Authors: Pavlina Ittelson | Martin Rauchbauer

Tech diplomacy interactions in the San Francisco Bay Area

2023

Tech diplomacy interactions in the San Francisco Bay Area involve a variety of tech companies and diplomats focusing on crucial discussions regarding values, policy, compliance, and technology globally. The region hosts a significant number of European tech diplomacy outposts, with emerging topics such as 5G, Web3, and cybersecurity on the agenda. Countries like India and Brazil are exploring establishing their tech diplomacy presence in the Bay Area, utilizing models ranging from global digital ambassadors to dedicated tech envoys. Key areas of focus for these tech diplomats include human rights, innovation, and fostering collaboration between nations and tech entities.
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There is an overall agreement between tech companies and tech diplomats in the Bay Area that the conduct of tech diplomacy is crucial in building understanding between governments and tech companies, allowing for holding difficult conversations on the intersection of values, policy, compliance, and technology, as well as development globally. 

Since 2018, new topics emerged on the tech diplomatic agenda in the Bay Area that also need to be addressed in policymaking. This includes complex AI conversations on a global level, 5G and geopolitical impacts of its implementation, Web3, cryptocurrency and blockchain, and open internet. With geopolitical tensions, the topic of cybersecurity, and climate and environmental tech are high on the agenda. 

Most of the tech diplomacy outposts in the Bay Area are from Europe (43), with Asia-Pacific (14) being the second most represented region. Low- and middle-income countries, especially from the Global South, are largely underrepresented. Many countries, such as Senegal, Pakistan, Guatemala, and Chile, are exploring the possibility of establishing their tech diplomacy representation in the area. Others, like India, are looking to build on existing business, academic, and investment ties, expanding to new areas of cooperation.1Bay Area Council Economic Institute. (2023). Seismic shift: Economic growth and strategic alignment between the Bay Area and India. https://www.bayareaeconomy.org/files/pdf/SeismicShift-India2023.pdf

 

In most cases, the countries exploring a tech diplomacy presence in the Bay Area are looking into existing models of representation, from global digital ambassadors and dedicated tech ambassadors, to consulates with tech diplomacy sections.

This report looks at the various models that countries use in the practice of tech diplomacy in the Bay Area. With the introduction of Denmark’s Office of the Tech Ambassador in 2017, the model of appointing a global or tech digital ambassador has gradually become more prominent. Even though this model is not so widespread, in the last couple of years, several countries have appointed tech ambassadors dedicated to dealing with tech and digital agendas. The mandate of these tech ambassadors differs by geographical location: their mandate can be global (Australia, Denmark, France, Switzerland) or local to the Bay Area (UK, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Switzerland). In the case of global tech (or digital) ambassadors, there are still supporting structures in place to facilitate local engagement. Below are some examples of such engagement.

Denmark

Denmark was the first to introduce tech diplomacy (or ‘techplomacy’) in 2017, when it became the world’s first country to appoint a tech ambassador, making technology and digitalisation one of its critical foreign policy priorities. The Danish tech ambassador represents the Danish government to the tech industry and to governance forums on emerging technologies.

Danish techplomacy is operationalised through the Office of the Danish Tech Ambassador (‘Office’). The Danish tech ambassador has a global mandate with three offices in Silicon Valley, Copenhagen, and Beijing. This global mandate allows the tech ambassador to not be geographically limited in their diplomatic mission and endeavours. Two main elements that are important for the operationalisation of Danish techplomacy: 

  • The Office advances interests on behalf of the Danish government by engaging in a dialogue with big tech with the aim to influence the direction of technology. 
  • The Office takes into consideration and acts in accordance with Danish national interests and values to influence the international agenda concerning tech policy issues.

While the tech ambassador heads the Office, the Silicon Valley (San Francisco Bay Area) office appointed a deputy tech ambassador, and is staffed with career diplomats advising the tech ambassador on different aspects of emerging technologies. The Office of Danish Tech Ambassador covers different policy issues ranging from cybersecurity and disinformation, countering terrorism online, digital privacy protection, digital taxation, responsible AI, and data ethics. 

The Office puts a great emphasis on and actively supports policymaking as related to technology and its impact on human rights in international forums. Denmark, jointly with other countries, largely promoted the implications of emerging technologies on human rights and brought it to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) agenda in Geneva. In addition, the Office has also assisted the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in building dialogue with tech companies in the Bay Area on questions related to human rights risks and online platforms.

The uniqueness of Denmark’s approach to techplomacy is reflected in its maturity when it comes to policymaking processes at the national level. 

