Internet in a bad light? --- Good discussion here, Ndeye and Bennette. Just to provoke the arguments further: Aren't we however painting the internet in a bad light? Let me illustrate:

• Nowadays there are good educational apps that help children learn basic things like colours and numbers. Shouldn't parents take advantage of these tools?
• Plus, in reality, technology will be a constant in children's lives more than it has been for their parents. Shouldn't children start learning about technology, in a safe way, when they're still young?
• In some countries, primary schoolchildren are being taught how to code. Is this a bad practice then?

Source author: Stephanie Borg Psaila StephanieP@diplomacy.edu

Re: risks for children --- Good questions here. Let's not forget, though, that a lot of parents are themselves unaware of the risks which children face. Think of parents who have never used a laptop, or those who use their mobile phones to simply make calls. It's not that far-fetched...

Source author: Stephanie Borg Psaila StephanieP@diplomacy.edu

Sesame Street --- Sesame Street figured out how to entertain children with quality programming on TV over 50 years ago! Children all around the world, including myself, benefitted from this so this approach is certainly laudable and doable.

Source author: Scott Spence scott.a.spence@gmail.com

controls --- Children can be more tech savy than parents. Many parents may not take the time to learn how to apply content filters on common applications such as youtube, internet browsers etc. Educating the adults and children are essential to reduce the risks.

Source author: Shabanah Mustapha shabanah.mustapha@igovtt.tt

Should we develop a phone for kids --- What about if there were a phone for kids, with a close OS, parental control over the internet, and if they need to install an application they should ask for parent permission? I guess there are a few options on the market, are they enough?

Source author: Iván Arnulfo Fernández Hernández administracionini01@sre.gob.mx

Opportunities --- exposure to these e-learning devices can build digital skills and present many new opportunities however it may also lead to danger. Measures need to be implemented to safeguard children, this is not limited to monitoring the content accessed to prevent abuse, cyberbully etc but measures to control lengthy unnecessary access and promote a proper life balance e.g. physical activities, social engagements with parents and families

Source author: Shabanah Mustapha shabanah.mustapha@igovtt.tt

Implementing principles --- Here is why self-regulation will never work if companies who benefit from CASM traffic including those major BIG TECHs. Below is an extract from WEPROTECT Alliance on the very principles the ISPs seek to introduce against child abuse and exploitation: they have a disclaimer that ISPs may have endorsed the principles in theory but that does not mean automatic implementation of those very principles that they agreed upon; and may I add no enforcement mechanisms either

The companies which have endorsed the Voluntary Principles have been listed on this page in the interests of improved transparency and accountability. Their inclusion does not automatically infer that the companies have implemented the principles.

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

social media guidelines --- @Mustafa It is for this reason that self regulation never works. Governments or watchdog agencies need to regulate these ISPs because their profits are obtained from public citizens and hence they ought to have an obligation to users - but that's not in their self interest; The example of the Facebook whistleblower as you rightly pointed out shows that these BIG TECH companies will only give a façade of doing something when behind closed doors they plan otherwise.

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

self-regulation --- Self-regulation is a non-starter as none of these industry players will agree to take a hit on profits due to heavy traffic from these activities - simply because their bottom-line is money and profits not people-centric.

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

international primary legal instruments --- How many countries have either acceded to or ratified and at the worst case, even heard or are knowledgeable of these international legal instruments on behalf of the child? some may actually know but their local legislation does not have an executing or implementation mechanism or modality to act on these laws.

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

Budapest Convention and child legislation --- The only challenge with the Budapest Convention with respect to child protection from criminal actors is that only about 60 countries have ratified the Convention. Thus, over 100 odd countries have not ratified or accede to the Convention thus creating another gap of vulnerability in these countries against child abuse and exploitation.

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

unsupervised internet --- The COVID-19 pandemic has indeed been a major facilitator of taking children online and away from the fundamental cognitive and emotional connections with other children of their peers. This lack of socialization can cause loneliness, insecurity and vulnerability of children especially those who enjoy the comradery of their friends. This indeed leads to children seeking online comfort and this is why I suggest that psycho-physical treatment and even spiritual support would be needed to reduce this dependence on technology

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

encryption and privacy --- Where data encryption is used to hide or disguise a criminal act, this becomes a challenge to law enforcement and threats to the child. Since encryption is usually permitted to protect one's data, it is perceived to be within one's personal domain and any violation is seen as a breach of personal privacy. Exceptions can be made where the origin of the encrypted data may be electronically tracked and designated as "suspicious sexual content" in the same way that triggers are used to track money laundering activities; once designated as such, the suspected data can be redirected to some other data repository for further analysis and legal action or even erased after use as evidence.

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

Human rights vs children's rights vs public good --- Internationally-recognized institutions like the UN have seen the need to develop human rights for all peoples as fundamental to the dignity of each person. Similarly these vulnerable children also have rights enshrined in the Rights of the Child. Should one's human right impinge on or violate the rights of another group of persons with impunity? or should there be the recognition that whatever laws are permitted within the public domain must be for the common good of all- and as such there must be some level of compromise where what we consider privacy laws may be restricted to some extent in the interest of the greater common good of the public; otherwise we will have irretractable laws where each side holds its position as supreme. This can only lead to anarchy and chaos.

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

Europe & CSAM --- @Nikolov. The simple reason is why Europe has the highest percentage of CSAM is due to the principles of democratic societies - freedom of expression, freedom of information, freedom of artistic expression etc. as you have indicated, the Eastern countries and their proxies seem to legislate more severely for these "artistic expressions" which they see (rightly or wrongly) as a danger to children. Case in point: phonography is legalized in many of the European countries *subject to correction) by definitely in the Netherlands. This significantly increase CSAM traffic as the study shows.

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

protection --- I would say that everyone needs protection. I want to underline that one of the main differences between adult or experienced users of the Internet and children or so-called "zoomers" is that the second are more unlikely to protect themselves online. So, the question is here in the ability to protect or just simply escape unwilling content online. In my opinion, age really matters in special cases, not while speaking in general.

Source author: Valerii Paziuk paziukvalerii@gmail.com

Role of CSO and the NSA --- Nowadays the child protection advocates found that the collaboration between the governments, NGOs, voluntary organisations and industry had impacted well the protection of the child online, as the government's laws only are not enough to reach the expected goals, but there is need to develop a comprehensive policy and strategy to increase the engagement of the of the non-State actors, and specially to monitor the compliance of the industry to fulfil their commitments towards children.

Source author: Mustafa Yaasin Sheik mysheik@hotmail.com

Socail Media guidelines --- The social media companies like Facebook alert us all the time that they developed safe community rules and guidelines, Safety features for children's and more restriction to the safety of the users but we know as the last Facebook whistleblower documents witnessed that the Facebook knew that the Instagram app is harmful to a number of teenagers, as the Instagram affects its young user, with an increasing number of teenage girls being most notably harmed some reported suicidal thoughts, some feel bad about their bodies, and the increased number of unremoved harmful contents.

Source author: Mustafa Yaasin Sheik mysheik@hotmail.com

Protecting the Children --- the government has also a responsibility here, so they should develop an adequate regulatory and institutional response to the threats to children’s safety and wellbeing online, in collaboration with the various actors and stakeholders on child online protection and the responsibility of the industry providers.

