Diplo US

How to ensure the functional continuity of global diplomacy in time of crisis
2020-04-02 08:00 - 09:00 (America/New_York) | Online
In times of crisis, global cooperation is essential. Yet, COVID-19 has grounded global diplomacy with the cancellation of meetings and negotiations. In our next live discussion on COVID-19, on Thursday, 2nd April 2020 at 8 am EDT, we will discuss ways of ensuring the functional continuity of global diplomacy. Join us online.
Registrations are open
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In response to the COVID-19 crisis which has grounded onsite meetings and conferences, G7 and EU leaders have taken to video-conferencing to continue their work. The UN and diplomatic services worldwide are now in the search of new solutions for functional continuity during these testing times.
Our just-in-time live discussion will reflect on the reactions to COVID-19’s challenges for global diplomacy, and plans for the future. In particular, the discussion will focus on the functionality of new solutions, security risks, protocol challenges, and the need to ensure that small and developing countries are not marginalised in this transition towards online meetings.
We welcome your active participation in our live discussion.
Experts:
Amb. Stefano Baldi is a career diplomat in the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation. Before the appointment as Ambassador of Italy to Bulgaria he was a Training Director at the Ministry since 2011. He was previously Head of the Science and Technology Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2010 to 2011. From 2006 to 2010 he was First Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Italy to the European Union, responsible for legal and financial aspects of the Common Foreign and Security policy as Relex Counsellor. He has also served at the Permanent Mission of Italy to the International Organisations in Geneva and to the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations in New York in charge for disarmament affairs. He has been the first head of the Statistical Office of the Ministry from 2000 to 2002.
Ms. Chrystiane Roy is the First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN in Geneva and the WTO. Roy has been following all aspects of digital policy and cybersecurity across all UN based agencies in Geneva since 2015. She joined Global Affairs Canada in 2002. Prior to her arrival in Geneva, she was Deputy Director in the Disarmament and Non-proliferation Division, working on issues relating to biological and chemical weapons, including related export control mechanisms as well as being Canada’s National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention. Overseas, she completed assignments in the Canadian embassies in Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina. She is also a graduate of a number of DiploFoundation courses.
Mr Moctar Yedaly is the Head of the Information Society of the African Union Commission. By vocation, Yedaly is a telecom, satellite and computer engineer with an MBA in international Business. He holds degrees from George Washington University, Amity University and Institute of Informatics. He has more than 20 years of international experience in policy preparation and implementation, program development and management, partnerships development, operational management, and capacity building. Yedaly has an excellent understanding of the global political and business systems including government institutions in Africa and the Middle East. He also has excellent knowledge of the digital economy and Internet governance, as well as the requirements of the developing world. He has worked for and with private companies and international organisations in the US and Africa. He is fluent in major languages spoken in Africa and the Middle East, namely, English, French and Arabic.
Moderator:
Prof. Jovan Kurbalija is the Founding Director of DiploFoundation and Head of the Geneva Internet Platform. In 2018 and 2019, he served as co-Executive Director of the UN Secretary General’s High Level Panel on Digital Cooperation. Previously Prof. Kurbalija was a member of the UN Working Group on Internet Governance (2004-2005) and a Special Advisor to the Chairman of the UN Internet Governance Forum. Between 2013 and 2014, he was a member of the High Level Multistakeholder Committee for NETmundial (2013‒2014). His book, An Introduction to Internet Governance, has been translated into 9 languages and is used as a textbook for academic courses worldwide.
Registrations are open:

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[Briefing] Internet governance in March 2020
2020-03-31 08:00 - 09:00 | Online
What were the main Internet governance updates in March? How will recent updates influence the developments in upcoming months? Join us for our next monthly briefing on Tuesday, 31st March, at 8 am EDT, for a round-up of the major global IG and digital policy developments.
Registrations are open
Register×
You receive hundreds of pieces of information on digital politics.We receive them, too.We decode, contextualise, and analyse them.Then we summarise them for you.
Every last Tuesday of the month, the Internet governance briefings provide a ‘zoomed-out’ update of the major global IG and digital policy developments.
The Internet governance in March 2020 briefing takes place on Tuesday, 31st March, at 8 am EDT. Join us online; fill in the registration form to reserve your place.
The monthly Internet governance briefings are organised by the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP), a Swiss initiative run by DiploFoundation. Learn more about our monthly briefings and local hubs. To keep up-to-date with GIP events, subscribe to our mailing list. More information at gip@diplomacy.edu.

