Topic: Internet governance and digital policy

Internet governance, also referred to as digital policy, deals with the policy issues associated with digital technology.  
Diplo has been providing capacity development support for many years. This includes online and blended courses, policy research, policy immersion, and community support. Since many small and developing countries have limited resources and institutional capacity in this sector, Diplo provides special assistance to practitioners from these countries.
What is internet governance?
Internet governance refers to the shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making procedures, and programmes that shape the evolution and use of the Internet. Governments, the private sector, and civil society each contribute to developing these principles, rules, and processes, in their respective roles. (WGIG, 2015)
Although internet governance deals with the core of the digital world, the digital-binary logic of true and false, or good and bad, is inadequate when talking about technology. Instead, there are many subtleties and shades of meaning and perception. In order to shape and engage in internet governance, practitioners require an analogue approach. Such approach needs to cover a continuum of options and compromises.
The book An Introduction to Internet Governance (7th ed.), by Dr Jovan Kurbalija, needs no introduction. In fact, today it is one of the most widely-used books by digital policy professionals and across universities. It has also been translated into 10 languages.
The book provides a comprehensive overview of the main issues and actors in the field through a practical framework for analysis, discussion, and resolution of significant issues.
Download the latest edition, or any of the translated versions.

[Talk] Cyber operations, armed conflicts, and international law

By: Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights;

Event recording

Event description

Event date: 23 June 2022, 17:30–18:30 CEST

In this talk, researchers from the Geneva Academy will shed light on the different examples of cyber operations (e.g. Stuxnet, NotPetya, and SolarWinds) allegedly conducted or sponsored by states to explicate their geopolitical effects and challenges to international law. As the importance of ICT grows in the modern world, cyber operations have become an integral part of state and non-state actors’ strategies against other states and actors. Researchers will present their findings as part of the project on disruptive military technologies.

For more information, and to register, please visit the official page.

2022 Council of Delegates of the ICRC

By: International Committee of the Red Cross;

Event description

Event date: 22–23 June 2022

The 2022 Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRC) will be held under the theme ‘A movement for purpose.’ Among the topics that will be discussed during the Council is the collection and safeguarding of humanitarian data. The Council aims to call on states and other actors to respect and protect impartial humanitarian organisations both online and offline and safeguard them from harmful cyber and information operations of any kind.

For more information, please visit the official page.

[Workshop] Boost your cyber skills: a cybersecurity event for Nonprofit Organizations

By: CyberPeace Institute; CAGI - Centre d'Accueil de la Genève Internationale;

Event description

Event date: 22 June 2022, 9:30–15:00 CEST

The International Geneva Welcome Centre (CAGI) and the CyberPeace Institute jointly curated an all-day cyber skills event for NGOs. The uptake of cloud-based technologies and storage of valuable donor and beneficiary data have made NGOs a frequent target of cyberattacks. The reality for NGOs is that they have to safeguard their cybersecurity as much as private businesses do. The event invites local government representatives, cybersecurity experts, and NGOs to partake in testimonial drafting, roundtable discussions, and awareness raising for boosting NGOs’ cyber skills.

For more information, and to register, please visit the official page.

[Webinar] Realizing equitable global access to COVID-19 health technologies: WHO C-TAP’s progress, challenges and opportunities

By: World Health Organization;

Event description

Event date: 16 June 2022, 14:00–16:00 CEST

The World Health Organization (WHO) is organising a panel and an open discussion on how its COVID-19 Technological Access Pool (C-TAP) could advance in promoting equitable access to pandemic-related health technologies. The debate will focus on making the C-TAP more attractive to technology users, holders, and other stakeholders. There will be a briefing on the progress, challenges, and opportunities identified in two previous discussion papers prepared by the secretariats. Distinguished guests and speakers will offer feedback and future recommendations.

For more information, and to register, please visit the official page.

[Webinar] Enhancing signalling security and privacy using globally interoperable digital signatures

By: International Telecommunication Union;

Event description

Event date: 16 June 2022, 15:00–17:00 CEST

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will explore the history and status quo of signalling systems and summarise ITU’s ongoing efforts in security-minded protocol standardisation to cope with potential signalling attacks on telecom operators. Signalling protocols play a cornerstone role in providing different ICT services. Nevertheless, as they were designed without security and privacy in mind, they are prone to attacks on ICT infrastructures. This webinar will cover the signalling architectures of telecommunication networks, an overview of the key signalling exchange procedures (call/SMS/USSD flows), and an outline of the vulnerabilities of existing signalling protocols. ITU-T recommendations and how they have been implemented will also be discussed.

For more information, and to register, please visit the official page.

The 50th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council

By: United Nations Human Rights Council;

Event description

Event date: 13 June – 8 July 2022

Representatives of the member states in the Human Rights Council will come to Geneva to partake in 27 interactive dialogues (ID) Special Procedures mandate holders and mechanisms and 9 interactive dialogues with the High Commissioner. The Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Ms Irene Khan will present her report (A/HRC/50/29) on media freedom of expression in the digital age in an ID. A public high-level panel discussion will focus on the laws and practices addressing the negative impact of disinformation on the enjoyment and realization of human rights.

For more information, and to register, please visit the official page.

WIPO Symposium on Trade Secrets and Innovation

By: World Intellectual Property Organization;

Event description

Event date: 23–24 May 2022

The WIPO Symposium on Trade Secrets and Innovation provides an exchange platform for ideas and perspectives with regard to the intersection of trade secrets and innovation in both the technological and service sectors. The 2022 symposium will focus on the ‘roles of trade secret systems in supporting innovation and knowledge sharing in a rapidly changing innovation ecosystem’. The discussions will cover the interaction between trade secrets and innovation policies, how to balance legitimate interests in trade secret systems, the international/cross-border environment, the scope of data protection, trade secret management and knowledge sharing, the development and dissemination of medical technologies, and defence against allegations of trade secret misappropriation.

For more information, and to register, please visit the official page.

[Launch] Global Report on Assistive Technology (GReAT)

By: World Health Organization;

Event description

Event date: 16 May 2022, 15:00–16:00 CEST

The Global Report on Assistive Technology (GReAT) was jointly produced by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Acknowledging the central role that assistive technology and enabling environment play for people in need in their comprehension of human rights, the report highlights evidence-based best practices along with ten key actionable recommendations on improving access to assistive technology. The launch event will be emceed by Ms Nujeen Mustafa (author, refugee, and disability rights advocate) and include a list of distinguished guest speakers.

For more information, and to register, please visit the official page.

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