Diplo US

Workshop: The Power of the Unsaid – Diplomatic Communication in the AI Era
2023-04-25 04:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Diplo Centar Belgrade, Braničevska 12a, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
Event description
So far in our history we have only been able to communicate with other humans using language but with the technological advancements and the rise of ChatGPT we can now converse with an AI chatbot. More surprisingly still, that bot may even speak and write more fluently than we do, outperforming us in speed, scope, and variety. This new era raises all sorts of questions regarding the changing dynamics between humans and AI, from authorship to manipulation, and from job redundancy to ethics.
How will ChatGPT impact diplomatic communication? This workshop provides an overview of how AI outperforms humans, and then focuses on the shortfalls of AI next to human linguistic abilities: lack of subtlety, lack of figurative thinking, lack of humour and compassion, and an inability to decipher implicit meaning. Given the speed and scope of AI, it also fails to use pauses and other time-factors strategically. Since all these skills are essential to diplomatic communication, we might ask whether AI can serve any purpose beyond report writing and data gathering.
In this workshop, we will explore the ways in which we can combine AI performance with the unique human skills by looking at the finer details of language and communication. If AI tends to be literal-minded whereas humans excel at implicit communication, we can then identify the different types of loaded language and show which parts AI could master with a bit of training. If AI cannot pick up on moral overtones, we investigate how these judgments are coded into communication and show how some areas might be taught to AI. In other words, we avoid sweeping generalisations about AI and delve into the details of language instead, exploring which grassroot components AI has already mastered and which ones it will with training. Finally, we ask whether there are any aspects of language which AI will not be able to master.
The workshop is exercise-driven and requires active participation. Although the workshop is run in English, the lessons learned are applicable to all languages.
All participants who complete the workshop will receive a certificate issued by DiploFoundation.
Registrations are open
Register×Workshop facilitator
Dr Biljana Scott was trained as a linguist (BA in Chinese, M.Phil and D.Phil in Linguistics, University of Oxford). Dr Scott is a senior fellow at DiploFoundation and an associate of the China Centre, University of Oxford, where she taught for 25 years. She lectures and workshops internationally.
Details

Date: Tuesday, 25 April, 10:00–16:00 CEST
Venue: Diplo Centar, Braničevska 12a, Belgrade, Serbia
Fee: 950 EUR
A limited number of full scholarships are available for applicants from developing countries.
Discounts are available for more than one participant from the same institution.
Due to the limited number of places (maximum 20 participants), applications will be assessed on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

For further information, please contact Mr Andrej Škrinjarić at andrejs@diplomacy.edu.
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Technology and Diplomacy: The Rise of Multilateralism in the Bay Area
2023-04-13 20:30 - 23:30 | Swissnex in San Francisco, Pier 17 Suite 800, San Francisco, CA, 94111, United States
Event description
Thursday, 13 April 2023
17:30-20:30 PDT, Swissnex – San Francisco
Join us on 13 April, in San Francisco, as we officially launch the report ‘Tech Diplomacy Practice in the San Francisco Bay Area’ and explore some of the thematics around it.
We will explore the practice of tech diplomacy and the impacts of geopolitics, the opportunities and challenges it represents both for diplomatic representations and tech companies, and their mutual interactions.
The event is hosted by Swissnex in San Francisco and Diplo, and is supported by the Republic and Canton of Geneva.
For more information, and to register, click the link below.
Registrations are open
Register×About the report
In 2018, Diplo, in cooperation with Swissnex in San Francisco, the Consulate General of Switzerland in San Francisco, and the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP) conducted a techplomacy mapping exercise to explore how different diplomatic representations interact with the San Francisco Bay Area ecosystem.
Since the publication of that report, a lot has changed. Research over the past few months led to the publication of this updated report.
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Towards effective AI capacity development for diplomats and policymakers (WebDebate #58)
2023-04-04 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
Event description
Tuesday, 4 April 2023
The use of AI tools in everyday life and diplomatic practice is becoming more and more prominent. We need in-depth explorations on the possible applications of these tools and the associated challenges and opportunities. We also need focused discussions on how best to prepare diplomats and policymakers for the far-reaching changes that lie ahead. While our previous two WebDebates focused on AI tools, this debate focuses on capacity development for diplomats and policymakers.
We will disucuss: What does effective training and capacity development in AI for diplomats and policymakers look like?
Tuesday, 4th April, 09:00 EDT (13:00 UTC | 15:00 CET | 18:30 IST)
Registrations are open
Register×Register and join the discussion
The need for training and capacity development in AI for diplomats and policymakers has been recognised. There are a number of programmes that support policymakers and diplomats to be better able to address AI’s challenges and opportunities. There are also a number of broader reflections on capacity needs and capacity development. For example, the Broadband Commission, ITU, and UNESCO have published the report Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Competencies for Civil Servants and UNESCO published the Artificial intelligence needs assessment survey in Africa.
Together with diplomats, scholars, and capacity development practitioners, we explore the following questions:

What are the capacity development needs of diplomats and policymakers?
What are examples of effective capacity development in the area of AI?
What lessons learned can be identified and how can these lessons be implemented in new and existing programmes?