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Could COVID-19 disrupt the Internet?
2020-03-24 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
The pressure on the Internet infrastructure is increasing, with the shift of our professional and daily reality from the physical to the online space. On Tuesday, 24 March at at 9 am EDT we will discuss the practical, technical, business, and political aspects of Internet traffic, and possible bottlenecks.
Registrations are open
Register×By tracking the journey of Internet traffic from our personal computers to big platforms, we will learn about potential challenges to our local (personal, home, and office) connectivity, and monitor what happens with telecom, Internet providers, and tech platforms, including their applications and clouds. On this journey, we will also find out what happens with our messages and documents when they start navigating the major Internet cables on land and the seabed, and eventually reach the cloud servers. Our session will reflect on politics and regulation of Internet traffic, and issues such as content policy (or policing), traffic management, and net neutrality. Join us on this digital journey which shapes our daily reality in times of crisis.
Moderator:
Prof Jovan Kurbalija, is the Founding Director of DiploFoundation and Head of the Geneva Internet Platform. In 2018 – 2019, he served as co-Executive Director of the UN Secretary General’s High Level Panel on Digital Cooperation. Previously Prof. Kurbalija was a member of the UN Working Group on Internet Governance (2004-2005) and a Special Advisor to the Chairman of the UN Internet Governance Forum. Between 2013 and 2014, he was a member of the High Level Multistakeholder Committee for NETmundial (2013‒2014). His book, An Introduction to Internet Governance, has been translated into 9 languages and is used as a textbook for academic courses worldwide.
Participants:
Olaf Kolkman is the Principal – Internet Technology, Policy and Advocacy at Internet Society. He also serves as senior advisor to, and spokesperson of, the Internet Society. In his role, Kolkman formulates, reviews, and advises on technical and policy positions. He has extensive experience in Internet technology and policy matters, including security and trustworthiness of the Internet. Kolkman is a board member of the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE) and a commissioner of the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace (GCSC).

Vladimir Radunovic is a Director of e-diplomacy and cybersecurity programmes at DiploFoundation. He is a lecturer in cybersecurity policy, Internet governance, and e-diplomacy and serves as an expert on the Geneva Internet Platform. Radunovic is a also a member of the Advisory Board of the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE). Between 2012 and 2014, he was a member of the Multistakeholder Advisory Group of the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF).
Please fill in the registration form and join use on Tuesday, 24 March at 9 am EDT for this timely discussion.
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[Briefing] Internet governance in February 2020
2020-02-25 07:00 - 08:00 | Online
What were the main Internet governance updates in February? How will recent updates influence the developments in upcoming months? Join us for our next monthly briefing on Tuesday, 25th February, at 7 am EST, for a round-up of the major global IG and digital policy developments.
Registrations are open
Register×You receive hundreds of pieces of information on digital politics.
We receive them, too.
We decode, contextualise, and analyse them.
Then we summarise them for you.
Every last Tuesday of the month, the Internet governance briefings provide a ‘zoomed-out’ update of the major global IG and digital policy developments.
The Internet governance in February 2020 briefing takes place on Tuesday, 25th February, at 7 am EST. Join us online; fill in the registration form to reserve your place.
The monthly Internet governance briefings are organised by the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP), a Swiss initiative run by DiploFoundation. Learn more about our monthly briefings and local hubs. To keep up-to-date with GIP events, subscribe to our mailing list. More information at gip@diplomacy.edu.
Registrations are open:
Register