The Office has elaborated two key guiding documents to strategically guide Danish techplomacy:

  • The Strategy for Denmark’s Tech Diplomacy 2021-2023
  • The white paper titled Towards a Better Social Contract With Big Tech

The Strategy for Denmark’s Tech Diplomacy 2021-2023 is the outcome of Denmark’s efforts to elevate technological diplomacy to one of its key foreign policy priorities. The strategy focuses Denmark’s efforts ‘towards a more just, democratic and safe technological future’.

According to the strategy, Denmark will work to ensure that big tech meets its societal responsibility and upholds its part of the social contract by supporting and enhancing discussions at the global level on challenges concerning data-driven and algorithmic business models. Denmark will advocate for global digital rules that meet democratic values and human rights, and shape global tech governance. It will also strive for a more precise division of responsibilities between governments and the private sector. Denmark considers the emergence of big tech and its corporate business models as a challenge for modern society and democracy, and stresses that it therefore needs to be regulated. 

In addition, Denmark has established a Tech Advisory Board under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to advise Denmark’s techplomacy. The Tech Advisory Board meets annually and is represented by international experts from relevant companies, research institutions, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Australia

In 2021, Australia adopted Australia’s International Cyber and Critical Tech Engagement Strategy that is structured along three main areas: values, prosperity, and security. This includes democracy, human rights, ethics of critical technology, and diversity and gender equality. Australia appointed their global ambassador for cyber affairs and critical technology with a portfolio including the issues of technology and geopolitics. In the Bay Area, Australia established a consulate general focusing on investment attraction in several key areas, including digitech, cybersecurity, agritech, and clean energy. Another local outpost is the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), the Australian government’s trade, investment, and education promotion agency, which provides market research into different industries in the USA, such as advanced materials manufacturing, agritech, cybersecurity, digital technology, resources and energy, renewable energy, defence, fintech, and medtech. Austrade also manages Landing Pad, a programme that serves as an entry point for Australian start-ups and entrepreneurs to the local ecosystem.2Australian Trade and Investment Commission. (n.d.). Australian landing pads. Australian Government. https://www.austrade.gov.au/landingpads/locations/san-francisco Australia is an active participant in the diplomatic ecosystem in the Bay Area. In collaboration with Denmark, the Office of Australia’s Cyber Ambassador launched a new foreign and security policy initiative called the Cyber and Tech Retreat (see below), which gathers tech and cyber diplomats and other stakeholders to discuss current digital diplomacy issues.

France

Other countries followed Denmark’s model and appointed a tech ambassador to deal with issues surrounding tech challenges. France nominated its first ambassador for digital affairs in 2018. The ambassador has a global mandate and works closely with the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and other ministries on advancing France’s positions related to international implications of digital transformation, as well as other issues related to technological innovation.3Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France. (n.d.). Ambassador for digital affairs: 2019 annual reporthttps://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/ambassador_for_digital_affairs_-_summary_of_the_2019_annual_report_cle4e6c48.pdf

In addition, the French tech diplomacy team is staffed with 30 diplomats, and the ambassador is advised by three technical advisers from the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the National Agency for the Security of Information Systems (ANSSI), and the Ministry of the Economy.

To promote French science and technology to US actors, France established the Office of Science and Technology (OST) at the Embassy in Washington, D.C., with six offices in the consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The OST team comprises 24 staff members, including professors, researchers, and scientists who work throughout the USA, bringing together diverse scientific knowledge and skills.

The mission of OST is primarily to publicise and promote French science and technology in the USA, observe the scientific and technological developments of US laboratories and research institutes, strengthen and enhance French–US partnerships by organising different events and meetings, and reinforce and bolster innovation from academic research by accompanying infant French start-ups in their exposure to the US ecosystem.4Embassy of France in the United States. (n.d.). Office for Science and Technology. https://france-science.com/en/the-office-of-science-technology/ The OST Office in San Francisco is headed by the attaché for science and technology and the deputy attaché for science and technology. They are supported by a logistics manager. The team in San Francisco deals with different topics related to emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, Web3, robotics, and quantum computing.

Switzerland

Switzerland has adopted its Digital Foreign Policy Strategy for 2021–2024 and defined four areas of priority: digital governance, prosperity and sustainable development, cybersecurity, and digital self-determination. The strategy also aims to ‘raise Switzerland’s profile in the area of digital governance, further develop its digital foreign policy and position International Geneva as a prime location for discussing digitalisation and technology.’5Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (2021). Digital foreign policy strategy 2021–2024https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/news/publications.html/content/publikationen/en/eda/schweizer-aussenpolitik/Digitalaussenpolitik_2021-2024 Tech diplomacy is a part of the broader digital foreign policy agenda but is not directly defined.

