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DiploNews – Issue 431 – 15 November 2021

Upcoming study opportunities

Last chance to apply! 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:

👉🏼 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.

Upcoming events

◆ #Diplomacy: Internet and social media (A Historical Journey #10) (25 Nov)

Diplomats use the internet for meetings, sharing information, negotiating, and communicating. Even ‘corridor diplomacy’, which was strongly linked to traditional diplomacy, has been replaced by emails, Twitter, and Zoom meetings.  How has diplomacy adjusted to the changes brought about by the internet? Is the internet a diplomatic revolution, or simply another stage in the evolution of diplomacy? Join Dr Jovan Kurbalija, for another masterclass, on Thursday, 25th November, at 13:00 UTC (14:00 CET). Register now!

◆ Geneva Security Tour (12 Tours to Navigate Digital Geneva) (29 Nov.)

International security is always a hot topic, and Geneva has been historically known to be a hub for international discussions on the topic. Our November tour includes important security-related processes, and the work of major institutions focusing on cybersecurity. Join us for another tour through digital Geneva on Monday, 29th November, at 10:00 UTC (11:00 CET). Register now!

◆ Internet Governance Briefing – November 2021 (30 Nov.)

What were the main news regarding internet governance in November? Join us for a summary and analysis on Tuesday, 30th November, at 13:00 UTC (14:00 CET). Register now!

◆ Promoting Inclusiveness in E-commerce Negotiations through Capacity Building (1 Dec.)

E-commerce is key not only to mitigating the economic slowdown, but also for speeding up economic recovery. As part of the the International Institute for Sustainable Development’s TRADE + SUSTAINABILITY HUB discussions, Diplo, the International Trade Centre (ITC), and CUTS International are organising ‘Session 08: Promoting Inclusiveness in E-commerce Negotiations through Capacity Building’. Join us on Wednesday, 1st December, at 14:00 UTC (15:00 CET). Register now!

Main takeaways from our recent events

◆ Capacity Building on E-commerce: From Lessons to Solutions

How can capacity building contribute to strengthening the participation of trade negotiators from developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs)? Watch the recording from our event organised with CUTS International Geneva and the International Trade Centre. Watch the recording.

◆ Insights on the 9th Meeting of the Parties of the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

What progress has been made towards achieving Target 6.5 of SDG 6 on water resources management? Watch the recording of our live discussion.

◆ Harnessing AI’s Power for Health (From Geneva: Reflections on Digital Future)

New technologies have had a revolutionary impact on healthcare since the early 1990s. How can we today harness the power of AI for public health and reduce the risks related to the use of new technologies? Watch the event recording.

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

On the one hand, international organisations serve as a venue for states to shape the global agenda. On the other hand, secretariats are actors in their own right. In this event we discussed if international organisations’ independence is under threat. Watch the recording.

Blogs and publications

◆ 10 lessons from 10 years of teaching digital diplomacy at the College of Europe

Dr Jovan Kurbalija (Executive Director, Diplo; Head, Geneva Internet Platform (GIP)) looks back at ten years of teaching at the College of Europe and reflects on ten lessons learned during this time. Read it here.

Digital Commerce Course: A Five-Year Assessment

The publication evaluates the impact of the Digital Commerce Course aimed at providing capacity building on e-commerce to trade professionals. Read it here.

◆ Digital Watch newsletter – Issue 64 – November 2021

Social media platforms are having trouble with content moderation. Governments are boosting up their anti-ransomware efforts. The use of facial recognition technologies is raising privacy concerns. The Counter-ransomware initiative gathered 31 countries + the EU. The metaverse is the newest buzzword in tech. Read the newsletter in English or in French!

◆ OK Corral 140 Years Later: Between Frontier Violence and the Emerging Rule of Law

It was a 140 years ago that Wyatt Earp took his group to fight the outlaws of the Clanton gang. This event paved the way for the rule of law. Read the analysis by Milan Jazbec.

Diplo team at external events

◆ EAVI Conversations: Tech Society

Are we living in an AI trial period? Check out the conclusions drawn from the discussion with Diplo’s Senior Fellow Lee Hibbard during the EAVI Conversations 2021 event. Read it here!

◆ IGF 2021 Introductory Sessions

Diplo experts were invited to moderate and speak at the IGF 2021 preparatory sessions, discussing:

  • Emerging regulation: Market structure, content, data and consumer/users rights regulation
  • Environmental sustainability and climate change
  • Inclusive internet governance ecosystems and digital cooperation

Watch the recordings.

Don’t miss…

◆ MoU between Switzerland, Malta, and Mexico in the field of online diplomatic training

The Swiss Confederation, the United Mexican States, and the Republic of Malta have renewed their joint commitment in the field of online diplomatic training. This cooperation has already developed the capacities of more than 700 Mexican diplomats. Read more.

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