A brief history of Diplo
Diplo’s roots date back to October 1992 when Jovan Kurbalija established the Unit for Computer Applications at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies in Malta. After a few iterations, this unit became DiploFoundation on 20 November 2002.
This year, we celebrate 20 years of Diplo, as well as 30 years of research and education on the impact of digitalisation on diplomacy. Join us on the journey through the evolution of digital diplomacy, and Diplo!
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- Milestones
- Courses
- Events
- Conferences
- Publications
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17Friday November, 2017
- 15 years of DiploFoundation and 25 years of research on digital diplomacy
DiploFoundation celebrated 15 years and 25 years of digital diplomacy research. The anniversary was commemorated with a conference, exploring the evolution of diplomacy in the digital age and its future prospects.
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01Friday December, 2017
- An Introduction to Internet Governance – UN Library’s Book of the Month
In December 2017, the United Nations Library in Geneva chose Dr. Jovan Kurbalija's book, An Introduction to Internet Governance, as its Book of the Month.
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11Monday December, 2017
- 3rd Geneva Engage Awards
The 3rd Geneva Engage Awards, supported by the Canton of Geneva, recognize organizations in Geneva for their social media engagement. The event, held on December 11, 2017, celebrates impactful work by international organizations and non-profits in connecting with global communities through digital technology. The awards are based on DiploFoundation's analysis of effective social media use in 2017. The ceremony included discussions on engaging with international audiences, announcing winners, and closing remarks. Nominees included notable organizations such as the United Nations, World Health Organization, and World Wide Fund for Nature. Contact Barbara Rosen Jacobson for more information.
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18Monday December, 2017
- Diplo and the GIP at the 12th IGF
Diplo and the GIP actively participated in the 12th IGF in Geneva, offering daily reports and a final report summarizing key points. They also co-organized workshops and managed a data track.
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08Thursday February, 2018
- Data diplomacy: Updating diplomacy to the big data era
A report titled "Data Diplomacy: Updating diplomacy to the big data era" explores the benefits of big data in diplomacy and provides guidelines for ministries to leverage its potential effectively.
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13Tuesday February, 2018
- Data and international organisations (new study)
A study on data management challenges at international organizations, addressing issues like data analysis, storage, sharing, protection, regulation, and capacity, was published on February 13, 2018. The study's insights were informed by discussions with international organizations and sessions at the Internet Governance Forum.
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26Monday February, 2018
- First graduates of the Advanced Diploma in IG
Diplo celebrated the graduation of the first students from the Advanced Diploma in Internet Governance, a capacity development program focusing on online courses centered on policy-making in the digital age.
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01Thursday March, 2018
- Diplo’s senior researcher on IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group
Sorina Teleanu, Diplo's senior researcher, has been appointed to the IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group, which advises the UN Secretary-General on meeting programs and schedules, consisting of representatives from various stakeholder groups.
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01Thursday March, 2018
- Blockchain certificates for Digital Commerce course
Blockchain certificates were awarded to diplomats who finished the Digital Commerce course in Geneva in March 2018. The event included a lecture on blockchain and bitcoin by Diplo’s cryptocurrency expert, Arvin Kamberi.
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13Tuesday March, 2018
- #CyberMediation initiative launched at Diplo
A collaboration between Diplo, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, swisspeace, and Harvard University researchers introduced the #CyberMediation initiative, which examines the influence of digital technology on mediation in conflict prevention and resolution, guides on digital tools for peace mediators, and strategies to maintain mediation process integrity.
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04Wednesday April, 2018
- Introduction to digital policy and diplomacy course for New York diplomats
A new digital policy and diplomacy course was offered to New York diplomats by the , the Permanent Mission of Switzerland, and Diplo. It aimed to enhance diplomats' understanding of digital policy in international discussions.
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12Thursday April, 2018
- Tech Diplomacy in Bay Area: How countries interact with the tech industry?
A report by Diplo in April 2018 explores how countries engage with the Bay Area tech industry to advance their interests and citizens' needs. It aims to guide under-represented nations in establishing connections with the tech industry and foster better understanding between tech players and government entities.
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03Sunday June, 2018
- Modern diplomacy in cartoons
An e-book on modern diplomacy in cartoons was developed in 2018 with the help of Kishan S. Rana and Diplo, originating from a project initiated in 2004 by the Canadian Foreign Service Institute for a self-learning course on bilateral diplomacy.
