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  1. Home
  2. Data & Diplomacy

Data & Diplomacy

Diplomacy is tasked to continuously adapt to an ever-changing world. And today’s world seems to increasingly evolve around data. Data is often perceived as an unstoppable force for innovation, a defining element of modern society, and even the ‘new oil’ of today’s economy. In this world, where data has moved from scarcity to abundance, the diplomat faces new challenges and opportunities.

New data could be used to better inform foreign policy, measure foreign and domestic sentiments, or to monitor quickly unfolding emergency situations. Data arises as a topic on the diplomatic agenda, from data sharing between countries to the protection of personal data across borders, and from the regulation of e-commerce data flows to the international standards related to data. Finally, with data becoming increasingly valuable, it might be shifting geopolitical power dynamics, placing significant leverage on those countries and actors that collect, store, and control data and its infrastructure.

This page describes DiploFoundation’s work on the topic of data diplomacy, examining data’s impact as a tool for diplomatic activities, as a topic for diplomatic discussions, and as a changing environment in which diplomacy is conducted. Get in touch with the Data Diplomacy team at data@diplomacy.edu, in case you have questions or suggestions, or would like to get involved, or subscribe to our Data Diplomacy mailing list.
 

Featured: Our report on the potential of big data for diplomacy

Data diplomacy report coverIn February 2018, DiploFoundation launched a report on the potential of big data in diplomacy, called Data Diplomacy: Updating diplomacy to the big data era, commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland. The report maps the main opportunities of big data in different areas of diplomacy, proposing ways for ministries of foreign affairs to capture its potential, and describes the key considerations to take into account for big data to flourish. Read the press release, the full report, or the executive summary.

 

Data diplomacy research project

Data science and big data have become commonly-heard concepts, yet very little is known about how, and to what extent diplomacy could adjust to the emerging data-driven era.

In 2017, DiploFoundation conducted a research project on data diplomacy, commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, which provided an overall analysis of the impact of big data on diplomacy and international affairs.

The data diplomacy project included policy research, data policy seminars, and other activities, organised with the aims of:

  1. Exploring the trends and best practices in data science that are of relevance for diplomacy and international affairs.
  2. Analysing the limitations and challenges related to the application of big data to diplomacy and international affairs.
  3. Fostering dialogue among data scientists and diplomatic communities.
  4. Raising awareness and understanding on the topic of data diplomacy among foreign affairs officials.

The research project culminated with the publication of Data diplomacy: Updating diplomacy to the big data era.

Data science and big data have become commonly-heard concepts, yet very little is known about how, and to what extent diplomacy could adjust to the emerging data-driven era.

In 2017, DiploFoundation conducted a research project on data diplomacy, commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, which provided an overall analysis of the impact of big data on diplomacy and international affairs.

The data diplomacy project included policy research, data policy seminars, and other activities, organised with the aims of:

  1. Exploring the trends and best practices in data science that are of relevance for diplomacy and international affairs.
  2. Analysing the limitations and challenges related to the application of big data to diplomacy and international affairs.
  3. Fostering dialogue among data scientists and diplomatic communities.
  4. Raising awareness and understanding on the topic of data diplomacy among foreign affairs officials.

The research project culminated with the publication of Data diplomacy: Updating diplomacy to the big data era.

Data and digital policy

In Geneva, the main operational hub of the United Nations and the international system, data appears in two major realms. First, data is a tool used to develop better policies on health, trade, migration, and climate, to name just a few relevant areas. Second, data is a topic of diplomatic negotiations addressing privacy, security, digital trade, and other important issues. In addition, Geneva hosts numerous events and discussions focusing on data from the technological, economic, and policy perspectives. To improve understanding of this quickly evolving issue, the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP) is organising a series of activities and events focusing on how data is shaping our digital future.

Data Talks

The GIP organises regular meetings that converge actors in International Geneva who are concerned with the potential, as well as the risks, related to data management in international affairs. The meetings address issues such as cloud computing, data protection, open data, data immunities, and data for monitoring the sustainable development goals (SDGs). By sharing best practices and experiences, the meetings aim to share lessons learned across silos and institutions. The outcomes of the first four Data Talks discussions are captured in the short publication, Data and International Organisations: Navigating cross-sectoral data challenges, which maps the main challenges and best practices of data-related issues.


