DiploNews – Issue 430 – 2 November 2021

Upcoming study opportunities 

◆ Applications open! Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy

Diplo is now accepting applications for the 2022 online MA/PGD in Contemporary Diplomacy and the MA/PGD 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.

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

◆ Applications open! Winter 2022 online courses

Register now to reserve your place in our popular winter courses:

• Diplomatic Theory and Practice
• Public Diplomacy
• Artificial Intelligence
• Intro to Internet Governance
• Capacity Development 
• Humanitarian Diplomacy

👉🏼 Application deadlines for certificates issued by Diplo: 17 January 2022

For further information and to apply, click the course titles above or visit Diplo’s course catalogue.

◆ 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 2022. 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

◆ International organisations: Independence under threat? (WebDebate #51) (2 Nov.)

On the one hand, international organisations serve as a venue for states to shape the global agenda. On the other, secretariats are actors in their own right. Together with two veterans of multilateral diplomacy – Amb. Asoke Mukerji and Amb. Petru Dumitriu – we will discuss if the independence of international organisations is under threat. Join us on Tuesday, 2nd November, at 13:00 UTC (14:00 CET). Register now!

◆ Harnessing AI’s Power for Health (3 Nov.)

New technologies have had a revolutionary impact on healthcare since the early 1990s. Nowadays, how can we harness the power of AI for public health and reduce the risks related to the use of new technologies? And how can we ensure that developing countries equally and meaningfully benefit from the rapid technological developments? Register and join us on Wednesday, 3rd November, at 13:00 UTC (14:00 CET). Register now!

◆ Insights on the 9th Meeting of the Parties of the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (8 Nov.)

What progress has been made towards achieving the sustainable development goal (SDG) target 6.5 on water resources management? Join as we discuss this topic with partners on Monday, 8th November, at 11:30 UTC (12:30 CET). Register now!

◆ Capacity building on e-commerce: From lessons to solutions (11 Nov.)

How can capacity building contribute to strengthening the participation of trade negotiators from developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs)? Join us as we discuss this and more on Thursday, 11th November, at 13:00 UTC (14:00 CET). Register now!

Main takeaways from our recent events

◆  Internet governance in October 2021 (Briefing #79)

In the latest Internet Governance Briefing, we discussed the most pressing issues that dominated the month of October, including the OECD tax rules agreed upon by 136 countries and the agreement in the US–EU Trade and Technology Council. Watch the recording!

◆ Geneva Legal and Governance Tour (12 Tours to Navigate Digital Geneva)

Digital governance is the invisible thread that unites the digital ecosystem. Together with our guest speakers, in the latest stop in the 12 Tours to Navigate Digital Geneva series, we discussed Geneva’s role in digital governance. Watch the recording!

◆ Radio and TV broadcasting: Diplomacy going live (A Historical Journey #9)

Radio and television’s reach gives them the immense power to influence public opinion. In this masterclass episode, Dr Jovan Kurbalija revisited the rise of broadcasting via radio and television and the ways in which they were used as tools of propaganda and public diplomacy. Watch the recording!

Blogs and publications

◆ The Glasgow environment summit: A new paradigm?

With the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) underway, Amb. Kishan Rana takes a look at the targets set, the reality of today’s and tomorrow’s CO2 emissions, India’s challenges, how other global challenges fit in, and how, in the end, we are all in the same lifeboat. Read it here!

◆ Can an empty chair save COP26?

In his latest article, Dr Jovan Kurbalija emphasises how those most impacted by today’s decisions – the future generations – are missing from high-level discussions such as COP26. He thus proposes the concept of the ‘Future Chair’ as a constant reminder of the future we are trying to save. Read more!

◆ Who’s behind a cyberattack?

A cyberattack at the workplace can cause chaos. What if you are a diplomat, and that workplace is the UN? In her blog post, Ms Anastasiya Kazakova explains how Kaspersky, in collaboration with Diplo, developed a simulation game for diplomats and non-technical people that helps users work their way in discovering the source of a cyberattack. Read the blog!

◆ Cybersecurity public-private partnerships in healthcare

A few years ago, we would hardly put cyberattacks and the health sector in one sentence. However, in the past two years, the healthcare sector was a victim to more cyberattacks than the financial industry. In her two-part blog post, Ms Kristina Hojstricova presents the current reality, as well as best practices and recommendations. Read Part 1 and Part 2!

Diplo team at external events

◆ IGF 2021 Introductory Sessions (2/3 Nov.)

1. Emerging regulation: Market structure, content, data and consumer/users rights regulation (2 Nov.)

This preparatory session will offer attendees an introduction to the policy issue area of ‎emerging regulation that impacts or relates to the internet, one of the four cross-cutting issue areas ‎of IGF 2021. Mr Jovan Kurbalija (Executive Director, Diplo; Head, GIP) will set the stage and moderate the session.

2. Environmental sustainability and climate change (2 Nov.)

The preparatory session will focus on setting the scene for IGF 2021 and will discuss the role ‎of the Forum as an important player covering the issue of environment and digitalisation ‎and, in particular, for being seen as a place where the dots are connected and capacities of ‎policy makers on this issue are increased. Ms Tereza Horejsova (Director of Projects and Partnerships, Diplo) will moderate this session.

3. Inclusive Internet Governance Ecosystems and Digital Cooperation (3 Nov.)

This preparatory session will offer attendees an introduction to the policy issue area of Inclusive Internet Governance Ecosystems and Digital Cooperation, one of the four cross-cutting issue areas of the IGF 2021. Jovan Kurbalija (Executive Director, Diplo; Head, GIP) will speak at this session.

See all sessions here

◆ EAVI Conversations: Tech Society (9 Nov.)

At the first event of the EAVI Conversations 2021 (to be held on Tuesday, 9th November, at 16:00 CET), EAVI Founder and Secretary General Paolo Celot will be talking to Mr Lee Hibbard (Senior Fellow, Diplo; Administrator, Bioethics Unit, Council of Europe) about technology and people. Read more and register!

Don’t miss…

◆ Artificial Intelligence Experts and Policymakers Discuss Inclusion in AI Policy Development

The article ‘Artificial Intelligence Experts and Policymakers Discuss Inclusion in AI Policy Development’  is a summary of the event organised by UNESCO and the Innovation for Policy Foundation (i4Policy), which included the participation of Diplo’s Director of Research Dr Katharina Höne. Read it here!