About our WebDebates
Our WebDebates on the future of diplomacy are live-streamed on the first Tuesday of every month. They are organised by Diplo within the framework of the International Forum on Diplomatic Training (IFDT). Learn more about our WebDebates series.
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Vulnerabilities in Digital Products: How Does This Impact the World Around Us?
2023-03-29 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
Event description
Wednesday, 29 March 2023
9:00–10:00 EDT (13:00–14:00 UTC), online
What do the SolarWinds hack, the use of Pegasus spyware, and the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack have in common? Even though they have different targets, threat actors, and impacts, they all exploit software vulnerabilities.
Vulnerabilities in digital products remain an almost indispensable component of cyber attacks, especially high-impact ones.
In this Geneva Dialogue webinar, together with expert panellists, we will discuss:

How do vulnerabilities emerge, how are they exploited, and to what end?
What can we learn from these exploitations?
What role do software vulnerabilities play in today’s digitalised society?

Registrations are open
Register×About the Geneva Dialogue
The Geneva Dialogue on Responsible Behaviour in Cyberspace is led by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and implemented by Diplo. It aims to map the roles and responsibilities of actors (states, the business sector, civil society, and the academic and tech communities ) in contributing to greater security and stability in cyberspace in the context of international peace and security, identify good practices and possible gaps in existing efforts, and, ideally, put forward recommendations for overcoming such gaps.
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Strengthening Africa’s voices in global digital processes
2023-03-17
Event description
This session is co-organised by DiploFoundation and the Geneva Internet Platform with the Permanent Missions of Djibouti, Kenya and Namibia. The event is taking place during the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) Forum.
As Africa’s digital dynamism grows, its participation in global digital governance must increase. The continent’s involvement in global policy-making needs to more accurately reflect the dynamism of its digital transformation processes, with growing internet penetration rates, expanding digital economies, and fast-evolving start-up ecosystems.
The digital realm cannot be developed into an enabling, secure engine for human prosperity without Africa’s active involvement in digital diplomacy. African countries and continental and regional organisations need to mobilise human and institutional resources to enable their meaningful and long-lasting engagement in digital foreign policy and diplomacy. While most African countries are in the early stages of their digital diplomacy journey, there are many policies, initiatives and practices across the continent that could drive a faster take-off of digital diplomacy in Africa.
The session will look into how to strengthen African digital voices globally, by leveraging what already exists, while developing digital foreign policies for countries, regions, and the overall continent.
It will start by exploring the digital policy priorities of African countries and institutions and their involvement in global digital governance processes. After looking at the current situation, the discussion will provide practical insights and suggestions on why and how to broaden African digital diplomacy footprint in international processes, with a focus on those dealing with access and infrastructure, cybersecurity, AI and data governance.
In brief, the session will outline the picture of Africa’s involvement in international policy processes in the digital realm by identifying existing building blocks and missing pieces for African digital diplomacy. It will then propose practical steps for the development of African digital diplomacy by strengthening the voices of national and regional actors in global digital diplomacy.
Relevant WSIS Action Lines: 1.The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development | 4. Capacity building | 6. Enabling environment | 11. International and regional cooperation
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What role can AI play in diplomatic negotiation? (WebDebate #57)
2023-03-07 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
Event description

Negotiations are one of the central tenants of diplomacy. Some describe diplomacy as the management of international relations by selected officials via negotiation.
Given the recent hype around AI tools related to language processing and language generation, we need to ask: What role can AI play in diplomatic negotiations?
Tuesday, 7th March,
14:00 UTC (09:00 EDT | 15:00 CET | 19:30 IST)
Registrations are open
Register×Negotiations are, without a doubt, at the core of diplomacy. Diplomatic negotiations prevent wars, signal the end of a war, and build peace. They are the foundation of every international organisation and every international treaty. In a globalised world, diplomatic negotiations make the world go round.
Given the stakes of this task, any tool that might support the process deserves our attention. We have seen various explorations of this question in the context of peaceful conflict resolution. We have also seen concrete pilot projects by organisations like the Innovation Cell at the UNDPPA. With the recent hype and innovation around AI tools, not least ChatGPT, it is time to come back to these questions with renewed vigour.
What is the (potential) role of AI in diplomatic negotiations? What AI tools have already been explored, and what additional tools and needs can we anticipate? What are elements of negotiations that could be augmented what are elements that could be automated?
Join diplomats, academics, and AI experts for an informed discussion on the current level of technology and future trends.
About our WebDebates
Our WebDebates on the future of diplomacy are live-streamed on the first Tuesday of every month. They are organised by Diplo within the framework of the International Forum on Diplomatic Training (IFDT). Learn more about our WebDebates series.
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Digital Middle Powers: What Strategies in the Global Tech Competition?
2023-02-24 05:00 - 06:30 | Online
Event description
In an international context characterised by the ever-growing US-China economic rivalry and technological competition, states caught in the middle of this competition are increasingly having to determine which side they are on.
Digital middle powers are caught in the middle of the power play between competing models, in an emerging multipolar international system where digital technology is a determining factor of power.
This webinar will explore the strategies of several of these “swing states” – such as Brazil, India, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Russia and the UK – and discuss the main findings of IFRI’s upcoming study on this topic: The Technology Policies of Digital Middle Powers.
Diplo’s Marilia Maciel (Head – Digital Commerce and Internet Policy) will participate in this debate by the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI).
The webinar will be held on Zoom, in English, on Friday, 24 February, 5 am–6:30 am EST.

