Part 3 – Speaking of futures: Presuppositions
AI & linguistics, Diplo Wisdom Circle, humAInism Artificial Intelligence, Capacity development, Language (and) diplomacyIn her third post on futures literacy, Dr Biljana Scott delves into presuppositions and their influence on how we perceive the future, especially regarding AI.
Part 2 – Speaking of futures: Que será, será
AI & linguistics, Diplo Wisdom Circle, humAInism Artificial Intelligence, Diplomatic functions and tools, Infrastructure, Internet governance and digital policy, Negotiations, Persuasion, Types of diplomacyIn her second post on futures literacy, Dr Biljana Scott explores the influence of storytelling, logical fallacies, and archetypal themes on our perceptions of the future.
Part 1 – Speaking of futures: Story-capsules
AI & linguistics, Diplo Wisdom Circle, humAInism Artificial IntelligenceDiplo has launched a new futures literacy online course, aligning with the UN's 2024 Summit of the Future. Diplo faculty member and linguist Biljana Scott explores how language shapes our perception of the future, highlighting the importance of recognising unconscious biases.
Cyber Diplomacy training in Kenya
Courses, Cybersecurity, Diplo Wisdom Circle, Gender and diplomacy, Space diplomacy Capacity development, Cyber diplomacy, Cybersecurity, Diplomacy courses and workshopsKenya hosted a Cyber Diplomacy training in collaboration with various organizations. The course aimed to enhance cyber diplomacy awareness and knowledge among senior officers in Kenyan public sector involved in cyber-related mandates. Conducted from 27 February to 1 March 2024, the training featured expert speakers, panel discussions, and covered topics like global geopolitics, emerging technologies, and Internet governance. 21 participants received certificates upon completion.
The diplomatic consequences of Mrs Sacoolas
Diplo Wisdom Circle BlogsFollowing a tragic 2019 incident where Anne Sacoolas, a US diplomat's wife, fatally struck a British motorcyclist, the UK and USA have updated diplomatic immunity laws.
‘Soft power’ is nothing more than influence
Diplo Wisdom Circle, Revisit Diplomatic theory and practice, Public diplomacy, Soft power diplomacy, Types of diplomacy BlogsIs the term 'soft power' just a redundant buzzword in government and academic circles? Geoff R. Berridge examines its true meaning and how it's often misunderstood in the realm of international relations.
Zheng He (1371–1433): China’s masterful mariner and diplomat
Diplo Wisdom Circle, Revisit History of diplomacy, Types of diplomacyAdmiral Zheng He's fleet of 250 ships left an enduring mark on China's trade, diplomacy, and wealth. Uncover the secrets of this 14th-century genius.
Examining human destiny: Ancient Greece vs Judeo-Christianity
Diplo Wisdom CircleAncient Greece emphasized the role of chance, with gods influencing human destiny and justice being restorative. In contrast, Judeo-Christianity emphasizes God's will and eternal truth, detracting from the idea of closure found in Greek beliefs. Democracy brings about reconciliation and alternance in a divided political world. However, modern-day political partisanship risks undermining the democratic process due to a focus on truth and power, influenced by the Judeo-Christian worldview. Voting is viewed as part of a quest for truth or risking error, contributing to polarization and a lack of reconciliation.
Why do crowds riot?
Diplo Wisdom CircleThis article discusses the moment when one's adherence to personal principles is outweighed by collective action's pull. Essentially, each individual's response to their environment varies. For instance, witnessing a single person rioting might not compel someone to join due to moral standpoints, fear of the police, or social stigma. However, seeing a mass engaging in such behavior can alter that viewpoint since the risk of individual consequence diminishes.
The author draws inspiration from Duncan J. Watts's "Everything is Obvious (Once You Know the Answer): How Common Sense Fails Us," which explains the historically complex phenomenon of riots and their explanations, and sociologist Mark Granovetter's mathematical model, "Threshold Models of Collective Behavior," which offers a novel perspective on the psychology of crowd behavior.
Diplomatic realism: Nixon, Kissinger, and Pakistan
Diplo Wisdom Circle, RevisitNixon and Kissinger supported Pakistan in fear of a major shift in global power dynamics. Realism guided their non-intervention stance during the 1971 East Pakistan conflict, leading to Bangladesh's creation. Kissinger and Nixon claimed credit for resolving the crisis, emphasizing power over principles. Their actions were driven by geopolitical considerations and personal biases, showcasing the limitations of realism in international relations. Kissinger's strategies to maintain a psychological balance of power during the conflict revealed a disregard for ethical considerations, potentially fueling a regional nuclear arms race post-conflict.
