Authors: Tereza Horejsova | Jovan Kurbalija | Pavlina Ittelson
The Rise of TechPlomacy in the Bay area
2018
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This collection of abstracts comes from from research projects conducted during the 2010/2011 Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme (IGCBP).
Creating enabling environments for access to the Internet
'In most developing countries access to the Internet for people without disabilities is an issue. Thus the thought of access to people with disabilities is rarely considered.' - Emmanuel Edet from Nigeria
The Milennium Development Goals Report 2015
The Millennium Development Goals Report 2015 reflects on the progress made towards achieving the eight goals set by world leaders in 2000. It highlights significant accomplishments in areas such as poverty reduction, child mortality, and access to clean water. However, challenges remain, including disparities among regions and persistent inequalities. The report emphasizes the need for continued efforts to address these issues and accelerate progress towards sustainable development.
Broadening the diplomatic bandwidth
‘I believe whistle-blowing websites have a greater role to play in the future of the humankind. These are a few of the issues that I became aware of through DiploFoundation, on whose blogosphere these issues continue to be debated.’ - Felix Samakande from Zimbabwe
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)
Written just before WSIS 2005, Petru Dumitriu takes us through an accounted journey of the WSIS process from 2003 in Geneva to the preparatory stages of the Tunis Summit in 2005. In this chapter Dumitriu also put forward suggestions for a post-multistakeholder summit where all stakeholders could use their creativity and resources to consolidate what has been established and to develop new forms of dialogue and partnership among themselves.
The Role of Regional Cooperation in Eradicating Poverty and Aid Dependency in East Africa
The hypothesis of this thesis is that regional cooperation and integration are effective tools in alleviating poverty within nations and reducing their dependency on foreign or development aid.
How safe are we? Security risks of the social networks
We are witnessing an extreme proliferation of the social networks, which can be seen in two ways: an expansion of social network websites, and an increase in the number of people who are starting to use them. The author describes the risks associated with social networks, mostly associated with user's privacy, and the responsibility for those risks. This paper also analyses whether the rules proscribed so that social network providers can distance themselves from possible abuses are really designed to help the users be safe.
Special Ministerial Event on Food Security and Sustainble Development in Small Island Developing States
A summary of the Special Ministerial Event on Food Security and Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing States.
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.
Global Inviolability of the Internet Root Zone (Briefing Paper #1)
Dr Kurbalija explains the internet root zone, and highlights the context and controversy of questions about its inviolability. Possible solutions identified by him include legal elements (customary law, diplomatic law, common heritage of mankind), 'software' inviolability, and 'hardware' inviolability.
Data protection on the Internet and its lack of regulation in Paraguay: adequate regulation for call centres
This research focuses on data protection regulations in Paraguay in order to analyse whether it contains provisions regulating the computerised processing of personal data and transborder data flows.
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.
DDoS – Available Weapon of Mass Disruption
The increasing militarisation of cyber-space comes in response to fears of critical damage caused by digital weapons like Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS). Understanding that the botnets are the key platform behind DDoS, we compared the costs of running a large-scale attack with the approximate downtime loss in a country-scale attack in case of Serbia, showing that DDoS are readily available weapons of possible mass disruption. Taken as a whole, this paper suggests responding to risks by combating cybercrime as the DDoS enabler, rather than by militarisation.
Internet Guide for Diplomats
The Internet Guide for Diplomats is the first guide specifically conceived and realised to assist diplomats and others involved in international affairs to use the Internet in their work. The book includes both basic technical information about the Internet and specific issues related to the use of the Internet in diplomacy. Examples and illustrations address many common questions including web-management for diplomatic services, knowledge management and distance learning.
Climate Change and Human Rights: A Rough Guide
This text provides an overview of the intersection between climate change and human rights, emphasizing the impacts on vulnerable populations and the need to address these issues to protect human rights.
Cybersecurity competence building trends
Report on cybersecurity competence building trends in OECD countries.
A study of the UN Working Group on IG – MSP in communication technology for development at the global level
The paper aims to identify best practices and lessons learned in multi-stakeholder partnership (MSP) practices at the global policy level through a participatory methodology based on interviews and an online electronic survey.
Improving the practice of cyber diplomacy: Training, tools, and other resources – Phase I
Cyber diplomacy, the conduct of diplomacy with respect to a state’s interests in cyberspace, is too important to ignore. Yet, the participation of countries is far from ideal.
