Rapport in a meeting. --- You are right rapport from the beginning is essential. In fact, everything is much easier when the meeting is understood as "sitting down for coffee or tea". The informal atmosphere of a meeting is not incompatible with the level of relevance of the topics to be discussed. By the way, I don't drink or smoke, which was sometimes a handicap, especially when I was offered "rakia", for example.

Source author: Virginia Maria Callau Vidal vircavidal@hotmail.com

PIN model --- Several humanitarian negotiations academies would push this analysis in-depth including more layers. The PIN model includes positions, interests and needs. Knowing the needs of your counterpart, what needs to be really satisfied, allows the negotiator better know how to influence the positions and the interests of this counterpart.

Source author: María Romero Pardo sohi1z1@hotmail.com

Humanitarian organisations-indispensable players --- When a humanitarian organisation is seating with a counterpart to negotiate, has to keep in mind that it is quite probable that the other counterpart has a need and a constituency to whom it has to answer. Maybe having this fact present, humanitarian organisations can take a different approach if they analysis and assess the possible needs and expectations of their counterpart constituencies. Maybe humanitarian organisations have to enhance when negotiating their value, their know-how, their resources...

Source author: María Romero Pardo sohi1z1@hotmail.com

Shrinking of the humanitarian space: access & negotiations --- The shrinking of the humanitarian space is considerably directed to a reduction of access for humanitarian actors and affected population. Humanitarian negotiations and HD are two essential tools to push to overcome these access constraints.

Source author: María Romero Pardo sohi1z1@hotmail.com

Partners to find a solution --- In negotiations, it is important to keep in mind that our counterpart is not an enemy, the latter is a partner in finding solutions together. In the negotiation process, the needs of the two partners are important and need to be satisfied in order to reach what we call the ZOPA (zone of possible agreement) that is where our needs and the needs of our counterpart can be meet.

Source author: María Romero Pardo sohi1z1@hotmail.com

Changing the framing of humanitarian negotiations --- In corporate negotiations the frame is that a business deal would be beneficial to both parties. On the other hand, in humanitarian negotiations, it is always assumed that the non-humanitarian actor is losing somehow, whether by dedicating resources to the problem or by indirectly admitting wrongdoing if they grant access etc. How can we change the framing and perception of humanitarian negotiations to 'everybody wins'?

Source author: Marwa Shabbar marwashabbar@yahoo.com.au

Do we sell ourselves short? --- I always thought that humanitarian organisations have enormous amount of power, whether due to financial resources, networks, or ability to mobilise. Yet during negotiations it often seem like they are the ones with the least amount of power. Do humanitarian organisation generally take a very conservative approach to negotiations which always leave them on the back foot? Is it possibly because we don't really know our own value?

Source author: Marwa Shabbar marwashabbar@yahoo.com.au

symbolic vs meaningful presence --- Many humanitarian agencies are too focused on access to the affected population during negotiations that the meaningfulness of that presence takes a back sit. For example if you successfully secure access to detention places but none of your modalities are respected (eg. doors locked, always accompanied by a guard within earshot etc.) then is the access meaningful or just symbolic? and would refusal of such access have bigger impact than visiting but not really been able to do much? Big picture is always important in negotiations.

Source author: Marwa Shabbar marwashabbar@yahoo.com.au

cigarette and coffee/tea negotiations --- I am always amazed by the power of a shared cigarette and coffee/tea negotiations. Fortunately (or sometimes unfortunately) I don't smoke but I always make sure I share a cup of coffee or tea with the interlocutors in the field, somehow this takes the edge of the frontline negotiations and even if we are not negotiating it builds a relationship for future negotiations. In Arab culture when you share a meal with someone you create a bond with them. Food/tea/coffee can be very powerful statements in frontline negotiations.

Source author: Marwa Shabbar marwashabbar@yahoo.com.au

isn't it always relevant? --- I'm finding this statement confusing, isn't it always relevant to promote respect for international law with it's IHL or IHRL?