To implement the Digital Foreign Policy Strategy, Switzerland has appointed their digital ambassador with a global mandate. Within the Swiss Government, this position refers to the head of the Digitalisation Division at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) State Secretariat in Bern. The division has five full-time staff members dedicated to digital foreign affairs issues.  The Division for Digitalisation has also built up a network of ‘Digital Knots’ with over 30  Swiss diplomatic representations abroad. In the San Francisco Bay Area, Switzerland has established a Consulate General with a Consul General/Tech Ambassador at its helm. The Swiss technology diplomacy portfolio in the US is shared by its Tech Ambassador in San Francisco and the Embassy in Washington that covers mainly regulatory questions. The FDFA has a top-down structure, and its tech diplomacy practice includes regular exchanges and collaboration between the Embassy, the global digital ambassador, and the tech ambassador. The representation in San Francisco focuses on emerging tech developments and their impacts on policy-making, dialogue with tech companies on developing rules and institutions, work with international organisations that explore the San Francisco Bay Area, and strengthening the links between San Francisco and Geneva in digital governance discussions.

One of the benefits of the Swiss model is the flexibility of the agenda of the tech ambassador in San Francisco, allowing for the pursuit of new developments to achieve the four priorities of the Digital Foreign Policy Strategy. 

The digital diplomacy engagement is complemented by the global Swissnex network with six offices in the innovation hotspots worldwide, such as the San Francisco Bay Area. Swissnex is an initiative of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation and is part of the Swiss Confederation’s network abroad managed by the FDFA. It is based on a bottom-up collaborative approach, relying on a public-private partnership model of engagement and funding. The Swissnex network is supported by 20 science counsellors based at Swiss embassies in major cities worldwide, focusing on education, research, and innovation. Swissnex regularly hosts events and programs that fall within the realm of science and tech diplomacy.

Austria 

Austria operates in the Bay Area through Open Austria. The Open Austria office in San Francisco is also a consulate. It is operated jointly by the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, the Foreign Trade Organization of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Austrian Business Agency. The Austrian consul is a co-director of Open Austria with the trade commissioner, and carries the title ‘Austrian tech envoy’. Open Austria focuses on tech diplomacy, business and innovation, and investments in Austria. Open Austria works on developing dialogue between tech companies and other stakeholders, promotes human rights in the digital age, as well as digital humanism. In the past, Open Austria was also a key player in the field of cultural tech diplomacy, and has initiated the European platform The Grid.6Blume, C., & Rauchbauer, M. (2022). How to be a digital humanist in international relations: Cultural tech diplomacy challenges Silicon Valley (2021). In: H. Werthner, Prem, E., Lee, E. A., & C. Ghezzi (Eds.), Perspectives on Digital Humanism, pp. 101–107. Springer, Cham. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-86144-5_15

Canada

Canadian engagement in the digital diplomacy agenda is based on the Global Digital Government Strategy.7Government of Canada. (n.d.). Canada’s digital government strategy: Canada’s digital efforts in the global context. https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system/digital-government/digital-government-strategy/global.html In the Bay Area, Canada has established a consulate general with a consul general/tech envoy at its helm. The tech diplomacy agenda spans from innovation policy and human rights to content moderation, mitigating online harms, data privacy, the rise of digital authoritarianism, and the future of work. The Canadian local presence is enhanced by the Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA)8Government of Canada. (n.d.). Canadian technology acceleratorhttps://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/cta-atc/index.aspx?lang=eng, which provides support to Canadian firms entering the US market of digital technologies, life sciences, and cleantech.9Government of Canada. (n.d.). Canadian technology acceleratorhttps://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/cta-atc/index.aspx?lang=eng

Ireland

The Consulate General of Ireland in San Francisco, also called the ‘Ireland House’ pursues goals set forth in the initiative Global Ireland: Ireland’s Global Footprint to 202510Government of Ireland. (n.d.). Global Ireland: Ireland’s global footprint to 2025https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/globalireland/# and specifically Ireland’s Strategy for the US and Canada 2019–2025.11Government of Ireland. (n.d.). Global Ireland: Ireland’s strategy for the US and Canada 2019–2025. https://www.dfa.ie/media/dfa/ourrolepolicies/strategies/usandcanada/US-and-Canada-Strategy-Long-Version.pdf Ireland is taking a ‘whole-of-government approach’ in its engagement with the USA and Canada, with the vision for Ireland House to be a whole-of-government platform, both in the physical and digital space. Headed by the consul general, the main goal of Irish tech diplomacy in the region is promoting Ireland as a destination for companies across a range of sectors, including biotechnology, information and communications technology (ICT), pharmaceuticals, medical technologies, and financial and shared services. The efforts of the consulate are complemented by Enterprise Ireland, a government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets and its Access Silicon Valley (ASV) programme, designed to fast-track innovative Irish technology companies targeting Silicon Valley and San Francisco.

