DiploNews – Issue 309 – 4 October 2016
Upcoming study opportunities
Capacity Development in Multilateral Diplomacy for Small and Development States (CD Multi)
The Capacity Development Programme in Multilateral Diplomacy for Small and Developing States (CD Multi) is currently accepting applications for two online courses on Geneva-related multilateral diplomacy. If you are a diplomat, a government official, or are from civil socieity in a small and developing African or Caribbean country, please consider applying for CD Multi-Africa or CD Multi-Carib. The online courses start on 31 October 2017; apply by 10 October. Diplomats and other stakeholders from the Pacific Islands are encouraged to view the criteria for travel funding for multilateral events in Geneva. The programme is funded by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.
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 1 February 2017. The application deadline is 31 October 2016 for international applicants and 15 November 2016 for Maltese applicants.
WebDebate: What are the key skills for the next generation of diplomats?
Our October WebDebate, today at 11 UTC (13:00 CEST) focuses on the key skills that the next generation of diplomats needs in order to succeed in a changing world. While there seems to be a core and timeless skill-set for diplomats, an increasingly connected world places new demands on the diplomatic profession. Prof. Paul Sharp and Mr Shaun Riordan will have a critical look at some recent trends, and will highlight the key skills needed by the next generation of diplomats. The presenters will include examples and point to best practices from their own rich experience as practitioners, scholars, and teachers of diplomacy. The topics under debate will be crucial points for reflection for practitioners and academics alike. The WebDebate will be moderated by Diplo director Dr Jovan Kurbalija. Register for the WebDebate.
Just-in-time reporting from WTO Public Forum
The 2016 World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum, which took place on 27-29 September, dominated the discussions on e-commerce and trade. The forum linked the theme of inclusive trade with realising the sustainable development goals (SDGs), narrowing the digital divide, overcoming barriers to development, and resolving other issues related to digital trade. The Geneva Internet Platform and DiploFoundation provided just-in-time reporting from the sessions related to digital policy, and a final report to round up the main themes. Read the reports and download the final report.
Exploring creative solutions for inclusive trade and sustainable development
Inclusive Digital Trade and Sustainable Development: Exploring Creative Solutions and Ways Forward is the title of a session organised by the Geneva Internet Platform and DiploFoundation as part of the 2016 World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum, on 29 September. The session explored avenues for meaningful involvement, and concrete actions for achieving inclusive digital trade. Read the session report.
Geneva Digital Watch: Issue 14 covering September developments is out!
Issue 14 of the Geneva Digital Watch newsletter provides the latest digital policy updates which took place in September. The issue includes: the top 5 digital policy trends of the month, from the IANA stewardship transition to tackling extremist material online; the arguments raised in favour and against the IANA stewardship transition, and the latest – and last-minute – developments; additional developments in September, and a just-for-fun crossword to test your knowledge; short reports from events that took place in International Geneva; and the main upcoming global digital policy events in October. Download your copy.
Webinar: Net neutrality in Europe: The BEREC guidelines and beyond
The pendulum in the net neutrality debate has swung again, after BEREC – the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications – published a set of Guidelines on the Implementation by National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) of European Network Neutrality Rules. What are the salient points of the guidelines? What are the stakeholders’ main concerns? Join a special webinar on the subject, on Thursday, 6th October, with the participation of Mr Frode Sørensen, Senior Adviser at Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) and Co-chair of the BEREC Net Neutrality Expert Working Group, and Mr Vladimir Radunovic, Diplo’s cybersecurity expert. Learn more and register.
Diplo and GIP at various digital policy events
DiploFoundation and the Geneva Internet Platform are participating in a number of digital policy events in the next few weeks. Sorina Teleanu is attending the Armenian Internet Governance Forum meeting in Yerevan this week; she will deliver a presentation on ‘Capacity development in Internet governance: learning and engagement opportunities’. Tereza Horejsova is attending an event on Internet Inclusion: Global Connect Stakeholders Advancing Solutions, organised by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the World Bank, and the Internet Society, this week; she will moderate the introductory session on the state of Internet inclusion. Next week, Diplo will participate in a session on Two-speed cyber security in the Western Balkans? during the Belgrade Security Forum, the leading regional forum discussing security policy. Last week, Roxana Radu participated in a panel on Access and Inclusion at the India Conference on Cyber Security and Internet Governance (CyFy). Follow our calendar for more updates and past events.
What’s been happening in Diplo’s blogsphere
A big topic in the last few weeks was the IANA transition. Diplo’s Sorina Teleanu gives an insightful overview and adds general reflections in her two-part blog post on ‘The IANA stewardship transition: what is happening?’ (part I and part II). A number of posts focused on e-commerce. They complement Diplo’s just-in-time reporting from the WTO Public Forum by offering deeper reflections and giving the broader context. Marília Maciel looks at E-commerce in the WTO; Ana Andrijević engages with The rise of e-commerce initiatives; and Adriana Minović gives an overview of E-commerce in Europe. Last but not least, Arvin Kamberi looks at Prospects of decentralised solution in a finance world and discusses blockchain technology and Bitcoin.