Source author: Mustafa Yaasin Sheik mysheik@hotmail.com

The problem continues to be quality entertainment... --- Be it tradicional TV or online content services, like YouTube or TikTok, the solution to children over exposure should be stemmed on the idea of producing quality entertainment rather than on restricting or forbidding services. If an educational program is boring, children will always prefer YouTube videos, just because they are entertaining for them. Enphasis then should be on production of quality -and hopefully entertaining- programming, instead of pushing such services underground.

Source author: Carlos García Delgrado cgarciad@sre.gob.mx

It's way more difficult that it appears --- Eventhough it´s true that parents should play a more active and engage role in their children safety and activities online, this is only part -however big or small- of the solution. It is true that parents are responsbile for buying devices and paying for access, but they usualy do not have much choice. Not buying certain device or seriously restricting its use, like an smartphone, is not the solution. Pretty soon you will find out that if you do that you will create a whole new series of problems, some of them with everlasting efects, like the feeling they get of being "left-out" or more seriously, the real problem of your kids not having access like their peers...

Source author: Carlos García Delgrado cgarciad@sre.gob.mx

the future is here --- I saw multiple movies about science fiction and always I wished to be real, now looks be here and we used it all the time. Video Games, VR, AR. What is next? are we ready for this new age in terms of security? are our kids safe?

Source author: Iván Arnulfo Fernández Hernández administracionini01@sre.gob.mx

disappearance of CSAM? --- If the disappearance of CASM led to the corresponding disappearance of site traffic and hence commercial activity and profits, is it too difficult to see that we live in a society that glorifies sexual content and hence profit over decency and life? How can we fix a problem that we glorify and enjoy? Its like asking a cat to protect cheese or a monkey to protect bananas

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

pornography and terminology --- The societal definition which seems to depict that pornography is sexual activity between consulting adults is incorrect. Before pornography was MADE legal by the authorities and various jurisdictions, it was considered first immoral and then illegal whether consensual or not. due to lobbying by certain groups and participants, it was modified and made acceptable (legal) within private homes and NOT for public use. The next step was complete legality and in public. Therefore phonograph is not in itself legal but authorities have made it legal and acceptable. Consequently this new definition has found its way into the legal system and hence the present dilemma we all face.

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

networks harboring online abusers --- The FBI, Interpol and other major law enforcement agencies and their respective governments have made terrorism and the selling of terrorism-related services criminal online. What is so difficult to do the same for child abusers or networks facilitating or harboring child abusers?

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

Addiction --- Sad but true...@Bennette, as you say, the addiction will remain and get worse, because each industry we know is getting more dependent on tech and connectivity (robots executing remote chirurgical operations, connected industry facilities, nuclear stations, ICT satelites, GPS, self driving cars). And humans of all ages, children, adults and seniors are becoming (if not already) continuously dependent on tech/internet. Is the concept of "transhumanism" inevitable? I'm afraid that in near future CSAM will become, so to say, a cyber problem, instead of a real world problem, and it could be treated as a computer virus, malware, or bug in the internet that needs attention of anti-virus or cybersecurity experts, whereas the real problem will remain somewhere there, faraway in the "offline" jungle, where the people of tomorrow will not go often.

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

risks alleviation for children online --- Clearly the rapid migration to online services exploited by the covid-19 pandemic has been a profit boom for many tech companies but a nightmare in many aspects to parents and children who have to deal with a totally new way of learning and providing the necessary support and services to meet the learning objectives of their children. Since tech companies and device makers are profiting from the pandemic-led modality, why not devise specifically adapted laptops, tablets etc. with specific apps for online protection targeting children - These devices can be so designed with specific anti-virus software of common programs targeting children or filtering applications to block or disable specific or certain websites of an offensive nature to children, etc.,

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

Communication --- When kids use internet, they do it often in isolation, which increases the risks and the possibility of harm. If we see the kid jumping from the roof, we as parents or neighbours can intervene. When they are surfing on the internet, we don't know if they are studying, watching movies, chatting with friends or hacking a nuclear power plant. It's clear that communication seems the only way to prevent harm without limiting their freedom or invading too much their privacy.

Source author: Guillaume Michel Blin gmichel@sre.gob.mx

platform for children --- The major corporations have simply thrown away their responsibilities to parents and hide behind the fact that they cannot know which users are children or adult behind a screen. Why not develop an Instagram or Flickr or rBay etc for kids? or place alerts indicating such sites are not for children ages x to y? at least this would show some level of concern? Recent disclosures have shown that Facebook was aware that Instagram had a negative effect on children or that persons were more likely to visit a site espousing violence and hate; therefore if the willingness and commitment is there to protect children online, Big Tech can devise ways to assist but their focus is profits not people. They have the knowledge and technology to avert the present situation but it would be counter-productive to their bottom-line - money.

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

overprotect --- @Nikolov summed it correctly. is the issue overprotection or overexposure? Should we ask our children to swim in waters filled with sharks and turn around and tell them be careful because these sharks attack adults? (far less for children)? should we experience a shark bite to know that shark bites are not only bad but can kill you too? children should be protected maybe "overprotected" if we as a society claim that they are not legally adults until a certain age. why not use the period of "overprotection" to keep them away from the internet and teach them standards, internet hygiene and yes, legal protection should they stray into "sharky" waters

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

Addiction --- And hence @Nikolov the saying “doctor heal yourself “ comes into play. How can the addicted seek a solution for a fellow addict as you have so excellently phrased it? Hence we are living a dream and these problems unfortunately will likely remain with us and may I say will get worse until/unless we are objectively serious with ourselves. Point in case- we saw the impact on the world when WhatsApp went off air for a few hours some weeks ago! It’s like the world stopped for the same outage period due to the addiction of our present day lifestyle on dependence on technology

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

Violence incaartoons --- @Nikolov. Couldn’t have said it better. Should there be consequences to developers or vendors who permit these cartoons? If it’s universally agreed that a particular substance is poisonous should it be allowed to be publicly sold ? Or is there a double standard- money before people?

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

Absurd --- @Scott, good point! This is really absurd. If you have HQ in one state and the statistic is such as it is....something is very wrong here.

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

Europe & CSAM --- Why is this the case? Any opinion? This is alarming...Does this imply that maybe strict legislation with serious criminal sanctions that exist in the "East" lead to CSAM involved cybercriminals to avoid such countries when the hosting is in question? What Europe/USA do wrong?

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

internet addiction --- Well, whether we like it or not, lets take ourselves as an example. Do we use internet daily? For how many hours per day? For how many years we have the same daily internet routines? Do we use our smartphones daily and take them with us everywhere even in the kitchen (where we take photographs of the food we eat) and in other rooms too, just to read the daily news or to have it closer if someone calls. How do we feel when we go outside (lets say to the supermarket) and we realize we forgot our phone!? Are our phones close to our beds when we go to sleep? I think the whole humanity is already addicted...Phones/devices became one separate digital human organ (as a kidney, heart, lungs). And we as humanity seek solution to the problem neglecting the fact that we are already addicted...The question is, can an addict find an effective remedy to his/her's own addiction? Finally, I will quote Einstein who once said "No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it."

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

The importance of talking --- Such a valuable ted talk and also example shared by John. It reminds me that the talking might not get people to agree, but it can help to create respect for the other, which can in try potentially avoid further violence and conflict.

