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E-Diplomacy online course

Start date: 5 May 2025

Details Who should apply Overview Methodology Prerequisites Fees and scholarships How to apply

E-diplomacy walks the line between continuity and change in our digital era.

Diplomatic activities are increasingly supported by internet and digital tools, and other information and communications technologies (ICTs). Diplomats rely on the internet to find information, communicate with colleagues via email, and negotiate draft texts in electronic format; diplomats are also increasingly using new social networking platforms such as blogs and Facebook. This course focuses on the opportunities and challenges internet tools offer for diplomatic activities. It also examines the policy implications inherent in these processes.

Questions discussed include: How do we address the (mis)use of social media not only in public diplomacy, but in all diplomatic outreach and networking? How can we optimise the use of information, including confirming veracity and sources? Who is responsible for our cybersecurity? Can we really negotiate online? Can we find a balance between transparency and security? What are the best ways to implement online engagement to realise its advantages for inclusion and economy without losing the advantages of face-to-face meetings?

This course can be taken as part of the Advanced Diploma in Internet Governance.

Reviews

E-Diplomacy

Text – Laura Temesi

This course has given me the confidence to engage better in my current role which focuses on cyber advocacy and thought leadership. I am even more excited and keen to delve further into cyber and diplomacy now that I am better informed about the current environment in which diplomacy is conducted and how the internet has impacted this environment. The delivery of the content was well executed and it was refreshing to see the depth and experience brought to the conversations by the lecturers and other course participants.

– Ms Laura Temesi, Head, Cyber Partnerships and Communication, Standard Chartered Bank – Group, Kenya

Text – Martin Micallef

The course breaks new ground in addressing the foremost challenges facing international relations in the digital era. It provides an overarching insight into the organisation of communication functions of 21st century diplomacy through a focused and practice-oriented online tuition programme, enriched through the wealth of personal knowledge and experiences of participating professionals with diverse multicultural background.

– Mr Martin Micallef, Public Affairs & Communications, Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean

Text – Lieselot Declercq

The course has been an enriching experience, equipping me with the necessary tools to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital age of diplomacy, and it has already proven to be an invaluable asset to my professional development. The hands-on modules on AI applications in diplomacy opened up new possibilities for enhancing diplomatic processes and decision-making. Learning about AI-driven data analysis and its role in shaping foreign policy allowed me to implement data-driven strategies.

– Ms Lieselot Declercq, Founding Director, D-teach Online Learning; PhD Student, Ghent University, Belgium

Text – Marcelo D’Agostino

I believe that we have a social responsibility to share what we know for achieving better public health. The course not only helped me gain new knowledge and expand my personal networks, but also to reflect on how important ICTs are for diplomacy, in particular global health diplomacy.

– Mr Marcelo D’Agostino, Senior Advisor, Knowledge Management Health Information and Analysis Department of Communicable Diseases, Health Analysis, PAHO

Text – Beatriz Castro Sierra

The course was a great opportunity to explore different social media tools in a safe environment. It allowed me to actively interact with people from around the world which provided a rich and diverse insight into their work as diplomats from other countries and organisations. It was very dynamic, interactive, and fun!

– Ms Beatriz Castro Sierra, Border Specialist, Embassy of Mexico, Washington, DC, USA

Text – Frederick W. Russell-Rivoallan

The course’s workload fit well into my busy schedule and I was able to almost immediately put to use the new skills and knowledge I acquired. Weekly lectures are extremely informative and present a wealth of current knowledge about e-diplomacy. The corresponding weekly assignments allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the acquired information, and we were strongly encouraged to apply that knowledge as it relates to our own work experiences. What’s great about this programme is that you can study at your own pace, but also have a weekly check-in with other students that come from all over the world.

– Mr Frederick W. Russell-Rivoallan, Special Assistant to the Chairperson of the Executive Board, UNESCO

Text – Susan Brown-Shafii

I’ve been involved in developing and delivering policy-related learning and capacity building for several years. This time, I was a student. What an engaging experience! I learned a lot from my fellow students. The course interdisciplinary (gender-balanced and age-diverse!) team have created an innovative educational programme that provides students with the skills needed to participate in global political processes. Kudos!

– Ms Susan Brown-Shafii, Independent Trade Advisor, former Scientific Coordinator, Swiss National Centre for Research on Trade Regulation, Switzerland

Text – Ingrid Berlanga

The most useful aspect of the course was understanding the importance of e-tools in the work of diplomats and government agencies. If diplomatic actors understood the benefits social media and e-tools can bring to their everyday work, life would be much easier. The feedback from both the course organisers and participants was very enriching. The analysis of a social media strategy with a practical purpose made the course more useful.

– Ms Ingrid Berlanga, Third Secretary, Political, Commercial and Cultural Attachè, Embassy of Mexico, Kenya

APPLY FOR COURSE - €690Deadline: 2 April 2025

What will you learn?

How to list, describe, and analyse the current and potential use of internet tools for diplomatic activities
How to identify security risks in the use of online tools for diplomatic activities and describe practices to improve security
How to identify appropriate situations for online negotiations and e-participation; plan, and run such activities
To suggest guidelines for appropriate use of social media and other online tools in diplomatic activities, especially in public diplomacy outreach, and organise effective diplomatic campaigns using such tools
How to identify and analyse the basic elements of data use in diplomacy
To locate relevant information on the internet, evaluate the validity of that information, and describe appropriate contexts for using the information in diplomatic activities
To gain practical experience using online tools

How will you learn?

In this course, you will interact intensively in discussions with classmates and lecturers from around the world. You will receive guidance and personalised feedback on your classwork from the course team.

How long will you learn?