IGF 2019 Debrief Roundtable
2019-12-11 16:30 - 18:00 | New America, 740 15th Street Northwest #900, Washington, DC, DC, 20005, United States
Join us for a roundtable discussion on the key takeaways from the IGF 2019.
[Update] This event’s recording is now available
Watch againAs many of us return from Berlin and others return from Thanksgiving with our families, join us for a roundtable discussion on the key takeaways from the IGF 2019. This will be an opportunity to share experiences, thoughts and questions from this year’s conference.
Join us on Wednesday, December 11 from 4:30-6:00 pm EDT at New America. This Debrief is intended to be a useful forum for anyone interested in the IGF 2019, whether they attended or not.
Remote participation will be available!
Refreshments will be served.
This event is hosted by ISOC-DC, IGF-USA and Diplo US.
What’s in store for IGF 2019? The five-day meeting, themed One World. One Net. One Vision, includes a large number of workshops, open forums, dynamic coalition meetings, outputs of intersessional activities, and other events that will give participants the opportunity to engage in open discussions on multiple Internet governance and digital policy issues. National and regional IGF initiatives (NRIs) shared experiences and discussed about their specificities, challenges, and plans for the future. Several main sessions were part of the programme; the main themes this year were data governance; digital inclusion; and safety, security, stability and resilience. For more information, read about the IGF process on our dedicated page and visit the official IGF 2019 website.
Registrations are open:
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[Briefing] Internet governance in November 2019
2019-11-26 07:00 - 08:00 | Online
What were the main Internet governance updates in November? How will recent updates influence the developments in upcoming months? Join us for our next monthly briefing on Tuesday, 26th November, at 7 am EST, for a round-up of the major global IG and digital policy developments.

Registrations are open
Register
×
You receive hundreds of pieces of information on digital politics.
We receive them, too.
We decode, contextualise, and analyse them.
Then we summarise them for you.
Every last Tuesday of the month, the Internet governance briefings provide a ‘zoomed-out’ update of the major global IG and digital policy developments.
The Internet governance in November 2019 briefing takes place on Tuesday, 26th November, at 7 am EST. Join us online; fill in the registration form to reserve your place.
The monthly Internet governance briefings are organised by the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP), a Swiss initiative run by DiploFoundation. Learn more about our monthly briefings and local hubs. To keep up-to-date with GIP events, subscribe to our mailing list. More information at gip@diplomacy.edu.
Registrations are open: Register

Cyber-diplomacy web discussion: Norms and confidence building measures (CBMs): Are we there yet?
2019-11-21 08:00 - 09:00 | Online
DiploFoundation is pleased to invite you to the web discussion: Norms and confidence building measures: Are we there yet? This webinar is the fourth in a series of cyber-diplomacy web discussions, organised by DiploFoundation with the support of Microsoft. It follows the discussions Cyber-armament: A heavy impact on peace, economic development, and human rights; Applicability of international law to cyberspace: Do we know the rules of the road?; and Traceability and attribution of cyber-attacks: How confidently can we point a finger? The series focuses on risks for international peace and security stemming from cyberspace, and hosts a number of distinguished international discussants.

Registrations are open
Register
×
As cyberspace increasingly gets (mis)used by states for military purposes, international negotiations on rules of behaviour in cyberspace evolve, in particular within the UN context. DiploFoundation, with the support of Microsoft, is organising a series of cyber-diplomacy web discussions which aim to map trends, introduce challenges, clarify open issues on the negotiation table, outline processes where discussions are happening, and explain how all of us can get involved.
The Norms and confidence building measures: Are we there yet? web discussion will look into the importance of norms and capacity building measures (CBMs), go over already existing norms and CBMs in cyberspace, and debate the need for new ones.
Thursday, 21st November 2019, 8 am EST
Possible issues for discussion include:
What are norms and capacity building measures (CBMs) and why do they matter (on global and regional scales)? Do we have an agreed upon framework on responsible behaviour for cyberspace? What norms and CBMs do we already have? Do we need more norms, and if so, what is missing? How do we enforce the agreed upon framework? Where are these discussions taking place, and how can we get involved?
This webinar is the fourth in a series of cyber-diplomacy web discussions which consisted of four hour-long webinars, running from October to November 2019. Each debate involved recognised international experts in the field, and a senior fellow of DiploFoundation as the moderator. Thematic focus of the web discussions was on pertinent issues related to ongoing global negotiations about responsible behaviour in cyberspace: trends and impacts of cyber-armament, applicability of international law to cyberspace, challenges of traceability and attribution of cyber-attack, and perspectives and applicability of norms and confidence building measures. To make the webinars ‘actionable’ and help participants get involved, the webinars discussed open issues, effects on security, human rights and economic development, and reviewed existing processes and avenues of contributions by various actors.
Discussants

Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola, Commissioner at the Global Commission for Stability of Cyberspace, and Executive Chairman of Consultancy Support Services Ltd
Bart Hogeveen, Analyst at the International Cyber Policy Centre, Australian Strategic Policy Institute

Host and moderator

Ms Marilia Maciel, Digital Policy Senior Researcher, Diplo Foundation

Tentative timeline for the entire series:

22 October 2019: Cyber-armament: A heavy impact on peace, economic development, and human rights
7 November 2019: Applicability of international law to cyberspace: Do we know the rules of the road?
15 November 2019: Traceability and attribution of cyber-attacks: Who did it?
21 November 2019: Norms and confidence building measures (CBMs): Are we there yet?

For background information about the context, and the open and controversial issues discussed in the main negotiation tracks – the UN Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security (UN GGE) and the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) – visit the dedicated GIP Digital Watch page.
Registrations are open: Register

Cyber-diplomacy web discussion: Applicability of international law to cyberspace
2019-11-07 08:00 - 09:00 | Online
DiploFoundation is pleased to invite you to the cyber-diplomacy web discussion Applicability of international law to cyberspace: Do we know the rules of the road? This webinar is the second in a series of cyber-diplomacy web discussions, organised by DiploFoundation with the support of Microsoft. The series will focus on risks for international peace and security stemming from cyberspace, and host a number of distinguished international discussants.

Registrations are open
Register
×
As cyberspace increasingly gets (mis)used by states for military purposes, international negotiations on rules of behaviour in cyberspace evolve, in particular within the UN context. DiploFoundation, with the support of Microsoft, is organising a series of cyber-diplomacy web discussions which aim to map trends, introduce challenges, clarify open issues on the negotiation table, outline processes where discussions are happening, and explain how all of us can get involved.
The cyber-diplomacy web discussion Applicability of international law to cyberspace: Do we know the rules of the road? will look into the international rules that are already in place, and the challenges of their applicability.
Thursday, 7th November 2019, 8AM (EST)
Possible issues for discussion include:
What is the right to self-defence against cyber-attacks, and how do parties see possible ways to respond? How do cyber-attacks impact sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs of states? What are the impacts on human rights and fundamental freedoms? Where are these issues discussed? How to get involved and make an impact?
This webinar is the second in a series of cyber-diplomacy web discussions which will consist of four hour-long webinars, running from October to December 2019. Each debate will involve recognised international experts in the field, and a senior fellow of DiploFoundation as the moderator. Thematic focus of the web discussions will be on pertinent issues related to ongoing global negotiations about responsible behaviour in cyberspace: trends and impacts of cyber-armament, applicability of international law to cyberspace, challenges of traceability and attribution of cyber-attack, and perspectives and applicability of norms and confidence building measures. To make the webinars ‘actionable’ and help participants get involved, the webinars will discuss open issues, effects on security, human rights and economic development, and review existing processes and avenues of contributions by various actors.
Discussants

Prof Robin Geiss, Glasgow Centre for International Law and Security (GCILS)
Deborah Housen-Couriel (Adv.), Chief Legal Officer and VP Regulation, Konfidas Ltd., Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Law, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Research Associate, ICT at ICT Herzliya

Host and moderator

Dr Jovan Kurbalija, the Executive Director of DiploFoundation and Head of the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP)

Tentative timeline for the entire series:

22 October 2019: Cyber-armament: A heavy impact on peace, economic development, and human rights
7 November 2019: Applicability of international law to cyberspace: Do we know the rules of the road?
11 November 2019: Traceability and attribution of cyber-attacks: How confidently can we point a finger?
21 November 2019: Norms and confidence building measures (CBMs): Are we there yet?