Report: The geopolitics of digital standards: China’s role in standard-setting organisations
Standards for digital technologies are all around us, enabling devices to interact with each other, allowing us to connect to mobile networks, and facilitating the exchange of information. By providing rules or guidelines for the development and functioning of technologies, products, and services, standards foster interoperability and enable safety and quality of service. This report provides an overview of the digital standardisation ecosystem and explores China’s role within this ecosystem.
Stakeholderism in African Internet Governance: the Case of the .africa gTLD
In 2012, ICANN announced plans to delegate over 1000 new generic top level domain names, one of which was the long awaited .africa.
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.
Achieving Zero Hunger: The Critical Role of Investments in Social Protection and Agriculture
The message emphasizes the crucial role of investments in social protection and agriculture in achieving zero hunger.
How is trust defined in Internet governance organisations? (applied ethics in not-for-profit Internet organisations, managing critical Internet resources – a case study on trust)
The message addresses the definition of trust within Internet governance organizations, focusing on applied ethics in not-for-profit Internet entities managing critical Internet resources. Trust is a central component explored through a case study, examining the dynamics and importance of trust within these specialized organizations.
The secret life of a cyber vulnerability
The comic brings a worrying, yet realistic and educative story that follows a life of a cyber vulnerability, from its inception to its deployment for an actual cyberattack.
Opening one’s eyes to opportunity
'John Walubengo introduced me to KictaNET... I got involved in ICT and... what it could do at a time when Kenya was revising its national ICT policy...' - Judith Okite from Kenya
Cybersecurity in the Western Balkans: Policy gaps and cooperation opportunities
Report on cybersecurity cooperation in the Western Balkans.
Statement on the Common Heritage of Mankind to the Internet’s critical infrastructure by Dr Alex Sceberras Trigona, Malta
Dr. Alex Sceberras Trigona raises questions about whether the Internet should be considered part of the Common Heritage of Mankind, emphasizing the need for international recognition and protection to ensure its proper management and safeguarding for current and future generations.
Leaving No One Behind in the Data Revolution (Briefing Paper #5)
The text offers policy recommendations and insights on cybersecurity, focusing on building resilience, fostering cooperation, and addressing challenges in the digital domain.
Global Public Goods: International Cooperation in the 21st Century
This collection of papers offers a new rationale and framework for international development cooperation. Its main argument is that in actual practice development cooperation has already moved beyond aid. In the name of aid (i.e., assistance to poor countries), we are today dealing with issues such as the ozone hole, global climate change, HIV, drug trafficking, and financial volatility. All of these issues are not really poverty related. Rather, they concern global housekeeping: ensuring an adequate provision of global public goods. Many important lessons could be drawn by first recognizing t...
Reforms to the International Financial Architecture | Our Common Agenda Policy Brief 6
The international financial architecture is outdated and failing humanity. From egregious borrowing costs for developing countries to underinvestment in global crises like climate change and pandemics, the system is rife with inefficiencies and biases. It's a tale of two worlds, with a growing gap between the haves and have-nots, not just in wealth but in access to a secure future. The clock is ticking on ambitious reforms to make the world's financial architecture fit for the 21st century.
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.
Cloud computing: Opportunities and issues for developing countries
This paper looks at how cloud computing will surpass the Internet in adoption and usage as this technology’s users are on the other side of the digital divide. It looks at the diffusion of mobile phones and devices in developing countries and its continuous dramatic rise and at some popular mobile applications that are helping development efforts, such as m-Banking, m-Education, m-Health, m-Agriculture, and others that already exist and are popular within developing countries.
Factors influencing broadband adoption and digital content consumption in developing countries: A case from Pakistan
This paper attempts to redress the issues of broadband adoption and digital content consumption and provides detailed analysis on the factors that influence them, and rejection determinants in a developing country like Pakistan.
Work Programme on Electronic Commerce
The text outlines the World Trade Organization's work program on electronic commerce, focusing on discussions and negotiations aimed at establishing rules and frameworks to govern digital trade in the global economy.
The benefits of e-learning
'There is a difference from taking a physical course, and some nuances of real-world, human interaction were missing. Yet, in a way, this difference helped me to concentrate better... in e-learning, one can stay more focused...' - Janyl Bokonbaeva from Kyrgyzstan
Development Aid and Nigeria’s Poverty Challenge: Millenium Development Goals 4 and 5 in Focus
The quest to eradicate poverty has been identified as the most critical challenge facing development in the world today. Women and children are disproportionately affected by poverty.