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Information as a public good: Which platform regulation for a troubled digital era?
2023-02-21 03:00 - 12:30 | Online
Event description
Diplo’s Dr Stephanie Borg Psaila (Director for Digital Policy) will be speaking during a side event to UNESCO’s Internet for Trust conference, titled Information as a public good: Which platform regulation for a troubled digital era?
The side event, organised by #Leplusimportant, Académie des sciences morales et politiques, and RadicalxChange, will discuss the implementation of UNESCO’s guidance for regulating digital platforms, which UNESCO has just published in draft format.
The event will take place on Tuesday, 21 February. The side event will run from 3 am to 12:30 pm EST, with Dr Borg Psaila’s roundtable scheduled for 10:20 am – 12:00 pm EST.
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Digital Geopolitics in the Asia-Europe Space: Issues, Actors, and Divides
2023-02-08 04:00 - 05:00 | Online
Event description
The webinar ‘Digital Geopolitics in the Asia-Europe Space: Issues, Actors, and Divides’ will focus on digital and data flows around and across Eurasia. It will tackle questions about the possible shift of data flows to the East, the geographical distribution of data centres in Europe or Asia, trends in geoeconomics, as well as other questions that influence digital geopolitics within the Asia-Europe space.
Dr. Jovan Kurbalija, Founding Director of DiploFoundation and the Head of the Geneva Internet Platform, will deliver the lecture. The lecture is organised by the Department of International Political Economy of East Asia, Faculty of East Asian Studies, Ruhr-Universität Bochum and hosted by the Jean Monnet Chair ‘Connecting Europe and Asia: People, Power and Policies’ (CEAPPP).
For more information, please visit the official event web page.

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Will AI take over diplomatic reporting? (WebDebate #56)
2023-02-07 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
Event description
Reports are the lifeblood of diplomacy. Every day, thousands of reports, also known as diplomatic cables, are produced by diplomats around the world.
With the advent of AI, and in particular the release of ChatGPT, we have to ask ourselves: Will AI take over diplomatic reporting?
Tuesday, 7th February, 09:00 EST (14:00 UTC | 15:00 CEST | 19:30 IST)
Registrations are open
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Diplomatic reports summarise meetings and negotiations, analyse situations and identify trends, and propose further actions. In the history of diplomacy, the first embassy (Milan to Florence in 1450) and the first Ministry of Foreign Affairs (France in 1626) were established to serve as archives of diplomatic reports. In addition to internal diplomatic reports, reports are prepared for international organisations as records of the implementation of treaties, Agenda 2030, and other global initiatives.
ChatGPT gave us a glimpse of the power of AI for drafting texts. The whole process of reporting – from a transcription of voice recordings to the summarising of text, to answering specific questions – can be performed by the AI. Off-the-shelf AI such as ChatGPT is not reliable yet. But, AI, which will be trained in the language and way of thinking of diplomats, can mimic a considerable part of diplomatic reporting. As we saw from ChatGPT, diplomats may have to develop new skills of ‘prompting’ in order to provide AI with a cognitive framework for drafting and summarising.

How will AI affect diplomatic reporting? What will be the impact on the diplomatic profession? What would be a human role in ‘automated diplomatic reporting ’?

Join diplomats, academics, and AI experts for an informed discussion on the current level of technology and future trends. You will also have a chance to hear about Diplo’s cutting-edge research on apps and tools for AI and diplomacy.
Registrations are open:

RegisterContributors:
Diplo’s AI and Data Team
Jovan Kurbalija, Director of DiploFoundation and Head of Geneva
Moderator:
Dr Katharina E. Höne (Director of Research, Diplo)
About our WebDebates
Our WebDebates on the future of diplomacy are live-streamed on the first Tuesday of every month. They are organised by Diplo within the framework of the International Forum on Diplomatic Training (IFDT). Learn more about our WebDebates series.

