The session will explore Canada’s digital diplomacy experience with open data for public participation. Since 2014, Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development has been using digital diplomacy in support of its efforts to strengthen democracy and build prosperity. This has generated massive amounts of open/social data, consisting of interactions between Canadian diplomatic feeds, citizens and civil society, both overseas and Canada. The multi-disciplinary panel will use data analysis and visualizations and feature a first-hand account from a Canadian Ambassador to kick start, what we hope will be, an engaging conversation about open data for public participation.