Empowering women in the IG process
'At the ICANN meeting in Puerto Rico last year I was not aware of anything unusual in the demographics, but in Hyderabad I noticed that while men of my age were quite well-represented, there were comparatively few women...' - Deirdre Williams from St Lucia
Electronic government equals sustainable development for Guyana
Electronic government (e-government) equals sustainable development for Guyana. This is the thesis illustrated by this paper along with the possible constraints involved in implementing e-government.
E-teaching social programmes
'I had to use all possible means of getting people to participate actively in the programme... What learning style does a person have? Is it part of his or her culture or not? These were the questions for which I looked to find answers.' - Veronica Cretu from Moldova
E-learning at Fiji National University
In this paper, Fiji National University (FNU) was used to determine the possibility of e-learning. A new programme was chosen and a programme document was written. Based on the programme, a unit syllabus was developed. Given the infrastructure of the information and communication technology (ICT) department at FNU, this project will be deployed as a pilot project for evaluation and monitoring of e-learning research.
Pricing the right to education: The cost of reaching new targets by 2030
This paper shows there is an annual nancing gap of US$39 billion over 2015-2030 for reaching universal pre-primary, primary and secondary education of good quality in low and lower middle income countries.
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.
Development Co-operation Report 2014: Mobilising Resources for Sustainable Development
The Development Co-operation Report 2014 emphasizes the importance of mobilizing resources for sustainable development. It highlights the need for effective partnerships, innovative financing mechanisms, and increased transparency to achieve development goals. The report also stresses the importance of policy coherence, human rights-based approaches, and the engagement of a wide range of stakeholders in development efforts.
In search of the most sustainable and coherent diplomatic approaches to addressing the fundamental challenges Small States (including Small Island States or SIDS) perennially face in an uncertain world of hegemonic giants
Small states, in every sphere of natural and human activity, are negatively and disproportionately impacted by crises, when compared to their hegemonic, larger and stronger counterparts.
Diplomatic Reporting in the Internet Era
Paper delivered by Ambassador Victor Camilleri during the E-diplomacy panel on Diplomatic Reporting in the Internet Era after WikiLeaks, held on 9 February, 2011.
Introducción a la Gobernanza de Internet
Aunque la gobernanza de Internet trata de los fundamentos del mundo digital, la gobernanza no puede manejarse con la lógica digital binaria de lo verdadero o lo falso, lo bueno o lo malo. En cambio, el sujeto exige muchas sutilezas y sombras de significado y percepción, requiriendo un enfoque analógico, cubriendo un continuo de opciones y compromisos. El objetivo del libro Introducción a la Gobernanza de Internet, del Dr Jovan Kurbalija, es proporcionar una visión general de los principales temas y actores en el campo a través de un marco práctico para el análisis, discusión, y resolu...
Emerging Leaders for the Digital World 2009
These pages contain the stories of talented people likely to play an important role in future Internet-related developments; all of them former participants in Diplo’s Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme (IG CBP) held between 2005 and 2007.
The Vulnerability of the Small Island Developing States of the Caribbean
The Small Island Developing States of the Caribbean are highly vulnerable to external economic and environmental shocks due to their small size and limited resources, which threaten their sustainability and development.
Towards ‘concrete, physical, and local’
'This is not an outside imposition of technology, but an enthusiastic acceptance of support... the ideal situation, where just a push, just a bit of help, can enable the local population to maximise use of resources under their own direction.' - Virginia Paque from Wisconsin, USA
Bridging the digital divide
‘Internet governance (IG) is a new field which lacks expertise in Madagascar. Some of the pressing issues in Madagascar are the digital divide, IT illiteracy, and the inadequacy of national jurisdiction with technology advances.’ - Zoniaina Fitahiana Rakotomalala from Madagascar
Teaching computer literacy to alleviate poverty
'I am involved in strengthening education policies at a global level through a forum that will bring representatives from national and international organizations, experts, teachers, NGOs and the youth who are engaged in education...' - Charity Gamboa from the Philippines
Tackling privacy issues
'It is necessary to focus the IGF discussion on the real problems associated with the collection and use of personal information. The reality is that there is very little that consumers can do today to protect their personal data...' - Katitza Rodriguez from Peru