8th Geneva Engage Awards
2023-02-01 07:00 - 08:30 | Online
Join us on Wednesday, 1 February 2023, 7 am – 8:30 am EST (12:00–13:30 UTC), for another edition of the Geneva Engage Awards ceremony.
The annual Geneva Engage Awards recognise International Geneva actors in their social media outreach and online engagement. Geneva Engage examines International Geneva’s global footprint by looking at the social media engagement of Geneva-based organisations and Geneva’s web relevance. This year, we are also examining the links between different actors in International Geneva through connections, mentions and interactions on social media.
The 8th Geneva Engage Awards will introduce a new Accessibility Award to recognise efforts to enhance website accessibility performance.
Registrations are open
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The three categories of the Geneva Engage Awards are:

International Organisations
Non-Governmental Organisations and Associations
Permanent Representations to the UN in Geneva

The Geneva Engage initiative was launched by the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP) in 2016 with the support of the Republic and Canton of Geneva and DiploFoundation. Visit the Geneva Engage Awards page for more information on methodology and to see the list of winners of the 7th Geneva Engage Awards.

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Trends and Predictions for 2023
2023-01-12 08:00 - 09:00 | Online
What will 2023 bring for digital geopolitics, AI, data, and cryptocurrencies?
Will the ‘1998 deal’ on digital government still hold?
What issues will dominate the UN and multilateral agenda in Geneva and beyond?
All these, and numerous other questions that will shape the digital landscape in 2023 will be discussed online on 12th January 2023 (8 am EST/14.00 CET)
Join Jovan Kurbalija and his guests during the annual prediction session.
Register below and contribute to the discussion.
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Book launch: ‘Churchill and India: Manipulation or Betrayal?’ (Kishan S. Rana)
2022-12-07 05:00 - 06:00 | Online
Wednesday, 7th December, 5am EST (11:00 CET), via Zoom
Amb. Kishan S. Rana (Honorary Member, Institute of Chinese Studies, New Deli; Emeritus Professor, Diplo) will discuss his new book Churchill and India: Manipulation or Betrayal?, published by Routledge, which focuses on the complex relationship between Winston Churchill and India in the context of the later phase of the British Empire.
Find out more about the book on Routledge’s website.
The event will take place via Zoom, in English. Join the Zoom meeting via:
https://diplomacy.zoom.us/j/99911738297?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 999 1173 8297
Password: [REDACTED]
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Summit on Digital Diplomacy and Governance
2022-11-17 04:00 - 2022-11-19 15:30 | Online
Technology is having a profound impact on the core functions of diplomacy. The role of diplomacy in the digital era is changing: from geopolitical and societal changes in the environment where diplomacy operates, to new issues on diplomatic agendas, to new digital tools aiding the work of diplomats.
The Summit on Digital Diplomacy and Governance, organised by DiploFoundation in cooperation with Malta’s Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will look ahead at the future of diplomacy by reflecting on the past decades, marked by the use of technology in and for diplomacy.

Diplomats, academics, technologists, and NGO representatives will also discuss digital diplomacy and governance, AI, e-commerce, cybersecurity, and other issues that shape our digital future, as well as policy processes including ongoing negotiations on the proposed Global Digital Compact.
The Summit, which will also mark 20 years of DiploFoundation and 30 years of internet and diplomacy research and training in Malta, will take place in Malta on Friday 18th November and Saturday 19th November 2022, and will be preceded by a pre-event on Thursday, 17th November 2022.
Visit the Summit website to learn more and to participate. Visit also the Diploversary page to find out more about Diplo’s history. For queries and press contacts, write to us at malta@diplomacy.edu