Data and Internet governance

Data is the topic of many global and regional discussions. The GIP Digital Watch observatory provides event reports, research, and the latest updates on policy-making around (big) data, including developments in privacy, security, standards, infrastructure, jurisdiction, and e-commerce. At the 2017 Internet Governance Forum, the GIP coordinated a data track, consisting of seven data-related open forums, organised by international organisations.

 

Find out more about the Geneva Internet Platform’s Data Governance project.

In Geneva, the main operational hub of the United Nations and the international system, data appears in two major realms. First, data is a tool used to develop better policies on health, trade, migration, and climate, to name just a few relevant areas. Second, data is a topic of diplomatic negotiations addressing privacy, security, digital trade, and other important issues. In addition, Geneva hosts numerous events and discussions focusing on data from the technological, economic, and policy perspectives. To improve understanding of this quickly evolving issue, the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP) is organising a series of activities and events focusing on how data is shaping our digital future.

Data Talks

The GIP organises regular meetings that converge actors in International Geneva who are concerned with the potential, as well as the risks, related to data management in international affairs. The meetings address issues such as cloud computing, data protection, open data, data immunities, and data for monitoring the sustainable development goals (SDGs). By sharing best practices and experiences, the meetings aim to share lessons learned across silos and institutions. The outcomes of the first four Data Talks discussions are captured in the short publication, Data and International Organisations: Navigating cross-sectoral data challenges, which maps the main challenges and best practices of data-related issues.


Data and Internet governance

Data is the topic of many global and regional discussions. The GIP Digital Watch observatory provides event reports, research, and the latest updates on policy-making around (big) data, including developments in privacy, security, standards, infrastructure, jurisdiction, and e-commerce. At the 2017 Internet Governance Forum, the GIP coordinated a data track, consisting of seven data-related open forums, organised by international organisations.

 

Find out more about the Geneva Internet Platform’s Data Governance project.

Data diplomacy and capacity development

While data is becoming an increasingly important tool for diplomats and other actors in international affairs, as well as a growing topic on diplomatic agendas, diplomats and officials are not often well-equipped to effectively understand the various dimensions of data diplomacy. Yet, in order to maximise the potential of data in diplomacy and international affairs, it is important for policy makers, diplomats, aid workers, and other relevant actors to understand the basic principles of the possibilities, limitations, challenges, and management of (big) data in their respective policy areas.

Without turning diplomats into data scientists, DiploFoundation is exploring the basic understanding of data that is necessary for diplomats to manage data projects and simple tools, and to follow and engage in diplomatic negotiations on the topic of data.

In May 2018, DiploFoundation launched a course on data diplomacy for the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, DiploFoundation has integrated insights of its data diplomacy research in various capacity-building activities, including the online course in E-diplomacy.

While data is becoming an increasingly important tool for diplomats and other actors in international affairs, as well as a growing topic on diplomatic agendas, diplomats and officials are not often well-equipped to effectively understand the various dimensions of data diplomacy. Yet, in order to maximise the potential of data in diplomacy and international affairs, it is important for policy makers, diplomats, aid workers, and other relevant actors to understand the basic principles of the possibilities, limitations, challenges, and management of (big) data in their respective policy areas.

Without turning diplomats into data scientists, DiploFoundation is exploring the basic understanding of data that is necessary for diplomats to manage data projects and simple tools, and to follow and engage in diplomatic negotiations on the topic of data.

In May 2018, DiploFoundation launched a course on data diplomacy for the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, DiploFoundation has integrated insights of its data diplomacy research in various capacity-building activities, including the online course in E-diplomacy.

