ECOWAS: Cybersecurity Diplomacy

About

The Cybersecurity Diplomacy online course aims to equip diplomats of the ECOWAS member states with the knowledge and skills to understand global cybersecurity negotiations and act effectively to shape and implement international and regional cyber norms and confidence-building measures. The course will run from 6 May till 13 June 2024.

Context

The use of cyberattacks by states – and, more generally, the behaviour of states in cyberspace concerning maintaining international peace and security – is moving to the top of the international agenda. States are looking for ways to secure cyberspace their societies and economies depend upon. Negotiations about cyberspace take place within the United Nations committees, the General Assembly and the Security Council, various regional organisations like the AU, OSCE, OAS, and ASEAN, and multilateral fora like G7, G20, and the WTO. Within the UN, through the work of the UN Group of Governmental Experts (UN GGE) from 2004 to 2021, and the UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) since 2019, states have developed and agreed on the international framework of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace (visit here for more). Cyber(in)security is impacting international peace, sustainable development, digital cooperation, human rights and privacy, as well as the global digital business environment, and the stakes are getting higher for everyone: ministers, diplomats, business executives, civil society leaders, tech gurus, and researchers.

Online course

This 4-week online course on Cybersecurity Diplomacy discusses how cyber(in)security impacts international peace, security and stability, outlines the existing framework of responsible behaviour in cyberspace agreed by states within the UN GGE and OEWG (namely the applicability of international law to cyberspace, cyber norms, confidence-building measures, and capacity building), and maps relevant multilateral and multistakeholder political processes that will further shape the agenda, with particular discussion focus on developments in Africa and the ECOWAS region.

Using Diplo’s well-recognised, engaging, and interactive learning methodology, this online course provides a space for exchanging experiences and views within a select group of diplomats who contribute from the ECOWAS member states, as well as with topic experts and course facilitators. The course is based on group readings, on-text reflections, and weekly live discussions.

Learning objectives

Participants will learn:

• To understand cybersecurity agreements and open issues within the UN and regional frameworks, as well as topics on the broader diplomatic agenda
• To identify multilateral and multistakeholder political processes that shape global and regional cybersecurity political agendas
• To map roles that stakeholders (states, companies, ICT incident responders, civil society, and academia) should play in achieving cyber stability
• To prepare to take an active role in international processes around strategic digital/cyber policy

Methodology

This course is conducted online over a period of four weeks. It is based on a collaborative approach to learning, involving a high level of interaction. Reading materials and tools for the interaction are provided through an online classroom. Each week, the participants – at their own pace – read lecture texts and watch videos, and add their comments, references, and questions. Course facilitators and participants read and respond, creating asynchronous interaction. At the end of each week, participants meet course facilitators and thematic experts for an hour-long audio-video session to discuss the week’s topic. The participants will require a minimum of 4-6 hours of study time per week at their own pace. Groups are limited to a maximum of 30 participants. At the end of the course, Participants who complete the course receive a certificate of completion (subject to fulfilling assessment criteria). This course will be offered in English and French (with the assistance of automatic translation tools embedded in the learning classroom).

Dates

The course will be launched on 6 May 2024, allowing a few days to get acquainted with the classroom, the learning methodology and the group. Learning activities will start on 9 May 2024, and end on 13 June 2024.

Schedule