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Diplo Week in Geneva
2022-11-07 03:00 - 2022-11-11 06:30
Event description
Were celebrating our 20th anniversary with Diplo Week in Geneva!
Throughout Diplo Week, therell be a series of open-door events where you can learn all about the latest AI applications and data analysis, how to use them in online meetings, and brand new online teaching methods!
Lets go on a journey through Diplos ideas, tools, and services where you can discover how Diplo blends technology, arts, and diplomacy.
More info about Event and Registration
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AI Policy Summit 2022
2022-10-09 - 2022-10-13 | Online
RegHorizon and ETH Zurich’s Center for Law and Economics have partnered since 2019 to create an unbiased platform for a timely multi-stakeholder discussion among policy makers, academia, business and society focussing on challenges that AI technologies pose and exploring relevant policy solutions to address them.
The 3rd AI Policy Conference continues the multistakeholder dialogue started last year with leading experts to explore the use of public policy and societal engagement to capture the benefits of artificial intelligence, minimize its risks and enhance its adoption.
The Conference offers a unique opportunity for a truly multi-stakeholder exchange among high level policymakers, business leaders, civil society, and academia to discuss and co-create the future of AI policies and build AI Policy together for a better world!
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Summit on Digital Diplomacy and Governance
2022-10-07 04:00 - 13:00 | Online
Technology is having a profound impact on the core functions of diplomacy. The role of diplomacy in the digital era is changing: from geopolitical and societal changes in the environment where diplomacy operates, to new issues on diplomatic agendas, to new digital tools aiding the work of diplomats.
The Summit on Digital Diplomacy and Governance, organised by DiploFoundation in cooperation with Malta’s Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will look ahead at the future of diplomacy by reflecting on the past decades, marked by the use of technology in and for diplomacy.
Registrations are open
Register×
Diplomats, academics, technologists, and NGO representatives will also discuss digital diplomacy and governance, AI, e-commerce, cybersecurity, and other issues that shape our digital future, as well as policy processes including ongoing negotiations on the proposed Global Digital Compact.
The Summit, which will also mark 20 years of DiploFoundation and 30 years of internet and diplomacy research and training in Malta, will take place in Malta on Friday 18th November and Saturday 19th November 2022, and will be preceded by a pre-event on Thursday, 17th November 2022.
Visit the Summit website to learn more and to participate. Visit also the Diploversary page to find out more about Diplo’s history. For queries and press contacts, write to us at malta@diplomacy.edu

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Data Governance in the Context of Emerging Technologies: Promoting Human-Centred and Development-Oriented Societies
2022-09-02 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
Event description
Date: Friday, 2nd September, 9 am – 10 am EDT
The importance of data is paramount, not only for promoting innovation, but also for better policy making and long-term development. Data has become a cornerstone for the digital economy and a strategic asset for promoting the vision of a people-centred and development-oriented ecosystem, set forth by the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).
In particular, data availability and data flows underpin emerging technologies, such as the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), 3D printing, and the connected infrastructure that increasingly allows modern cities to function.
In the context of this data-driven economy, the governance of this key asset should be tackled in a multilayered way. On the one hand, there is a growing need to harmonise measures put in place at the national level (or ‘behind the border’) that have an impact on data flows and on the development of new technologies. On the other hand, it is important to tackle the geopolitical consequences of the concentration of key assets (data sets, cloud services, analytics capacity) and of wealth in the context of the data economy, and the potential impact that this concentration could have on development, stability, and on attaining the SDGs.
Some of the topics to be covered by speakers include:

The geopolitics of data: How are data and data-related assets distributed worldwide? What is the importance of holistic data governance, especially in the context of emerging technologies?
Emerging technologies and trade: Can trade agreements facilitate access to the inputs required for the development of emerging technologies, in particular data? How can they specifically benefit developing countries?
Non-personal data: Could mechanisms for promoting access to non-personal data and data sharing benefit the ability of developing countries to pursue their digital industrialisation strategies?
Privacy in the context of emerging technologies: What are the limitations of data protection frameworks in dealing with emerging technologies (e.g. AI), and which mechanisms could be implemented to safeguard the rights of individuals and the social benefits of data?
Institutional arrangements: Next year, the UN Digital Future Summit will take place, continuing the important efforts condensed in the Roadmap for Digital Cooperation. How to better coordinate data governance within the UN system and with other international organisations close to the UN family? Could the UN provide a space to address data governance in a more holistic and inclusive manner?

Join us for this opening lecture of Diplo’s Data Governance in the Digital Economy online course.
Registrations are open
Register×Participants
Opening remarks: Dr Jovan Kurbalija (Director, Diplo; Head, Geneva Internet Platform (GIP))
Moderation: Ms Marília Maciel (Head, Digital Commerce and Internet Policy, Diplo)
Speakers:
Ms Pilar Fajarnes Garces (Economic Affairs Officer, Technology and Logistics Division, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD))
Mr Luca Belli (Professor, FGV Law School; Head, Center for Technology and Society, FGV; Director, CyberBRICS)
Mr Hao Liu (Acting Chair, School of Global Governance, Beijing Institute of Technology)
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Science Diplomacy Capacity Development: Where Do We Go From Here? (WebDebate #55)
2022-07-14 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
For both diplomats and scientists, science diplomacy has become an important topic and practice. It is discussed as an important contribution to solving some of the most pressing global challenges of our time, such as climate change and the global pandemic. At the same time, science diplomacy is a contested concept and practice. It can mean a number of different, sometimes contradictory things, to various actors.
Beyond these divergences, many actors can greatly benefit from the tools and knowledge science diplomacy has to offer. Broadly speaking, it can help diplomats and scientists to reframe their work in useful ways to enable greater collaboration across boundaries. An example of this is ​​‘boundary spanning’, i.e. bridging the policy and the scientific spheres to facilitate research and increase policy impact.
If we agree that science diplomacy has the potential to be an extremely useful practice and concept, the question of capacity development in science diplomacy comes into an even sharper focus. We now need to ask:

How can various actors be enabled to benefit from what science diplomacy has to offer?
What content and what form should capacity development take?
How do we ensure that capacity development in science diplomacy has a longer-term impact and allows participants to become active shapers of policies and processes in their chosen fields?

