Diplo US

[Briefing #86] Internet governance in June 2022
2022-06-28 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Register

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.
Register

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
Register for online participation
Register×Register for participation in situ
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
Register

‘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.
Register

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
Register×
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.

Register

[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
Register×

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.
Register

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
Register×

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.

Register

Towards a more diverse international standardisation landscape – Motivations and actions for stakeholders in the ARIN region
2022-03-15 11:00 - 11:45 | Online
Event date: 15 March 2022 | 11:00–11:45 EDT (15:00 – 15:45 UTC), online
This event is addressed to stakeholders in the ARIN service region (national and regional standard development organisations, governmental entities, industry, the technical community, academia, and civil society groups with an interest in digital standards.)
Registrations are open
Register×
On 22 February, we launched the paper International digital standards: A case for the involvement of stakeholders in the ARIN region and started a discussion on why and how stakeholders in small and developing countries (in particular Caribbean and North Atlantic islands) can contribute to international standardisation processes. We looked at the various implications of digital standards (for economy and trade, human rights, public policy, geopolitics), explored the complexity and dynamism of the international standardisation landscape, and outlined a series of recommendations that could contribute to a more diverse participation in digital standard-setting.
Following up on these discussions, we will:

Look more closely at what motivates actors to participate in international standards developing organisations (SDOs), and how they choose which organisations and areas to focus on.
Explore concrete actions that could step up the engagement of stakeholders from the ARIN region in international SDOs.
Discuss how regional stakeholders – governments, national SDOs, companies, etc. – can strengthen their cooperation on digital standardisation issues, at both regional and international levels.

Because the event will be held right after the conclusion of the ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-20), our event will also feature an overview of key WTSA outcomes and a discussion around their implications.
***
This event is part of the Raising awareness on digital standards for ARIN region countries project funded by ARIN through its Community Grant Program and run by Diplo US. The project includes research, training, and awareness-building components dedicated to promoting a better understanding of the importance of international digital standards across the ARIN region, focusing on developing countries.

Register

International digital standards: Stepping up the engagement of stakeholders from the ARIN region
2022-02-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Event date: 22 February 2022, 10:00–11:00 EST, online
This event is addressed to stakeholders in the ARIN service region (national and regional standard development organisations, governmental entities, industry, the technical community, academia, and civil society groups with an interest in digital standards.)
Registrations are open
Register×
Standards for digital technologies are all around us, enabling devices to interact with each other, allowing us to connect to mobile networks, and facilitating the exchange of information. They are developed at the national, regional, and international levels, typically through consensus-driven processes where different actors – manufacturers, sellers, trade associations, governmental entities, etc. – contribute their views and promote their interests.
Given the global nature of the digital economy, international standards – set within organisations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) – are of particular importance. Although participation in such organisations is generally open to anyone interested, stakeholders from large and developed countries usually prevail in this ecosystem. This standardisation gap – the imbalance in participation in international standardisation processes, in particular between developed and developing countries – is visible across the region serviced by the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN): While stakeholders from the USA and Canada are very active in standardisation processes (even if with differing levels of engagement over the years, from one organisation to another), there is very little (if any) participation from other countries in the region.
Our event is intended to help raise awareness about digital standards among stakeholders in small, developing countries in the ARIN service region. It will feature:

an overview of international digital standards, their relevance and implications (technical, economic, social, etc.), and where they are developed
insights into the extent to which stakeholders from ARIN countries participate in several key international standards development organisations
a discussion on why and how to contribute to international standardisation processes
a close look at the upcoming ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (to take place in March 2022), what to expect, and what to pay attention to

The paper International digital standards: A case for the involvement of stakeholders in the ARIN region (in English and Spanish) will be launched during the event.
***
This event is part of the Raising awareness on digital standards for ARIN region countries project funded by ARIN through its Community Grant Program and run by Diplo US. The project includes research, training, and awareness-building components dedicated to promoting a better understanding of the importance of international digital standards across the ARIN region, focusing on developing countries.

Register

[Briefing #82] Internet governance in February 2022
2022-02-22 08:00 - 09:00 | Online
Join us for February’s Digital Watch Internet Governance Briefing on Tuesday, 22nd February, at 8 am (14.00 CET).
Registrations are open
Register×
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.

