Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbek diplomats participated in a workshop on “Writing Public Relations Web Articles” organized by the UNDP "Enhancing the Capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to better respond to the Emerging issues of the new Millennium" project. The workshop which took place from 26-28 July, 2010 addressed Uzbekistan’s role in international relations where it’s communicating to world nations and international groups.

In a current era of real-time news digital diplomacy takes precedence over other traditional ways of conducting diplomacy. The IT revolution sets new requirements to master the art of online diplomacy, modern tools of strategic communication and skills of using electronic engagement with publics at home and abroad.

Representatives from “Jahon” Information Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan and University of World Economy and Diplomacy took part in the training workshop. The workshop sessions included strategic goals in official statements and press releases, target audience analysis, web research using data bases and news services, evidence verification of online media outlets and examples of diplomatic campaigns from different parts of the world.

Interactive sessions were devoted to strategy development for public relations campaigns, web design, efficient and timely policy papers that change the status-quo. In addition the workshop covered elements of style and format of citations from acknowledged and credible sources, technical guidelines on multimedia graphics, RSS, blogs, social networks, audio and video podcasts.

“Thanks to this training I’ve improved my knowledge on strategic writing” - said Hurshid Murodov, one of the workshop participants. He added that - “Target audience, using the right methods to reach the public, choosing facts worth of attention and techniques of data gathering from diverse sources are things that make news credible and relevant.”

The sessions were facilitated by an international consultant - Ms. Paula Park, who has extensive working experience with Dow Jones Newswires and Wall Street Journal and also teaches at the Columbia University’s School of Journalism. The event was organized by the UNDP “Enhancing the Capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Better Respond to the Emerging Issues of the New Millennium” project which is implemented with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The project works to enhance professional diplomatic service in Uzbekistan, with diplomats trained in key substantive areas, modernize information and communication systems and introduce IT-based management systems.