DiploNews – Issue 409 – 16 December 2020

Upcoming study opportunities

◆ Applications open! Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy

We are accepting applications for the 2021 online Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy and the Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy with a specialisation in Internet Governance, run in cooperation with the University of Malta Department of International Relations.

During 16 to 20 months of online study, the programmes guide working diplomats, international relations professionals, and Internet policymakers through the theoretical and practical building blocks of diplomacy, with a focus on contemporary issues and challenges.

In response to the current global pandemic, the introductory workshop – traditionally offered in Malta – will be run online in 2021, eliminating the need for travel and reducing expenses for participants.

Scholarships covering 20%–50% of the Postgraduate Diploma fee are available for applicants from small and developing states. The programme starts on 25 January 2021.

For further information and to apply, please visit the Master in Contemporary Diplomacy webpage.

◆ Apply now! Online Meetings and Conferences: How to Run Effective and Secure Events

Online meetings and conferences are now a necessity for most organisations. In this highly interactive, practice-based course participants learn how to plan, manage, and run successful online events: choosing and using an appropriate technical platform, planning the entire process from the initial idea to follow up, and effectively moderating interaction in an online environment.

The course starts on 22 January 2021. Read more and apply by 8 January.

A limited number of full and partial scholarships will be provided by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.

◆ Apply now! February 2021 online diplomacy and digital policy courses

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

• Artificial Intelligence: Technology, Governance, and Policy Frameworks
• Capacity Development
• Diplomatic Theory and Practice
• Humanitarian Diplomacy
• Introduction to Internet Governance
• Public Diplomacy

Courses start on 22 February 2021. Apply by 21 December 2020 for University of Malta accredited courses, and by 18 January 2021 for Diplo certificate courses. For further information or to apply, click on the titles of the courses listed, or visit our courses webpage. Register now to reserve your place.

◆ Need financial assistance? Scholarships are available.

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 30%–60% of course fees and can be applied to most online courses in 2021. Browse our course catalogue and contact us at admissions@diplomacy.edu for further information.

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

Blogs and publications

◆ Blog post: ‘Online community engagement as a strategic tool: Mission possible’

‘If designed, fostered, and sustained effectively, a vibrant online community can become an agile capacity-building instrument and, hence, feed into new strategies and policies.’ Ms Michaela Anna Simakova reflects on the revival of the successful online community of the College of Europe Alumni Association. Read the blog post.

◆ Blog post: ‘Nature and digital: A historical view from Geneva’

When it comes to the digital field, what can we learn from an 18th century botanist, lawyer, philosopher, psychologist, and politician? Dr Jovan Kurbalija (Director, DiploFoundation; Head, Geneva Internet Platform (GIP)) looks at the work of Charles Bonnet as inspiration for the digital today. Read the blog post.

◆ Blog post: Cybersecurity requires governments to step in

Ms Anastasiya Kazakova from Kaspersky discusses what is needed from governments in order for companies to provide secure-by-design digital products. Read the blog post.

◆ Blog post: Diplomats at US intelligence hub in UK lose immunities

In his blog post, Geoff Berridge discusses the latest updates related to diplomatic immunity which were provoked by the Dunn-Sacoolas affair. Read the blog post.

Our recent events

◆ Webinar: International Water Law and Transboundary Cooperation

Surface and groundwater management require effective cooperation and harmonisation of regulations among states, taking into account the rights and obligations of non-state actors. These issues were discussed in the now annual webinar. Find out more.

Diplo Team at external events

◆ IGF 2020 Debrief (16 Dec.)

Hosted by the Internet Governance Forum USA (IGF–USA) and the Greater Washington DC Chapter of the Internet Society (ISOC–DC), the annual event provides an overview of takeaways from the IGF 2020, including the work of the National and Regional IGF initiatives (NRIs), as well as each of this year’s themes.

DiploFoundation’s Ms Pavlina Ittelson will speak at this event. Register here.

Don’t miss…

◆ Article: ‘Asian countries build data fortresses to protect new national assets’

The article in Nikkei Asia features Jovan Kurbalija’s idea of a digital home for humanity. Read the article.

◆ Article: ‘Digital CEO: Over 500,000 man-hours lost from internet disruption’

The article in the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian includes excerpts from an interview with Tracy Hackshaw (Lecturer, DiploFoundation) about the global digital economy. Read the article.