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DiploNews – Issue 268 – 16 January 2015

Cybersecurity Day

Yesterday, Diplo and partners organised a Cybersecurity Day in Geneva hosted by the Geneva Internet Platform. Cybersecurity is expected to dominate the agendas of Internet-related discussions in 2015, within the context of the latest cyber-attacks (such as the Sony case) as well as the terrorist attacks in Paris. The event embedded cybersecurity issues in a strategic framework, with a specific focus on the Finnish approach to cyber-defence. More information, including a press release and photo gallery, is available here. A detailed report will be ready within a few days. For Twitter coverage, follow #theGIP Diplo will concentrate on cybersecurity extensively this year, building on the Cybersecurity Winter School for western Balkans. Discover also Diplo's online course on Cybersecurity.
 

Still time to apply: February 2015 online diplomacy courses

Start the new year with one of our most popular online courses:

A few places remain in each Diplo certificate course. For further information and to apply, click on the titles of the courses above, or visit our courses webpage. Register now to reserve your place.

Sign up for our courses mailing list to be informed about upcoming courses.
 

[Webinar] Promotion methods in foreign ministries – time for reform?

How are members of foreign ministries promoted? What practices dampen morale and what  practices encourage it? What are best practices and how is the crucial issue of promotion handled across the world? Promotion methods in foreign ministries is the topic of Diplo's upcoming webinar with veteran diplomat and seasoned scholar, Ambassador Kishan S. Rana, the author of the newly published policy brief, Promotion methods in foreign ministries. In it, Amb. Rana argues that promotion methods are the central element of human resource management in foreign ministries, and makes three crucial suggestions for improvement, arguing that many countries have yet to establish proper methods of promotion, a lack of which undermines professionalism and morale; advocating for a shift from seniority-based promotions to performance-based promotions; and stressing that while acknowledging the tradition and ethos of each country, ministries of foreign affairs need to look at and learn from best practices across the world. Join Amb. Rana for the webinar on 30 January at 14:00 UTC. Register here.
 

Professional development workshops

Diplo is organising a number of workshops on diplomatic negotiations, public speaking, language and influence, and diplomatic protocol and etiquette, from 3-8 February 2015 in Malta. The workshops are aimed at practicing diplomats, civil servants, students of diplomacy and international relations, and other professionals wishing to hone their skills under the guidance of experienced practitioners. Please visit the Professional Development Workshops webpage to read more and apply.
 

Internet governance webinars: upcoming ‘crystal ball’ webinar, Diplo’s 2015 plans

The beginning of every year presents a good opportunity to reflect on the previous year and make predictions. How will last year’s developments – including the NETmundial and NETmundial Initiative, the IANA transition process, the rising cybersecurity threats, and evolving Net Neutrality debate – shape the digital policy process this year? What can we expect in the coming months, and which issues are likely to be a priority? Join us online on 27 January 2015 for the annual ‘crystal ball’ exercise with Diplo director Dr Jovan Kurbalija. If you’re in Geneva, join us in situ at 7 bis Avenue de la Paix, Geneva (WMO building, 2nd floor). Read more and register here.

Meanwhile, Diplo has new plans for the monthly IG webinars. IG issues are constantly evolving, and developments are taking place at a faster rate than before. Analysing every single development can be onerous, especially if there are also events, conferences or meetings taking place roughly at the same time. The plan for 2015 is to merge the experience of Diplo’s IG webinars with that of the Geneva Briefings on Internet Governance, which also took place every month under the auspices of the Geneva Internet Platform (run by Diplo). Read more here.
 

What's happening in Diplo's blogosphere?

As 2015 gets off to an interesting start, we interviewed Mark Forsyth, a Refugee Support Services Coordinator with the British Red Cross. His work focuses on asylum seekers and refugees, in particular unaccompanied child asylum seekers. Read more about Influencing UK authorities to act in the interest of vulnerable people. Petru Dumitriu leads with part one in a series of posts on UN reform in which he looks at the relevance of the current mandate. In the wake of the attack on Charlie Hebdo, Biljana Scott looks at Freedom of satire while Jovan Kurbalija takes on Chappatte’s cartoons in his post Laugh and the world laughs with you … or does it? and Mary Murphy wonders what France’s President Hollande is saying as he greets heads of state who attended the demonstration in Paris in her post Diplomatic distancing.

Remember, you too can have your say by commenting on these or any of our blog posts. And, if you’d like to be a guest blogger, let us know.
 

Discussing Internet governance

Still in reflection mode at this early stage in the year, Diplo IG community member Mamadou Lo shares a round-up of the IG developments in 2014. In Gouvernance internet : rétrospective 2014 the author reviews updates in the USA, Europe, and Africa. Read more here (post in French).

In The Right to Anonymity in MENA region, Rami AlHames discusses the power, price and ethical dimensions of anonymity online, with a focus on the MENA region, including its main pros and cons.  

Follow more IG-related news and discussions on Diplo’s Internet governance channel, and on Diplo’s IG community blog roll.

 

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DiploNews – Issue 267 – 7 January 2015DiploNews – Issue 269 – 2 February 2015