WINTER SEMINAR 2021
DIGITAL DIPLOMACY & NEGOTIATION

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit us all in our own unique ways. To mitigate the spread of the corona virus and alleviate some of its consequences governments have been requesting their citizens to work from home whenever possible. Surely, this has opened up the wonderful world of working comfortably in your pyjama’s, but online communication also seriously impedes the quality of human communication. In the diplomatic world, ambassadors are challenged with navigating online-negotiations as international politics continue and decisions remain to be taken. How do diplomats ensure negotiations run smoothly? 

 

The winter seminar of 2021 offered insights into this question through both a theoretical and practical approach. Along with introducing our students to general concepts of diplomacy and negotiation, special attention was dedicated to understanding how digitisation impacts the world of international negotiations. As our lives become increasingly online, new hazards to successful international relations like digital misinformation and cybercrime emerge. How can a negotiation still be successful in the midst of this digital negotiation arena? 

 

The program of 2021 included speakers like Paul Meerts, Corneliu Bjola, Heli Tiirmaa-Klaar, Hans van den Berg and three practicing diplomats. Students were offered the opportunity to expand their (international) network with networking sessions and practice their skills in a newly developed diplomatic simulation. Participants represented a country or an international organisation and were expected to prepare a position, and negotiate an agreement.