8 Mar, 2021
Online
ITU Women in Cyber: Launch event
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) and EQUALS, the global partnership for gender equality in the digital age of which ITU is a co-founder, jointly organize the Women in Cyber Mentorship Programme for empowering women in the cybersecurity sector. The programme engages role models and leaders in this field, and connects them with talented women worldwide.
The programme will feature guided monthly mentorship circles, with supporting activities including a series of inspirational keynotes and technical and soft skills training courses. It is open to women working in cybersecurity at junior levels, as well as women in ICT/STEM seeking to enter the cybersecurity workforce. It aims to shift the mentality and tackle systemic barriers that prevent broader inclusion in the cybersecurity field, encourage women to take on leadership roles in cybersecurity, and promote knowledge sharing of professional best practices.
The inaugural rollout will run in the Africa and Arab regions from March to August 2021, fully virtual, with the launch taking place on 8 March 2021, at the occasion of International Women’s Day.
2 Mar, 2021
Online
2021: The emergence of digital foreign policy
All countries, albeit with differences in emphasis depending on their circumstances and capabilities, recognise that digitisation plays a role in foreign policy. In the age of digitisation, diplomacy is shifting and adapting. Some countries have launched comprehensive digital foreign policy strategies, others have instantiated dedicated positions such as cyber ambassadors or tech envoys. With existing developments coming to fruition and new developments taking shape, we believe that 2021 is the year where we will see digital foreign policy emerge fully.
Aims of the event -
Mapping: What is the current situation regarding countries’ digital foreign policy strategies? What other documents are particularly relevant and what are the different approaches taken by countries?
Analysing: What shape do digital foreign policy strategies take? What is the institutional setting supporting them?
Indicating best practices: What can we learn from these strategies and the approaches of various countries regarding their digital foreign policy? What advice can we give to countries seeking to develop such strategies and implementing their digital foreign policies?
Themes & Topics
Organisation
25 Feb, 2021
Online
OEWG Multi-stakeholder Exchange
Over the past two years the United Nations Open-ended working group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security (OEWG) has been discussing issues of critical importance to international security and stability. In January this year, the OEWG Chair published the Zero Draft of its mandated Report, based on those important conversations.
Following the success of the Intersessional Multi-Stakeholder Meeting in 2019 and the Informal Multi-Stakeholder Virtual Dialogue Series in December 2020, we want to engage the multi-stakeholder community again to discuss the latest draft. The consultations, taking place on 25th February (8am-Noon EST), will provide an opportunity for non-governmental organizations to highlight their views to government representatives ahead of the next round of discussions, and will focus on each of the six topics that the report touches on.
25 Feb, 2021
United States
Informal Multistakeholder Consultation on OEWG Zero Draft Report
Ahead of the third and final substantive session of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) between 8-12 March 2021, the informal multistakeholder consultation on the Zero Draft Report will take place online on 25 February.
22 Feb, 2021
Online
First Open Consultations and Multistakeholder Advisory Group Meeting (MAG)
In response to input from the IGF community a call for issues was launched in December 2020 with a deadline of 31 January 2021. Over 230 responses produced a set of issues. Some were indeed specific which is what was hoped for. These were clustered into seven areas and then prioritised by the MAG. After reviewing the issues and following the goals for a more focused IGF, it was decided on two main focus areas and four cross-cutting and emerging issue areas. This ‘issue-driven’ approach allowed to work with fewer issues treated in greater depth.
Following the advice of the MAG Working Group on IGF Strengthening and Strategy, that the “greater impact can be achieved by dealing with fewer policy issues in greater depth, making sure that relevant stakeholders participate in discussing these issues, and that the outcomes of the discussions are communicated effectively and strategically”, the issue-driven approach is expected to facilitate the creation of more focused and structured IGF outputs, including the “key messages”.
The MAG identified two 'baskets of issues': a ‘main focus area’ with only two issue areas, and an ‘emerging and cross cutting issue’ basket with four issue areas. This is intended to enable a more focused IGF, while at the same time keeping the IGF open for new and emerging issues and to give participants choice. A rough allocation of time/percentage of sessions has been proposed for each basket but MAG members felt that allocation within each basket should be flexible. A final decision on allocation of time/sessions can be made at a later stage, taking the quality and nature of proposals into account.
Organisers of the High-level Leaders and Parliamentary Tracks will be invited to also focus on these issue areas. NRIs, BPFs, DCs and PNs will also be invited to consider addressing these issues.
2021 IGF Main focus areas (outcome focused) with 60% estimated time allocation
- Economic and social inclusion and human rights
- Universal access and meaningful connectivity
2021 IGF Emerging and Cross-cutting issues (discussion driven) with 40% estimated time allocation
- Emerging regulation: market structure, content, data and consumer/users rights regulation
- Environmental sustainability and climate change
- Inclusive IG ecosystems and digital cooperation
- Trust, security, stability
19 Feb, 2021
Washington, DC, United States
TPRC48: Research Conference on Communications, Information and Internet Policy
Every year, TPRC brings together a diverse, international group of researchers from academia, industry, government, and nonprofit organizations to challenge each other’s ideas and to interact with policy makers and members of the private sector. The conference format consists of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and paper presentations, all with audience interaction.
16 Feb, 2021
Online
The sub-Saharan African cybersecurity ‘parabellum’ – User Data Protection & Privacy
A C3SA - GCSCC - OCSC Constellation webinar - to show interest, send email to: c3sa@uct.ac.za
11 Feb, 2021
Online
Launch of UNIDIR report: “Gender Approaches to Cybersecurity: Design, Defence and Response”
The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is pleased to invite you to an online event on the launch of the report “Gender Approaches to Cybersecurity: Design, Defence and Response”.
Panelists will uncover gendered dynamics and assumptions that are prevalent in the field of cybersecurity, such as online-based harassment and violence; gender stereotyping in threat modelling; women’s participation in the cyber workforce; gender discrimination cybersecurity investigations.
The event will feature a presentation from the authors of the report, followed by expert comments from representatives of international organizations, Member States and civil society, as well as a Q&A with the audience.
Participants are encouraged to come prepared to discuss concrete recommendations for the incorporation of gender considerations throughout international cybersecurity policy and practice.
9 - 10 Feb, 2021
Online, Estonia
Tallinn Winter School of Cyber Diplomacy
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will organise the Tallinn Winter School of Cyber Diplomacy on 9-10 February 2021 (14:00-17:30 CET). The virtual and interactive Winter School will feature lectures and panel discussions by current and former cyber diplomats as well as experts from leading think tanks, academia and institutions.
The event is the latest iteration of the Estonian MFA’s training series on cyber issues in foreign policy, following the success of Cyber Diplomacy Summer School of 2019 and the Cyber Diplomacy Virtual Master Class of 2020. The two-day training programme will cover best practices of cyber norms implementation, the applicability of international law in cyberspace, and confidence and capacity building measures.
The event will be open to a global audience and can be viewed live without prior registration. Viewing information will follow in due course on this website.
In case of any questions, please get in touch via cyberschool@mfa.ee.
28 Jan, 2021
Online
WEF Davos Agenda 2021 – Building a healthier internet: lessons from fighting covid-19 misinformation
Can we use a pilot project on public health messaging to fight misinformation and create healthier public conversation? Join this workshop-style session to generate ideas on how to broaden the approach.