Source author: Catherine Gearing cathgearing@gmail.com

So true --- Shane, you make a very important point. The smallest of gestures sometimes make the biggest difference. Also, a good portion of humility never can hurt.

Source author: Daniel Beaudoin beaudoin.dnl@gmail.com

Chopsticks --- Good one Emmanuel. You know that leaving your chopsticks upright within a bowl of food in Vietnam is also considered a bad omen?

Source author: Daniel Beaudoin beaudoin.dnl@gmail.com

Prepare for public speaking --- Exactly, John, and not only for HD.

Source author: Daniel Beaudoin beaudoin.dnl@gmail.com

Changing language? --- Cara, this reminds me of a document I came across which provides updated politically correct words to use.

Source author: Daniel Beaudoin beaudoin.dnl@gmail.com

Triangulation --- Maria, you make a very important point. Consider the ICRC's respected triangulation approach to it's reporting.

Source author: Daniel Beaudoin beaudoin.dnl@gmail.com

Young indeed --- Absolutely, Gerhard, and I like your emphasis on "young".

Source author: Daniel Beaudoin beaudoin.dnl@gmail.com

Customer satisfaction --- Anna, one measure or indicator may be the level of "customer" satisfaction?

Source author: Daniel Beaudoin beaudoin.dnl@gmail.com

Get their agreement first --- Anna, I very much agree, subject to the other side's agreement.

Source author: Daniel Beaudoin beaudoin.dnl@gmail.com

Off the record --- Thank you Ivy, Gerhard and John, it reminds me of a very uncomfortable situation when, 39 years ago, we were going to transfer, after lengthy negotiations, three Soviet prisonners in the hands of the Mudjaheddins in Afghanistan to Switzerland, in order to be detained there for a period of two years. The idea was to be allowed back to Kabul to have access to the Mudjaheddin prisonners in Pul-e Charkhi jail, the largest jail in Afghanistan. A British journalist I knew well had heard the story from another source, I asked him to sit on it until the end of the operation, which he did. But the then Swiss Foreign Minister leaked the story to the media. The British journalist never spoke to me again. Off the record is not always a good idea!

Source author: Jean-Michel Monod jmmonod@yahoo.com

The real bummer --- I know the feeling Anna, the real bummer being when nobody tells you in advance that your time is shorter than planned, then you start with confidence, and three minutes later you receive a piece of paper informing you that you have only one minute left !

Source author: Jean-Michel Monod jmmonod@yahoo.com

Attention span --- Of course Cara, also keeping in mind that nobody reads a note until the end !

Source author: Jean-Michel Monod jmmonod@yahoo.com

Time (again) --- Thank you for the link Ivy. This mean also that while we are negotiating, hoping for an immediate result, our interlocutors might be thinking in terms of the possible long term impact on the next generation !!

Source author: Jean-Michel Monod jmmonod@yahoo.com

Pecking order --- John, if the President of Switzerland goes on an official visit to Austria, the Austrian President will receive him at the airport. If the same Swiss President goes on a visit to Washington, Beijing or Moscow, odds are that the US, Chinese or Russian Foreign Ministers will receive him. But if Biden, Xi Jinping or Putin come to Bern, the Swiss President will be at the airport. This is normal procedure in the diplomatic world.

Source author: Jean-Michel Monod jmmonod@yahoo.com

Twitter --- Twitter has been used widely for risk and crisis communication in crisis /disaster response events. End users by self -organizing themselves disseminate crisis/disaster related information as a way to reassure other victims nd to help in relief activities.

Source author: Emmanuel Henry Pierre manniepierre@hotmail.com

Indicators important --- Because it may be very difficult to assess and evaluate the result of an action, depending on the lengthy processes and the fact that you cannot say for sure that it was your actions that caused the changes (apart from very concrete things like documents/MoUs etc), it should be very important to find good enough indicators along the way. It would be interesting to discuss more what these could be.

Source author: Anna Beijmo advocacy@forumongi-rdc.org

Pick up and transmit ideas --- It may be just as important to transmit other organizations messages (retweets etc.) on the same topic, and by doing that building an even stronger argumentation for a certain change to be made, to show that you are many who want to see the same change.

Source author: Anna Beijmo advocacy@forumongi-rdc.org

Lack of time --- It has happened to me several times that I have prepared a briefing paper for a presentation of 10 min and when entering the room being told that I only have one minute. Having being confronted with this situation a couple of times you always prepare for that situation, "if I only get one minute, what do I absolutely need to say".

Source author: Anna Beijmo advocacy@forumongi-rdc.org

Short and concise --- Especially to have high level people reading a document, it is my experience that any key points or a summary of what you want should come early on in the document. This may seem as the wrong order, as you may want to deliver the evidence and background first, but many times people won't take the time to read a lengthy background to get to the point.

Source author: Anna Beijmo advocacy@forumongi-rdc.org

Clear position --- It is often, specifically to reach busy high level people, essential to make your point very early on in the note.

Source author: Anna Beijmo advocacy@forumongi-rdc.org

Never give as gifts. --- Clocks should never be given to the Chinese of Thais as they symbolize the ticking away of time approaching demise . A bad omen to Arabs are owls. No pigskin items should be given to Moslems. Nearly everywhere overseas, a letter opener or knife is considered unlucky. Every possible precaution must be taken to against accidental insult.. If you insult an ambassador, you insult a nation.

Source author: Emmanuel Henry Pierre manniepierre@hotmail.com

Appropriate behaviour --- As true as this may be, I sometimes find too much of anxiety about protocol. E.g. incoming high level visits to my country where we are so afraid of doing the wrong/saying the wrong thing. Sometimes I believe that common sense, an open mind and a friendly appearance can often take you far, as this will probably mean that you also pay attention to context, what is acceptable and not.

Source author: Anna Beijmo advocacy@forumongi-rdc.org

Protocol as set of rules --- No wonder Ministries of foreign affairs often have full units only working with protocols for both incoming and outgoing visits between states.

Source author: Anna Beijmo advocacy@forumongi-rdc.org

Intercultural Training --- If one knows the basic rules of both protocol and etiquette it will help avoid embarrassing and uncomfortable situations. As more and more companies conduct business around the world, they find there is a greater need to acquire the basics in etiquette and protocol. The following example shows why it is necessary to know the rules and cultures of a country. A United States Chief of Staff for the First Lady in the White House ordered six dozen beautiful blue leather frames as a state gift for officials in India.. Each gift was embossed with the presidential seal. It was not the gifts were unpacked for presentation the the Chief of Staff discovered the frames were made of cowhide.. The cow is considered sacred in the country of India. Giving such gift to a Hindu could have caused an international incident.

Source author: Emmanuel Henry Pierre manniepierre@hotmail.com

ready at any time for HD --- I think, all our staff should have a minimum understanding of HD, all managers a minimum skill set on HD..... The "golden" opportunity to pass a message to key partners can appear at any time... a reception, an event at the embassy, a dinner, a field visit, a meeting, a coordination meeting, a flight,....

Source author: Gerhard Tauscher gerhardtoday@gmail.com

power of social medial --- my experience in using social media as a tool for advocacy when the medium used has strong and influential people the results are mostly good. The people following the story can contribute towards getting the intended goals.

Source author: Baboloki Tebatso baboloki20@gmail.com

measure governments understnding! --- Might be difficult to measure!

