DiploNews – Issue 286 – 19 October 2015

GIP Digital Watch: online observatory for Internet policy issues, actors, and developments

New developments and events are being featured on GIP Digital Watch, an online observatory which empowers diplomats and other Internet policy participants by providing an overview of Internet policy issues, actors, and ongoing developments. The observatory was launched earlier this month by the Geneva Internet Platform – an initiative supported by the Swiss authorities and operated by DiploFoundation – and the Internet Society, and builds extensively on resources developed by DiploFoundation over the last 15 years and its in-house data-mining software system. The observatory can be accessed at https://dig.watch

GIP Digital Watch also encompasses:

• Monthly briefings on Internet governance in Geneva/online – held on the last Tuesday of every month (register for the next briefing on 27 October)
• Geneva Digital Watch – a monthly newsletter with a focus on Geneva digital policy developments (read Issue 4, October 2015)

Read more about the GIP Digital Watch launch.
 

Upcoming study opportunities

2016 Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy – last few places left, apply by 20 October; scholarships available

DiploFoundation is accepting applications for the 2016 Master/PGD in Contemporary Diplomacy, and the Master/PGD in Contemporary Diplomacy with an Internet Governance specialisation. These unique postgraduate programmes, offered in cooperation with the University of Malta, include a 10-day residential workshop in Malta followed by 16-20 months of online learning. Visit the Master in Contemporary Diplomacy webpage to learn more and to apply. Scholarships covering 20–50% of the Postgraduate Diploma fee are available for applicants from small and developing states. The programme starts on 1 February 2016. The application deadline is 20 October 2015 for international applicants and 15 November 2015 for Maltese applicants.

February 2016 online diplomacy courses

Start the new year with one of our most popular online courses:

• Diplomatic Theory and Practice
• Public Diplomacy
• Introduction to Internet Governance

Apply by 14 December 2015 for University of Malta accredited courses and by 11 January 2016 for Diplo certificate courses. For further information or to apply, click on the titles of the courses above, or visit our courses webpage. Register now to reserve your place.

Sign up for our courses mailing list to be informed about upcoming courses.
 

Just-in-time course: A survival guide to radio-frequency diplomacy

From daily use of Wi-Fi devices to global management of satellite orbits, radio frequencies are an important enabler of economic and social development. Between 2 and 27 November, more than a thousand technical experts, officials, and diplomats will address radio-frequency issues at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) in Geneva. Many permanent missions in Geneva will face the challenge of effectively following this highly specialised technical field. This just-in-time course, on 27 October, provides a survival guide for Geneva-based diplomats and others interested in radio-frequency diplomacy, and is offered as part of the Geneva Internet Platform’s aim to support active participation of Geneva-based diplomatic missions in the fast-emerging digital policy field. Learn more about the course.
 

Webinar briefing: Internet governance in October

Join us for our next briefing on Internet governance developments on Tuesday, 27th October, in Geneva or online. Two recent rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union – one which confirms that companies operating in a country may be held accountable by the national data protection authority, and the other invalidating the long-standing Safe Harbor agreement – are expected to have global implications for data protection and privacy. More developments are taking place in other areas of digital policy, including the publication and call for comments on the latest WSIS+10 Zero Draft, the IANA transitionnand the question of property, and much more. Register for the October briefing, and read the digest from last month’s briefing.
 

Discussing Internet governance

The Zero Draft of the WSIS+10 outcome document, published on 9 October, contains expected provisions (such as the IGF extension, multistakeholder participation, and protection of human rights) and new elements (such as a reference to net neutrality). It also strengthens some existing  formulations already used in the World Summit for the Information Society (WSIS) process (such as emphasis on development, and a more prominent role for governments). Read Dr Jovan Kurbalija’s analysis in Eight highlights of the Zero Draft of the WSIS+10 Document.

In Diplo’s IG community, Romina Florencia Cabrera cross-posts an article on Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins’s big plans for the company, including advancements related to the Internet of Things. Mamadou Lo shares updates on digital policy: read his weekly web reviews for 2 October and 9 October.

Follow more IG-related news and discussions on Diplo’s Internet governance channel and on Diplo’s IG community blog roll.
 

Geneva Engage: E-participation for International Geneva

DiploFoundation and the Geneva Internet Platform, in co-operation with the Republic and State of Geneva and the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN and Other International Organisations in Geneva, will organise the Geneva Engage conference on 7-8 December 2015, with the aim of  addressing e-participation as a way of contributing to more effective and innovative policy processes in International Geneva. The availability of the Internet in conference rooms introduces the possibility of more inclusive and open international negotiations. It also offers locally organised events the potential to have a wider outreach and a greater impact. E-participants enrich discussions physically taking place in the conference room, and at the same time, the event enjoys global exposure and, more importantly, fosters greater inclusion in global policy processes. Learn more about Geneva Engage.