DiploNews – Issue 418 – 4 May 2021

Upcoming study opportunities

◆ Digital Commerce (just-in-time course)

This course provides an interdisciplinary coverage of digital commerce, from both digital and trade perspectives. It builds the knowledge and capacity of participants to engage in digital commerce-related negotiations and discussions on the multilateral and bilateral levels. It is aimed at diplomats, in particular those based in Geneva, staff of trade-related international organisations, and capital-based officials, from developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs). The course is offered by DiploFoundation (Diplo), CUTS International Geneva, the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP).

To learn more and to apply by 12 May 2021 visit the course webpage. Selected applicants from developing countries and least developed countries will be granted a full waiver of course fees, through support from the course organising partners.

◆ Summer 2021 online courses

Our next course session starts on 26 July 2021. Register now to reserve your place in our popular courses:

• Bilateral Diplomacy
• Diplomatic Law: Privileges and Immunities
• Internet Technology and Policy
• Multilateral Diplomacy

Apply by 24 May 2021 for University of Malta accredited courses and by 21 June 2021 for Diplo certificate courses. For further information or to apply, click the course titles above or visit our courses webpage.

◆ 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.

Upcoming events

◆ WebDebate #47: Current diplomatic responses to COVID-19 (4 May)

COVID-19 has posed tremendous challenges to diplomacy. Practices have been adapted and diplomats have had to address the immediate crisis situation and work towards coordinated responses.

In this WebDebate, we focus on two current diplomatic responses to COVID-19: the COVAX (COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access) initiative, and the work done at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC). Join us on Tuesday, 4th May, at 12:00 UTC (14:00 CEST). Register now!

Main takeaways from our recent events

◆ Briefing #74: Internet governance in April 2021

In our latest Internet Governance Briefing, we brought together and analysed the main digital policy highlights in April 2021. We were joined by Diplo Senior Fellow Mr Ljupčo Jivan Gjorgjinski, former Chair of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), who spoke in detail about this important process. Watch the recording, register for the May briefing, and keep an eye out for the monthly newsletter (coming soon)!

◆ Digital Economy: Trade and Finance Tour – 12 Tours to Navigate Digital Geneva

In the latest tour in the series 12 Tours to Navigate Digital Geneva, we discussed Geneva’s contribution in the wider context of the digital economy – trade and finance – scene. The event recording, together with pre-event discussion podcasts, are available here.

◆ Ancient Greek diplomacy: Politics, new tools, and negotiation – Diplomacy and technology: A historical journey

The April stop in our journey focused on ancient Greek diplomacy: the meaning of the word ‘diplomacy’; the role of the orator; communication technologies in Greek diplomacy; and much more! Check out the event recording, and learn more about this journey. Our next stop? Byzantine Diplomacy!

Blogs, podcasts, and publications

◆ [Blog] Our TikTokable lives: Can 15-second ‘lifebites’ pose a threat to national security?

In her blog post, Rowena Farrugia offers valuable insights into the TikTok debate: how serious are the allegations against the app when compared to behaviour by other social networks? And what role do these allegations have in the ‘great data battle’? Read the blog post.

◆ [Podcast] Diving into Digital #1: Tech and diplomacy in Silicon Valley

In the first episode of this podcast we were joined by Austrian Tech Ambassador Martin Rauchbauer and Dr Clara Blume, deputy director of Open Austria and director of its Art and Tech Lab. The discussion revolved around diplomats reaching out to the tech sector and how to create connections and build on commonalities in order to have crucial conversations about the present and the future of digital technology. Listen to it.

◆ [Briefing paper and blog] Citizen Diplomats: Exploring the Links Between Community Organising and Humanitarian Diplomacy

In her briefing paper, Hannah Bird explores whether there is any middle ground between the generally top-down approaches to local involvement taken by organisations engaged in humanitarian diplomacy, and the often spontaneous grassroots citizen actions, which may be disparate, lacking clear goals, and relatively short-term. Read the briefing paper. Her thoughts are also expressed in this blog post.

Don’t miss…

◆ Hybrid Diplomacy: How COVID-19 changes the way we negotiate

COVID-19 has fundamentally changed international diplomacy. Negotiations continue across the world, but increasingly take place online, in video conferences, chats, and breakout sessions. What does that mean for transparency and inclusion? What effects do these changes have on developing countries? And do countries still need embassies all across the world? Diplo’s Jovan Kurbalija and Katharina Höne address these and other questions in Stiftung Entwicklung und Frieden’s (Development and Peace Foundation) Global Governance Spotlight 1|2021. Read it here.

◆ AI and Diplomacy – On AiR: IR in the age of AI

In this interview, Diplo’s Katharina Höne discusses how artificial intelligence may shape diplomatic practice and international negotiations. Listen to it here.