10 points for the EU’s future digital policy
Internet governance and digital policy, Privacy and data protection BlogsWe outline ten critical points for the EU's future digital policy, focusing on the balance between innovation and regulation. This forecast emphasizes strategic priorities for digital governance, data protection, and the digital single market, highlighting the EU's approach to navigating the digital era's challenges.
Memoirs of UN Secretaries-General: political correctness and prediction of the future
Diplomatic theory and practice BlogsThe text discusses the importance of political correctness and predicting the future in the context of UN Secretaries-General, focusing on U Thant's legacy. U Thant's memoirs emphasize the delicate balance of disclosure while providing insights for the future. The text highlights his views on the Cold War's evolution and the convergence of capitalist and communist ideologies. While acknowledging challenges in being politically correct and predicting accurately, U Thant also critiques member states' selective UN engagement, a prediction that proved true later. The text invites readers to assess the value of such insights and predictions against reality.
Memoirs of UN Secretaries-General: Eyes on the Spies
Cold War diplomacy, Diplomatic theory and practice BlogsThe text discusses the significance of Article 100 of the United Nations Charter and its implications for the Secretary-General and staff. It highlights historical instances of espionage within the UN Secretariat and emphasizes the challenges of maintaining neutrality and integrity. The text urges readers to explore the memoirs of past UN Secretaries-General for deeper insights into the complexities of multilateral diplomacy and the interplay of political influences within the organization.
Diplomacy and the revenge of globalization (Part II)
Diplomatic theory and practice, Globalisation BlogsThe text discusses the impact of globalization on diplomacy, touching on issues such as the Nigerian schoolgirls' kidnapping, American diplomatic efforts in Nigeria, and the challenges faced by institutions like the State Department. It highlights the complexities of modern diplomacy in the age of social media and cyber warfare, questioning the efficacy of reform efforts and emphasizing the enduring importance of sovereign states in a changing global landscape.
From Telegraph (1914) to Twitter (2014) – Are there lessons to be learned?
Digital diplomacy, History of diplomacy BlogsExploring the evolution from Telegraph in 1914 to Twitter in 2014, the author considers the lessons history offers on communication's impact on diplomacy and society. This reflection underscores the continuous transformation in how we share information and its implications for global interactions.
Chrono-narcissism, 1914 – 2014 and Technology
Digital diplomacy, History of diplomacy BlogsJovan Kurbalija live-tweets events from 1914, highlighting the acceleration of history after Archduke Ferdinand's assassination. This project, dubbed "Chrono-narcissism, 1914 – 2014 and Technology," examines the link between historical events and the impact of technology like Twitter. The immediacy of the tweets allows for a direct connection to the past, shedding light on current tensions echoing those of a century ago. Jovan urges us to avoid chrono-narcissism and learn from history to navigate present-day challenges.
Diplomacy and the revenge of globalization (Part I)
Diplomatic theory and practice, Globalisation BlogsThe text discusses the historical development of diplomacy, its association with trickery, and the evolution of the concept in the globalized world. It also mentions a book by Ambassador Laurence Pope on American diplomacy.
Supporting humanitarian diplomacy work in Pakistan
Alumni Diplomatic theory and practice, Humanitarian diplomacy BlogsMuhammad Aslam shares his positive experience with the Humanitarian Diplomacy course in Pakistan. He emphasizes the value of diverse perspectives, teamwork, and the practical skills gained. As a program coordinator, he now feels equipped to advocate for vulnerable populations effectively. Aspiring participants are encouraged to proactively manage time and workload, emphasizing the importance of preparation for challenging conditions in the humanitarian field.
The fight for net neutrality (webinar digest and video)
Gender rights online, Internet governance and digital policy, Net neutrality and zero-rating BlogsThe text discusses a webinar on net neutrality revisiting the topic after three years, focusing on emerging challenges like new infrastructure and policy developments. It covers various perspectives from users to telecom companies, highlighting the need for traffic management and prioritization. Policy updates from different regions were reviewed, along with implications for developing countries. The debate revolves around defining appropriate management, economic models, competition, and the balance between human rights, freedoms, and innovation. The webinar also addressed questions from participants and pointed to future discussions on net neutrality globally.
The humanitarian perspective empowers your advocacy
Alumni Diplomatic theory and practice, Humanitarian diplomacy, Online education BlogsThe humanitarian perspective empowers advocacy by providing a neutral, impartial, and evidence-based approach, freeing from political influences. The course offers a mix of practical and theoretical knowledge, including global and local examples, fostering interactive learning. The online platform is convenient, fostering real-time participation. The most valuable aspect is learning from diverse student contributions, offering real-world insights. Challenges include the demanding nature of the course and the need for a stable internet connection. Applicants should be prepared to rethink humanitarian principles and perspectives and remain open to challenging their existing knowledge.