Source author: Gerhard Tauscher gerhardtoday@gmail.com

culture --- i agree that understanding the different cultures will enable Diplomats to appreaciate and recognized the diversity of each.

Source author: Baboloki Tebatso baboloki20@gmail.com

Social media experts needed --- I feel that this is such a complex field that it requires full time, young, experts in each organisation. How to post correctly to have the maximum reach, how to tag to reach the right audience, how to boost a post and get the stone rolling. In addition its a fast changing environment, which needs people dealing with it fully professionally.

Source author: Gerhard Tauscher gerhardtoday@gmail.com

debating classes --- I admire the anglophone world, where this is a part of the school curriculum. Public speaking and debating classes and competitions can shape talents. Unfortunately almost unknown in my home country!

Source author: Gerhard Tauscher gerhardtoday@gmail.com

long term relationship --- fully agreed, in addition "to develop long term relationship" with journalists is nice, but in reality, with the common rotation of staff, the short term contracts of, especially, emergency staff, difficult to achieve.

Source author: Gerhard Tauscher gerhardtoday@gmail.com

Not all data is equal-data needs to be checked --- In this video, one of the speakers point out the importance of data but also how this data has to be triangulate and see its reliability.

It is not all about a huge storm of data.

Source author: María Romero Pardo sohi1z1@hotmail.com

Security and data protection --- New technologies and online conferencing have allowed humanitarian actors and HDiplomats to continue their job in the COVID-19 situation. But this is just the promotion and spreading of a way of communicating already existing. The thing is that the COVID-19 situation has made this online conferencing the most common form of interaction and has highlighted the need of reinforcing cyber security within the organisations as this way of communication has led to new data protection challenges and other risks. It is important to see documents like the one mentioned here to push for the control of these risks and raise awareness on this fact.

Source author: María Romero Pardo sohi1z1@hotmail.com

common practice --- This is true .Even in our own organizations this happens. Sometimes delegating Junior staff to an important event.

Source author: John Lobor john.lobor@ssdredcross.org

off the record . --- If you are trained how to handle journalists, there is nothing called off the record. Don't be surprised if they call off the record later becomes part of the newscast. HD diplomats should not allude to off the record.

Source author: John Lobor john.lobor@ssdredcross.org

The waiting time. --- Common scenario in Africa in the Sub -Sahara Region. Time is not an issue if coming for official business. Patience is the way forward.

Source author: John Lobor john.lobor@ssdredcross.org

Press release. --- in June this year i signed a press release which condemned group of youth who assaulted some Volunteers while carrying out their duties. Within a matter of hours following the press release, i was overwhelmed by the number of media houses who wanted to get the story from me directly. We were well prepared with our media team and were able to handle the interviews professionally.

Source author: John Lobor john.lobor@ssdredcross.org

Gender Protocol --- This is line with respecting different cultural norms. This very important for HD

Source author: John Lobor john.lobor@ssdredcross.org

Social media for crisis response. --- From TEDx2 talk, we have seen how the social media has evolved from sms to now other social media platforms which have become very useful in crisis response . I total agree with him that sometimes the humanitarian actors misplace the priotise of the vulnerable . In Haiti people were more interested to be connected first to their relatives, fiends an neighbors than getting assistance.

Source author: John Lobor john.lobor@ssdredcross.org

Style guides --- Most organisations have a style guide or comms guide advising what type of words/phrases/language use, what to avoid, the layout of the document etc. I find it useful to review previous documents/briefings/reports to see how language has been used. Often even if reports are written by different individual staff members, they need to be seen as coming from the organisation rather than the individual and therefore be relatively uniform in style

Source author: Cara Ceriani caraceriani@hotmail.com

Hierarchy of issues raised --- When writing reports on issues of humanitarian concern addressed to authorities I always raise the biggest/most serious issues first in the report to emphasize their importance. The issues raised last are often ongoing issues that have been raised previously.

Source author: Cara Ceriani caraceriani@hotmail.com

Speaker needs good knowledge of the occasion. --- Preparation is key in Public speaking. There are instances where invited guest speakers have gone out of their way and provided messages that are not related to the occasions. For HD it is important to be guided by technical people while drafting your speech for a Public speech .

Source author: John Lobor john.lobor@ssdredcross.org

Social media played a critical role --- Social media is a double sword , has been used for good purposes by Humanitarian and Scientist but has become a source of misinformation, hate speech and a means of mobilization for some political leaders to promote conflicts.

Source author: John Lobor john.lobor@ssdredcross.org

Making allies. --- I gree ,, the best option is to have a staff at the Organizations HQs who is trained and handles all matters related to protocol and can also provide guidance to offices in the field.

Source author: John Lobor john.lobor@ssdredcross.org

Fully agree with this --- I found this technique is very important and it really work. For few time I have been deployed to support emergency response during large emergency in the Philippine. With those missions, I often spend time with local staffs such as going for dinner or meal or having snacks time with them and learn how to practice and behave when we meet with government official. It really helps.

Source author: Samban Seng sengsamban@gmail.com

Seat arrangement is critical --- I have had a similar experience as you have described your case. In 2019, I engaged in organizing a regional event of veteran association in Southeast Asia. During the final dinner event, one country delegation was placed much far from other at far from the stage. With this, the country was complaining about it and finally it has to be rearranged follows their request.

Source author: Samban Seng sengsamban@gmail.com

This is a common practice --- I have seen such case very often in my work. When something is not much interested or there is less intention in it, then junior staff is sent to that particular event/engagement

Source author: Samban Seng sengsamban@gmail.com

Culture, influents the result of HD --- According to experience it is clear that as HDiplomat, there is a critical need to be aware of culture in different contexts because this will play critical role in ensuring the effectiveness of our HD.

Source author: Samban Seng sengsamban@gmail.com

Perfect! --- I totally agree with you Petru. I wonder what would happen if politicians spoke "their truth." Perhaps their ethos would go through the roof and it might buttress them during the inevitable challenges any president faces. I doubt Ghandi or Martin Luther King had speechwriters as they spoke their truth, were beloved and moved nations.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

Sustained by faith --- A nod to religion - shared aspirations (invoking the Wll of God) similar to Obama's "crescendo" conclusion.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

answered the call of history --- Shared aspirations

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

story that inspires us --- the foregoing assertions were to compare with good and evil - connotation/inference - the former adminstration along with creating an image of inspiration and hope for the American people.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

They did their duty --- The image is of sacrifice, thus appealing to emotions.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

sacred oath --- Isn't it implied/inferred that an oath is supposed to sacred? Semantics.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

our children's children --- Figurative language inferring a moral compass regarding the lives of the children of the future.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

a time for boldnes --- Aspirational assertion.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

power of our example --- Quote borrowed from President Clinton's speech.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

trusted partner --- Due to recent world events, this assertion might be in question!

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

attack on democracy and on truth --- Foregrounding democracy and truth as compared to the former administration. Appeal to the "ingroup."

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

Agreed Blanca --- Again, defeats his assertions of unity!

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

perennial values --- Connotation of American greatness.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

leading the force for good in the world --- American exceptionalism - perennial values, force of tradition - Precedent.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

In this case, I believe the "we" --- would count for "inclusivity."

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

I agree Petru --- I counted at least 8 times! Yet when he mentions domestic terrorism and whitesupremacists, it hardly helps his "unity" asperations...indeed, I suggest it hinders them!