Source author: Marwa Shabbar marwashabbar@yahoo.com.au

always formalise it in writing afterwards --- Oral negotiations must be in writing in the end. In law we used to always say that if it's not in writing, it doesn't exist. That's because people's recollection of events often vary thus making enforcement of any agreed outcome impossible.

Source author: Marwa Shabbar marwashabbar@yahoo.com.au

agreed result vs real action -1 --- That's a really good point. Sometimes it's better to not conclude negotiations with the other party even if they say they agree, if you know they have no intention of carrying out the agreed outcome. I also find that it is sometimes fruitless to reach an agreement in negotiations with an outgoing official, because it is unlikely to eventuate into anything after they leave and even if the new person agrees to honour the agreement, it could ruin the relationship from the outset to try and bind the new person by something his/her predecessor promised.

Source author: Marwa Shabbar marwashabbar@yahoo.com.au

2-Rohingya repatriation to Myanmar --- I was not directly involved in the negotiation process, so the following is based on direct observation.

Apart from legal principles, there were non-technical considerations forwarded by UNHCR. One of which stated that repatriating the Rohingya (and the Hindu people) would strengthen the Tatmadaw’s propaganda that Rakhine was safe and further reinforce its message that nobody’s rights were being violated. This was in line with the BD government’s agenda to push their Myanmar counterpart to create a conducive environment for safe, voluntary, and dignified return of the Rohingya. By saying ‘conducive environment’, the BD government implied in refined diplomatic language, that the Myanmar government must accede to the Rohingya’s demand as conditions for repatriation, particularly granting citizenship, providing compensation for lost properties and lives, and holding those involved in the military operations in Rakhine accountable.

The Myanmar government had accused UNHCR of its role in some failed repatriation in 2017-2018 as reported in the New Light of Myanmar; however, as we know today, the situation in Bangladesh has not changed much but in Myanmar.

Source author: Ivy Susanti ivysusanti@gmail.com

1-Rohingya repatriation to Myanmar --- UNHCR successfully negotiated with the Bangladeshi (BD) government against sending the Rohingya people back to Myanmar despite a bilateral agreement in 2017 on the timeframe for repatriation of the Rohingya who arrived after military operations in 2016 and 2017. Both UNHCR and the BD government have long-term agreement on principles (non-refoulement, international humanitarian law etc) which are also the basis for granting refugee status to some 30,000 displaced Rohingya people back in the 1990s.

BD is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and there were a small number of Hindu people who wanted to return to Rakhine voluntarily.

Source author: Ivy Susanti ivysusanti@gmail.com

2-Frontline negotiation --- Picture these situations: A group of angry beneficiaries came looking for you because their repeated requests for clean water were never responded. Members of your team were kidnapped and taken hostage when delivering aid. Against the government’s order, refugees rallied all over the camps to tell the world that they did not want to be sent back home without their consents. Host communities sabotaged your projects because they did not like the Internally Displaced People’s presence in their areas. And so on.

Source author: Ivy Susanti ivysusanti@gmail.com

1-Frontline negotiation --- This module should be expanded to include negotiations that happen in the fields (‘Frontline negotiation’ in the ICRC jargon) outside fancy places like government offices, Palais des Nations or five-star hotels, and beyond the traditional access negotiation theme. Whilst the general negotiation theory still applies, this type of negotiation requires conflict resolution and other soft skills. Moreover, the outcome of such negotiation is not necessarily in written format.

Source author: Ivy Susanti ivysusanti@gmail.com

Know who influences decision-makers to unblock risk situations. --- In a local and unexpected high-pressure negotiation situation, such as blocking of personnel or denial of access, where time is running out and interlocutors do not budge on their positions, it is difficult to reach agreements based on mutual interest.

As an example and again in Lebanon, following repeated pressures by the mayor of the city of Khiam by Hezbollah (HZ) against UNIFIL staff, it was decided to resort to negotiation with the HZ member of parlamient (MP) in the AOR, to put an end to these incidents.

