University of Exeter – Diplomacy 4.0 Programme
Humankind is indisputably entering a new digital era. The impact of rapid technological and scientific advances on our lives is so great that World Economic Forum’s founder Klaus Schwab termed this process as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We are the witnesses of the transcendence through new frontiers.
These new frontiers go beyond traditional understanding of every aspect of human activity. Unlike in the past, diplomacy and international affairs can no longer afford to slowly adapt to those changes as their pace demands almost business-like agility to stay abreast and relevant.
Diplomacy 4.0 is UNITAR’s answer to these new challenges. The concept explores the nexus between diplomacy and areas of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, scientific advancements and other significant issues, paving the way for the next generation of international affairs professionals.
Building up on the Diplomacy 4.0 concept, UNITAR designed its first ever 5-day field visit to Geneva tackling the most pressing issues at the intersection of diplomacy and technology. The programme will provide its participants not only with theoretical knowledge but also practical skills on how to implement best practices.
Its overarching purpose is to prepare participants for the continuously deepening interdependence between diplomacy and technology and equip them with necessary skills to excersise those innovations in practice. The programme further intends to raise awareness about Diplomacy 4.0 in the international community, thereby stimulating modernisation of diplomatic practices.
Last but not least, it aspires to build up a knowledge hub, bringing subject matter experts and policy-practitioners together to form a community discussing latest developments in the field and producing practical solutions. It also aspires to give its participants the opportunity to gain valuable insights into possible future career steps in this direction.
In our rapidly changing world, diplomats and governments cannot afford to stay behind. The first edition of the Diplomacy 4.0 field visit will provide them with competitive edge and all necessary knowledge to effectively navigate the cross-section of diplomacy and digital technology.
The field visit serves the purpose of providing a broad overview on Diplomacy 4.0 and thereby preparing the participants for the challenges and opportunities in this field. The training programme will be 5 days of length and focus on the following themes:
- Theme 1 - Digital Diplomacy
- Theme 2 - Cybersecurity
- Theme 3 - Artificial Intelligence
- Theme 4 - Internet Governance
- Theme 5 - Science Diplomacy
Hosting 35 international organizations and more than 250 NGOs, the city of Geneva offers itself for a whole series of formative experiences. UNITAR hosts the activity in the historic Palace of Nations and provides a nuanced balance between the following different components:
Expert Lectures:
UNITAR’s professional network across Geneva allows it to organize a series of 1-2-hour expert lectures, in which participants can directly learn from UN personal or other high-level officials. Previous training programmes have included lectures from the following organizations:
- United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN)
- World Economic Forum (WEF)
Training Workshops:
As its core activity and raison d’être, UNITAR provides several face-to-face workshops to the participants. Delivered by experts such as ambassadors, previous programmes have included the following workshops:
- Digital Diplomacy
- Cybersecurity
- Artificial Intelligence
- Science Diplomacy
Multilateral Conferences:
With its more than 10.000 conferences a year, the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) counts as one of the most active international conference centres in the world. UNITAR offers participants to attend such meetings and thereby experience multilateral negotiations first-hand:
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Private Guided Tours:
Geneva is rich in historic buildings important to international affairs. Thanks to its access across the city, UNITAR can provide a series of private guided tours. Previous programmes have included tours through the following facilities:
- The United Nations’ Palace of Nations (3-hours extensive private guided tour)
- The headquarters of the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN)
- The headquarters of the World Economic Forum (WEF)
Career Development Sessions:
UNITAR also provides several 1-2 hour sessions on how to advance your professional career and find a solid footing in the world of international organizations. These sessions can include the following components:
- Information sessions on entry positions in the UN system with a special focus on technology
- Review of application material, including CV, motivation letter, PHP Form, LinkedIn profile
- Counselling on envisioned entrepreneurial projects related to the Diplomacy 4.0
Given the complexity of the Diplomacy 4.0 concept, UNITAR will cover a series of different thematic areas during the course of the field visit. These will be closely aligned with the modules of the preparatory e-Learning course and include topics such as digital diplomacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence as well as science diplomacy.
The Diplomacy 4.0 Training Programme is designed to be highly interactive and participatory. Activities will include a high level of direct exposure to policy practitioners and diplomatic settings, thereby allowing participants to gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of the topic and the United Nations in general.
All of the activities will take place in the English language. Should there be any component such as a multilateral conference or an expert lecture not be available in English, UNITAR will ensure the participants will be provided with simultaneous interpretation.
This first edition of the Diplomacy 4.0 Traning Programme is aimed at introducing the concept to the wider public and raising awareness in the international community about the present and upcoming challenges and opportunities facing diplomats and other international affairs professionals.
For this reason, the Diplomacy 4.0 e-Learning course is mostly geared towards diplomats and foreign ministry officials. These can also include other government officials and participants from the broader diplomatic community, including private sector, civil society and academia.
In order to ensure the highest standards in quality and implementation, the registration will be closed after 30 participants. Slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. At the end of the Diplomacy 4.0 Training Programme, each participant will be awarded an official UNITAR certificate.
UNITAR will be responsible for the overall design, coordination and implementation of the Diplomacy 4.0 Training Programme. It will liaise with participants on a regular basis prior to the activity's implementation in order to ensure a smooth and flawless organization for everyone involved.
The participants are responsible to purchase their own travel tickets to and from Geneva as well as to apply for visa to Switzerland. UNITAR gladly supports this process with the help of official visa invitation letters. Participants further need to take care of their own accommodation and daily meals.
UNITAR will sponsor a welcome dinner to the participants, a welcome package including relevant material, entry tickets to sights and museums as well as the transportation cost during the activity. Please note that as of now, no scholarships are available to facilitate participation.