertaking projects with such groups as the Polisario of Western Sahara, and the governments of Somaliland and Kosovo. They want the help my organisation can offe

6) Description of innovation: Independent Diplomat is the first of its kind. Assistance will come from an international and diverse network of experienced diplomats, lawyers and other experts (whom I am recruiting on an ongoing basis). This opportunity for the powerless and marginalised to receive expert assistance is unique, and will allow them to communicate their needs clearly and peacefully but above all effectively; it will thereby reduce conflict, help the disadvantaged to get a fairer deal, and, in a way, try to change the terms of diplomacy. By helping those less experienced, it will also promote the transfer of skills and expertise to those traditionally marginalised. I have discussed and researched the idea widely, with foreign ministers, politicians, academics and many diplomats, including at the UN. All have wondered why such an organisation does not already exist, such is the need, but none does and the need is urgent.

7) Delivery model: My organisation will enable states and groups to produce stable and peaceful agreements among them, by helping people effectively to articulate their needs in a peaceful and legal manner. Enabling effective and clear communication in itself reduces the risk of conflict. Empowering the weak and marginalised will reduce the injustice that causes anger and sometimes violence. Peaceful and fairer outcomes will have broader benefits, not only to those directly involved.

If people are able to express their needs effectively and peacefully, they are less likely to resort to violence on both the individual and state level. Good, effective diplomacy will help secure fairer outcomes, thus reducing the injustice which feeds anger. Moreover, in offering this help, we will empower our clients and transfer skills to them, and thus in the longer term help them achieve fair and peaceful outcomes, stabilising and placating their frustrated domestic constituencies.

8) Key operational partnerships: Independent Diplomat receives pro bono assistance from two large international law firms, a global innovation company, an international PR company and several international NGOs. We draw on this varied and unusual group to offer our clients help which they are otherwise unable to receive.

Our aim is to establish a network of core staff but supported by a broader circle of organisations and individuals who help us on an ad hoc basis. This network has already been established and is constantly being expanded.

9) Financial model: Most of Independent Diplomat’s clients receive our assistance cost-free. Fees are assessed according to ability to pay. Only the richer clients are charged any significant fee. The poorer pay no fee, hence our need for donor funding to finance our operations.

          • Costs as percentage of income: 33

          • Financing: We are supported by a small group of European and US foundations. We are in discussion with a larger circle of foundations and governments to support our work in the long term. We are confident that our plans are financially viable; potential donors are very receptive to the originality of the ID concept.

10) Effectiveness

          • Project outcomes: Independent Diplomat advises Kosovo, a country of 2m people, on its UN final status process, due to conclude in early 2007. ID supports the government of Somaliland – a home-grown democracy of 3.5m people in one of the poorest and most troubled regions of Africa – with the development of its diplomacy and its overall objective of recognition as an independent state. ID also supports the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic in its diplomatic effort to end the 30-year Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara, and win independence for its 300,000 people, of whom 165,000 live in the Tindouf Refugee Camps.

          • Number of clients in past year: Independent Diplomat strives to work in the interests of all 6 million people from the three marginalised communities that it has assisted in the last year, and firmly believes that by improving the representation of these three communities who have so often gone unheard, it is providing an important path toward peaceful solutions as an alternative to the violence that so often results from long-held frustrations.

11) Scaling up strategy

          • Stage of the initiative: Scaling Up stage.

          • Expansion plan: In the next 3 years, Independent Diplomat plans to expand from a small staff located in London and New York to a large organisation spanning 5 international offices, including one in Brussels (to cover the European Union) and one in Addis Ababa (where the African Union is located). We have made detailed budgetary plans for this expansion (available upon request).

12) Origin of the initiative: Since childhood, I have wanted to work in international relations and diplomacy, but always with the goal of a better world. My time as a British diplomat taught me a great deal but also brought me regret for things that I was involved in, including sanctions on Iraq. This episode in particular caused me deep reflection and I felt that in the traditional calculus of foreign policy and states' “interests”, people and their suffering were overlooked. Disillusioned with both the British Foreign Office and diplomacy itself, I resigned (I was by then a senior diplomat). I decided that I wanted to try to change the terms of modern diplomacy, to find new and innovative ways to help the voiceless and marginalised. I despise the casual use of violence and acceptance of gross injustice that seem to characterise our world. I don’t like much of the way the world is going and I want to change it.

Contact Information:
Carne  Ross
Director
Independent Diplomat
(Non-Profit Organisation)
United Kingdom
Website: www.independentdiplomat.com