DiploNews – Issue 468 – 1 June 2023
Diplo Academy upcoming courses and programmes
🎓 2024 MA in Contemporary Diplomacy (with internet governance specialisation)
Diplo is accepting applications for the 2024 online Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy with a specialisation in internet governance, run in cooperation with the University of Malta Department of International Relations. The programme starts on 29 January 2024.
During 16 to 20 months of online study, the programme guides working diplomats, international relations professionals, and internet policymakers through the theoretical and practical building blocks of diplomacy, with a focus on contemporary issues and challenges.
❗ Financial assistance available:
- Diplo alumni are entitled to a 20% reduction in tuition fees.
- Applicants from developing countries can be awarded a limited number of partial scholarships.
- Maltese applicants can benefit from up to 70% off the fee in tax credits as part of the Get Qualified scheme.
For further information and to apply, please visit the MA/PGD in Contemporary Diplomacy web page.
🌞 Applications open! Diplo’s 2023 summer online courses
Reserve your place in our popular summer courses!
- Bilateral Diplomacy
- Diplomatic Law: Privileges and Immunities
- Internet Technology and Policy: Challenges and Solutions
👉🏼 Application deadlines for certificates issued by Diplo: 19 June 2023
For further information and to apply, click the course titles above or visit Diplo’s course catalogue.
◆ Need financial assistance? Scholarships and alumni discounts are available.
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 2023 online courses. Browse our course catalogue and contact us at admissions@diplomacy.edu for further information.
Upcoming events
◆ WebDebate #60: Why and How Should Countries Engage in Tech Diplomacy? (6 June)
Tech diplomacy has brought about new venues for engagement and the involvement of new actors, and makes clear that countries and tech companies need to adopt new approaches to current digital policy issues. In WebDebate #60 we will:
- Have a close look at the main findings of the Tech Diplomacy Practice in the San Francisco Bay Area report
- Hear from various tech diplomacy practitioners from the Bay Area and the Global South
- Ask what benefits and challenges countries from the Global South face when aiming to engage in tech diplomacy
- Investigate the role of tech diplomacy hubs beyond the Bay Area
Join us on Tuesday, 6 June, 13:00 UTC (15:00 CEST). Register now!
Blogs and publications
◆ Diplo’s AI reporting tool showcased at the UN Security Council
DiploGPT, Diplo’s specialised AI reporting system, made its grand debut at the UN Security Council, where it reported from a six-hour meeting. The AI-generated report included statement summaries, AI-generated Q&A, and a summary report. To learn more about the event and the technology behind DiploGPT, read the press release!
◆ To foster human freedom and prosperity, artificial intelligence must be developed bottom-up!
The rise of ChatGPT and other AI tools brings concerns about data privacy and knowledge control. Discover the power of bottom-up AI and take control of your knowledge and creativity. Read more in Jovan Kurbalija’s blog!
◆ Why should we have the right to be imperfect?
Our imperfections define us as much as our perfections. Our right to be imperfect protects our core humanity. In his blog post, Dr Jovan Kurbalija discusses how to move from the right to be forgotten to the right to be imperfect, why it’s important to let us be imperfect, and how to realise our right to be imperfect. Read the blog post!
◆ The UN process to negotiate the cybercrime convention: Key takeaways from the fifth session
In May, the UN Ad Hoc Committee wrapped up a two-week long session negotiating a comprehensive cybercrime convention. What was discussed? Which topics were agreed upon? What terms and definitions caused controversy? Anastasiya Kazakova analyses. Read the blog post!
◆ Gender equality in diplomacy: Chinese and other foreign ministries
With only 15% women in high-ranking diplomatic roles, it’s clear that greater gender diversity is essential. Amb. Kishan S. Rana analyses gender equality in diplomacy in China and other MFAs. Read the blog post!
◆ AI and art: Aibo, the robot dog
Artist Aleksandar Jestrović aka Jamesdin painted the robot dog Aibo 20 years ago. Today, this painting is even more relevant with the growing advancements in AI. Read about his inspiration!
◆ Diplomats as vassals: The Tang dynasty (618–907 CE)
During the Tang Dynasty, the vassal status of diplomats solidified the hierarchical order, placing the Son of Heaven at its apex. Aldo Matteucci sheds light on how the exchange of tributes and gifts (some very unusual) enabled diplomatic relations. Read the blog post!
◆ Diplomatic realism: Nixon, Kissinger, and Pakistan
In his blog post, Aldo Matteucci explores the concept of diplomatic realism and its practical application in today’s complex world. It highlights the importance of understanding power dynamics, national interests, and the need for effective communication to navigate diplomatic challenges successfully. Read the blog post!
◆ The impact and struggle of AI
Every week, Diplo AI writes a diary entry to share what it’s learning and how it’s growing. Find out what Diplo AI learned!
◆ Digital Watch Weekly
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was in the news again, not only because of the European tour he’s embarked on, but over things he said and wrote last week. In other news, Microsoft’s President Brad Smith joined in the private sector’s call for regulating AI. Meta was hit with a historic fine over data mishandling, while the Five Eyes have attributed a recent spate of cyber attacks to China. Read the latest issue of the Digital Watch Weekly!
Latest videos
◆ Jovan Kurbalija and Francesco Pisano: DiplomacyLight podcast #008
What is knowledge in a diplomatic context? How is diplomatic knowledge created and how is it used? In the latest episode of the DiplomacyLight podcast, Ljupčo Gjorginski takes a deep dive with Diplo’s Director Jovan Kurbalija and UNOG Library Director Francesco Pisano. Watch the episode below!
◆ DWshorts #9: Who would’ve thought Twitter’s unverified and paid blue tick accounts would cause chaos?
In our latest short, Diplo’s Su Sonia Herring discusses the disinformation incident caused by an unverified and paid Twitter blue tick account, the Irish Data Protection Authority’s fine towards Meta, South Korea’s request for the USA to review its chip-making rules, and the US FTC’s policy statement highlighting the risk of biometric data misuse through AI. Watch it below!
Don’t miss…
◆ Serbia IGF 2023
Diplo is proud to have been a co-organiser of IGF Serbia 2023, which touched upon a number of digital policy issues, including geopolitics, cybersecurity, digital rights, and AI. Check out the session recordings!
◆ 9th Glion Human Rights Dialogue
Dr Jovan Kurbalija (Executive Director, Diplo) participated in the 9th Glion Human Rights Dialogue. In his keynote address, he spoke of five points:
- Bottom-up AI
- Right to be imperfect
- SDGs as guardrails for AI development
- Global Digital Compact and human rights
- How can AI create more convergences around human rights
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