About
The Cybersecurity Diplomacy online course aims to equip diplomats of the African Union states with the knowledge and skills to follow cybersecurity negotiations at the UN and act effectively to shape and implement the UN framework of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace and the regional cyber norms and confidence-building measures. The course will run from 25 January to 7 February 2025.
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 2-week online course on Cybersecurity Diplomacy outlines the existing UN framework of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace agreed upon 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 the OEWG and the relevance for Africa. It aims to assist African representatives to the UN in New York to contribute more effectively to the related institutional dialogue – the OEWG, and the likely future negotiation mechanism.
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 African 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 OEWG, other UN processes and regional frameworks, as well as the broader thematic and diplomatic context
- To identify multilateral and multistakeholder political processes that shape global and regional cybersecurity political agenda, and unpack the working modalities and diplomacy around the OEWG and the future of the institutional dialogue
- 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 OEWG and future UN processes around strategic digital/cyber policy of relevance for Africa
Methodology
This course is conducted online over a period of two 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 approximately 4-5 hours of study time per week at their own pace. The classroom group is 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 only.
Dates
The course will be officially launched on 23 January 2025, allowing two days to get acquainted with the classroom, the learning methodology and the group. Learning activities will start on 25 January 2025, and end on 7 February 2025.
How to apply
Fill out the short form to start your application process for this course. You will receive an instruction email on how to continue.
Schedule
| Date | Module |
| 23-25 January 2025 24 January, 9-10 EST: Orientation class meeting (optional) | Orientation days (participants getting acquainted with the online classroom and methodology) |
| 25-31 January 2025 31 January, 9-10 EST: Class meeting 1 | Module 1: Framework for Responsible State Behaviour (applicability of international law, cyber-norms, confidence-building measures, capacity building) |
| 1-7 February 2025 7 February, 9-10 EST: Class meeting 2 | Module 2: Diplomatic Process (OEWG and the institutional dialogue, other multilateral, regional and multistakeholder processes) |