For background information about the context, and the open and controversial issues discussed in the main negotiation tracks – the UN Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security (UN GGE) and the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) – visit the dedicated GIP Digital Watch page.
Registrations are open: Register

[Briefing] Internet governance in October 2019
2019-10-29 08:00 - 09:00 | Online
What were the main Internet governance updates in October? How will recent updates influence the developments in upcoming months? Join us for our next monthly briefing, Tuesday, 29th October, at 8AM (EDT), for a round-up of the major global IG and digital policy developments.

Registrations are open
Register
×
You receive hundreds of pieces of information on digital politics.
We receive them, too.
We decode, contextualise, and analyse them.
Then we summarise them for you.
Every last Tuesday of the month, the Internet governance briefings provide a ‘zoomed-out’ update of the major global IG and digital policy developments.
The Internet governance in October 2019 briefing takes place on Tuesday, 29th October, at 8AM (EDT). Join us online; fill in the registration form to reserve your place.
The monthly Internet governance briefings are organised by the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP), a Swiss initiative run by DiploFoundation. Learn more about our monthly briefings and local hubs. To keep up-to-date with GIP events, subscribe to our mailing list. More information at gip@diplomacy.edu.
Registrations are open: Register

Cyber-diplomacy web discussion: Cyber-armament
2019-10-22 08:00 - 09:00 | Online
DiploFoundation is pleased to invite you to the web discussion: Cyber-armament: A heavy impact on peace, economic development, and human rights. This webinar is the first in a series of cyber-diplomacy web discussions, organised by DiploFoundation with the support of Microsoft. The series will focus on risks for international peace and security stemming from cyberspace, and host a number of distinguished international discussants.

Registrations are open
Register
×
As cyberspace increasingly gets (mis)used by states for military purposes, international negotiations on rules of behaviour in cyberspace evolve, in particular within the UN context. DiploFoundation, with the support of Microsoft, is organising a series of cyber-diplomacy web discussions which aim to map trends, introduce challenges, clarify open issues on the negotiation table, outline processes where discussions are happening, and explain how all of us can get involved.
The Cyber-armament: A heavy impact on peace, economic development, and human rights web discussion will look into the development trends of states’ offensive cyber capabilities, and the potential consequences of the growing number, sophistication, and power of cyber-attacks conducted against countries and critical components of societies.
Tuesday, 22th October 2019, 8 am (EDT)
Discussants:

Chris Painter, Commissioner of the Global Commission on Stability of Cyberspace, and former Co-ordinator for Cyber Issues at the U.S. State Department
Oleg Demidov, Cyber Portfolio Researcher at UNIDIR

Host and moderator:

Vladimir Radunovic, Cybersecurity and E-diplomacy Programmes Director, DiploFoundation

Possible issues for discussion include:
Is there such a thing as ‘cyber-armament’? Are there ‘cyber-weapons’, and what are ‘offensive cyber-capabilities’ (OCC)? Are such capabilities part of hybrid warfare, and how are they used, particularly in peace-time? What are the possible consequences on economy and business, human rights, development (particularly developing countries), and international peace and security? What are the various international fora where such issues are discussed – from multilateral fora such as the UN and Wassenaar Arrangement, to multistakeholder fora such as the Paris Call? How to get involved and make an impact?
This webinar is the first in a series of cyber-diplomacy web discussions which will consist of four hour-long webinars, running from October to December 2019. Each debate will involve recognised international experts in the field, and a senior fellow of DiploFoundation as the moderator. Thematic focus of the web discussions will be on pertinent issues related to ongoing global negotiations about responsible behaviour in cyberspace: trends and impacts of cyber-armament, applicability of international law to cyberspace, challenges of traceability and attribution of cyber-attack, and perspectives and applicability of norms and confidence building measures. To make the webinars ‘actionable’ and help participants get involved, the webinars will discuss open issues, effects on security, human rights and economic development, and review existing processes and avenues of contributions by various actors.
Tentative timeline for the entire series:

22 October 2019: Cyber-armament: A heavy impact on peace, economic development, and human rights
31 October 2019: Applicability of international law to cyberspace: Do we know the rules of the road?
11 November 2019: Traceability and attribution of cyber-attacks: How confidently can we point a finger?
21 November 2019: Norms and confidence building measures (CBMs): Are we there yet?

For background information about the context, and the open and controversial issues discussed in the main negotiation tracks – the UN Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security (UN GGE) and the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) – visit the dedicated Digital Watch page.
Registrations are open: Register

How countries interact with global innovation hubs: A look at Boston
2019-06-27 14:00 - 15:30 | AAAS Headquarters, 1200 New York Ave, Washington, DC, 20005, United States
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and DiploFoundation will hold a discussion on science diplomacy in practice in the United States on 27 June, at the AAAS Headquarters in Washington DC.
The event aims to discuss a recent joint study and report on how diplomatic outposts can utilise science and technology representatives to conduct activities in Washington DC and in global innovation hubs, with a particular focus on the Boston ecosystem. It will feature a discussion on how countries have activated and elevated their presence in Boston’s unique ecosystem to harness the benefits of this cradle of research and innovation and its bustling startup scene as well as outline models for countries looking to develop their science and technology diplomacy efforts.
For more information and to register, visit the event page.

A global innovation hub: Science, tech, and diplomacy in Boston
2019-06-25 18:00 - 21:00 | swissnex Boston, 420 Broadway, Cambridge, MA, 02138, United States
Crucial global topics are becoming increasingly dependent on the world’s rapidly changing scientific knowledge and technological capabilities: from global health to digital society, sustainability to development, and beyond. To tackle this growing complexity, countries increasingly seek to engage with international science and technology hubs like Boston, so as to accelerate their ability to innovate and spark collaborative efforts with other nations.
The event will take place at swissnex Boston on 25 June and will offer exclusive insight into how countries can activate their presence in Boston’s unique ecosystem to harness the benefits of this cradle of research and innovation and its bustling startup scene.
The event will feature the launch of a report on how diplomatic representations use their science and technology arms to conduct activities in the Boston ecosystem. The report was written by DiploFoundation and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), with the objective of surveying the existing science and technology diplomatic scene in Boston, assessing its current modes of interaction, as well as being an inspiration for other countries to become active in this field.
For the agenda and to register, please visit the dedicated page.
In 2018, DiploFoundation and the Geneva Internet Platform, in partnership with the Consulate General of Switzerland in San Francisco and swissnex San Francisco, launched the report The rise of TechPlomacy in the Bay Area. Read the online version, or download your copy. Read more about the event, hosted by swissnex.
[Update] The report Science & Diplomacy: How countries interact with the Boston innovation ecosystem is now available for download.

Business-Policy Roundtable
2019-04-02 12:00 - 13:30 | Washington DC, Washington, DC, United States
Diplo and New America are organising a Business-Policy Roundtable on Tuesday, 2nd April from 12:00 to 13:30 (EST).
Vladimir Radunovic, Director of e-Diplomacy and Cybersecurity at DiploFoundation will give a brief presentation on the Geneva Internet Platform’s (GIP) mapping of offensive cyber capabilities around the world and discuss trends in cyber-armament and how to increase transparency and better map the existence and use of offensive cyber capabilities by states. The brief presentation will be followed by an open conversation.
By invitation only.

