DiploNews – Issue 126 – 16 September 2008
The 2009 Master Degree/PGD in Contemporary Diplomacy
You are invited to apply for the popular Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy, offered through the University of Malta. This blended learning programme offers a valuable opportunity for diplomats and other international relations professionals to continue studies while remaining on the job.
Please note the application deadline: 15 October 2008.
First EU Roma Summit
Roma communities in Europe continue to face persistent discrimination, even though they are one of the largest EU ethnic minorities. The integration of Roma communities is a joint responsibility of member states and the EU. On 16 September 2008, the European Commission’s first Roma Summit will take place in Brussels, under the joint patronage of the Commission President José Manuel Barroso and the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Summit will promote a commitment to addressing current problems and to creating a better understanding of the situation of Roma across Europe. It will also help identify “policies that work” in promoting inclusion and in highlighting the plight of Roma communities. The outcome of the discussions will foster debates at EU level and further action. The conference will take place at the Charlemagne building, Rue de la Loi 170 (Room “Alcide de Gasperi” S 3) and will bring together more than 400 representatives of EU institutions, national governments, parliaments, and civil society including Roma organisations. Active in the organisation of this event are Valeriu Nicolae, a Diplo Master graduate and other participants of the Diplo Roma Diplomacy programme. Those interested may find further information at the website of the European Commission.
Persuasion, the Essence of Diplomacy
Soon, Professor Dietrich Kappeler will conclude a 50-year career as a practitioner and teacher of diplomacy. He will also retire from his post as President of DiploFoundation. A farewell symposium will be held in Malta on 5 November 2008 to mark this occasion, featuring discussion on the theme of “Persuasion – The Essence of Diplomacy.” As well, we are offering a farewell discussion online. You can contribute to this discussion with reflections on the theme “Persuasion: The Essence of Diplomacy.” Please send us your contribution of up to five pages. All submitted contributions will appear online, while selected contributions will be published in 2009.
National Internet Exchange of India
Diplo Foundation, in conjunction with the National Internet Exchange of India, is currently conducting an online course in Internet governance for 31 participants, including professionals involved in the organization of the Third United Nations Internet Governance Forum to be held in Hyderabad, India from December 3 to 6. The course is preparing actors for involvement in ongoing Internet governance policy processes at the Internet Governance Forum and in regional and global debates and follow-up meetings. The two-month course presents various Internet governance issues such as management of Internet domains, cyber-security, privacy, e-commerce, and legal aspects. It also emphasises skills needed for involvement in international Internet governance policy-making processes and community-building. Participation takes place through an online learning platform that supports a variety of interactive learning and communication tools permitting both synchronous and asynchronous learning activities. More information is available at Diplo’s Internet Governance and Policy website.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Tries Carbon Neutrality
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation has recently decided to tackle global warming more responsibly, through carbon neutrality: the carbon dioxide emitted during its international flights and summit conferences will be measured and offset by purchasing carbon dioxide emission credits. This is the first international organisation to subject its meetings to carbon dioxide offsetting schemes. Traditionally, international organisations have adopted two schemes to reduce carbon emissions, the Cap-and-Trade Scheme and the Carbon Emission Offsetting Scheme. The Cap-and-Trade Scheme allows companies to trade unused emission credits. The Carbon Emission Offsetting Scheme encourages companies to invest in carbon dioxide reduction programs in developing countries, helping them to reach the emission reduction objectives set by the Kyoto Protocol. However, under such schemes, the responsibility of reducing carbon emissions falls largely on corporations in the developing countries, rather than on international organisations. The new scheme advanced by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation has sparked some ideas about how international organisations can reduce carbon emissions without exclusive reliance on the corporations of their constituencies. DiploFoundation will soon offer a course on Climate Change Diplomacy. For the full story, see the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation website. –Contributed by Jingjing Xia.
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