The course lasts for 10 weeks:

1 week of course introduction and orientation to online learning
8 weeks of addressing the course topics one by one (see below for more details)
1 week for the final assignment and completing pending tasks

Course lecturers

Katarina Bojović

Head of Knowledge Ecology, Diplo

Rodrigo Márquez Lartigue

Mexican diplomat

Vladimir Radunović

Director of Cybersecurity & E-diplomacy, Diplo

Who should apply

This course will be of interest to:

Practising diplomats, civil servants, and others working in international relations who want to refresh or expand their knowledge under the guidance of experienced practitioners and academics.
Postgraduate students of diplomacy or international relations wishing to study topics not offered through their university programmes or diplomatic academies and to gain deeper insight through interaction with practising diplomats.
Postgraduate students or practitioners in other fields seeking an entry point into the world of diplomacy.
Journalists, staff of international and non-governmental organisations, translators, business people and others who interact with diplomats and wish to improve their understanding of diplomacy-related topics.

Overview

The course consists of 8 modules:

Introduction to E-diplomacy: The internet has revolutionised two core aspects of diplomacy: information and communication. Communication patterns have changed profoundly using new tools, from email to X and TikTok. How has diplomacy adjusted to these changes? Has the internet brought a revolution, or is this simply another stage in the evolution of diplomacy?
Data Diplomacy: This module gives an overview of data diplomacy and its importance. It focuses on the use of digital tools while reviewing the opportunities and challenges related to the use of big data in diplomatic activities.
(Emerging) technologies and E-diplomacy: This module examines in greater detail the impact of AI and other emerging technologies on core diplomatic functions, and explore how diplomats use them to enhance these functions.
Digital Tools in Negotiation: In any conference room today, most delegates have an open notebook computer, tablet, or smartphone in front of them. These mobile devices and the ubiquitous internet have changed the dynamics of conference events. Discussions take place in the online space in parallel to the official floor statements. Increasingly, some texts can be drafted online. E-participation in events is becoming easier through video streams, text capturing, and group meeting tools. What is the future of traditional meetings? What must be done face-to-face and what can be done online? What are the advantages and disadvantages of e-participation?
The Digitalisation of Public Diplomacy: This module takes a closer look at how the internet can enhance public diplomacy functions, from well-designed websites to the use of appropriate social media platforms. The targeted use of such tools can shape public perception and opinion worldwide. Many people follow influential blogs, X, and YouTube for current information, comments, and views. However, the danger of information overload and the difficulty to find, filter, and analyse accurate and useful information adds new levels to the need for information management skills.
The Internet and Public Diplomacy: This second module on public diplomacy focuses on how social media can be deployed in public diplomacy strategies and provides examples of the effective use of social media and communication in public diplomacy.
Cybersecurity and Online Safety: Any internet user is exposed to risks from viruses, hacking, identity theft, and other threats. Diplomats are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks. However, higher security often involves trade-offs in functionality or reduced access to internet services. Many diplomatic services limit access to the internet, blocking some services such as Facebook and X. This module discusses internet risks and proposes ways diplomatic services can ensure safe and reliable communication without substantially reducing internet functionality.
Working with Information: Information gathering and analysis have been core diplomatic functions since the early days of diplomacy. In the past, gathering information was a complex task; today, vast amounts of information can be found through Wikipedia, social media, and other online sources. However, the internet poses new challenges in navigating information and identifying reliable sources. To what extent can diplomatic services rely on information obtained online? How can diplomats evaluate, contextualise, and effectively use this information?

Also of interest

Advanced Diploma in Internet Governance

Public Diplomacy online course

Artificial Intelligence: Technology, Governance, and Policy Frameworks online course

21st Century Diplomacy online course

Introduction to Internet Governance online course

Online Meetings and Conferences: How to Run Effective and Secure Events online course

Need more info:

DiploFoundation (attn Tanja Nikolic)

Anutruf, Ground Floor, Hriereb Street
Msida, MSD 1675, Malta

+356 21 333 323; admissions@diplomacy.edu

Methodology

The E-Diplomacy online course is based on a collaborative learning approach, involving a high level of interaction over a period of 10 weeks. Reading materials and the necessary tools for online interaction are provided in a virtual classroom.

Each week, participants study and discuss course materials and complete additional online activities. At the end of the week, participants and lecturers meet to discuss the topic of the week. For successful completion, this course requires a minimum of 5 to 7 hours of study time per week.

Participants who successfully complete the course receive a certificate issued by Diplo, which can be printed or shared electronically.

Prerequisites

All course applicants must have regular internet access (broadband is preferred).

Applicants for certificate courses must have:

An undergraduate university degree OR 3 years of work experience and appropriate professional qualifications in diplomacy or international relations
Sufficient English language skills to undertake postgraduate-level studies

Fees and scholarships

The fee for this course is €690.

Note: Diplo alumni can benefit from a 15% discount on the fee for this course.

A limited number of partial scholarships are available for diplomats and others working in international relations from developing countries. Discounts are available for more than one participant from the same institution.

You can apply for this course as:

A certificate course, in order to obtain a certificate issued by Diplo
As part of the Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy
As a part of the Advanced Diploma in Internet Governance programme

How to apply

Fill out the short form to start your application process for this course. You will receive an instruction email on how to continue.

Applying for financial assistance? Please indicate this on the application form, upload your CV, and a motivation statement that should include:

Details of your relevant professional and educational background
Reasons for your interest in the course
Why do you feel you should have the opportunity to participate in this course? How will your participation benefit you, your institution and/or your country?

Please note that financial assistance from Diplo is available only to applicants from developing countries!

Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available in the course.

Cancellation policy

Diplo reserves the right to cancel this course if enrolment is insufficient. In case of cancellation, Diplo will notify applicants shortly after the application deadline. Applicants who have paid an application fee may apply this fee towards another course or receive a refund.