DiploNews – Issue 420 – 1 June 2021

Upcoming study opportunities

◆ Applications open! Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy
   (€400 early bird discount)

Diplo is now accepting applications for the 2022 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. The programme starts on 24 January 2022.

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.

Scholarships covering 20%–50% of the Postgraduate Diploma fee are available for applicants from small and developing states.

Discount: Apply by 1 September 2021 and benefit from our €400 early bird discount!

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

◆ 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 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 #48: ‘Virtual and hybrid diplomacy: What have we learned?’ (1 June)

In light of social distancing and lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, diplomatic practice had to adapt. Overall, diplomacy has proven remarkably resilient. Now, more than a year after the start of the pandemic, we need to ask: Where are we now? What have we learned? And how will the future of diplomatic practice be influenced? In order to shed light on these topics, we are joined by two scholars from the Oxford Digital Diplomacy Research Group. Join us on Tuesday, 1st June, at 12:00 UTC (14:00 CEST). Register now!

◆ 12 Tours to Navigate Digital Geneva #5: Data Tour (24 June)

In our next episode of the 12 Tours to Navigate Digital Geneva series, we will talk about data. Our stops will include CERN, one of the world’s largest data-processing set-ups which stores more than 30 petabytes of data every year; the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) which coordinates one of the most complex data networks in the world across its 192 member states and territories; and the World Health Organization (WHO) where data is becoming a central element. Join us on Thursday 24th June, at 09:00 UTC (11:00 CEST). Register now!

◆ Masterclass #6: Renaissance diplomacy (24 June)

In our next episode of the Diplomacy and Technology: A historical journey series, we take a look at Renaissance diplomacy and the Reformation. During this period, the first full diplomatic system was established, and the invention of the printing press impacted society as a whole, especially diplomacy. Want to learn more? Join us on Thursday 24th June, at 12:00 UTC (14:00 CEST). Register here!

◆ IG Briefing #76: Internet governance in June 2021 (29 June)

Registrations are now open for our June 2021 Internet Governance Briefing. Join us on Tuesday, 29th June, at 12:00 UTC (14:00 CEST). Register here!

Main takeaways from our recent events

◆ Road to Bern via Geneva #6: Environmental Data

The sixth dialogue of the Road to Bern via Geneva series covered the topic ‘Using Data and Digital Technologies to Advance Sustainable Trade and Environmental Transparency’. The dialogue showcased the latest concepts and tools of digital sustainable trade and environment transparency, and analysed the perspectives of governments, businesses, and other stakeholders on the potentials of data by exploring cases, challenges, opportunities, and policies. Read the report, and watch the recording:

◆ IG Briefing #75: Internet governance in May 2021

In our 75th Internet Governance Briefing, we looked at the highlights of the May 2021 digital policy scene. We discussed, among other topics, social media bans and human rights, ransomware, and cryptocurrency. Our special guest, Executive Director of the Universal Rights Group Marc Limon, offered his perspective with regards to human rights. Watch the recording!

◆ 12 Tours to Navigate Digital Geneva #4: Digital and Environment Tour

In the 4th episode of the 12 Tours to Navigate Digital Geneva, Dr Jovan Kurbalija and guests explored the interplay between the digital and the environment in Geneva. Watch the event recording!

◆ Masterclass #5: ‘Byzantine diplomacy: The elixir of longevity’

Diplomacy was crucial to Byzantine’s longevity. With an empire extending over a vast territory, which techniques did the Byzantines use to keep everything under control? Watch the recording!

Publications

◆ WSIS 2021: Reports from the final week

Geneva Internet Platform’s rapporteurs reported from a selected number of sessions from the final week of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Access the reports!

◆ Digital Watch newsletters

The Digital Watch initiative publishes two newsletters: a monthly newsletter (60th issue coming soon), and a weekly digest (sent every Friday). Get email notifications when they are out! Subscribe here!

Not familiar with these newsletters? Check out the latest issue of the monthly newsletter and the weekly digest.

Diplo team at external events

◆ Debate: ‘Ecommerce or Digital Trade or both? What’s negotiated at the WTO in Geneva’

The debate, organised by the European Internet Forum (EIF), discussed the ongoing World Trade Organization (WTO) e-commerce negotiations of the 86 WTO members. Diplo’s Marilia Maciel (Digital Policy Senior Researcher) was one of the discussion panellists. Summary and recording are now available.