As of September 2022, the Irish Consulate in San Francisco hosts the EU office under the lead of the EU’s senior envoy for digital to the USA. 

Japan

Japan launched its comprehensive government digitalisation programme in 2021, with a Digitalisation Policy and the Digital Agency of Japan put in place in 2022.Digital Agency of Japan. (2022). 12Japan’s digital policy. https://www.digital.go.jp/assets/contents/node/basic_page/field_ref_resources/0f321c23-517f-439e-9076-5804f0a24b59/6fd24c53/20220519_en_japan_digital_policy_01.pdf The focus of the efforts is to increase the effectiveness of the Japanese government with benefits to its citizens. In the Bay Area, with more than 80 Japanese corporate innovation offices operating in the region, Japan is the country with the largest presence of corporations.13Mind the Bridge. (2022). Government innovation outposts in Silicon Valley: 2022 report updatehttps://storage.googleapis.com/mtb-research.appspot.com/publications/2022-outposts-government-silicon-valley/MTB-2022-outposts-government-silicon-valley-report.pdf They are focused on information gathering, developing business partnerships, and investment.14Mind the Bridge. (2020). Japanese corporate innovation in Silicon Valley: The new report. https://mindthebridge.com/japanese-corporate-innovation-in-silicon-valley/ Japan has a consulate general in the area, focusing on exchanges to increase the number of start-ups in Japan, innovation and emerging tech, and climate change. The work of the consulate general is complemented by the Japanese External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development (NEDO) under the auspices of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. 

Republic of Korea

The attractiveness of the Korean digital ecosystem worldwide contributes to the greater engagement of the Republic of Korea (Korea) in the Bay Area. Korea strives to intensify its engagement through its Office of Science, ICT and Economic Affairs that falls under its consulate general in San Francisco. The office is led by the science attaché. Besides the ICT and tech agenda, the office also supports Korean companies and start-ups that wish to enter the US market.

United Kingdom

The UK has just released The UK’s International Technology Strategy15UK Government. (2023). The UK’s international technology strategy. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-international-technology-strategy/the-uks-international-technology-strategy, outlining the way forward in the digital foreign policy agenda. In terms of tech diplomacy, the policy paper outlines six strategic priorities: technology and data, international partnerships for global leadership, values-based governance and regulation, technology investment and expertise for the developing world, technology to drive the UK economy, and the protection of security interests. The strategy also sets forth the creation of a tech diplomacy network, increasing the number of UK tech envoys, and increasing the tech expertise of UK diplomats. This new strategy will impact the work of the UK’s consul general, who is also designated as His Majesty’s Tech Envoy to the United States. Going forward, the priority areas of engagement for the UK are AI, quantum technologies, engineering biology, semiconductors, telecoms, all of which underpinned and enabled by data.

Brazil

Brazil’s Innovation Diplomacy Program16Government of Brazil. (2022). Innovation diplomacy program. https://www.gov.br/mre/en/subjects/science-technology-and-innovation/innovation-diplomacy-program aims to monitor public policies, raise Brazil’s profile in foreign innovation ecosystems, and foster collaboration between Brazilian and foreign technology innovation areas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil set up 55 offices dedicated to technology called Science, Technology, and Innovation Sections (SECTECs), which are part of Brazil’s diplomatic representations, embassies, and consulates worldwide. The core mission of SECTECs is to harness cooperation opportunities and Brazilian potential in the field of science, technology, and innovation.17Government of Brazil. (2021). Science, technology and innovation sections (SECTECs). https://www.gov.br/mre/en/subjects/science-technology-and-innovation/science-technology-and-innovation-sections-sectecs In the Bay Area, Brazil is represented by its consulate general. The role of tech envoy is vested with the deputy consul general.