Register

Digital Technologies and the Environment: a Synergy for the Future
2022-02-17 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
Digital technologies can amplify efforts to mitigate climate change and, as such, are becoming part of environmental and digital policies on the national and international levels. Most global policies from international bodies, the European Union (EU), the US, and Germany substantially reflect on the issues related to the nexus of environmental and digital developments. In this discussion, we will look into current developments in the relevant fora, such as the US-EU Trade and Technology Council, and consider the possibilities to deepen cooperation and understanding between the US, the EU, and Germany on issues related to environment and digital developments.
Diplo US and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung USA, Washington, DC office, commissioned a report mapping the interactions between digital developments and the environment. The report looks into existing policies and avenues of cooperation between the US, EU and Germany. The report explores the topics of greenhouse gas emissions, rare earths, and e-waste. It will be available for download, free of charge, at the event.
Register to reserve your virtual seat at the event on Thursday, 17th February, at 09 am EST. The event will be 45 minutes long.
Registrations are open
Register×

GFCE Report Launch: “Pre-University Cyber Security Education: developing cyber skills amongst children and young people”
2022-02-08 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
The Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE) is launching the report “Pre-University Cyber Security Education: developing cyber skills amongst children and young people”. The report was written by Krysia Emily Waldock, Vince Miller, Shujun Li and Virginia Franquiera from the University of Kent, and was commissioned through the GFCE Global Cyber Capacity Building Research Agenda mechanism.
The event, which will be moderated by Dr Tereza Horejsova (Director of Projects and Partnerships, Diplo) will feature a presentation of findings, a panel discussion as well as a Q&A with the audience.
Registrations are open
Register×

7th Geneva Engage Awards – What is Geneva’s digital footprint?
2022-02-01 07:00 - 20:30 | Online
The annual Geneva Engage Awards recognise International Geneva actors in their social media outreach and online engagement. Geneva Engage examines Geneva’s global footprint by looking at social media engagement of Geneva-based organisations, and Geneva’s web relevance and online meetings.
Ultimately, Geneva Engage examines the links between International Geneva and communities from around the world that are affected by the policies discussed and negotiated in Geneva in areas such as development, human rights, and digital issues.
The three categories of the Geneva Engage Awards are:

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

The 2022 Geneva Engage award for Non-Governmental Organisations and Associations will be dedicated to the memory of internet pioneer Ian Peter (1948–2021). This is particularly relevant and important in recognition of Ian’s lifelong commitment to civil society engagement in use of the internet for communication in support of marginalised and vulnerable groups. For more information about Ian, see:
In Memoriam: Ian Peter (9/6/1948 – 26/12/2021)
In memory of Ian Peter, internet pioneer and visionary thinker…
Farewell to visionary, Ian Peter
Ian Peter’s weblog
In 2020, a new award was introduced for online meetings.
Join us on Tuesday, 1st February 2022, 7 am –8:30 am (12:00–13:30 UTC).
For more information, visit the dedicated page.

Traversing the Metaverse: A Caribbean Perspective
2022-01-31 08:00 - 11:30 | Online
In recent months, the term ‘metaverse’ has generated much discussion globally, and has become one of the latest tech buzzwords. The term gained even greater prominence with the rebranding of Facebook to Meta. In addition, the Government of Barbados also announced in 2021 that it would establish an embassy in the Metaverse, making it one of the first to do so.
The event ‘Traversing the Metaverse: A Caribbean Perspective’, organised by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union in partnership with the Government of Barbados and Meta, will explore various issues about the metaverse in an effort to educate and raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges for, in particular, small island developing states (SIDS).
The webinar will be open to the public, but will specifically focus on key stakeholders such as ICT policymakers, economists, technologists, entrepreneurs, and academia.
The event will see the participation of Diplo’s Vladimir Radunović (Director, Cybersecurity and E-diplomacy).
Register

New regular cyber-dialogue at the UN: Mapping our expectations with reality
2022-01-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Kaspersky is back with season two of their series Community Talks on Cyber Diplomacy.
Season two continues to focus on helping the private sector and technical community to learn more about the UN cyber dialogue (the UN Open-ended Working Group (OEWG)), and how they could support UN member states in maintaining international security and peace. It therefore aims to close the gap that exists between different professionals in building cyber stability.
Registrations are open
Register×
In the first discussion, panellists will be discussing the new regular cyber dialogue at the UN and mapping our expectations with reality.
Paanellists:

Vladimir Radunović (Director, E-diplomacy and Cybersecurity Programmes, Diplo)
Laura Carpini (Head, Cyber Policies Division, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation)
Isaac Morales Tenorio (Coordinator, Multidimenstional Security Issue, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mexico)
David Emm (Principal Security Researcher, Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT), Kaspersky)

Register

[Briefing #81] What’s in store for digital policy in 2022?
2022-01-25 08:00 - 09:00 | Online
Join us for the next IG Briefing, on Tuesday, 22nd February, at 13.00 UTC (14.00 CET). Register
Read the article: 10 Digital Diplomacy and Governance Trends for 2022

Event description
As is now tradition, our first briefing of the year will focus on predictions for the year ahead of us. What lies in store for 2022? What are the top trends to keep an eye on?
Catch up on the major internet governance and digital policy updates and join our experts as they analyse the existing and emerging policy trends, on Tuesday, 25th January, at 8 am (14.00 CET).
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.
For the latest developments in digital policy, we encourage you to visit the updates page on our observatory, and register for the Digital Watch weekly newsletter which is sent by email every Friday.
The monthly Digital Watch Internet Governance Briefing is organised by the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP)’s Digital Watch Observatory, a Diplo initiative.

Digital Diplomacy in 2022: Capacity Development for Namibian Diplomacy
2022-01-07 04:30 - 2022-01-17 05:30 | Online
AI, Data, and Social Media in Geopolitics, Foreign Policy, and Negotiations
Capacity Development for Namibia’s Diplomacy
7 – 17 January 2022
The rising interest in digital diplomacy reflects the importance of digitisation for the future of nations around the world. Countries seek to shape their destiny as technology affects every aspect of our lives, from war and peace, through lifestyle and work to our very survival. The COVID-19 crisis has vividly demonstrated the critical relevance of digital infrastructure for modern society.
Digital diplomacy will be discussed from three perspectives during capacity development:

how countries can advance their interest in digital geopolitics and geoeconomics
how diplomatic services can negotiate new digital topics such as cybersecurity and e-commerce in multilateral and bilateral negotiations
how ministries of foreign affairs can make use of new digital tools such as social media, online conferencing, data, and artificial intelligence.

Programme

7 January (9:30 – 10:30 – Malta | 10:30 – 11:30 – Namibia)
High-level event for ambassadors and leadership of the Namibian diplomatic service
Welcome statements by

Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of Namibia
Hon. Evarist Bartolo, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Malta
Hon. Peya Mushelenga, Minister of Information and Communication of Namibia

Presentation by
Prof. Jovan Kurbalija, Director of DiploFoundation

11 – 14 January
Just-in-time course on digital diplomacy for Namibian diplomats focusing on:

digital geopolitics and geoeconomics
new digital topics on the diplomatic agenda
new digital tools for diplomatic activities

Participants will consult course materials online with daily online consultations via Zoom (14:00 – 15:00 – Malta | 15:00 – 16:00 – Namibia time). Participants can register here https://forms.gle/ZViVLrq2CwmcTeM27.
17 January (14:00 – 15:00 CET – Malta | 15:00 – 16:00 – Namibia)
Concluding and certification session
Organised by
DiploFoundation
In partnership with
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Malta
Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation of Namibia

Learning from the past, looking to the future [A historical journey #11]
2021-12-21 08:00 - 09:00 | Online
We’ve come to the end of our adventure! During our History of Diplomacy and Technology journey, we’ve learnt that the past, present, and future are intertwined. As a matter of fact, in physics and philosophy – time does not exist.
Before you go on your Christmas holiday, we invite you to join us for our final episode. This time, together with you, we will try to imagine the future, while looking back at our past.
See you on Tuesday, 21st December, at 18:00 EST!
Registrations are open
Register×

