Robust and inclusive Internet governance must reflect the growing relevance of the Internet for global economic, social, and political life. Many small and developing countries in general and their civil societies in particular are excluded from international digital processes for a wide range of reasons, including the lack of resources, expertise, and institutional capacity to sustain an impactful policy presence. Comprehensive capacity development for missing actors in global digital policy is a relevant necessity, not only for those who are excluded from digital policy but also for the sustainable and balanced development of the global digital economy and society in general.
Diplo, in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN, is offering a course for diplomats posted at permanent missions to the UN.
The course aims to help participants understand and follow the digital policy aspects of many UN discussions and negotiations. This dynamic, blended learning course combines online learning with weekly face-to-face meetings and will run from 28 March to 15 May 2019. The course is designed to benefit diplomats who follow Internet governance (IG) and other Internet-related policy fields (e.g. telecommunications, human rights, cybersecurity, trade).
This course aims to assist professionals in Washington, DC to actively follow the increasingly relevant fields of digital policy and Internet governance (IG).
The course will benefit individuals directly working or engaging with Internet-related policy fields (e.g. telecommunications, human rights, cybersecurity, trade, development). In addition to building their knowledge of digital politics, course participants will gain in-demand practical skills for staying abreast of digital policy processes, ranging from global Internet governance architecture to privacy and data protection to cybersecurity. All course content is tailored to the DC policy environment.
[Upcoming] See a video clip from a session dedicated to Bay Area techplomacy at RightsCon in Toronto.
The Internet industry in the Bay Area is of vital importance for almost all the countries in the world.
In the 21st century, innovations in science and technology are increasingly driving many aspects of human endeavour and interaction. Global health, digital and cybersecurity issues, artificial intelligence, environmental/energy sustainability, and international economic development and security are all intimately dependent on rapidly changing scientific knowledge and technological capability. Given the pace and complexity of such scientific and technological developments, countries rely on the network of science and technology attachés for policy-making and collaborative opportunities.
A fresh look five years after the first mapping in 2018, this report examines how countries engage in tech diplomacy in the San Francisco Bay Area. The report maps a selection of diplomatic representations to illustrate the variety of approaches engaged and identifies both the benefits and challenges for countries and tech companies in pursuing the practice of tech diplomacy.