Norway

Norway adopted its Digital Transformation and Development Policy in 2019.18Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (n.d.). Digital transformation and development policy.https://www.regjeringen.no/contentassets/4250970ee8e845aeb9114143fff45d84/en-gb/pdfs/digital_transformation.pdf For Norway, the priority areas are environmental technology, security, and human rights. Represented in San Francisco through the consulate general, the Norwegian consul general, chief of mission conducts tech diplomacy in close cooperation with Innovation Norway and Nordic Innovation House. 

Sweden

The Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems (Vinnova) is Sweden’s agency helping to boost the country’s innovation capacity while contributing to sustainable growth. Working under the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy, and Communications, and acting as the national contact agency for the EU framework programme for research and innovation, Vinnova funds different research and innovation projects, and works on promoting collaboration between companies, universities, research institutes, and the public sector. In the Bay Area, Vinnova has historically been an outpost of the Swedish government, represented by an honorary consul for the Bay Area. Currently, Sweden is planning to open a consulate general in San Francisco in mid-2023.

Italy

Italy’s Consulate General in San Francisco is in charge of the tech diplomacy and bilateral relations activities in Silicon Valley and in the Bay Area in the fields of technology, innovation, business, academic and scientific cooperation. In all these fields, the Consul General also operates by means of the Consulate’s Office/Attaché for Scientific Cooperation and its Economic and Commercial Office/Attaché. The Consulate General is the only Italian representation on the local level dealing with tech issues and all other sectors of relations with the US North-West Coast public and private entities. This allows the Italian institutional system in the Bay Area to have a highly coordinated approach and to properly identify objectives and policies to promote the collaborations between Italian and Silicon Valley innovation ecosystems and to tackle emerging issues.

The Italian tech diplomacy in Silicon Valley is developed within the larger Italian diplomatic network in the US: the Embassy in Washington DC, nine consulates general, trade offices and seven scientific cooperation offices.

To further boost the collaborations and the Italian tech presence in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley and foster the Consulate General’s actions, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation opened its new and first-ever Italian Innovation and Culture Hub INNOVIT abroad, right in San Francisco in 2022. INNOVIT is a platform in which three entities cooperate under the supervision and coordination of the Consulate General:

1. Italian Innovation Center (run by a private corporation) aimed at:

– accelerating selected Italian startups and SMEs by immersing them in the Silicon Valley ecosystem through curated programs;

– providing services for Italian large corporations interested in Open Innovation activities in the Bay Area;

– organizing events, conferences and seminars related to disruptive technologies, scientific research, technological transfer, venture capital and investments;

– cooperating in synergy with all the Silicon Valley US and international tech&innovation actors.

2. Italian Trade Agency (ITA) – Desk for FDI attraction and Desk for Innovation&Market Access;

3. Italian Cultural Institute – responsible, with the Consulate General, for promoting cultural relations.

European Union

The EU, the newest addition to the Bay Area ecosystem, opened its office in San Francisco in September 2022. Co-located with the Irish consulate, the EU office’s current focus is mainly regulation: from promoting EU standards and technologies, to digital policies, regulations, and governance models. Another line of engagement is helping tech companies navigate through the EU’s Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act.19Birnbaum, E. (2022, October 17). EU’s digital diplomat to Silicon Valley braces for tech lawsuits. Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-17/eu-s-digital-diplomat-to-silicon-valley-braces-for-tech-lawsuits#xj4y7vzkg Other areas of work include the EU–US Trade and Technology Council and cooperation with US stakeholders. Headed by the Senior EU Envoy for Digital to the US Gerard de Graaf, the office works under the authority of the EU Delegation in Washington, D.C., and in coordination with Brussels. The office has a solid base in the Bay Area, with 24 consulates and honorary consulates from Europe, plus an array of corporate presence and trade and bridge organisations.20Mind the Bridge. (2022). Government innovation outposts in Silicon Valley: 2022 report update.  https://storage.googleapis.com/mtb-research.appspot.com/publications/2022-outposts-government-silicon-valley/MTB-2022-outposts-government-silicon-valley-report.pdf

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Namibia’s Digital Foreign Policy and Diplomacy (Briefing Paper #3)

This briefing paper emerged from Diplo's participation in Namibia's Foreign Policy Review Conference (July 2016). In this paper, Dr Katharina E. Höne suggests a three-pronged approach to Namibia's digital foreign policy and diplomacy, and looks at the discourse on information and communications technology (ICT) and development.

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The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Diplomacy and Diplomatic Service

Rapid development of information and communication technologies (ICT) has lead to significant changes in social, economical and political relations of the modern society.

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Cybersecurity in the Western Balkans: Policy gaps and cooperation opportunities

Report on cybersecurity cooperation in the Western Balkans.