Data diplomacy resources

DiploFoundation has published a number of papers, policy briefs and blog posts (see below) on the topic of data diplomacy:


Papers and policy briefs

  • Data diplomacy: Updating diplomacy to the big data era (February 2018)
  • Data and international organisations: Navigating cross-sectoral data challenges (February 2018)
  • Data diplomacy: Big data for foreign policy (October 2017)
  • Leaving no one behind in the data revolution (August 2017)
  • Data diplomacy: Mapping the field (April 2017)
     

Webinars

  • Data diplomacy and knowledge management - key skills for the next generation of diplomats (December 2016)
  • Evidence and measurement in Internet governance (November 2014)
  • Big data and cyberdiplomats: Big opportunities or big problems? (October 2013)
  • E-participation webinar: Open data (May 2013)

DiploFoundation has published a number of papers, policy briefs and blog posts (see below) on the topic of data diplomacy:


Papers and policy briefs

  • Data diplomacy: Updating diplomacy to the big data era (February 2018)
  • Data and international organisations: Navigating cross-sectoral data challenges (February 2018)
  • Data diplomacy: Big data for foreign policy (October 2017)
  • Leaving no one behind in the data revolution (August 2017)
  • Data diplomacy: Mapping the field (April 2017)
     

Webinars

  • Data diplomacy and knowledge management - key skills for the next generation of diplomats (December 2016)
  • Evidence and measurement in Internet governance (November 2014)
  • Big data and cyberdiplomats: Big opportunities or big problems? (October 2013)
  • E-participation webinar: Open data (May 2013)

From our blog

DiploFoundation publishes new report on big data and diplomacy

Editor   08 Feb 2018   Data Reflections, Diplomacy

Download the Press Release in PDF format

 

0 comments

Cloud computing and data localisation: Lessons on jurisdiction

Ryan Gener   20 Nov 2017   Alumni, Data Reflections, Internet Governance

For many countries, the specific locus of citizen and other data for jurisdictional purposes is the data’s actual location. However, jurisdiction should be framed from a data processing and transfer perspective, and multilateral trade rules may serve as a guide to this approach. In the cloud computing age, data should generally be free from any geographic restrictions, save for certain exceptions involving national security, economic development and citizen identification.

0 comments

The Importance of Data in the CARICOM Region

Rawl Prescott   10 Oct 2017   Alumni, Data Reflections, Diplomacy

Data and statistics have been gaining increased attention at the global level.  One of the main discussions right now surrounds the value and use of data. The Economist asserts that ‘the value of data is increasing,’ and that ‘data are to this century what oil was to the last one: a driver of growth and change’.

0 comments
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Training and courses

E-Diplomacy
Starting 10 May 2021
Internet Technology and Policy
Starting 26 July 2021

Events

Launch of Data Diplomacy: Updating Diplomacy to the Big Data Era

8 February 2018  | Geneva

[WebDebate] What is the potential of big data for diplomacy?

6 February 2018  | online

Diplo & GIP at Big data, big problems? Challenges and opportunities in the context of data ownership, privacy and protection

24 January 2018  | Geneva, Switzerland

Big data for prevention: Balancing opportunities with challenges

9 November 2017  | Geneva

Data Diplomacy: Big Data for Foreign Policy

9 October 2017  | Helsinki, Finland

Diplo at MyData 2017

30 August 2017 - 1 September 2017  | Tallinn and Helsinki

Diplo at Internet Governance, Big Data and the Challenges for International Organizations

19 May 2017  | Torino, Italy

DiploFoundation at 17th European Diplomatic Programme

17 May 2017 - 19 May 2017  | Malta

What's next?

Join us for the various events related to data diplomacy, and get in touch with us:

  • Learn more about Diplo’s Data Diplomacy research project, in collaboration with the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Find out about the Geneva Internet Platform’s data programmes
  • Subscribe to our Data Diplomacy mailing list
  • Subscribe to DiploNews, Diplo’s bi-monthly e-newsletter
  • Get in touch with us at data@diplomacy.edu

Join us for the various events related to data diplomacy, and get in touch with us:

  • Learn more about Diplo’s Data Diplomacy research project, in collaboration with the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Find out about the Geneva Internet Platform’s data programmes
  • Subscribe to our Data Diplomacy mailing list
  • Subscribe to DiploNews, Diplo’s bi-monthly e-newsletter
  • Get in touch with us at data@diplomacy.edu

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