DiploNews – Issue 304 – 15 July 2016

Diplo in Asia this month

Dr Jovan Kurbalija participated in the conference Fundamental Science and Society on 7-8 July in Quy Nhon. The conference was organised by the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology, Popular Committee of the Province of Binh Dinh, Rencontres du Vietnam, and Rencontres de Moriond. You can read more about his experience here. In preparation for the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), Diplo also took part in the launch of the ASEF Outlook Report 2016/2017 – CONNECTIVITY: Facts and Perspectives on 7 July in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Dr Jovan Kurbalija contributed a key chapter to the report: From Harmonising Cyberpolicies to Promoting Twiplomacy: How Diplomacy Can Strengthen Asia-Europe’s Digital Connectivity. Diplo’s Dr Katharina Höne lectured on diplomacy and negotiation during the 7th Model ASEM (July 6-10) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and trained more than 130 young people representing almost all of the 53 ASEM partners. You can read more about these activities in the recent blog: Diplo supports the Asia-Europe Meeting process.

New Alumni Hub: supporting the work of our alumni

DiploFoundation is proud to announce a new initiative aimed at supporting the work of our alumni and recognising their achievements. The new Alumni Hub will feature articles, events, webinars, alumni dissertations, research, and other updates and announcements, related to Diplo’s alumni. Diplo has an alumni base of over 5000 members from 208 countries and territories around the world. If you are a Diplo alumnus, we invite you to share your research, work, and achievements (send your content to Patrick Borg at patrickb@diplomacy.edu) We also invite you to visit our new alumni map. Learn more about the Alumni Hub. 

[Webinar] The role of trust in digital policy

Trust is increasingly under focus following the Snowden revelations, and more recently, the Apple-FBI case. These developments have put the issue of trust under increasing strain, as institutions and the industry grapple to regain users’ trust. In her Master’s dissertation, Diplo alumnus Desiree Zeljka Miloshevic, Senior Public Policy and International Affairs Advisor in Europe for Afilias, analysed how trust is defined and operationalised in Internet governance organisations. In a follow-up webinar on Tuesday, 19th July, on The role of trust in digital policy, Ms Miloshevic will be joined by Diplo’s Cybersecurity expert Vladimir Radunovic to draw on the findings of her research, and to reflect on ways in which  recent developments have had an impact on the issue of trust. Can users’ trust ever be restored? What elements are required, and what role should stakeholders have? To join the webinar, fill in the registration form to reserve your place. The webinar is an initiative of DiploFoundation to support the research and work of its alumni. Learn more about Diplo’s Alumni hub.

 What’s been happening in Diplo’s blogsphere

Diplo researcher Barbara Rosen Jacobson introduces us to Countering terrorist narratives online: a balancing act. She argues that there is a fine line between promoting security and protecting free speech and looks at, among others things, the EU’s Code of Conduct on illegal online hate speech and the recent report of the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression. Dr Jovan Kurbalija, Diplo’s director, takes 1500 steps in Internet Governance and fosters ‘learning by walking’. On his journey through Geneva, he reflects on the link between nature and the Internet and finds ‘three Internet metaphors in Jardin Botanique’. Lutine de Boer, a Diplo alumna who completed the Master in Contemporary Diplomacy with Diplo and the University of Malta with distinction, builds on the work done in her dissertation and writes about Water cooperation: the solution for regional conflicts in arid areas. She looks specifically at the conflict over water resources between Israelis and Palestinians. Keith Powell, also a Diplo alumnus, gives insights into his dissertation, which was awarded a distinction, in a blog post on Measuring reputation through digital diplomacy at international organisations and looks at the barriers and challenges facing digital diplomacy of international organisations.  Diplo’s Mina Mudric skilfully summarises our July WebDebate on Can diplomacy be learned on-the-job only?

Upcoming study opportunities

Education Diplomacy Online Course

Diplo and the Center for Education Diplomacy are pleased to announce the second session of the online course on Education Diplomacy. Education and development are rapidly being shaped by the influence of new actors, international policy, funding structures, and the proliferation of initiatives. This interactive online course presents the concept of Education Diplomacy in depth, considers the broader impact it may have on education, and allows participants to become more effective and responsive to the dynamic landscape of education. The next course starts on 26 September 2016; apply by 15 August. Partial scholarships are available for selected candidates from developing countries who are active in the field of Education Diplomacy. For more details and to apply, visit the course webpage or contact admissions@diplomacy.edu

2017 Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy

Diplo is accepting applications for the 2017 Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy, and the Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy with an Internet Governance specialisation. These unique postgraduate programmes, offered in cooperation with the University of Malta, include a 10-day residential workshop in Malta followed by 16–20 months of online learning. Visit the Master in Contemporary Diplomacy webpage to read more and to apply. Scholarships covering 20–50% of the Postgraduate Diploma fee are available for applicants from small and developing states. The programme starts on 1 February 2017. The application deadline is 1 October 2016 for international applicants and 15 November 2016 for Maltese applicants.

Online Diploma Course in Humanitarian Diplomacy
 
The next session of the Humanitarian Diplomacy online diploma course, offered by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in cooperation with DiploFoundation, will start on 5 September 2016. This 12-week course, led by Ambassador Christopher Lamb and a team of international experts, will extend the knowledge base and develop practical skills of current and future practitioners in humanitarian diplomacy and policy. This course is currently offered in English; however, participants who are more comfortable with French will have the option to write and submit some course assignments and their final research project in French. Partial bursaries are available for applicants from developing countries who work in the humanitarian field. The application deadline is 25 July 2016. For more details and to apply, visit the course webpage.

Autumn online courses

Diplo offers a wide range of exciting onlne courses this autumn, starting the week of 3 October.

• Consular and Diaspora Diplomacy
• Cybersecurity
• Development Diplomacy
• Economic Diplomacy
• Language and Diplomacy

Apply by 3 August 2015 for University of Malta accredited courses and by 31 August 2015 for Diplo certificate courses. For further information or to apply, click on the titles of the courses above, or visit our courses webpage. Register now to reserve your place.

Malta scholarships

Thanks to support from the government of Malta, partial scholarships are available for applicants from developing countries to attend upcoming Diplo online courses. These scholarships cover 50-70% of course fees and can be applied to any online course in 2016. Browse our course catalogue and contact us at admissions@diplomacy.edu for further information.