For this discussion, we draw on the joint experiences of our speakers from the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) and the Geneva Science-Policy Interface (GSPI), and the experience of jointly working on and delivering the first Science Diplomacy Week, as well as Diplo’s Science Diplomacy online course.
Join us on Thursday, 14th July, at 13:00 UTC (09:00 EDT | 15:00 CEST | 21:00 CST).
Registrations are open
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Speakers
Dr Marga Gual Soler is a science diplomacy expert and founder of SciDipGLOBAL, a purpose-driven advisory, consulting, research, and training firm dedicated to building bridges between science, technology, and global policy. She is a senior advisor to the Geneva Science Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA), founding member of the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance, and visiting professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
Mr Nicolas Seidler is the executive director of the Geneva Science-Policy Interface (GSPI). He leads the GSPI’s mission to enhance scientific engagement with global governance actors within the Geneva ecosystem, with the objective to facilitate the emergence of effective, evidence-informed policies and solutions to complex global problems.
Mr Maxime Stauffer is co-founder and chief executive officer of the Simon Institute for Longterm Governance. His work focuses on the governance of low-probability, high-impact risks from emerging technologies and on the representation of future generations in policy processes. Previously, he was a senior science-policy officer at the Geneva Science-Policy Interface and a research fellow at the Global Studies Institute.
Dr Vid Nukala currently works at EMBO. He previously worked at the Office of Global Affairs (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, US Embassy), the Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance, the Institute for Alternative Futures, and the Indo-U.S. Science & Technology Forum. Nukala is interested in biomedical science, technology and innovation, global health, ethics, policy, diplomacy, and community engagement.
Moderator
Dr Katharina E. Höne (Director of Research, Diplo)
About our WebDebates series
Our WebDebates on the future of diplomacy are live-streamed on the first Tuesday of every month. They are organised by Diplo within the framework of the International Forum on Diplomatic Training (IFDT). Learn more about our WebDebates series.

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[Briefing #86] Internet governance in June 2022
2022-06-28 08:00 - 17:00 | Online
Event description
Join us for June’s Digital Watch Internet Governance Briefing on Tuesday, 28th June, at 8am EDT (14.00 CEST).
Catch up on the major internet governance and digital policy updates from all around the globe and join our experts as they analyse the existing and emerging policy trends.
Register and join the Digital Watch Internet Governance Briefing on Zoom for an interactive experience or watch our live streams on YouTube and Facebook on the last Tuesday of each month.

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Digitalization and E-Commerce: New prospects for tackling inequality? (IISD Trade and Sustainability Hub)
2022-06-15 07:00 - 08:00
Event description
As a result of the digital revolution, e-commerce is increasingly becoming the central channel through which global economic activity takes place. However, not everyone has equal access to digital infrastructure and digital knowledge. There is therefore a risk that certain segments of the population, as well as poorer countries, lose out on opportunities to participate in and benefit from the digital economy. This may result in growing inequalities not only within a country but also between countries.
This round table at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Trade and Sustainability Hub will explore how the digital divide leads to digital inequalities, and impacts e-commerce development and governance. It will also examine how the digital divide is addressed in recent trade agreements and the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations: Do they go far enough to promote inclusive e-commerce? And what more can be done?
Diplo’s Head of Digital Commerce and Internet Policy Marília Maciel will participate in this session, which will be held on Wednesday, 15th June, 7am –8am EDT.
For more information and to register, please visit
the official page×Register

Our Immersive Digital Future: How Extended Reality May Affect International Relations
2022-06-09 09:00 - 2022-06-10 16:40 | Elliott School of International Affairs, 1957 E Street Northwest, Washington, DC, 20052, United States
Event description
Immersive spatial computing technologies, such as augmented reality and virtual reality, can change how we see, interact with, and experience the world. But we don’t know how these technologies may affect global governance and international relations. The @DataGovHub XR Conference aims to foster a discussion around these issues.
Diplo is supporting this event as an event partner.
Moreover, Diplo’s Head of Digital Commerce and Internet Policy Marília Maciel will participate in the session XR and Economic Issues on Friday, 10th June, 15:00–16:15 (Washington DC time).
For more information and to register, please visit
the official page×Register