Technology for Development
2021-12-15 08:00 - 17:00 | Online
The Delegation of the European Union to the UN in Geneva, the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN in Geneva, the Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the UN in Geneva (currently holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU), and the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP) invite you to a series of dialogues titled From Geneva: Reflections on digital future which discusses issues of importance for the Geneva and global audiences. Our next dialogue, ‘Technology for development’, will be held on 15 December 2021.
Opportunity does not come without risk. Technological advances must respect human rights, democracy and strengthen economic and political stability. There is a danger that as the ‘digital divide’ continues to widen social inequality and exclusion in developing and industrialised countries will be exacerbated.
The success of future international cooperation is contingent on stakeholders embracing and harnessing the new technology. Innovation in digital connectivity, processing power, data management and algorithms can contribute to solutions for complex developmental challenges ranging from healthcare to education, logistics to urban development, from climate change to the empowerment of women.
How can we bring about the meaningful engagement of governments, international organisations, public and private organisations, research institutions and citizens in an effective partnership?
Join us on Wednesday, 15th December 2021, 10:00–11:30 EST.
Registrations are open
Register×
Enabling everyone to shape and reap the benefits of digitalisation
Panel discussion on developing digital cooperation, including connectivity, capacity development, digital and gender divide, and digital skills.
Speakers:

Ms Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau at International Telecommunication Union
Mr Lacina Koné, Director General, Smart Africa (tbc)
Dr Jovan Kurbalija, Head, Geneva Internet Platform
Mr Jonas Bausch, Youth Employment Officer, International Labor Organization
Ms Nanjira Sambuli, Kenyan researcher, writer, policy analyst and strategist

Moderator: Tereza Horejsova, Geneva Internet Platform
From Geneva: Reflection on Digital Future concluding remarks
At this conclusion of the series, high-level speakers will examine the opportunities of digitalisation with potential recommendations for international cooperation.
Speakers:

Mr Mark Boris Andrijanič, Minister of Digital Transformation of the Republic of Slovenia
Mr Eamon Gilmore, Special Representative for Human Rights, European Union (tbc)
Maria-Francesca Spatolisano, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)
Ambassador Benedikt Wechsler, Head of Digital Division, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland

Moderator: Lotte Knudsen, Permanent Observer and Ambassador, Delegation of European Union to UN and other international organisations
Other events from the From Geneva: Reflections on digital future series:

Data economy: Human-centric approach at the forefront (22 September 2021)
Digitalisation powering environmental protection (14 October 2021)
Harnessing AI’s power for health (3 November 2021)

Register

Digital standards, China, and geopolitics: What is at stake?
2021-12-14 07:00 - 08:00 | Online
Event date: Tuesday, 14th December, 07:00–08:00 EST

Our world is made up of standards, sets of rules that tell us how to do something. They exist in every field, including healthcare, aerospace, construction, measurement, and technology and the Internet, where they are called digital standards.
China has recently shown increased participation in standard developing organisations (SDOs), which can be understood as a natural consequence of the country’s rapid technological development, and an indication that Chinese actors prefer to engage in organisations that underpin international order.
On the one hand, there is hope that Chinese involvement may strengthen the adoption of international standards within China. On the other hand, there are growing concerns that China’s increased participation may be guided by goals of national political and economic projection – of the state and its private actors – that would trump goals of technical efficiency.
Two specific proposals put forward by Chinese actors at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that have attracted significant media attention will be covered in our discussion: a proposal for ITU-T to take up work on designing a new protocol (the ‘New IP’ proposal) and a proposal for standardising facial recognition systems in visual surveillance.
The Geneva office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation commissioned a study assessing the role of China in SDOs, with a specific focus on Geneva-based organisations. The report, which also looks at the broader digital standardisation ecosystem, will be available for download, free of charge, at the event.
Registrations are open
Register×
Speakers:

Mr Olaf Wientzek, Director, Geneva office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation
Dr Jovan Kurbalija, Director, Diplo, and Head, Geneva Internet Platform
Ms Sorina Teleanu, Senior Researcher and lead author of the presented study, Diplo

The event will be fully virtual.
Background reading:

Digital Standards
Digital Standardisation Tour of Geneva

Register

The recent climate negotiations: A perspective from the Global South [WebDebate #52]
2021-12-07 07:00 - 20:30 | Online
Date: Tuesday, 7th December, 07:00 EST (08:00 EDT | 14:00 CET | 18:30 IST)
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues that humanity is facing today. Given current carbon-emission levels and the projected global warming and its consequences over the next decades, it is clear that business as usual is no longer an option. Human lives, livelihoods, species, and ecosystems are under threat. Global solutions for reducing carbon emissions and adaptation to climate change are needed.
Every year, the world focuses on the negotiations taking place under the umbrella of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In 2015, the negotiations resulted in the Paris Agreement. While the Paris Agreement is a major achievement in terms of a clear global commitment to emission reduction, it hinges on voluntary national emission reduction goals. Its climate financing goals are yet to become a reality. With this in mind, the expectations for the climate negotiations at the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP 26) in Glasgow this year, were high. The commitments made at COP 26 have received some praise and quite a lot of critique.
In this 52nd WebDebate, we take a closer look at the climate negotiations at COP 26 from a Global South perspective. Together with our eminent speaker, Ambassador Kishan Rana from India, we explore some of the following questions:

What has been achieved and what is still missing from a Global South perspective?
Did we see the kind of global solidarity that is needed to address climate change successfully?
Is multilateral diplomacy failing the Global South and, if so, what can be done to address this?

Join us on Tuesday, 7th December, at 07:00 EST (08:00 EDT | 14:00 CET | 18:30 IST).
Registrations are open
Register×Speaker
Amb. Kishan S Rana is professor emeritus and a senior fellow at Diplo. He was awarded a BA (Hon) and an MA in Economics from the St Stephens College Delhi. He was in the Indian Foreign Service (1960–95), and has also worked in China (1963–65, 1970–72). Rana was ambassador and high commissioner for Algeria, Czechoslovakia, Kenya, Mauritius, and Germany; and consul general in San Francisco. He served on staff of former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi (1981–82).
Rana is the author of Inside Diplomacy (2000), Managing Corporate Culture (co-author, 2000), Bilateral Diplomacy (2002), The 21st Century Ambassador (2004), Asian Diplomacy (2007), Diplomacy of the 21st Century (2011), India’s North-East States, the BCIM Forum and Regional Integration (co-author, 2012), The Contemporary Embassy (2013), and Diplomacy at the Cutting Edge (2015). He is co-editor of Foreign Ministries (2007) and Economic Diplomacy (2011). The two books were translated into Chinese. Some of his publications are used as textbooks at several universities. He has also written more than 100 articles for academic journals and newspapers.
Moderator
Dr Katharina E Höne researches, writes, and teaches on a number of issues in the area of diplomacy, global governance, and the impact of technology on international relations. Over the last years, she has focused on research at the intersection of diplomacy and technology. She holds an MA in Diplomatic Studies (University of Leicester, UK) and a PhD in International Politics (University of Aberystwyth, UK). In her work, she is driven by her aim to level the playing field at international negotiation tables through capacity development.
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.
Register

IGF 2021: Cyber Stability Games: Learning the Complexities of Technical Attribution (Day 0, Event #41)
2021-12-06 08:00 - 17:00
‘Cyber Stability Games’ is a capacity-building exercise organised by Diplo and Kaspersky to help professionals without a technical background to learn about the complexities of technical attribution.
The Cyber Stability Games, which are based on Kaspersky Interactive Protection Simulation (KIPS), places players in a simulated environment where participants face a series of unexpected cyberthreats while trying to maintain confidence. KIPS, as a ‘detective learning exercise’, teaches players to build a cyber-defence strategy by offering them choices from best proactive and reactive available controls.
KIPS simulates a scenario where participants, who play diplomats in a fictional world, face attacks on the UN First Committee (which deals with matters of disarmament, global challenges and threats (including cyberspace), and maintaining world peace and international security).
Decisions made by players (through five turns) will either lead them to the most accurate technical analysis and help understand who is the culprit by collecting technical pieces of evidence, or will spark greater uncertainty and cyber instability if the riddle is not solved.
For more information and to register for the event, please visit the official IGF website.

