E-workshop on Conducting Diplomacy Digitally
This interactive online workshop taking place during three consecutive half days is meant to provide information and knowledge on the topic Conducting Diplomacy Digitally.
Digital technologies have transformed the international environment in which diplomacy operates. Not only has it facilitated the participation of a plethora of new state and non-state actors in international relations, but it has posed serious structural and cultural challenges for foreign ministries and their diplomats working abroad.
Digital technologies have offered both traditional diplomats and the newer non-state actors new ways of analysing international trends and influencing the key debates. But too often an excessive focus on social media platforms means that both have missed the more innovative and effective ways of using digital technologies. At the same time, the use of social media platforms to spread fake news and disinformation demonstrates the dangers lurking in the digital world.
The e-workshop will take place at 13.00-17.00 (CET) for the three days (approximately 12 training hours total).
The e-workshop will discover different themes of Conducting Diplomacy Digitally and all participants will take part in highly interactive exercises in order to further increase the participants’ understanding of the topic.
Having completed the e-workshop, participants will:
- Understand how digital technologies have changed, and continue to change, the international environment in which diplomats and other state and non-state actors operate;
- Understand the various digital tools available to conduct diplomacy, how they have been used in the past and their strengths and weaknesses;
- Be able to develop effective strategies for using digital, and related, technologies to advance diplomatic and other international objectives.
This interactive e-workshop will take place at 13.00-17.00 (CET) for during three half days from 4-6 May 2020, will particularly focus on:
- The ways in which digital technologies have transformed the international environment in which diplomats and diplomatic services have to function;
- How diplomats, and other international actors, have used digital technologies, their successes and their weaknesses;
- More effective ways of using digital technologies in foreign policy analysis, conflict analysis and crisis management. Targeted approaches to combating disinformation campaigns and integrating new technologies like AI and deep learning.
This e-workshop will be taught by Shaun Riordan
Shaun Riordan is Director of the Department for Diplomacy and Cyberspace in the European Institute of International Studies, a Senior Research Fellow of the Charhar Institute in Beijing and a Senior Visiting Fellow of the Netherlands Institute of International Relations, “Clingendael”. He is a consultant to UNITAR on Digital and Cyber Diplomacy and also an independent geopolitical risk consultant.
As a former British diplomat, he served in New York, Taiwan, Beijing and Madrid, as well as the departments of counter-terrorism and the Eastern Adriatic in the Foreign Office. Shaun has taught at diplomatic academies in the Dominican Republic, Spain, Armenia and Bulgaria. He is the author of “The Geopolitics of Cyberspace: A Diplomatic Perspective” (Brill, 2019) “Cyberdiplomacy: Managing Security and Governance Online” (Polity, 2019), “Adios a la Diplomacia” (Siglo XXI, 2005) and “The New Diplomacy” (Polity, 2003). He can be followed at @shaun_riordan
This e-workshop will take place on the platform Zoom and will be facilitated by an expert on the theme during two half days. The material presented in the workshop will be interactive and assignments will be given for participants to further advance their knowledge.
Participants successfully completing the e-workshop will be awarded a certificate of participation.
The course is open for anyone with an interest to discover and gain more knowledge about the selected topic. No prior knowledge or skills are needed to participate.
Please note that there are limited spots available for this e-workshop.
Technical Requirements
UNITAR will not provide refunds for customers who face technical issues beyond UNITAR's direct control. UNITAR recommends that all prospective participants test Zoom for free at Zoom.us prior to confirming their payment.
Basic system requirements:
- Stable internet connection
- Speakers and a microphone
- A webcam or HD webcam
- Or, a HD cam or HD camcorder with video capture card
Please see further information about all technical requirements for participating in this e-workshop here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-Requirements…
Discounts
Organizations signing up four or more participants for an e-workshop will be eligible for a reduced fee per participant.
- Registration of four or more participants for a three-half day e-workshop will receive a fee reduction of 100 USD/participant;
- Registration of four or more participants for a two-half day e-workshop will receive a fee reduction of 50 USD/participant.
Individual participants signing up for more than one e-workshop at the same time will be eligible for the same discounts listed above (100 USD off for a three half day e-workshop and 50 USD off for a two half day e-workshop).
Discounts can ONLY be offered when paying via bank transfer (not credit card) and must be approved by sending a request to hanna.centerskog [at] unitar.org (hanna[dot]centerskog[at]unitar[dot]org)
Fellowships
A limited amount of fellowships are available for diplomats from LDC/SIDS upon selection, please contact hanna.centerskog [at] unitar.org (hanna[dot]centerskog[at]unitar[dot]org) if you meet these requirements.
Limited fellowships available.
Please see more information under rubric "Additional Information".