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

My whole soul is in it --- Use of quotations to legitimize his own beliefs.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

more challenging or difficult --- Connotation that he's up for the challenge!

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

President Carter --- Appeal to authority. Aligning himself with the life-long achievements of President Carter. Likewise, G.Washington, M.L.King which give him a frame of reference in proposing his resemblance to their "wisdom, authority and charisma."

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

But we still have far to go --- Here again - Not X but Y - double assertion.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

...but on all of us --- Not X but Y followed by the "double assertion."

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

democracy has prevailed --- Foregrounding "democracy" as in the lesson : "in order to influence the (of moral) understanding of the situation.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

Gloss over the fact that Trump wasn't present --- Biden generalizes in saying "both parties." It was an attempt at Clusivity where he takes credit for it as being such a popular choice.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

@Bi and all: Joe Biden or Vinnay Reddy --- Now, a moment of truth, please!

We read the speech of President Biden like it is the speech of President Biden. It is not!

I found out that, indeed, it was not Biljana Scott who wrote the speech. It is Vinnay Reddy.

As civilized persons, we accept a conventional arrangments by attributing a speech pronounced by a stateman to that stateman, knowing that we cover a sort of lie.

I propose that we sent the transcript of our comments to Vinnay Reddy, not to President Biden, who is to busy trying to implement what Vinnay Reddy promised in (his) speech.

Source author: Petru Dumitriu PetruD@diplomacy.edu

🤷🏻‍♂️ --- I'm not too sure about how it sounds, but I'm terms of rolling back the agenda it somehow strikes me as a great phrase.

Source author: André Xuereb andre.xuereb@um.edu.mt

Hmmm... --- Maybe I was over thinking it but it does play very much into the narrative of the US as the nation that can solve global problems.

Source author: André Xuereb andre.xuereb@um.edu.mt

@Bi: kairos --- Thank you, Bi, for this new (for me) concept. I may make an use of it. I noticed, for example, that almost each major statement of the Secretaries-General of the United Nations has a kairos in it. They all claim the kairos, the pressing need, the unprecedented circumstance, the inflexion point, and their duty to handle the moment. Plenty of ... kairos.

I guess that the Presidents of the United States had also their ... kairos. Let us remember! Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II, Obama. Not difficult to find their collection of ... kairos

Source author: Petru Dumitriu PetruD@diplomacy.edu

@Bi: cries, songs. No, woman, no cry! --- To be honest literally I had in mind Janis Joplin, whose songs are really cries. One song is “Cry baby” but it is true that it is about crying as “weeping” than crying as “calling out”. I admit, spontaneous mental association are not necessarily very precise.

I also thought of Bob Dylan with “The times there are a changin’” “Hurricane”, “Blowing in the wind”, “A hard rain’s a gonna fall”.

There is also that militant music, assumed as such. (See)(Hear) Bob Marley, “The redemption song” or “The strange fruit” of Billie Holiday.

So it’s all about the “cries” for social justice or for environmental protection as expressed by music.

There is pathos in political speeches of people in power, including this one, which is less credible than the pathos expressed by art.

I found that other people have grouped songs under such categories.

https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/social-justice-songs/

https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/tackle-climate-change/climate-change-stories/climate-change-songs/ Source author: Petru Dumitriu <PetruD@diplomacy.edu>

3 meanings of "here" --- Well noted! The referent of 'here' is spatial (where he and his audience actually stand at that moment), metaphorical (where they stand in their beliefs and in the arc of history) and temporal (where they stand at this moment in recent events)

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Presupposition --- The verb "reject' is another presupposition trigger that alerts us to the current or potential state that we need to distance ourselves from. the rest of this section covertly attacks Trump's behaviour and legacy. The comparative 'better' similarly presupposes the state of affairs that we are comparing ourselves against.

("we" being used loosely here as I don't actually include myself in what he is saying!)

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Kairos --- I would add 'kairos' to your 'perhaps more': "We must meet this moment..."

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

The good against the bad --- My understanding too! I see in these contrasts an implied attack on Trump's heritage too

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Damp fuse --- It sounds like a lacklustre version of MAGA to my ear!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

The Sorcerer's apprentice --- You both made me laugh with these comments. They're only grouped in 3s on the page! but I agree, they work well in rousing our emotions and appealing to our sense of righteousness, even if the images we have in mind are cartoon like!

Notice once again the implied, rather than overt, contrast with Trump's administration, its legacy here alluded to as the enemy.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Are there any other such words? --- "Clusivity' is just the neutral morpheme between in- and exclusive. Just as 'cline' is the default between incline and decline. I've only ever seen hem written, not heard them spoken.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Was Biden's delivery effective? --- How did you react to Biden's delivery on TV? Was it rousing? Were you moved?

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Songs? --- Interesting, I didn't pick up on this allusion. Do you have any particular cries in mind?

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Presuppositions --- Repair, Restore and Heal are all change of state verbs which presuppose that the previous state was broken, knocked over and unwell.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

The temporal elasticity of 'much to do' --- Well noted! Noice also that this expression buys the administration flexibility: there will be no instant results, progress takes time.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Tell us more, please! --- Do you mean this expression is exclusive to America?

Every group defines itself as distinct from others. Given that this is an American election it is appropriate that he outline the defining characteristics of Americans, not any other people.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Tell me more, please! --- Do you mean this expression is exclusive to America?

Every group defines itself as distinct from others. Given that this is an American election it is appropriate that he outline the defining characteristics of Americans, not any other people.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

NOT X BUT Y --- I really enjoy these Not X but Y constructions where the contrast is drawn between the connotations of the two terms under discussion. Once the premise is set, the speaker can then elaborate on the theme of, in this case, what he means by 'a cause'. Once again, an implied contrast with Trump is being made, for Trump's egocentrism would justify the claim that he was acting for himself, and that he saw his election s his personal victory.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Implied contrast throughout --- Well noted! Unity is the driving theme, and in the spirit of unity, Bidden does not name and shame Trump but simply alludes by means of contrast that this new era is one of unity rather than division.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Contrast and kairos --- This appeal to emotions and clusivity also plays on opportune timing and the necessity for us, the righteous, to pull together and vanquish over them, the wrongdoers.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Typcasting --- Surely he wont pass at an attempt to boast about being the perceived 'leader of the free world'. In this speech he shows that they will remain once again as the beacon that the rest of the world will follow. (gone are the days) :)

Source author: Hervé Pool erve619@gmail.com

Typecasting --- Using 'riotous mob' to personify the supporters of President Trump who stormed the US Capitol.

Source author: Hervé Pool erve619@gmail.com

Assertion -"But the fact is"I (s this really a fact?) --- Because of the USA's perceived statute, he tries to persuade/convince the world that they must and should bear the responsibility of tackling all of this at once.

Source author: Hervé Pool erve619@gmail.com

Clusivity --- To all those who did not support US, let ME say this this: Hear ME out as WE move forward. Take a measure of ME and MY heart.

Source author: Hervé Pool erve619@gmail.com

@André: the Olympic spirit --- For me the most important thing in this course is not passing but taking part. The pleasure of learning new things about language exceeds the satisfaction to get a certificate.

However, I will leave three entries.....

Source author: Petru Dumitriu PetruD@diplomacy.edu

That's one assertive assertion... --- ... mixed in with appeal to emotion and perhaps more.