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Internet governance (IG) as a diplomatic priority

This dissertation demonstrates that IG is a significant, emerging diplomatic process that should be studied and addressed seriously by diplomats to prepare them to manage the implications it has for future impact on global governance of the Internet.

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Public diplomacy at the crossroads: Definitions and challenges in an ‘Open Source’ era

The text discusses the current state of public diplomacy and its challenges in an era of open source information.

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Updating International Geneva to the Data-driven Era (Briefing Paper #12)

In this briefing paper, Ms Rafaela Marinho and Mr Avi Krish Bedi outline their research on how international organisations (IOs) in Geneva address and use big data in their work.

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2021: The emergence of digital foreign policy

While digital tools, in particular social media, have been gradually introduced to the practice of diplomacy, many open questions remain regarding the impact of digitisation on foreign policy and the environment in which diplomacy is practised. This is where digital foreign policy becomes important. The report is available for download. The summary and recordings of the online conference 2021: The emergence of digital foreign policy are also available.

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Digital Diplomacy and the ICRC (Briefing Paper #7)

In this briefing paper, Ms Alice Maillot discusses the potential of digital diplomacy for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). She looks at the changing nature of diplomacy, new developments in digital diplomacy, and how the ICRC can implement and adopt some of the current trends.

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A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace

A declaration of independence for cyberspace, asserting that traditional governments have no authority over this virtual realm. Barlow believes that cyberspace should be free from external regulation and should be governed by the individuals who inhabit it.

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The Internet and diplomats of the 20th century

The Internet and diplomats of the twenty century: how new information technologies affect the ordinary work of diplomats.

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Cybersecurity in the Republic of Fiji

This paper discusses cybersecurity in Fiji and offers recommendations to challenges such as the vulnerability of systems due to lack of a cybersecurity framework. The poorly framed laws and lack of appropriate policies.

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Trends in Diplomatic Communication: A Case Study of Uganda

The aim of this research was to examine the communication trends in diplomacy with a focus on Uganda.

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Connectivity and networks rule: Virtuality, public diplomacy and the foreign ministry

The text discusses the impact of connectivity and networks on public diplomacy and foreign ministries, emphasizing the importance of virtual communication in today's world.

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Measuring the Information Society Report 2015

The Measuring the Information Society Report 2015 provides insights into trends related to information and communication technologies globally.

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Promoting e-Commerce in developing countries

This study examines the advantages and possibilities for the use of digital signatures to carry out electronic transactions. It focuses on developing and transition countries that have not fully implemented the use of digital signatures in their economic, commercial and productive processes. An important aim of this research is to create awareness on the likely effects for enforcing the use of digital signatures to carry out e-commerce transactions on the economies of developing and transition countries. The study also proposes key issues to be considered for policy-makers in countries in orde...

Understanding the Digital Divide

The digital divide refers to inequalities in access to and usage of technology. Factors such as income, education, geography, and age can contribute to this gap. Bridging this divide is crucial for ensuring equal opportunities for all individuals in today's technologically-driven world.

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Virtual Diplomacy: Diplomacy of the Digital Age

Olesya Grech investigates the impact of information and communication technologies on the conduct of modern diplomacy.

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The EU’s New Commission: Digital Policy in the Limelight (Briefing Paper #13)

In this briefing paper, Dr Stephanie Borg Psaila analyses Ursula von der Leyen's new EU Commission's emphasis on digital policy for 2019–2024.

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The waning of the state and the waxing of cyberworld

This paper discusses whether IT is functioning mainly as an instrument of states in their quest for power and wealth or is principally operating as a transformative agent by market forces and various sectors of civil society.

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Emerging Leaders for the Digital World

Emerging leaders, whose stories feature in this publication, are among 501 participants from 60 ACP countries who participated in the Capacity Development programme in ICT Policy and Internet Governance for Africa Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) 2010/2011.

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Peacetime Regime for State Activities in Cyberspace

The publication covers in a multi-disciplinary approach the technical, legal, policy and diplomacy aspects of State activities in cyberspace during peacetime. It consists of 23 chapters of academic nature, elaborated by 24 authors specialised in the respective areas of expertise. Diplo's Dr Jovan Kurbalija contributed the chapter on E-diplomacy and Diplomatic Law in the Internet Era.

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Wikileaks and the Future of Diplomacy: Summary and Reflections

In 2011, Diplo have held a series of meetings discussing the impact of WikiLeaks on diplomacy. This paper summarises the main conclusions of our discussions and research. It is close enough in time (3+ months) to understand the emotions, dynamics, and concerns raised by WikiLeaks. It is also far enough – in particular since the media hype has died down – in order to be discussed objectively with a necessary distance.

