Our story

‘Diplo’s roots can be traced back to 1992, when we realised there was a need to merge ICT tools with diplomatic practice. Computers were quickly becoming important, and the world was changing fast. It meant that diplomacy also needed to adapt quickly to a new playing field.’

Prof. Jovan Kurbalija, Founding Director of Diplo

Since then, we’ve been evolving, expanding, and adapting our priorities in line with our original vision: working to foster innovation, inclusion, and impartiality in digital governance and diplomacy.

Update: Summit on Digital Diplomacy and Governance  (Malta and Online | 18 – 19 November 2022) 

We are…

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Dedicated

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Diplo is dedicated to helping solve
contemporary challenges in digital
policy, diplomacy, and
governance
.

Diplo is dedicated to helping solve contemporary challenges in digital policy, diplomacy, and governance.

Inspired

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At Diplo, our work is always inspired
by our core values and cutting-edge
expertise.

At Diplo, our work is always inspired by our core values and cutting-edge expertise.

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Peaceful

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We believe in peace over conflict, which is why
we constantly work to increase the impact of
diplomacy and digitalisation.

We believe in peace over conflict, which is why we constantly work to increase the impact of diplomacy and digitalisation.

Legacy

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Our work and our alumni have
already left a distinctive mark
and continue to effectively address
contemporary diplomacy, digital policy,
and global governance issues on local
and global levels.

Our work and our alumni have already left a distinctive mark and continue to effectively address contemporary diplomacy, digital policy, and global governance issues on local and global levels.

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Original

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From events and publications to courses
and apps we create, we are
originally Diplo.

From events and publications to courses and apps we create, we are originally Diplo.

A walk through Diplo milestones

About us…

We are a dynamic and diverse team of people based in Geneva, Malta, Belgrade, and Washington DC, with many other locations worldwide. As Diplo’s sources of energy and innovation, our Research Team, Creative Lab, Tech Team, and Courses Team take pride in their work.

Over the last 20 years, Diplo has successfully trained

7500+

alumni from 208 countries and territories.

Online training and courses
In addition to online courses, workshops, and training, Diplo, in cooperation with the University of Malta, offers an online Master in Contemporary Diplomacy.

Geneva Internet Platform (GIP)
GIP provides a neutral and inclusive space for digital policy debates, digital policy monitoring and analysis, and capacity development.

Digital Watch online observatory
DW serves as a comprehensive one-stop shop for the latest digital policy developments, overviews, trends, events, actors, instruments, and other resources.

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What we do…

Realising the importance of data-based policies early on, we constantly research and analyse digital policy developments. We share our findings with the world through reports, events, webinars, videos, and AI-driven tools.

Al & Data Tools

Diplo’s Data and AI team developed several tools, including the humAInism Speech Generator, the Countries-Companies Comparison tool, and the Data Sandbox, showcasing the potential of AI and data in diplomacy and research.

Policy & Research

For two decades, we’ve been conducting research on a variety of digital topics, including AI, big data, science diplomacy, and cybersecurity, in collaboration with a number of partners.

Capacity Development

Diplo’s capacity development activities centre around education, online training, courses, and workshops, as well as online events, webinars, podcasts and videos on topics such as AI, big data, science diplomacy, and cybersecurity.

What our alumni say…

The course was a mix of diplomatic practice and theory in the 21st century. I was able to expand my knowledge of public diplomatic structures and objectives in an environment that encouraged different perspectives while seeking to define best practices for its participants from various parts of the world.

Hair, Person, Ponytail
Asha DesuzaForeign Service Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saint Kitts and Nevis

E-learning with DiploFoundation was a great experience. The innovative online sessions and contact with other students really helped to gain a wide view on the topics discussed. This, in particular, proved useful in completing my understanding of how diplomacy can work at different levels.

Accessories, Formal Wear, Tie, Face, Head, Person, Photography, Portrait, Indoors
Guy PollardSecond Secretary, Conventional Weapons, UK Disarmament Delegation, Geneva

We can all agree that, in cyberspace, we face a multitude of issues, but DiploFoundation has managed to cover all of them in a highly interactive, informative, and extremely helpful learning course on cyber diplomacy, cybersecurity, and related governance issues.

Face, Head, Person, Photography, Portrait, Hair, Adult, Female, Woman
Anastasiya KazakovaPublic Affairs Manager, Kaspersky, Russia

The course content was contemporary, and programme design was comprehensive and reflected a rich diversity of policy issues. Course delivery through a thoughtful mix of lectures, class interactions and readings, coupled with excellent facilitation, inspired deep engagement and continuous learning from experts as much as classmates. I truly enjoyed the course!

Accessories, Glasses, Face, Head, Person, Photography, Portrait, Indoors, Adult, Male, Man
Samar VermaProgram Officer, Ford Foundation, India

I gained a broad set of knowledge, shared my experience and got new ideas from my peers from European and Asian diplomacies. My next task is to put them to use, and I know I can rely on the support of the practically-oriented materials provided during the course.

Face, Head, Person, Photography, Portrait, Adult, Female, Woman, Hair, Blonde, Black Hair
Sabina CarliAssistant to the Director-General for Economic and Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia

What I liked about the course was how knowledgeable and proactive the training team was. They followed up on every post and responded in real-time to questions or comments, thereby encouraging everyone to think outside the box and reflect on how to develop economic diplomacy skills further.

Face, Frown, Head, Person, Sad, Photography, Portrait, Adult, Male, Man
Philip Bob JusuSocio-Economic Officer, African Union Permanent Mission to the European Union, Belgium

This course is very important for any diplomat: from negotiating to public speaking, listening, and skills needed for press conferences, the course covers all the essentials needed to become a formidable diplomat. Skills learnt in this course have helped me in my everyday professional work and made me skilful at diplomatic communications.