Source author: André Xuereb andre.xuereb@um.edu.mt

MAGA! --- This is a brilliant co-option of Trump's slogan, with the nationalistic "great" replaced a couple of words down the line by the morally superior "good." I consider this a use of semantic categories.

Source author: André Xuereb andre.xuereb@um.edu.mt

Beautifully musical --- The law of threes really works wonders in contexts like this. One can almost feel the chest thumping.

Source author: André Xuereb andre.xuereb@um.edu.mt

Delivery? --- Context is king, and I'd argue that this is one part of the speech that is particularly "made for TV," so to speak. In written form, I agree, it comes across as over the top.

Source author: André Xuereb andre.xuereb@um.edu.mt

Redress and clusivity --- Here we have an appeal to overcome the divisions between the two parties and simultaneously set those present apart from Trump, who was conspicuous in his absence.

Source author: André Xuereb andre.xuereb@um.edu.mt

Clusivity --- Well, I would argue that one could call this EXclusivity.

Source author: André Xuereb andre.xuereb@um.edu.mt

Appeal to emotions --- It's clear that no one needed reminding about the attempted coup, but its explicit mention serves to stir emotions.

Source author: André Xuereb andre.xuereb@um.edu.mt

Clusivity --- We are being given credit for bringing forth this change to America.

Source author: André Xuereb andre.xuereb@um.edu.mt

Don't forget to leave three HTs --- If you want to pass this class, Petru.

Source author: André Xuereb andre.xuereb@um.edu.mt

Not X but Y? --- The first two lines of this speech read, to me at least, as somewhat preemptive, implicitly hinting that democracy and America had been sidelined during the preceding four years.

Source author: André Xuereb andre.xuereb@um.edu.mt

Economic diplomacy growing power --- Mexico’s diplomatic staff was composed of lawyers during the 80s. They were displaced in the 90s by technocrats, particularly since Carlos Salinas de Gortari’ administration. Economic diplomacy issues in international fora acquired then greater importance (UNCTAD, OMC, OECD) than the traditional Ambassador’s speech at the UN containing subjects such as non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, international peace and security, the fight against terrorism, the reduction of small arms and light weapons. Nowadays this has been reinforced by adding an economic-commercial portfolio to MFA's departments of multilateral affairs. In that sense, economic diplomacy has displaced at least in Mexico, the relevance of traditional diplomatic tasks.

Source author: Cecilia Treemonisha Barros Ruiz cbarros@sre.gob.mx

LE's multitask functions --- I agree Judah. In addition to your comments, LE staff is frequently engaged in multi-task functions. It seems to me staff members should be given more training and tools to work on economic issues instead of doing administrative work, at least in Mexico's consular network in the US (50 Consular offices).

Source author: Cecilia Treemonisha Barros Ruiz cbarros@sre.gob.mx

Franco-Mexican Strategic Council (CSFM) --- One of the most important initiatives promoted by the Economic Section of the Embassy of Mexico in France was the Franco-Mexican Strategic Council (CSFM) created in 2013, ahead of the visits that the French and Mexican presidents made to both countries in 2014 and 2015. Composed of around sixty French and Mexican personalities from civil society, the private sector and the institutional world, it is an original and unique body: its vocation is to give birth to new ideas and to give impetus to the bilateral relationship . The Franco-Mexican Strategic Council's mission is to identify and implement concrete projects: cross-investments and economic partnerships, scientific, cultural and educational cooperation,

Climate change and sustainable development, innovation, health and education are today working subjects for this renewed Franco-Mexican cooperation.

Source author: Cecilia Treemonisha Barros Ruiz cbarros@sre.gob.mx

Czech Repubilc economic lectures --- What will be the main economic issues about Czech Republic discussed in this lecture? It will be interesting to understand the importance of this training as an example for other MFO's. Mexico has its own permanent diplomatic training service. The Matías Romero Institute.

Source author: Cecilia Treemonisha Barros Ruiz cbarros@sre.gob.mx

Economic diplomacy diversification --- Fortunately, the Mexican Foreign Service carries out tasks on both economic and commercial diplomacy, not only in the Embassy Economic Section but also in Consular offices in the US and around the world which strengthens Mexico’s capability to attract FDI.

Source author: Cecilia Treemonisha Barros Ruiz cbarros@sre.gob.mx

LE staff --- It is true, locally recruited Staff can be very useful in the Economic section of the Embassy. their understanding of the local culture, economy, language usually comes in handy. However Commercial officers must engage with them with caution as most of these officers are always on the move for greener pastures in better paying Embassies

Source author: Lapologang Judah lapoduna@gmail.com

Foreign Service Institute --- For some years, Botswana has been trying to set up a Foreign Service Institute to train/ upskill diplomatic staff without success, partly due to budgetary constraints. Is it not time that SADC countries join efforts and explore setting up a regional Foreign Service Institute? I am not sure if other SADC countries have the Institute save for South Africa

Source author: Lapologang Judah lapoduna@gmail.com

True --- Sometimes, they even add economic, commercial ad cultural in one section.

Source author: Ndeye Gnagna Kone gnagna.pro@gmail.com

Analogy --- I think the clear yet complementary dichotomy in 'report' and 'promote' between ED and CD works could be understood as one in Communication vs Marketing. The latter will get you to buy a product and love a brand (selling/trade), the first will get you to understand the brand and refrains you from hating its products even when you are likely to have legit reasons to do so (favoring ecosystems where the sales/business have to take place).

Source author: Ndeye Gnagna Kone gnagna.pro@gmail.com

Program/projects --- I tend to agree with this definition. From my understanding, we could see ED as the Programmes and EC as the specific results driven Projects. Both encompass the same concerns yet have different yet complementary ways and responsibilities.

Source author: Ndeye Gnagna Kone gnagna.pro@gmail.com

Trick --- This is when things get tricky as such "economic advices" to the receiving state can sometimes become "conditions" under which X or Y will be or not done. For sure, the power dynamics set the tone of the "advices".

Source author: Ndeye Gnagna Kone gnagna.pro@gmail.com

India also has at just about 5 places an 'Economic Wing'... --- ...separate from its 'Commercial Section', but this actually hides a organizational divide. The former exclusively hosts officials from the Finance Ministry, who engage with the WB, IMF and other international organizations, like the Asian Dev Bank (in the past they also handled aid related work -- fortunately that work is now much reduced). The commercial section or wing handles all bilateral eco promotion work....But overall, it is redundant to separate eco and commercial work, in my view.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

Division --- Most Developing countries do not have the luxury to separate commercial diplomacy from Economic diplomacy. One officer is usually deployed to cover both mandates to save costs. where possible the substantive diplomat is assisted by Locally recruited staff

Source author: Lapologang Judah lapoduna@gmail.com

Vaccines nationalism --- One of the reasons for vaccine nationalism is that multilateralism has not really worked during this crisis. Strong multilateralism would have allowed temporary lifting of trade agreements (TRIPS) to allow most countries to manufacture vaccines against COVID 19

Source author: Désiré NEBOUA dneboua@yahoo.fr

I think it is very difficult to explain with science --- I believe evidence-based scientific reports can make people trust science. But there will be a lengthy report and need to think about terminologies, and professional words need to take more time.

Or we can think about how to teach a journalist to write a short paragraph to explain the science issues.

Source author: YingChu Chen jungheng@gmail.com

A good idea --- The multistakeholder from the grassroots is always an ideal solution. But sometimes, they have different perspectives and use different terminology.