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Crossing the Executive Digital Divide

Information and communications technologies (ICT) have become critical in business, government, manufacturing, critical infrastructures, academia, and, literally, everywhere else, and yet, despite the large sums of money involved, ICT remains the least well understood function in an organization.

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The era of digital foreign policy: Comprehensive approaches to digitalisation

As the theme of this issue, ‘foreign policy for the 4th industrial revolution’, suggests, diplomats and foreign ministries are faced with tremendous changes brought about by digitalisation. The ability to respond to these changes appropriately and effectively determines the future prosperity of countries. Foreign policy is already digital in many ways - including its tools and the topics on bilateral and multilateral agendas. In this article, we introduce the idea of ‘digital foreign policy’ as a comprehensive way of responding to the challenges of digitalisation and the 4th industr...

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Data Diplomacy: Mapping the Field

The adoption of open data policies and the standardization of data collection were among the recommendations made during DiploFoundation's Data Diplomacy Roundtable: Mapping the Field, a brainstorming event that took place on 5 April 2017 – on the role of (big) data in international affairs and diplomacy.

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Mediation and artificial intelligence: Notes on the future of international conflict resolution

Over the last years AI has emerged as a hot topic with regard to its impact on our political, social, and economic lives.

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Intergovernmental organisations sharing and linking open and real-time data for inclusive governance

The rapid rise of the Internet has encouraged the use of open, real-time, and linked data to help understand and improve development processes.The advancement of data use for development without an Internet governance framework, however, raises the importance of inclusion of the most marginalized, as well as privacy and security. This paper will examine such issues, as well as the role inter-governmental organisations can play in helping to encourage the use of data while supporting the protection of privacy and security.

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From Harmonising Cyberpolicies to Promoting Twiplomacy: How Diplomacy Can Strengthen Asia-Europe’s Digital Connectivity

This text was published in the ASEF Outlook Report 2016/2017.

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The Rise of TechPlomacy in the Bay area

Tech diplomacy is becoming a necessity for countries worldwide. Countries need to capture the nexus between technology innovation and economic developments. To be effectively present in the Bay Area, countries need to use innovative diplomatic approaches. This report discusses how tech diplomacy can be developed, and more specifically, how countries approach the Bay Area tech industry.

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Don’t close foreign embassies, open digital ones

Don't close foreign embassies, open digital ones.

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The role of knowledge in the cyber-age of globalisation

In his paper, Richard Falk reflects on the application of information technology on diplomacy, and discusses the challenge of converting information technology to ‘knowledge technology’, and subsequently to ‘wisdom technology’. Yet, the ‘crossroads in human experience’ brings many challenges and dangers which the author analyses.

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Foreign Ministries and the Information Revolution: Going Virtual?

The ongoing information revolution is perceived as a profound organizational challenge for foreign ministries. Yet there is only scant empirical evidence on the nature of the change dynamics. Anchored in new institutionalist approaches in political science, this book reconceptualizes diplomacy as an institution of the modern state order and identifies its key organizing principles maintained by the global group of foreign ministries. With this conceptualization as a point of departure, the book provides a comparative analysis of information technology effects in the foreign ministries of Canad...

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The use of Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) in human rights promotion: A case study of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

The employment of ICT tools as a weapon of choice at the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, an organ established within the African Union with a broad mandate of spearheading human rights promotion on the African Continent has not been emphasised as a crucial element in the struggle towards achieving human rights promotion and protection on the African continent, with the resulting consequence that the Commission is not as visible and known to the people that it is supposed to serve.

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World Summit on the Information Society and development of Internet diplomacy

The purpose of this paper is to identify new developments and innovations in diplomatic practice resultant from the WSIS and WGIG. First, the author describes the overall WSIS framework and specific aspects of the WGIG. Second, he identifies the new developments and innovation in diplomatic practice that are likely of lasting importance. The author does so by comparing WSIS diplomatic practice to the practices developed during other major UN summits held since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.

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Digital Opportunities for All: Meeting the Challenge

The text is about embracing digital opportunities to overcome challenges and ensure access for all.

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From a Safer Internet to a Better Internet for Kids

The text is about transitioning from a safer internet to a better internet for kids.