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01Sunday July, 2018
- Launch of the Geneva Dialogue on Responsible Behaviour in Cyberspace
The Geneva Dialogue on Responsible Behaviour in Cyberspace was launched by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs to address the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in enhancing security in cyberspace. It involves research, interviews, discussions, knowledge-sharing, and workshops, in collaboration with various institutions.
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13Friday July, 2018
- Diplo director appointed to UN High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation
Jovan Kurbalija, the head of DiploFoundation, has been appointed to the UN High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation. Dr. Kurbalija will contribute to enhancing global collaboration in the digital era. Stephanie Borg Psaila will serve as interim director in his absence.
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19Thursday July, 2018
- Capacity building on Internet Governance in Lebanon
A capacity building workshop on Internet governance in Lebanon was held by the Maharat Foundation in July 2018, with the support of Diplo and the Embassy of the Netherlands. The training focused on various topics including infrastructure, big data, artificial intelligence, and human rights. This initiative aimed to build a community supporting Internet governance issues in Lebanon and prepare for the national Internet Governance Forum.
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27Monday August, 2018
- Capacity building in Nigeria
A workshop in Nigeria focused on enhancing Internet governance skills involved 60 participants from the government sector.
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01Saturday September, 2018
- Artificial Intelligence Lab launched
Diplo’s Lab focuses on research and analysis related to policy, capacity development, and AI's impact on diplomacy, among other areas. The lab collaborates with the Digital Watch observatory to delve into technological advancements, including autonomous systems like weapons and vehicles.
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01Monday October, 2018
- New version of An Introduction to Internet Governance in Russian published
A new Russian version of An Introduction to Internet Governance by Jovan Kurbalija, in collaboration with Координационный центр доменов ./.РФ, was released in October 2018.
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01Thursday November, 2018
- Diplo opens office in Washington DC
Diplo has established a new office in Washington DC, aiming to enhance global governance and international policy through digital policy and diplomacy engagement.
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12Monday November, 2018
- Diplo and the GIP at the 13th IGF
Diplo and the GIP's involvement at the 13th IGF in Paris in November 2018 included delivering numerous event reports, conducting sessions on capacity development and the future of diplomacy.
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29Thursday November, 2018
- The impact of AI on diplomacy and international relations 2018
An event organized by DiploFoundation and the Center for Data Innovation addressed the impact of artificial intelligence on diplomacy and international relations. The event featured discussions, panels of experts, and key findings from a report on AI's challenges and opportunities in diplomatic practices. The event highlighted the need for further research, capacity development, and practice in this field to address the significant impact AI will have on international relations, including new topics, geostrategic shifts, and ethical considerations.
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13Thursday December, 2018
- New publication: The Diplomacy of Ancient Greece
G.R. Berridge explores ancient Greek diplomacy in his publication, portraying it as either advanced or useless. The book delves into the conditions, personnel, forms, and effectiveness of this diplomacy.
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15Tuesday January, 2019
- Science fiction meets policy | Policy meets science fiction
The text discusses an event that explores the intersection of science fiction with digital politics, aiming to bring together sci-fi authors, enthusiasts, policymakers, and diplomats to discuss the impact of technological developments on society. By analyzing various sci-fi concepts, the event aims to inspire critical thinking about the future, emphasizing the importance of digital policy and governance in shaping our collective destiny. Through interactive sessions and curated readings, participants will delve into topics such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and Afrofuturism, encouraging innovative approaches to policy-making.
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28Monday January, 2019
- Report: Mapping the challenges and opportunities of AI for the conduct of diplomacy
A report commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland explores the connection between artificial intelligence and diplomacy, analyzing national strategies, the potential of AI in diplomacy, and its impact on human rights and state responsibilities.
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19Tuesday February, 2019
- Introduction to digital policy and diplomacy, Washington, DC
The course Introduction to Digital Policy and Diplomacy, originally successful in New York, has now been expanded to support professionals in Washington, enabling them to stay updated on digital policy and Internet governance.
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28Thursday February, 2019
- 4th Geneva Engage Awards
The 4th Geneva Engage Awards were given to International Geneva actors for their impactful social media engagement in 2018, by Diplo and the Canton of Geneva.