Source author: YingChu Chen jungheng@gmail.com

Missing skills in the Science Diplomats profile outlined by Lorenzo Melchor --- It is absolutely necessary for Science Diplomats to be able to liaise with any kind of stakeholders (governments, civil societies, local/traditional/indigenous communities, academy, private sector etc.), at all levels, from the local to the global ones. It could be defined as "Ability to effectively engage with diverse and multiple stakeholders" -- and it is not only about communication and negotiation skills, but also about behavioral skills, especially when dealing with local/traditional/indigenous communities --humbleness is key.

Source author: Massimiliano Lombardo m.lombardo@unesco.org

Another key --- Another key to the succes is very simple: HFCs, the propelents that reeplaced CRFCs were cheap and easy to produce. So, the effort were minnimal in economic terms

Source author: Carlos Arturo Garcia Bonilla carlos.garcia@cancilleria.gov.co

Binding --- The key here is the binding nature of the agreement. PCA is the first one with mandatory measures. Even Trump as a climate change denial didn't dare to ignore PCA and tried to follow the process to get out of the agreement first. It is true that each country can set it's NCDs but making it binding is a big step in diplomacy because open a pathway in international governance where nations hand over soverignity for a global purpose. I think it will be possible advancing in global climate governance thanks to this first step

Source author: Carlos Arturo Garcia Bonilla carlos.garcia@cancilleria.gov.co

Concrete actions --- Diplomacy is succesful only when it's translated to concrete actions i.e. new policies and laws at domestic level that can be assesed by changes in behaviors of comunities, ndividuals, enterprises and the same goverments.

Source author: Carlos Arturo Garcia Bonilla carlos.garcia@cancilleria.gov.co

Antropocentric? --- Actually, I think not all life is threatened by climate change. Many species are in danger but many other will thrive for sure. I think this point of view tend to be ambiguous because seems to ponit to the ambientalism as a measure for "saving nature". Human activity is dramatic but is insignificant when we think in terms of nature (geological, cosmic terms). What is at stake is not "all life" but "human lief" as species since after our extintion life will go on for nature. I think ambientalism is not about saving nature but saving our own existence

Source author: Carlos Arturo Garcia Bonilla carlos.garcia@cancilleria.gov.co

New for me --- Wow. I can unserstand climate change denials since there is a lot of disinformation, but I didn't know about people that know it but don't care. What are their positions? How do you respond to such a statement?

Source author: Carlos Arturo Garcia Bonilla carlos.garcia@cancilleria.gov.co

Industrial revolution --- Can we say that climate change is the result of industrialization? Can we assume that the revolution generated a disaster for the humanity or it is only due to the excessive pace of industrialization and the anarchical exploitation of natural resources that created what is called climate change phenomena.

Source author: Souhila Amazouz souhila_amazouz@yahoo.fr

Needs to be flagged --- I totally agree with you Souhaila, but if these events are not translated to the public in the news as a result of climate change, people will consider it a result of other things. Those who are believer would say it is because of their sins and the world is paying for it. Conspiracy theory people would say it is a political plan to destroy the country or the government triggered it to run their hidden agendas. Sadly these stories from people around me, and I can't blame them if we don't hear these in the news: the first communication channel with the public not linking it to climate change.

Source author: Muna Zaqsaw zaqsaw.muna89@gmail.com

Sustainable Market Initiative --- I won't look at this as a threat, the globe is changing direction and sustainability is the route now. One example is a new initiative launched by the Prince of Wales: Prince Charles, calling for businesses and private sector to follow this roadmap of sustainable future and green growth. This will be a new trend and countries will be following each other's steps and then businesses will find this more feasible for their economies.

Source author: Muna Zaqsaw zaqsaw.muna89@gmail.com

UN power to adress this issue --- I wonder how UN can play a decisive role in climate change negotiations knowing that it is about commitment of states to reduce the level of CO2

Source author: Souhila Amazouz souhila_amazouz@yahoo.fr

Lesson learnt --- I was very annoyed by the details I have seen through the news about private jets participating in the COP26, and knowing about number accompanying certain delegations and the huge number of those accompanying one individual and how this does not work in line with the spirit of COP26. but now looking at this resource and comparing it with only that of COP25 where participants were a little more than 22K persons, you gave me a lesson to always collect all the facts before making a decision against anything. We take news for granted, forgetting the fact the they look through one side of the story.

Source author: Muna Zaqsaw zaqsaw.muna89@gmail.com

Visible effects of climate change --- The effects of climate change are visible in different part of the world with increasing number of wild fires , floods ,drought and high level of air pollution . The worse is that some countries are more affected than others while they are not industrialized and don't contribute to the warming of the planet.

Source author: Souhila Amazouz souhila_amazouz@yahoo.fr

Thank you --- For this resource!

Source author: Kiconco Patricia kictricia@gmail.com

threat --- Unfortunately, I have personally come across people who still do not believe in this for various stupid reasons. And some have told me they do not care since they will not be alive when there will be drastic climate changes. Many people in the US are against the president's green new deal since they believe it would hurt the economy.

Source author: Lakmini Premadasa lakminisurangika@gmail.com

Question about MINCETUR objectives --- The creation of MINCETUR was an innovative initiative taking into account the impact that tourism has on a country's economy, not only in terms of exchange of goods and services but also of infrastructure, investment flows and employment opportunities. . What was the main objective of Peru's government behind the inclusion of Tourism in a Foreign Trade Minister?

Source author: Cecilia Treemonisha Barros Ruiz cbarros@sre.gob.mx

must be in want of a wife --- Perhaps back in those days, it was expected that a young gentleman would find a "suitable" young lady and get married...I suspect the pressure would be on both sides to comply to societal pressure. Very different today of course.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

Delivery - Nixon v Kennedy --- Television was a relatively new tool in the world of politics and although each candidate had substance, Kennedy won the day because of his personality, eye contact looking straight at the camera, color of suit (navy) as opposed to brown. In addition, he was tanned where his opponent Nixon was deathly pale, recovering from the flu and thus sweating profusely. Not fair...but, as we now know, media image plays a huge role in delivery, charisma and presence.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

Princess Diana --- comes to mind..."the Queen of Hearts." During the darkest days of the AIDS epidemic, she visited Harlem where babies were being born to drug-addicted moms, thus infecting their babies not alone with the effects of drugs, but also the AIDS virus. Diana visited these hospitals and held some of these children in her arms. An act of valour and compassion giving her ethos and credibility. She further shared her truth at enormous cost to her personally.

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

paired term --- Cup half-full versus cup half-empty

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

paired words --- Poverty alleviation vs. citizen empowerment.

Source author: MacOswald Jumali macjumali@yahoo.com

Words can influence opinion --- Mud sliding is common in politics especially during campaign, for instance, Former President of Malawi, Bakili Muluzi often said, "John Tembo is a crook" or "John Tembo (JT) has blood in his hands" to hit on an opposition leader who served as a right hand of a former dictator, Kamuzu Banda. These words had great influence because associative meaning they had with atrocities committed by the government in which JT was influential. It helped to recall a dark past and influenced voters.