[Briefing #85] Internet governance in May 2022
2022-05-31 08:00 - 09:00 | Online
​​Join us for May’s Digital Watch Internet Governance Briefing on Tuesday, 31st May, at 8.00 EDT (14.00 CEST).
Catch up on the major internet governance and digital policy updates from all around the globe and join our experts as they analyse the existing and emerging policy trends.
Register and join the Digital Watch Internet Governance Briefing on Zoom for an interactive experience or watch our live streams on YouTube and Facebook on the last Tuesday of each month.
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AI as a Tool for Diplomacy and Mediation
2022-05-06 07:30 - 2022-05-17 09:00 | IHEID – Petal 5, Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2, Geneva, 1202, Switzerland
Event description
Date: Tuesday, 17th May 7:30 am – 9 am EDT (11:30–13:00 UTC | 13:30–15:00 CEST)
Place: Geneva and online
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Register×This year’s Science Diplomacy Week will take place in Geneva from 16 to 20 May. As part of the programme, Diplo is organising a hybrid event titled ’AI as a Tool for Diplomacy and Mediation’.
Diplo is proud to be part of the Geneva Coalition on Anticipatory Science and Diplomacy, a group of 14 Swiss and global institutions which are co-organising Science Diplomacy Week.
As part of the session, participants will discuss the current and potential future uses of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for diplomatic practice and peace mediation. The discussion will detail various applications of AI, in particular in the areas of natural-language processing and image recognition.
Three key topics will be discussed:

Which tools have been developed and demonstrated as pilot projects, and how do they impact the work of diplomats and mediators?
How can conversations between diplomatic practitioners and the developers of AI applications be facilitated for creating needs-oriented tools?
Why is it important to have this conversation now and what are some of the current and potential future challenges?

To further the discussion, the first part of the session will include an overview of various tools, such as Diplo’s Speech Generator which supports diplomats in drafting speeches in the area of cybersecurity.
Panellists:

Mr Sameer Chauhan (Director, UN International Computing Centre)
Dr Andreas Hirblinger (Postdoctoral Researcher, Center on Conflict, Development, and Peacebuilding, Graduate Institute, Geneva)
Dr Katharina Höne (Director of Research, Diplo)
Dr Jovan Kurbalija (Executive Director, Diplo; Head, Geneva Internet Platform (GIP))
Mr Jovan Njegić (Head, AI and Data Lab, Diplo)

[Briefing #84] Internet governance in April 2022
2022-04-26 08:00 - 09:00 | Online
As April is coming to an end, we look back at the main digital policy highlights of the past weeks.
The UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) held its second substantive session, discussing the responsible behaviour of states in cyberspace. However, the discussions on substantive issues were overshadowed by disagreements over possible models for multistakeholder engagement.
A week after the OEWG meeting, US and Russia cyber relations took a hit as the USA pulled out of bilateral cyber talks, putting a stop to a period of cyber detente.
This month’s Internet Governance Briefing offers a broad perspective and a deeper analysis. As always, the event will include our Digital Policy Barometer shaped by other updates in April.
Register to join us at the Digital Watch Internet Governance Briefing on Tuesday, 26th April, at 12.00 UTC (14.00 CEST).

Want to learn more about the UN OEWG’s second substantive session? Visit our dedicated page
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‘Promoting inclusive data policy through capacity building’ – UNCTAD eCommerce Week 2022
2022-04-26 04:00 - 05:00 | Online
Trade negotiations contribute significantly to shaping the norms that will govern cross-border data flows. These norms are being designed by only a few countries that function as normative hubs. Active engagement in negotiations is of the utmost importance for developing countries and least-developed countries, so they can voice their development-oriented priorities.
This session will bring together a diverse group of experts to reflect upon the ways in which capacity building can empower developing actors in the context of policy discussions on data flows. It will be guided by questions that aim to distil concrete action points to be taken on board by providers of capacity building. Click here for more details on this session

Diplo is also co-organising a session with CUTS International and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on Whether ‘data localisation’ and ‘national champion’ approach would lead to an inclusive digital economy. The session will be held on Wednesday, 27th April, 10:00–11:00 CEST. Marilia Maciel (Head – Digital Commerce and Internet Policy, Diplo) will participate as a speaker. Read more about this session.
These sessions are part of the UNCTAD eCommerce Week 2022.

