Digital Policy and Diplomacy Geneva based course

Digital Policy and Diplomacy (just-in-time Geneva-based course)

The Geneva Internet Platform is offering a course aimed to assist permanent missions in Geneva to actively follow the increasingly important field of digital policy, cooperation, and diplomacy. This blended learning course, combining online learning with weekly face-to-face meetings, will be delivered by the DiploFoundation.

Apply only if you are based in Geneva. Applications from other locations cannot be considered !

The 9-week Digital Policy and Diplomacy course introduces digital policy and covers main issues, including infrastructure and standardisation, cybersecurity, legal issues, economic issues, development and sociocultural issues, human rights, and Internet governance processes and actors.

The course covers emerging technologies; broadband and infrastructure policy; network neutrality; jurisdiction, intellectual property rights, privacy protection; data governance; cybersecurity; digital rights; Artificial Intelligence (AI) and more, with space for regional and other issues raised by the participants.

In case of questions, please contact geneva@diplomacy.edu.

What will you learn?

  • Understand Internet-related terminology, concepts and issues
  • Understand the international aspects of digital policy
  • Identify institutional and negotiation aspects of digital policy
  • Explain the various regional and professional understandings and approaches to digital policy
  • Engage in the policy processes in their countries and regions, as well as in global processes.

How will you learn?

In this course you will interact intensively in discussions with classmates and lecturers from around the world. You will receive guidance and personalised feedback on your classwork from the course team.

How long will you learn?

The course lasts for 9 weeks:

  • 1 week of course introduction and orientation to online learning
  • 8 weeks of addressing the course topics one by one (see below for more details)

Who should apply

The course will benefit Geneva-based diplomats who follow internet-related policy fields (e.g. telecommunications, human rights, cybersecurity, trade, development). While improving their knowledge of digital politics, participants will also gain the practical skills and knowledge required to follow current internet governance processes such as the global internet governance architecture, privacy and data protection, and cybersecurity. The course focuses in particular on diplomatic and policy processes in International Geneva.

Overview

The course consists of 8 modules:

  • Introduction to digital policy and diplomacy
  • Infrastructure and standardisation
  • Cybersecurity
  • Legal issues
  • Economic issues
  • Development and sociocultural issues
  • Human rights
  • Internet governance actors and processes

Need more info:

DiploFoundation (attn Tanja Nikolic)

Anutruf, Ground Floor, Hriereb Street
Msida, MSD 1675, Malta

+356 21 333 323; admissions@diplomacy.edu

Methodology

The course runs for 9 weeks, using a blended learning technique combining dynamic exchange in an online classroom with weekly in-situ lunchtime learning sessions* at the Geneva Internet Platform.

(*note: depending on the evolution of the health measures in Switzerland, weekly in-situ meetings may be shifted online). 

Each week, participants study and discuss course materials and complete additional online activities. At the end of the week, participants and lecturers meet to discuss the topic of the week. For successful completion, this course requires a minimum of 5 hours of study time per week.

This weekly discussion will take place at the Geneva Internet Platform. During the informal lunch, the course faculty will clarify pending issues from the week’s online interaction, and discuss ongoing policy processes with participants.

Participants who complete the course successfully will receive a course certificate issued by the Geneva Internet Platform and DiploFoundation.

Prerequisites

Applicants must have:

  • Sufficient English language skills to undertake postgraduate-level studies.
  • Regular internet access; dial-up connections are sufficient, broadband is preferable.
  • A minimum of 5 hours of commitment per week, and the readiness to participate in group meetings once a week.
  • Must be based in Geneva.

Fees and scholarships

This course is offered free of charge to selected participants through the support of the Swiss government.

How to apply

Apply only if you are based in Geneva. Applications from other locations cannot be considered for this course!

 

APPLICATION FORM 

Fill out the short form above to start your application process for this course. You will receive an instruction email on how to continue.

Note: the application process has two steps. After providing a few information you will receive a link at your email address to complete the application. Both these steps need to be completed for your application to be finalised and considered. 

Please do not forget to fill out the short motivation statement on the application form (100 - 150 words) explaining the reasons for your interest in this course. What are your personal and professional objectives for the future, and how will this course help you to reach them?

Late applications will be considered only if places remain in the course.

In case of questions, please contact geneva@diplomacy.edu.