Briefing - Internet governance in February 2019
2019-02-26 07:00 - 08:00
What were the main Internet governance updates in February? How will recent updates influence the developments in upcoming months? Join us for our next monthly briefing, on Tuesday, 26th February, for a round-up of the major global IG and digital policy developments.

You receive hundreds of pieces of information on digital politics.
We receive them, too.
We decode, contextualise, and analyse them.
Then we summarise them for you.
Every last Tuesday of the month, the Internet governance briefings provide a ‘zoomed-out’ update of the major global IG and digital policy developments.
The Internet governance in February 2019 briefing takes place on Tuesday, 26th February, at 12:00 UTC (13:00 CET). Join us online; fill in the registration form to reserve your place.
The monthly Internet governance briefings are organised by the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP), a Swiss initiative run by DiploFoundation. Learn more about our monthly briefings and local hubs. To keep up-to-date with GIP events, subscribe to our mailing list (link is external). More information at gip@diplomacy.edu.

AI and diplomacy
2019-02-19 | Washington DC, Washington, DC, United States
Diplo in co-operation with The Delegation of the European Union is organising a Lunch briefing on artifical intelligence (AI) and diplomacy on Tuesday 19 February in Washington DC, NW.
There have been significant advances in AI over the past decade which have lead to many debates about its potential social, economic, and security impact. However, little sustained attention has been paid to the impact of AI on international relations in general, and on the work of diplomats and policy makers in particular.
Greater scrutiny is necessary because AI will have a significant impact on international relations, such as putting new topics on the international agenda, challenging geostrategic relations, serving as a tool for diplomats and negotiators, and creating new opportunities and concerns about protecting human rights.
Diplo addresses these important changes in the just released report Mapping AI’s challenges and opportunities for the conduct of diplomacy, which was commissioned by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. In particular, the report maps the relation between AI and diplomacy, takes a look at national AI strategies in a comparative manner, explores possibilities of AI as a tool for diplomacy, and highlights the impact of AI on human rights and the responsibilities of states. In addition, concrete suggestions for how diplomats and ministries of foreign affairs can prepare to deal effectively with the challenges and opportunities posed by AI will be discussed.
The presentation will be followed by a roundtable discussion.
For more information, contact Ms Pavlina Ittelson.

Capacity Development online course
2019-02-17 - 2019-02-18
Capacity development has been emerging as a central approach within development for more than two decades. This approach has gradually shifted the focus of development practice from simple financial aid and technical cooperation towards a complex new paradigm that encourages and demands active involvement and ownership from the people and communities involved in aid programmes. The approach takes into account the broader political, social, and economic environment in which change takes place. Capacity development co-exists and is supported by older forms of development practice, and is a continuously shifting paradigm as experience informs policy, practice and theory.
To help you better understand and master this complex paradigm, this course introduces the key concepts, principles and values of capacity development. The main focus is on building practical skills for better design, planning, implementation and assessment of capacity development initiatives.
Course materials are based on the Learning Network on Capacity Development (LenCD) Learning Package on Capacity Development, and were developed with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), LenCD, and Learn4Dev.
Visit the course webpage to read more and apply by 14 January 2019.

February online courses
2019-02-17 - 2019-02-18
Diplo offers three postgraduate-level online courses starting the week of 18 February 2019:

Diplomatic Theory and Practice
Public Diplomacy
Introduction to Internet Governance

For more information on each course please click on the titles above. These online courses are available as Diplo Certificate Courses (application deadline: 14 January 2019) and University of Malta Accredited Courses (application deadline: 17 December 2018)
Thanks to support from the government of Malta, partial scholarships are available for applicants from developing countries to attend upcoming Diplo online courses. Please contact us for more details.
Who should apply?
Working diplomats, professionals involved in international relations, and others who wish to learn about new topics in the field of diplomacy or expand and refresh their knowledge of more traditional topics.
How much study time will I need?
Ten weeks of part-time study, around seven to ten hours per week.
How does the online course work?
You will work through study materials provided in the online classroom together with other participants, following a weekly cycle. Each week, you read lecture texts, adding questions and comments and responding to those added by other participants and the lecturer(s). Other weekly activities may include self-assessment quizzes, short assignments, discussion forum topics and group tasks. At the end of the weekly cycle, you will meet with other participants and lecturers in an online chat room to discuss the topic for the week.
For more information on studying online and to apply, please visit Diplo’s courses website or contact admissions@diplomacy.edu.