[Briefing for diplomats] An inclusive internet: Lowering the barriers for access
2021-12-02 09:00 - 10:30 | Online
Online briefing for diplomats on inclusive internet:
Thursday, 2nd December 2021, 9–10.30 EST / 15–16.30 CET
Closing the digital divide is one of the main priorities for governments worldwide. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development placed emphasis on closing the divide as a precondition to attaining the SDGs. The UN Secretary-General proposed further actions to accelerate access and inclusion. Numerous other global and regional initiatives seek to address the inequalities.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a reminder that the digital divide goes beyond simply connecting people to the internet. There are additional factors that affect one’s access to affordable internet, to the quality of access, and to one’s ability to make effective use of technology. These factors include issues of digital literacy, the availability of local content, and an accessible environment for persons with disabilities.
This briefing for diplomats (based in New York and Geneva), organised by the Geneva Internet Platform and the Internet Society, will revisit the current state of play of initiatives for closing the digital divide, and discuss the open gaps for further lowering the barriers to more sustainable access, and ultimately, a more inclusive internet.
What are the different and nuanced definitions of ‘access’ which policymakers need to consider? How far along are countries from closing the digital divide? In the light of the pandemic, what are the pressing priorities for closing the digital divide?
Speakers:

Juan Peirano, Senior Policy Advisor, Internet infrastructure and access, Internet Society
Kenny Olmstead, Senior Internet Security and Privacy Expert, Internet Society
Virginia (Ginger) Paque, Coordinator, Internet Governance and E-diplomacy, Diplo/Geneva Internet Platform
Pavlina Ittelson, Senior Programme Officer, Diplo/Geneva Internet Platform

Moderator:

Stephanie Borg Psaila, Director Digital Policy, Diplo/Geneva Internet Platform

Monthly Internet Governance Briefing – November 2021
2021-11-30 08:00 - 09:00 | Online
Join us for this month’s Digital Watch Internet Governance Briefing on Tuesday, 30th November, at 8.00 EST. 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.
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
Register×

Capacity building on e-commerce: From lessons to solutions
2021-11-11 08:00 - 09:00 | Online
Almost every policy discussion on e-commerce makes a reference to the need for capacity building. With varying degrees of strength, trade agreements often include provisions on this topic. Capacity building is also part of negotiations taking place in the Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on e-commerce among a subset of members at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Although there is agreement on the importance of capacity building, there is little consensus on what it means in practice. Under this general term, many different activities may be encompassed, such as the exchange of information and best practices, assistance on the implementation of trade regulation, deploying physical infrastructure, and the provision of training, technical or financial assistance. There is also increasing awareness of the need to provide policy-oriented support for government officials from developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs).
Against this backdrop, the aim of this seminar is two-fold: to make an assessment of capacity-building needs and priorities, contributing to enhance clarity on the path to the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12), and to discuss the ways in which capacity building could contribute to strengthening the participation of trade negotiators from developing countries and LDCs in trade discussions.
Registrations are open
Register×
Speakers will tackle several questions, such as:

What are the main capacity-building needs of developing countries and LDCs? To what extent are these needs being covered by capacity-building provisions currently under negotiation at the JSI on e-commerce? What are the lessons learned from the inclusion of capacity building in trade agreements?
What are the main capacity building needs of Geneva-based trade negotiators from developing countries and LDCs? In which ways are they different or complementary to the needs of capital-based trade officials?
How to assist developing countries and LDCs in mainstreaming development-oriented priorities in the context of trade negotiations, as well as in formulating their national e-commerce policies, fostering coherence between national and international e-commerce regulation?

Moderator:
Rashid Kaukab, Executive Director, CUTS International Geneva
Confirmed speakers:

Sospeter O. Ngoya, Minister Counsellor, Trade, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the UN and other international organisations
Jeremia B. Pratama, Permanent Mission of Indonesia to the UN, WTO, and other international organisations in Geneva
Verónica Bogarín Closs, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Paraguay to the UN office and other international organisations in Geneva
Karishma Banga, Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies (IDS), United Kingdom

Discussants:

Marilia Maciel, Digital Policy Senior Researcher, Diplo
Quan Zhao, Trade Policy Advisor, Office of the Chief Economist, International Trade Centre (ITC)
Yasmin Ismail, Research Fellow, CUTS International Geneva

Register

EAVI Conversations 2021
2021-11-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
The EAVI Conversations 2021 series aims to cover a wide array of contemporary themes related to media literacy, disinformation, democracy, and citizenship both with experts and policymakers, but also Youtubers and activists.
At the first event in the series, EAVI Founder and Secretary General Paolo Celot will be talking to Mr Lee Hibbard (Senior Fellow, Diplo; Administrator, Bioethics Unit, Council of Europe) about technology and people.
Registrations are open
Register×