Miruza MohamedDirector, Environment Department, Maldives Ministry of Environment and Energy

The greatest virtue that I found in the course is its teaching methodology, which promoted a fruitful self-reflection on the role of the negotiator in relation to different negotiation techniques and tools. This self-reflection based on past professional negotiation experiences and the course’s activities helped me systematise some relevant lessons about negotiations.

Head, Person, Face, Photography, Portrait, Beard, Adult, Male, Man
Julián VazeillesEmbassy Secretary, Embassy of Argentina to Brazil

The most practical learning for me is that capacity development should provide an opportunity for people to engage. This same principle was evident in the course, and I came out learning more than in a course where I would have read materials but not engage and be engaged.

Accessories, Glasses, Head, Person, Sunglasses, Face, Adult, Female, Woman, Lady, Goggles, Happy, Bathing Cap, Cap, Clothing, Hat, Photography, Portrait
Lindonne GlasgowCommunity Liaison Officer, Basic Needs Trust Fund, Caribbean Development Bank and Government of Grenada

Experienced lecturers, their guidance, and the high quality of course materials gave me a lot of knowledge and awareness. Interacting with diplomats from across the region was exciting and invaluable. I believe the knowledge and skills acquired from this experience will be a solid foundation for my professional career.

Accessories, Glasses, Face, Head, Person, Photography, Portrait, Blazer, Clothing, Coat, Jacket, Adult, Male, Man
Takahiro HaraDeputy Director, Cultural Affairs and Overseas Public Relations Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan

The course was a mix of diplomatic practice and theory in the 21st century. I was able to expand my knowledge of public diplomatic structures and objectives in an environment that encouraged different perspectives while seeking to define best practices for its participants from various parts of the world.

Hair, Person, Ponytail
Asha DesuzaForeign Service Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saint Kitts and Nevis

E-learning with DiploFoundation was a great experience. The innovative online sessions and contact with other students really helped to gain a wide view on the topics discussed. This, in particular, proved useful in completing my understanding of how diplomacy can work at different levels.

Accessories, Formal Wear, Tie, Face, Head, Person, Photography, Portrait, Indoors
Guy PollardSecond Secretary, Conventional Weapons, UK Disarmament Delegation, Geneva

We can all agree that, in cyberspace, we face a multitude of issues, but DiploFoundation has managed to cover all of them in a highly interactive, informative, and extremely helpful learning course on cyber diplomacy, cybersecurity, and related governance issues.

Face, Head, Person, Photography, Portrait, Hair, Adult, Female, Woman
Anastasiya KazakovaPublic Affairs Manager, Kaspersky, Russia

The course content was contemporary, and programme design was comprehensive and reflected a rich diversity of policy issues. Course delivery through a thoughtful mix of lectures, class interactions and readings, coupled with excellent facilitation, inspired deep engagement and continuous learning from experts as much as classmates. I truly enjoyed the course!

Accessories, Glasses, Face, Head, Person, Photography, Portrait, Indoors, Adult, Male, Man
Samar VermaProgram Officer, Ford Foundation, India

I gained a broad set of knowledge, shared my experience and got new ideas from my peers from European and Asian diplomacies. My next task is to put them to use, and I know I can rely on the support of the practically-oriented materials provided during the course.

Face, Head, Person, Photography, Portrait, Adult, Female, Woman, Hair, Blonde, Black Hair
Sabina CarliAssistant to the Director-General for Economic and Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia

What I liked about the course was how knowledgeable and proactive the training team was. They followed up on every post and responded in real-time to questions or comments, thereby encouraging everyone to think outside the box and reflect on how to develop economic diplomacy skills further.

Face, Frown, Head, Person, Sad, Photography, Portrait, Adult, Male, Man
Philip Bob JusuSocio-Economic Officer, African Union Permanent Mission to the European Union, Belgium

This course is very important for any diplomat: from negotiating to public speaking, listening, and skills needed for press conferences, the course covers all the essentials needed to become a formidable diplomat. Skills learnt in this course have helped me in my everyday professional work and made me skilful at diplomatic communications.

Miruza MohamedDirector, Environment Department, Maldives Ministry of Environment and Energy

The greatest virtue that I found in the course is its teaching methodology, which promoted a fruitful self-reflection on the role of the negotiator in relation to different negotiation techniques and tools. This self-reflection based on past professional negotiation experiences and the course’s activities helped me systematise some relevant lessons about negotiations.

Head, Person, Face, Photography, Portrait, Beard, Adult, Male, Man
Julián VazeillesEmbassy Secretary, Embassy of Argentina to Brazil

The most practical learning for me is that capacity development should provide an opportunity for people to engage. This same principle was evident in the course, and I came out learning more than in a course where I would have read materials but not engage and be engaged.

Accessories, Glasses, Head, Person, Sunglasses, Face, Adult, Female, Woman, Lady, Goggles, Happy, Bathing Cap, Cap, Clothing, Hat, Photography, Portrait
Lindonne GlasgowCommunity Liaison Officer, Basic Needs Trust Fund, Caribbean Development Bank and Government of Grenada

Experienced lecturers, their guidance, and the high quality of course materials gave me a lot of knowledge and awareness. Interacting with diplomats from across the region was exciting and invaluable. I believe the knowledge and skills acquired from this experience will be a solid foundation for my professional career.

Accessories, Glasses, Face, Head, Person, Photography, Portrait, Blazer, Clothing, Coat, Jacket, Adult, Male, Man
Takahiro HaraDeputy Director, Cultural Affairs and Overseas Public Relations Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan
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Celebrate our 20th anniversary with us!

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