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Diplomacy and Secret Service

Intelligence officers working under diplomatic protection are rarely out of the news for long, and the last two years have been no exception. How did the relationship between diplomacy and secret intelligence come about? What was the impact on it of the bureaucratization of secret intelligence that began in the late nineteenth century? Is diplomatic immunity the only reason why intelligence officers still cluster in embassies and consulates today? What do their diplomatic landlords think about their secret tenants and how do the spooks repay the ambassadors for their lodgings? These are among ...

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Rapport: Des voix africaines plus fortes dans le numérique : construire une politique étrangère et une diplomatie africaines du numérique

À mesure que le dynamisme numérique de l'Afrique s'accroît, sa participation à la politique numérique mondiale doit augmenter. Dans cette transition, les pays africains doivent composer avec les réalités géopolitiques de notre époque.

German Strategy for International Digital Policy

The German government's Strategy for International Digital Policy outlines their commitment to safeguarding democracy and freedom online, promoting human rights, advocating for a global, open, free, and secure internet, enhancing technology partnerships, supporting cross-border data flows, shaping international standards, ensuring sustainable and resilient digital societies, and utilizing digitalization to address global challenges. This strategy aligns with various policy goals and emphasizes the importance of cooperation at global, regional, and national levels to advance digital governance,...

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Net neutrality in Europe

The European Union upholds net neutrality, ensuring that all internet traffic is treated equally, without discrimination or interference from internet service providers. This regulation protects consumers' rights to access online content freely and without limitations set by providers.

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Emerging Leaders for a Digital World (2011): Dalsie Greenrose Kalna Baniala from Vanuatu

‘With the number of training courses I have attended, including attending the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), I have learnt a lot.’

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Humanitarian public diplomacy: International calls to action in the digital era

This dissertation examines IOs (IOs) as emerging stars in the constellation of diplomatic actors, as extra-state and supra-state entities that do not replace, but rather complement, align with and encourage states. Specifically focusing on humanitarian - those attentive to the needs of people - international organisations, the paper explores their use of calls to action as a public diplomacy tool that both activates the public and reflects the needs and desires of individuals and their communities, translated to policy context. Calls to action should be strategic, well-researched, authoritive,...

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Futures for diplomacy: Integrative Diplomacy in the 21st Century

The text discusses Integrative Diplomacy in the 21st century, emphasizing the importance of adapting traditional diplomacy to current global challenges and opportunities. Diplomacy is viewed as a tool for addressing complex issues through collaboration and integration, fostering mutual understanding and sustainable solutions. The changing dynamics of international relations require a more inclusive and interconnected approach, focusing on partnerships and cooperation in order to navigate the complexities of the contemporary world. Diplomacy is seen as essential in shaping the future of global ...

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Going Public: Diplomacy for the Information Society

The text is about the importance of public diplomacy in the Information Society.

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Twitter for Diplomats

Twitter for Diplomats is not a manual, or a list of what to do or not to do. It is rather a collection of information, anecdotes, and experiences. It recounts a few episodes involving foreign ministers and ambassadors, as well as their ways of interacting with the tool and exploring its great potential. It wants to inspire ambassadors and diplomats to open and nurture their accounts – and it wants to inspire all of us to use Twitter to also listen and open our minds.

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Revolution @State: The Spread of E-diplomacy

The text text explores the phenomenon of e-diplomacy, analysing its impact on modern diplomacy and the ways in which digital technologies are reshaping diplomatic practices and communication strategies at the state level.

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Enterprise Data Strategy: Empowering Data Informed Diplomacy (U.S. State Departement)

The Enterprise Data Strategy (EDS) aims to ensure that State Department’s workforce is equipped with the timely and relevant data necessary to make informed management decisions.

Mapping e-Diplomacy

This list of themes and topics is an attempt to map the field of e-diplomacy. It is work in progress, and all comments welcomed.

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NETmundial Multistakeholder Statement

The NETmundial Multistakeholder Statement emphasizes the importance of a collaborative approach between stakeholders in addressing Internet governance issues. It highlights principles such as human rights, open standards, and transparent processes as key foundations for managing the Internet. The statement calls for shared responsibility, inclusivity, and diversity in decision-making processes to ensure a free, open, and secure cyberspace for all.

Journal of Moral Theology, Vol. 11, Special Issue no. 1, Spring 2022, “Artificial Intelligence”

Journal of Moral Theology dedicated special issue on 'artificial intelligence'.

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EU’s Council Conclusions on digital diplomacy

EU's Council Conclusions on Digital Diplomacy introduce a holistic approach including cybersecurity, standardisation, human rights, and other digital topics. There is also a prominent link between green and digital/cyber diplomacy.