Online Diploma Course in Humanitarian Diplomacy
2019-02-17 - 2019-02-18
Humanitarian diplomacy is persuading decision makers and opinion leaders to act at all times in the interests of vulnerable people, and with full respect for fundamental humanitarian principles.

The rapid expansion of the number of humanitarian actors in recent years, working for or with governments at all levels and often in complex situations, makes humanitarian diplomacy increasingly important.
Humanitarian diplomacy aims to mobilise public and governmental support and resources for humanitarian operations and programmes, and to facilitate effective partnerships for responding to the needs of vulnerable people. Humanitarian diplomacy includes advocacy, negotiation, communication, formal agreements, and other measures. It is a field with many players, including governments, international organisations, NGOs, the private sector, and individuals.
The online diploma course in humanitarian diplomacy is offered by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in partnership with DiploFoundation. Course faculty draws on leading experts from around the world, as resource people and guest lecturers.

This course is currently offered in English, however participants who are more comfortable with French or Spanish will have the option to write and submit some course assignments and the final research paper in either of those languages.

The application deadline is 14 January 2019.

For more information on studying online and to appy, please visit Diplo’s courses website or contact admissions@diplomacy.edu.

Embedding science and technology in international relations education and diplomatic training
2019-02-16
The AAAS Center for Science Diplomacy and Diplo are co-organising the session ‘Embedding science and technology in international relations education and diplomatic training’ on Saturday February in Washington DC.
With the insights, practice, and products of science and technology becoming increasingly important to and in international relations and diplomacy, greater capacity to understand science diplomacy is necessary for both the scientific and the international relations communities.
The overall goal of the roundtable is to share and discuss different approaches and models to incorporate science in diplomatic training at all levels, from undergraduate to professional development and executive education. After hearing initial perspectives from representatives from academia, foreign and science ministries, international organisations and scientific societies, we will go around the table for everyone to react and share their own experiences from their countries, organisations, and sectors.
In 2017, the AAAS Center for Science Diplomacy launched the Science Diplomacy Education Network (SciDipEd), a platform to bring together educators and students in the U.S. and across the world interested in formal and informal science diplomacy education and training. The Center launched the first ever online course dedicated to science diplomacy in 2017, now incorporated into the syllabus of several science diplomacy courses worldwide.
This session at the 2019 AAAS Annual Meeting, in partnership with Diplo, will bring together ministries of foreign affairs, diplomatic academies, schools of international relations and multilateral organisations to discuss approaches to incorporating science in diplomatic training. The objectives of the session are:

To highlight model approaches for science diplomacy education at undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels.
To share experiences and best practices and promote exchange and networking between key stakeholders and communities of research and training.
To introduce curricula, resources, case studies and other materials and present upcoming education and training opportunities in science diplomacy.

For more information, contact Ms Pavlina Ittelson.

Briefing - Internet governance in January 2019
2019-01-29 07:00 - 08:00
You receive hundreds of pieces of information on digital politics.
We receive them, too.
We decode, contextualise, and analyse them.
Then we summarise them for you.
Every last Tuesday of the month, the Internet governance briefings provide a ‘zoomed-out’ update of the major global IG and digital policy developments.
The Internet governance in January 2019 briefing takes place on Tuesday, 29th January, at 12:00 UTC (13:00 CET). Join us online; fill in the registration form to reserve your place.
The monthly Internet governance briefings are organised by the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP), a Swiss initiative run by DiploFoundation. Learn more about our monthly briefings and local hubs. To keep up-to-date with GIP events, subscribe to our mailing list. More information at gip@diplomacy.edu.
