Hands of a guy on laptop keyboard

DiploNews – Issue 432 – 2 December 2021

Upcoming study opportunities

Now entirely online:  Master in Contemporary Diplomacy 

Choosing to further your studies is a smart decision. But choosing a programme that helps you make the best use of your time is even smarter.

Our Master in Contemporary Diplomacy (with an option to specialise in internet governance), offered in cooperation with the University of Malta, is now held entirely online, making it both time and cost effective. You can adapt your study schedule around your family and work commitments. Thanks to the support of the Government of Malta, up to 50% of the fees can be covered by a scholarship (for eligible applicants). 

During 16 to 20 months of online study, the programme guides participants through the theoretical and practical building blocks of diplomacy, with a focus on contemporary issues and challenges. The next programme starts on 24 January 2022. 

👉🏼 Learn more and apply by 15 December 2021!

◆ 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

◆ Briefing for diplomats: ‘An Inclusive Internet: Lowering the Barriers for Access’ (2 Dec)

Closing the digital divide is one of the main priorities for governments worldwide. This briefing for diplomats based in New York and Geneva, organised by the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP) and the Internet Society, will revisit the current state of play of initiatives for closing the digital divide, and discuss the open gaps for further lowering the barriers to more sustainable access, and ultimately, a more inclusive internet. Join us on Thursday, 2nd December, at 09:00 EST (15:00 CET). Register for this event!

◆ IGF 2021: Cyber Stability Games: Learning the Complexities of Technical Attribution (Day 0, Event #41) (6 Dec)

‘Cyber Stability Games’ is a capacity-building exercise organised by Diplo and Kaspersky to help professionals without a technical background to learn about the complexities of technical attribution. Participate in the exercise on Monday, 6th December, at 08:30 UTC (09:30 CET). More information and registration on IGF’s website.

◆ Recent Climate Negotiations: A Perspective from the Global South  (WebDebate #52) (7 Dec)

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues that humanity is facing today. Given current carbon-emission levels and the projected global warming and its consequences over the next decades, it is clear that business as usual is no longer an option. In this 52nd WebDebate, we take a closer look at the climate negotiations at COP 26 from a Global South perspective. Join us on Tuesday, 7th December, at 13:00 UTC (14:00 CET). Register here!

◆ Digital Standards, China, and Geopolitics: What is at Stake? (14 Dec)

Digital standards set the rules of the game in tech and the internet. As a major player, China’s role is of particular interest. In this discussion, we look at China’s role in standard-developing organisations within the broader digital standardisation ecosystem, using a study commissioned by the Geneva Office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and compiled by Diplo. Join us on Tuesday, 14th December, at 13:00 UTC (14:00 CET). Register for this event!

◆ Technology for Development (From Geneva: Reflections on Digital Future) (15 Dec)

There is a danger that as the ‘digital divide’ continues to widen, social inequality and exclusion in developing and industrialised countries will be exacerbated. Join us on Wednesday, 15th December, at 15:00 UTC (16:00 CET), as the panel of speakers discusses developing digital cooperation, including connectivity, capacity development, digital and gender divide, and digital skills. Register here!

◆ Learning from the Past, Looking to the Future (A Historical Journey #11) (21 Dec)

We’ve come to the end of our adventure! In this journey we have learnt that the past, present, and future are intertwined. Join us for the final episode on Tuesday, 21st December, at 13:00 UTC (14:00 CET), where we will try to imagine the future while looking back at our past. Register here!

Reporting from IGF 2021 & UN OEWG 20212025

Follow our reporting initiatives!

As in previous years, the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP) will be reporting from a selection of sessions during IGF 2021 and the UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) 2021–2025. You can read the reports by following the links for IGF 2021 and UN OEWG 2021–2015, or by downloading our reporting app from Google Play or App Store.

Main takeaways from our recent events

◆ Internet governance in November 2021 (IG Briefing #80)

In our latest briefing, we discussed November’s digital policy highlights, including the metaverse, NFTs, antitrust issues, and more! Watch the recording!

◆ Geneva Security Tour (12 Tours to Navigate Digital Geneva)

Can we have security without cybersecurity? In the Geneva Cybersecurity Tour, we discussed Geneva’s contribution to the global cybersecurity scene. Watch the recording!

◆ Our Digital Future: What Mediterranean Wisdom Can Teach Us

On the occasion of the first Mediterranean day (28 November), Diplo hosted an online event where we discussed the link between Mediterranean history and issues regarding our digital future, and reflected on the pressing aspects of internet governance and digital policy in the Mediterranean region. Watch the recording!

◆ #Diplomacy: Internet and Social Media (A Historical Journey #10)

In our latest episode on diplomacy and technology, we looked at the present. How is diplomacy using and being changed by the internet and social media? The summary, recording, and further resources are now available. Visit our dedicated page!

Blogs and publications

◆ Hybrid is hybrid: Testing the limits of hybrid meetings

In her blog post, Diplo’s Dr Tereza Horejsova reflects on the onset of hybrid meetings, the resources compiled by Diplo and the GIP, and her observations and best practices from working in such scenarios. Read the blog post!

◆ 5 reasons and 5 concerns for the IGF Leadership Panel

According to Dr Jovan Kurbalija, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has reached a critical turning point. In this post, Kurbalija writes that the IGF can become a ‘digital home’ of humanity, and lists 5 reasons and 5 concerns for the IGF Leadership Panel. Read the blog post!

◆ How can Mediterranean wisdom shape our digital future?

In the run-up to the first Day of the Mediterranean, Diplo’s Dr Jovan Kurbalija reflected on how Mediterranean wisdom can help us overcome the chrono-narcissism of our era. Read the blog post!

◆ Podcast: Diplomacy between tradition and innovation 

In January 2021, Diplo began a series of online discussions titled History of Diplomacy and Technology. As part of the series, Dr Jovan Kurbalija talked with Amb. Stefano Baldi about the interplay between technology and diplomacy, continuity and change, and tradition and innovation. Amb. Baldi shared his reflections on 30 years of intensive digital and internet developments, and gave some practical advice to the new generations of diplomats. Listen here!

◆ Two colours blue of the French flag

Flags are one of the most visible and powerful symbols of our belonging and identity. That is why the change in the shade of blue of the French flag caused a bit of a discussion. Diplo’s Jovan Kurbalija discusses. Read the blog!

Don’t miss…

◆ Malta’s global ‘hidden gem’ – Minister Evarist Bartolo

In the article, Malta’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo writes about Diplo as a key global player in digitalisation and international relations. He goes on to note that Diplo will soon celebrate 20 years – a significant milestone that will serve as an excellent opportunity to take stock of the progress made, and discuss the way forward into the future. Read it here!

◆ Interview: Geneva’s role in Internet Governance (in French)

Diplo’s Marco Lotti, interviewed by Léman Bleu’s Philippe Verdier, speaks about Geneva’s role in internet governance, and the work carried out by Diplo and the GIP. Watch Mr Lotti’s intervention or the full feature.

Diplo team at external events

◆ Addressing AI-driven Socio-economic Inequality

Diplo’s Dr Katharina Höne (Director of Research) participated in the event organised by IndiaAI which discussed the broadening of the socioeconomic gap due to AI advancements, as well as the frameworks and norms that can be developed and deployed by governments and the private sector to address these circumstances. Watch the recording!

◆ Making Sense of Data and Digital Diplomacy: ICDD 2021

Dr Jovan Kurbalija participated in the ICDD 2021 panel which discussed how the role of data is critical in raising awareness and ensuring that the voices of vulnerable and invisible populations are not silenced. Watch the recording!

Subscribe to Diplo's News