DiploNews – Issue 289 – 4 December 2015

Upcoming study opportunities

Introduction to Internet Governance for Geneva-based diplomats

This special, 'just-in-time' session of Diplo's popular online Introduction to Internet Governance is offered especially for Geneva-based diplomats and other stakeholders. The course aims to assist permanent missions in Geneva to actively follow the increasingly relevant field of digital politics. Offered by the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP). the course is delivered by Diplo. Participants must be based in Geneva; in addition to the online learning activities, the course includes a weekly briefing at the GIP office. To learn more and apply, please visit the GIP website.

[New] Education Diplomacy online course

Diplo and the Center for Education Diplomacy are pleased to announce a new course on Education Diplomacy. Education and development are rapidly being shaped by the influence of new actors, international policy, funding structures, and the proliferation of initiatives. This interactive online course will present the concept of Education Diplomacy in depth, consider the broader impact it may have on education, and allow participants to become more effective and responsive to the dynamic landscape of education. The first session of the course starts on 15 February 2016; apply by 8 January. For more details and to apply, visit the course webpage or contact admissions@diplomacy.edu

Children and Mobile Technology online course

Diplo and the GSMA will offer a new session of Children and Mobile Technology starting on 1 February 2016. This interactive 7-week online course looks at children's use of ICTs, and the inherent risks and opportunities. The course is aimed primarily at staff and management of national telecommunications regulatory authorities, with priority given to applicants from developing countries. Participation in this course is fully funded by the GSMA (there is no tuition fee for selected applicants). To read more and apply online by 11 January 2016, visit the course webpage.

2016 Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy – last few places left; 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. Anyone interested to apply is asked to contact admissions@diplomacy.edu

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.

Online Diploma Course in Humanitarian Diplomacy

The next session of the Humanitarian Diplomacy online diploma course, offered by DiploFoundation in cooperation with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, will start on 22 February 2016. This 12-week course, led by Ambassador Christopher Lamb and a team of experienced practitioners, will extend the knowledge base and develop practical skills of current and future practitioners in humanitarian diplomacy and policy. This course is currently offered in English; however, participants who are more comfortable with French will have the option to write and submit some course assignments and their final research project in French. Partial bursaries are available for applicants from developing countries who work in the humanitarian field. The application deadline is 11 January 2016. For more details and to apply, please visit the course webpage or contact admissions@diplomacy.edu

News from GIP Digital Watch

Some news from GIP Digital Watch:

• November's newsletter is available (news from the IGF, WSIS+10 Review Process, Safe Harbour, World Radiocommunications Conference and more…).
• For regular updates and background information, refer to GIP Digital Watch online observatory.
• Would you like to become an assistant curator for GIP Digital Watch?
• Recording from November's briefing on IG is available here:
  
  
  
  

Geneva Engage

DiploFoundation and the GIP, in co-operation with the Republic and State of Geneva, Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN and other international organisations in Geneva, will organise the Geneva Engage conference on 27-28 January 2016. It is also supported by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

The conference will tackle some of the main issues on online participation and engagement both for organisers and participants. It yill try to find the answer to the following questions from various perspectives, for example technical, resources, procedural, facilitation skills: 

• How can we ensure equal and active participation where it is realistically possible?
• How can we widen the active and equally participating group?
• What technical and moderation techniques can be used to ensure full immersion of e-participants?

Most importantly we will explore how online participation can contribute to more effective and innovative policy processes in International Geneva.

The creative aspect of the Geneva Engage process involves discussion around this e-participation drawing. You can shape the drawing and overall discussion by adding comments and suggestions here.

We will facilitate open and creative conversations on topics of mutual interest. Our sessions will be organised in a creative way in an attempt to gain some collected knowledge from the various actors. The event will be preceded by a survey mapping the state of e-participation of Geneva-based organisations. The results of the survey will be presented in a preconference report.

The Geneva Engage timetable is as follows:

• 7 December (lunchtime meeting 13.00 – 15.00): presentation and discussion of the preliminary Geneva Engage report and informal consultations with IOs, NGOs and other Geneva-based actors. 

• 24 December: Publication of the final preconference Geneva Engage report.

• 27-28 January: Geneva Engage Conference and presentation of the Geneva Engage awards ceremony.

Join us for Geneva Engage.

Internet governance

Internet Governance in the MENA Region

The Internet Governance in the MENA  Region online course, a Hivos IGMENA initiative in partnership with Diplo, has successfully concluded, with more than 50 participants receiving the course certificate. Selected participants will attend the Arab Internet Governance Forum in Beirut as IGMENA fellows 17-18 December, 2015, where they will put their knowledge to work on IG policy topics of high importance to the region.

Did you review our IGF 2015 Reports?

Our team reported live from IGF 2015 in Brazil. Consult one-page summaries from most of the workshops and sessions, check out Diplo CreativeLab’s linguistic analysis from session transcripts and the results from the Prefix Monitor, view the IGF Selfies for every day of the meeting (who are the mystery photographers?), read the four issues of our IGF Daily, and read the comprehensive final report covering the entire IGF 2015. Access all of our resources.