‘A new form of diplomacy’

Natalya Nepomnyashcha took part in the Global Diplomacy Lab 2016 in Montréal. She lives in Berlin, is a manager at eHealth Africa and the founder of the dialogue platform Netzwerk Chancen. 

What is special about the Global Diplomacy Lab?
The incredible variety of members in terms of where they come from and their sphere of influence. Yet we all have one thing in common: we want to build contacts and work on developing a new form of diplomacy. I set up the non-profit dialogue platform Netzwerk Chancen in mid-2016. The networking character of the Global Diplomacy Lab is a tool that I use and am expanding on.

What is the aim of Netzwerk Chancen?
We are committed to promoting equal opportunities for children, teenagers and young adults from socially and educationally disadvantaged families throughout Germany. We also bring together civil society organisations, politicians, civil servants, parents, academics and school students to develop sustainable solutions for equal opportunities in education.

What do you hope to gain from the Global Diplomacy Lab?
Netzwerk Chancen is about helping to shape and implement social reform through constructive dialogue with key decision-makers. The correct use of social media platforms can help to achieve this – the thematic focus of the Lab is therefore right on the mark. eHealth Africa is an organisation that uses cutting-edge technologies and data systems to build a stronger health system in Africa. The subject of this year’s Lab, ‘Balancing Power through Information Technology’, fits in perfectly with the approach taken by eHealth Africa. I hope to gain new ideas about how to make more effective use of not only technology but also social networks and communication to save lives. And above all I hope to make new, long-term contacts. The exchange between participants outside the Lab is also extremely productive.