The Geneva Internet Platform is once again partnering with UNCTAD to deliver coverage on a selection of thematic sessions from this year’s eCommerce Week. Reports will be uploaded on the dedicated page when available.
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Science Diplomacy in 2022: More Cooperation or More Division? (WebDebate #54)
2022-04-05 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
Science diplomacy offers many tools to foster collaboration among states and other stakeholders. In this way, the practice can lead to increased mutual understanding and ultimately to more peaceful international relations.
History is full of examples of unexpected cooperation between rival countries. Despite the ongoing Cold War and the ‘space race’ between the USA and the Soviet Union, the two countries also managed to cooperate in space, leading to the famous ‘Apollo–Soyuz handshake’. Another more recent example is SESAME (Synchrotron-Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East), an experimental facility in Jordan, whose founding members include Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, the Palestinian Authority, and Turkey.
Yet, practitioners and scholars have pointed out that science diplomacy does not automatically lead to more peaceful relations between countries, and that international cooperation to reach common goals cannot be taken for granted.
Together with our speakers, Dr Kimberly Montgomery (Director of International Affairs and Science Diplomacy, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)) and Mr Alexis Roig (CEO of SciTech DiploHub and Barcelona’s Chief Science and Tech Envoy), we want to unpack this debate and explore expectations for 2022. We will discuss:

What are the current trends in science diplomacy?
What actors, topics, and challenges are becoming more relevant in 2022?
Will we see more cooperation or more divisions?
What/how can the practice of science diplomacy contribute to cooperation across divides and even in the face of conflict?

Join us on Tuesday, 5th April, at 13:00 UTC (09:00 EDT | 15:00 CEST | 21:00 CST).
Registrations are open
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Speakers
Dr Kimberly Montgomery is the director of International Affairs and Science Diplomacy at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). In this role, she advises on bilateral and multilateral relationships and manages the AAAS Center for Science Diplomacy. She also serves as the executive editor of the policy journal Science & Diplomacy. She has worked in science policy and international affairs in the USA and Austria. In Austria, she managed and advised on international relationships for the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and was a scientific consultant for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Her US experience includes six years at the US House of Representatives as professional staff for the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and as a legislative assistant for Representative Rush Holt (NJ-12). Directly prior to joining AAAS in 2021, she was a senior programme officer at the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) in the Scientific and Technical Affairs programme.
Mr Alexis Roig currently serves as CEO of SciTech DiploHub, the leading international think-and-do tank working at the intersection of science, technology, and foreign affairs. He also serves as Barcelona’s chief science and tech envoy, and is a professor at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST), associate researcher at the Barcelona Centre for International Relations (CIDOB), associate professor at the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) and the Barcelona Institute of International Studies (IBEI). He has over 10 years of experience as a senior advisor on science diplomacy for ministries of foreign affairs and science of governments across Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
Moderator
Dr Katharina E. Höne (Director of Research, Diplo)
About our WebDebates
Our WebDebates on the future of diplomacy are live-streamed on the first Tuesday of every month. They are organised by Diplo within the framework of the International Forum on Diplomatic Training (IFDT). Learn more about our WebDebates series.

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[Briefing #83] Internet governance in March 2022
2022-03-29 08:00 - 09:00 | Online
Join us for March’s Digital Watch Internet Governance Briefing on Tuesday, 29th March, at 8 am EDT (12.00 UTC).
Catch up on the major internet governance and digital policy updates from all around the globe and join our experts as they analyse the existing and emerging policy trends.
Register and join the Digital Watch Internet Governance Briefing on Zoom for an interactive experience or watch our live streams on YouTube and Facebook on the last Tuesday of each month.
Registrations are open
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Global Communications and Audiences: Propaganda, Fake News & AI Censorship
2022-03-28 04:00 - 06:00 | Online
Event date: 28 March 2022, 4 am–6 am EDT
The webinar Global Communications and Audiences: Propaganda, Fake News & AI Censorship, organised by Data To Power, will explore how datafication and platformisation processes, as well as a rise in new disinformation and propaganda tools, might affect museum global communications by disrupting the flow of global information exchange, and accelerating anxiety, negative sentiment, and cross-cultural misunderstanding among online participants.
Diplo’s Director of Research Dr Katharina Höne is a panellist in this event’s Interactive Data Panel.
For more information and to register, please visit the official page.
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Official Geneva presentation of special UNDP report on human security
2022-03-17 09:00 - 10:15 | Online
Event date: 17 March 2022, 9 am–10:15 am EDT
The event, organised by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) and the UN Development Programme’s (UNDP) Geneva office, will serve as Geneva’s official presentation of the UNDP’s special report titled New Threats to Human Security in the Anthropocene: Demanding Greater Solidarity.
According to this report, despite people on average living longer, healthier, and wealthier lives, these advances have not succeeded in increasing people’s sense of security. The report examines a cluster of threats that have become more prominent in recent years, including digital technologies, inequalities, conflicts, and the ability of healthcare systems to tackle new challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Registrations are open
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How to improve human security in light of emerging threats in the 21st century?

In this context, the event aims to bring in a diverse set of voices and perspectives from security, health, climate, digital, and diplomatic communities, with the aim of starting a global conversation on human security.
Diplo’s Executive Director Prof. Jovan Kurbalija will be one of the experts at this event.
For more information, and to register, please visit the official page.

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