Source author: MacOswald Jumali macjumali@yahoo.com

UN conferences - how often they happen (response to Encieh question) --- Dear Encieh, I am late in responding to your question, but, in my role as a staff member of the UN, I need to clarify some points, in particular: 1) The 1972 Conference on the Human Environment (the Stockholm Conference) is not a recurring event. It was, indeed, a landmark event, because, as noted in the class article, "it was for the first time that the relationship between environmental, social and economic issues was discussed on a global level". That conference inspired all other UN conferences on sustainable development that were held after it, especially those generated by the Rio-92 Conference. It also established the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the first UN agency only dedicated to environmental issues. 2) The creation of UNEP, at that time, minimized the need to convene big international UN conferences, as the ones we see now, because UNEP was assigned the lead role by the UN as regards the negotiations on environmental issues, which culminated with the adoption, and then the ratification by all UN Member States, of the Montreal Protocol in 1987 - to date the only UN treaty ratified by all the 197 UN Member States. 3) nowadays, there are even too many UN conferences and too many UN agencies. While most of them are necessary, certainly it is also necessary for the UN to better streamline its work and its structure, especially to avoid "internal system competition" between UN agencies disputing the same sources of international funding (GCF, GEF etc., to name just a few).

Source author: Massimiliano Lombardo m.lombardo@unesco.org

In response to Lakmini's comment on the pandemic --- I totally agree with you, Lakmini!

Source author: Massimiliano Lombardo m.lombardo@unesco.org

Epidemic proportions of obesity --- Thanks for your precise and insightful comments, Mouloud!

Source author: Massimiliano Lombardo m.lombardo@unesco.org

MDG endorsement - in response to Katharina's comment --- Many thanks Katharina. The correct use of many "simple terms" is very complex within the UN system, but it's crucial for us as science diplomats - this is something that the traditional diplomats have mastered very well.

Source author: Massimiliano Lombardo m.lombardo@unesco.org

The role of social scientists --- Very well pointed out, Petal.

Source author: Massimiliano Lombardo m.lombardo@unesco.org

What needs to be done at the global, national and local levels to achieve SDG3 --- Dear Katharina, you have summarized very well. It is imperative to: (a) build trust (including trust in science) (b) focus on SDG targets and indicators (c) engage UN Member States in a fully open and inclusive intercultural, ecumenical dialogue, to be mediated by UN Special Envoys, as I have commented above.

Source author: Massimiliano Lombardo m.lombardo@unesco.org

It's communication and education --- Science requires education. Teaching people what science it, how it works and evolves is important. Without it, they can't trust it. And also this form of education should begin in an early age.

Source author: Efrat Daskal efrat.daskal@mail.huji.ac.il

Universal consensus on reproductive healthcare (SDG 3.7) --- Dear Katharina, the intercultural ecumenical dialogue that I have recommended can lead the world nations to universal consensus, even on controversial issues such as reproductive healthcare. So, my take is that it is not impossible to achieve universal consensus. But for that to happen, the UN needs to be empowered to appoint intercultural and inter-religious mediators to work in those countries that do not accept to change their stances. If I was the UN Secretary-General, I would identify and appoint Special Envoys to deliver that, working tirelessly with cultural and religious leaders within those countries.

Source author: Massimiliano Lombardo m.lombardo@unesco.org

But that also proved to be problematic --- Since information regarding covid-19 traveled quickly between people, it also led to a higher rate or misinformation and disinformation.

Source author: Efrat Daskal efrat.daskal@mail.huji.ac.il

Slow UN decision-making - exceptions --- There are, however, some exceptions to the slow UN decision-making (and action-taking...). The most notable are the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which are mostly funded by voluntary, unearmarked financial contributions. Such sort of funding, not dependent on intergovernmental arrangements, enables these UN agencies to take quick decisions and actions, in response to emergencies of all kinds.

Source author: Massimiliano Lombardo m.lombardo@unesco.org

Slow UN decision-making --- I agree with your comment, Katharina. As I have commented in response to other comments, the fact is that the UN (an intergovernmental system), along with the national governments, is not equipped enough to take quick action. The UN is a "science diplomacy institution", it brings effective and impactful results in the medium-long term, not in the short-term. Quick action, at the institutional level, is only possible for the NGOs/non-profit organizations (including private foundations). At the individual level, is only possible for philanthropists, leaders of social movements and leaders of community groups/organizations, who can act independently.

Source author: Massimiliano Lombardo m.lombardo@unesco.org

Why air pollution is a disease? --- I would think about it a cause for disease and not a disease in itself.

Source author: Efrat Daskal efrat.daskal@mail.huji.ac.il

compliance --- i agree coz it will limit misuse and failure to comply.

Source author: Baboloki Tebatso baboloki20@gmail.com

impact of changing leadership --- Change in leadership may have impact on the already agreement especially when the new leader is not well orientated on the subject matter. In some cases it even delays the implementation process.

Source author: Baboloki Tebatso baboloki20@gmail.com

trust --- i agree that trust take time and sometime comes with a cost. in situations where time is not allowing for more time to build on trust one might end up losing a valuable partner resulting with trust issues.

Source author: Baboloki Tebatso baboloki20@gmail.com

Domestic and Regional tourism --- Yes, perhaps domestic tourism and travel can assist in the economic recovery of the hard hit tourism industry. The government should consider providing assistance to tourism businesses and encouraging investments in sustainable tourism. Regional travel and tourism promotion within countries that have successfully contained COVID-19 can also aid in the economic recovery

Source author: Matshedisa Emily Mokoena mokoenamati@gmail.com

Diaspora --- Yes, there should be more engagement with diasporas who want to strengthen ties with their home country by establishing trade and investment. The 'plough back' by the diaspora. is a good initiative. Consider, the South Africa's government, which supports the AU's position on engaging the African diaspora in economic development but interestingly research indicates that the SA government does very little to engage its own diaspora.

Source author: Matshedisa Emily Mokoena mokoenamati@gmail.com

Training and development of the SME --- Yes, AGOA beneficiaries have been encouraged to take advantage of the agreement to increase job growth and business investment in their respective countries.. One notable example, is that of the World Poultry Foundation's proposal to launch a program to assist and train disadvantaged South Africans to enter the poultry industry. The USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC).is funding the training program. Partnerships with different stakeholders are important too.

Source author: Matshedisa Emily Mokoena mokoenamati@gmail.com

nothing is changed: fight extremism vs freedom of speech. --- Notwithstanding the important differences between instances of "regular" terrorism or extremism, and "cyber" terrorism-extremism, the fundamental problem remains basically the same: how do you tell if one act constittues extremism or is just a desperate act of freedom of speech? Online technologies might blurr some lines, but the heart of the matter remains: superpowers want more power to combat their real or imaginary enemies, but the civil society and ONGs push for freedom. Does not matter if it's online or not

Source author: Carlos García Delgrado cgarciad@sre.gob.mx

Not true, in practice. Rating agencies are independent of govts... --- ...including their own....The problem is that rating agencies often become victim to 'group-think' -- they do what others are doing.....And they are highly fallible. Remember the 'sub-prime' crisis that started in the US in 2008 and swept across the world? It was the result of foolish lending policies and property speculation, with rating agencies cheerfully giving good marks to what were shadow entities....They ended up paying around $1.3 billion in damages -- but ONLY to the US govt. They had caused global losses.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

Yes, nature abhors a vacuum. --- So if the MFA is not competent or weak, other institutions step in.....And the Finance Ministry is always very powerful, and prolific.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com