Name: An independent diplomat
Uploaded: 2010-09-09T08:55:00Z
Duration: 20 min 21 s
Description: After 15 years in the British diplomatic corps, Carne Ross became a "freelance diplomat," running a bold nonprofit that gives small, developing and yet-unrecognized nations a voice in international relations. At the BIF-5 conference, he calls for a new kind of diplomacy that gives voice to small countries, that works with changing boundaries and that welcomes innovation.

After 15 years in the British diplomatic corps, Carne Ross became a "freelance diplomat," running a bold nonprofit that gives small, developing and yet-unrecognized nations a voice in international relations. At the BIF-5 conference, he calls for a new kind of diplomacy that gives voice to small countries, that works with changing boundaries and that welcomes innovation.

An independent diplomat

Powerful nations and traditional diplomacy often leave smaller or unrecognized groups voiceless in global decisions. After witnessing riots in Kosovo and exposing misleading intelligence about Iraq, a former insider created a nonprofit to help marginalized voices navigate complex negotiations. His story reveals how randomness, courage, and innovation can reshape international relations. As states lose influence, ordinary people and non-state actors must step up to address global challenges.