DiploNews – Issue 378 – 2 September 2019

Celebrating 20 years of DiploNews

Today, we celebrate 20 years of DiploNews. That means 20 years of keeping you updated with the latest research, publications, training opportunities, and blog posts from the world of diplomacy and digital policy – DiploFoundation and the Geneva Internet Platform’s key fields. And if you haven’t already, subscribe at the bottom of this page.

Jump back in time and visit milestones in DiploFoundation’s history in our timeline.

Upcoming study opportunities

Digital Commerce (just-in-time Geneva-based course)

This course aims to assist permanent missions and international organisations in Geneva to increase their knowledge and capacity to engage in digital commerce-related negotiations and discussions on the multilateral and bilateral levels. It provides an interdisciplinary coverage of e-commerce, from both digital and trade perspectives. The course is offered by DiploFoundation (Diplo), CUTS International Geneva, the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP). Due to the blended learning course format which includes weekly face-to-face meetings, registration for this session of the Digital Commerce course is open only to applicants based in Geneva.

The next course starts on 9 October 2019. Visit the course webpage and apply by 25 September.

2020 Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy – Early Bird discount deadline approaching

Diplo is now accepting applications for the 2020 Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy, and the Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy with a specialisation in Internet Governance. These unique postgraduate programmes, offered in co-operation 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 read more.

Scholarships covering 20%–50% of the Postgraduate Diploma fee are available for applicants from small and developing states. The programme starts on 3 February 2020. The application deadline is 15 October 2019. Apply by 15 September to qualify for our €400 early bird discount.

Autumn courses on diplomacy and digital policy – application deadline extended

Diplo offers a wide range of exciting online courses this autumn, starting the week of 8 October.

• Artificial Intelligence: Technology, Governance, and Policy Frameworks
• Cybersecurity
• Development Diplomacy
• Economic Diplomacy
• Language and Diplomacy
• Negotiation Skills (starts week of 14 October – apply by 9 September)

Apply by 20 September 2019 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.

Malta scholarships

Thanks to support from the government of Malta, partial scholarships are available for applicants from developing countries to attend upcoming Diplo online courses. These scholarships cover 30%–60% of course fees and can be applied to most online courses in 2019. Browse our course catalogue and contact us at admissions@diplomacy.edu for further information. You can also sign up for our courses mailing list to be informed about upcoming courses.


Digital (and) Diplomacy: How to deal with digital aspects of foreign policy

Preparations are well underway, and a number of high-profile speakers have confirmed their participation.

On 18 September, DiploFoundation’s Digital (and) Diplomacy conference will bring together experienced diplomats and other key stakeholders to discuss how diplomacy and foreign policy can be coupled with digital issues that shape our world. This is particularly relevant since technology pervades every level in our societies, thus demanding that diplomats step-up in their abilities to use these modern-world tools for their advantage, and defend them from the pitfalls that come with them.

Digital co-operation: Can Geneva make it a win-win?

In June, the UN High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation made a series of recommendations to the private sector, civil society, national governments, and international organisations on how to improve digital co-operation. The recommendations made in the Panel’s final report, The Age of Digital Interdependence, will be discussed by key experts in an upcoming event in Geneva on 2 September, from 18h – 19h at Auditorium Ivan Pictet, Maison de la paix, Geneva.

Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, will discuss some key aspects of the report, as well as the role that Geneva and its surrounding region can play in building an inclusive and trustworthy digital world.


He will be joined by Doris Leuthard, former president of the Swiss Confederation and former member of the High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation, and Amandeep Singh Gill, former co-executive director of the Panel’s Secretariat, who will share some insights on the issues raised.


Finally, Jovan Kurbalija, head of the Geneva Internet Platform and DiploFoundation and former co-executive director of the Panel’s Secretariat, will make concluding remarks.


For more information visit the dedicated website.

Indonesia Lokadata Conference

DiploFoundation’s Shita Laksmi moderated the session ‘Personal Data Protection: Powering Innovation Through Trust’ at the first Indonesia Lokadata Conference (ILOC) on 28 September 2019, in Jakarta, Indonesia.

ILOC 2019 addressed the most strategic issue in data discourse: How data is used to make policies.

What’s been happening in Diplo’s blogosphere

DiploFoundation’s new course Artificial Intelligence: Technology, Governance, and Policy Frameworks provided 26 students with in-depth knowledge to enable them to assess critically the consequences of artificial intelligence (AI) and understand the opportunities and challenges it creates across a broad spectrum of areas. Read more in Successful debut for new AI course – 42 countries represented in May courses cycle.