46th meeting of the Deans and Directors of Diplomatic Academies
and Institutes of International Relations,
September 2019, Geneva, Switzerland
Prof. Cédric Dupont, Director of Executive Education, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
Dr Jovan Kurbalija, Executive Director of DiploFoundation, Head of the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP)
Programme
16:00 – 17:00 | Registration at Pregny gate of the UN |
17:00 – 18:00 | Tour of the UN Palais des Nations: Arts and History |
18:00 – 19:15 | High Level Dialogue on Diplomatic Training: The skills, knowledge, and talents needed by multilateral diplomats in 2030
This session will set the stage for the IFDT discussion on training for multilateral diplomacy, including questions such as: what are the critical (and missing) skills for fast-changing multilateral diplomacy? What is the interplay between traditional and new skills needed in multilateral diplomacy? Inputs by heads of international organisations will trigger discussions involving directors of diplomatic academies, and practising ambassadors involved in Geneva’s multilateral diplomacy Venue: Council Chamber at the Palais des Nations Ms Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva |
19:30 – 21:00 | Welcome Reception Venue: Restaurant des Délégués, Palais des Nations Mr. David Chikvaidze, Chef de Cabinet, UNOG |
08:30 – 09:00 | Registration |
09:00 – 09:30 | Welcome remarks by IFDT co-chairs and representatives of host organisations
Ambassador Barbara Bodine Heads of hosting organisations: |
09:30 – 10:15 | Keynote address:
Diplomacy in different shapes and roles Mr Peter Maurer, President, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Moderator: Prof. Cédric Dupont, Director Executive Education, Graduate Institute |
10:15 – 10:45 | Coffee break
Opening of IFDT Bazaar |
10:45 – 12:15 | Diplomacy in the digital age: How to train diplomats to negotiate cybersecurity, e-commerce, AI, and other aspects of emerging digital geopoliticsArtificial intelligence, cyber-attacks, fake news, and e-commerce are becoming part of diplomatic reality and diplomatic training. Leading practitioners of digital diplomacy will outline the training needs: skills and knowledge that digital diplomats should have. Based on the needs, the discussion will address training approaches and methods for diplomacy in the digital age. In particular, it will focus on the interplay between traditional skills (negotiations, representation) and new ones (interaction with tech companies, understanding of digital technology).Ms Anne-Rachel Inné, Executive Director Government Affairs and Public Policy, American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) Mr Torbjörn Fredriksson, Chief, ICT Policy Section, UNCTAD Mr Christian Simm, Director, swissnex Boston Mr Jivan Gjorgjinski, 2019 Chair of the UN CCW GGE on LAWS [Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems] Moderator: Dr Jovan Kurbalija, Director, DiploFoundation |
12:15 – 13:30 | Lunch |
13:30 – 15:00 | Inclusive diplomacy: Partnerships and networks with business, academia, and civil society
As diplomacy progresses with the evolution of global issues, developing partnerships become more pivotal in addressing diplomatic challenges. This provides diplomats with the opportunity to create robust partnerships with stakeholders across various sectors in order to implement global solutions. These stakeholders must come together to discuss methodologies of how to find common grounds in order to pursue substantial partnerships in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goal number 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. In this session, panelists will explore how to develop viable and dynamic partnerships between civil society, private sector, academia, and governments. Mr Vincent Subilia, General Director, Geneva Chamber of Commerce |
15:00 – 15:30 | Coffee break |
15:30 – 17:00 | The future of diplomacy: Strategic thinking for training institutes
In a complex and increasingly uncertain world, diplomatic training institutes should be prepared for different possible futures. Foresight offers a range of tools to envisage those futures and this session will use some of those tools to stimulate strategic thinking on the future of our respective institutes. Prof. Cédric Dupont, Director of Executive Education, Graduate Institute |
19:00 – 22:00 | Gala dinner Venue: Hôtel Beau-RivageKeynote remarks: Ambassador Valentin Zellweger, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the UN in GenevaDress code: business attire |
09:00 – 10:30 | Innovative learning: Methodologies for diplomats, policymakers, leaders, and decision makers
Integrating the latest learning tools into diplomatic trainings to encourage knowledge sharing represents both a fundamental challenge and an opportunity for diplomatic academies and institutes. Leveraging learnings and best practices from academia and governmental sectors can act as a strong benchmark of the roadmap to achieving progress in this field. Throughout this session, participants will engage with the most recent developments in innovative learning methodologies and how to implement them in diplomatic training activities. Mr Jaime de Aguinaga, Vice Dean for Management and Development, Global and Public Affairs School at IE University |
10:30 – 11:00 | Coffee break
IFDT Bazaar |
11:00 – 12:15 | Science diplomacy: A practical approach and a training needs assessment
Science diplomacy follows growing relevance of science for development of societies worldwide and addressing global issues such as climate change, food produciton, energy and sustainable development. Diplomats and scientists interact more frequently than in the past. The session will discuss how to train diplomats to both deal with scientific issues and interact with scientific communities. Prof. Paul Berkman, Director of Science Diplomacy Center, Fletcher School of Diplomacy |
12:15 – 13:30 | Lunch
Family photo |
13:30 – 14:45 | Trends and practice of training for multilateral diplomacy: leadership, preparations for multilateral postings, maximising the offer of diplomatic training by international organisations
The session will start with outlining training trends in international organisations; it will be followed by an analysis of leadership awareness building and training; it will be concluded by outlining training approach for diplomats posted to multilateral centres such as Geneva. Ambassador Petru Dumitriu, Inspector, UN Joint Inspection Unit |
14:45 – 15:15 | Coffee break |
15:15 – 16:30 | The transformation of work and diplomacy
This session connects our debates on the future of diplomacy to the debates/concern about the ongoing disruptions in the workplace. The focus will be on two key questions: first, how (and to what extent) will the work of the diplomats be disrupted by the ongoing transformations of the workplace? Second, what role can diplomacy play in managing/mitigating the disruptions to the workplace across the globe? Prof. Cédric Dupont, Director of Executive Education, Graduate Institute |
16:30 – 16:45 | Closing remarks |
9:30 – 13:00 | Visit to Museum Bodmer Sightseeing tour Wine tasting |