His ability to influence the mayor's decisions was important and tensioens decreased over time.

Source author: Virginia Maria Callau Vidal vircavidal@hotmail.com

Oral agreements. --- Oral agreements at the local level are the natural and traditional method of relationship building to create mutual trust between actors in some societies, such as the Kuchis (nomads) in Afghanistan.

However, they involve high risk thresholds for the organization itself, which it may not be willing to assume, especially in a conflict environment. When making the final decision on strategy design, alternative approaches should be considered. I would like to find out some testimonials of experiences in this regard.Thanks.

Source author: Virginia Maria Callau Vidal vircavidal@hotmail.com

Dress code --- Thank you Gerhard and John, I could add that the dress code depends also on whom you are meeting with (a Cabinet Minister or NGOs representatives?) and on the message you want to convey. Years ago, the ICRC imposed on his delegates visiting jails to wear a suit, out of consideration for the director of the place of detention (very often a high ranking army or police officer) and for the detainees themselves.

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

Cultural awareness --- When negotiating at the local level with local leaders, the cultural environment and customs are determinant; in this scenario, non-verbal communication plays an essential role in each meeting of the process; basic issues such as the level of authority of key players in direct negotiations or gender considerations determine access and openness to the negotiator from the first meetings.

Therefore, training staff in cultural awareness-where most of the time the rules are not written-is necessary and a sign of respect to create bonds of trust with the parties.

Since my professional experience - different, as I come from the CIMIC field - I would like to mention the KLE meetings in Lebanon with local leaders, from the very first moment contacts were established to find out each other and deal with future problems that might arise or unblock specific issues, always keeping cultural awareness in mind.

Source author: Virginia Maria Callau Vidal vircavidal@hotmail.com

successful Negotiation --- The results of the two workshops recommended for the drafting of the IDRL to be presented to Cabinet and then Parliament for approval. The South Sudan Red Cross with support from IFRC have now contracted a consultant who working on the draft bill which expected to be presented to the Ministry for further deliberations before it is presented to cabinet and parliament for approval in the first quarter of 2021.

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

Examples of successful negotiations --- The South Sudan Red Cross identified the absence of Legal frame work to expediate the flow of International Relief into the country when there is Disaster. We initiated dialogue with the Ministry of Human Affairs in 2017 to have the Legal frame work in place. Two workshops were organized ( one for parliamentary committee for human rights and humanitarian affairs and another for relevant stake holders from line Ministries including UN agencies and NGOs.

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

we must talk --- It is important talking to groups opposing groups whether they are non -actors, terror groups, dictatorial regimes to understand their concerns so that solutions can be reached for peaceful settlements.

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

why we must talk --- I totally agree with Jonas Gahr that we must talk to those who do not agree or attack us . Conflicts can only be resolved through dialogue and agreements. <br /> The 21 years of conflict between the government of Sudan and the then SPLA rebels came to an end by peaceful agreements. The 2013 conflict in South Sudan which culminated into the signing of the revitalized peace agreement was concluded by peaceful agreement.

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

Dress code --- Generally humanitarians should not over or under dress. People should dress in what is considered acceptable according to the cultural norms of the society where you are working. Over dressing when working among vulnerable communities send a wrong signal ( wealth, Rich ). This could be a security risk as well. Organizations should also have guidelines on dress codes.

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

Humanitarian space --- According to UN OCHA the humanitarian space in South Sudan has shrank during the last three months due to attacks against Aid workers, 174 access incidents across the country, 56% violence and threats against Aid workers,80 Aid workers relocated from different locations due to threats , 29 NGO staff detained and youth in in six locations disrupted humanitarian action due to employment concerns. This is a clear example of how humanitarian space can be impacted .

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

Regional Negotiated Agreement --- The Revitalized Agreement for the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan is an example of a regional negotiated agreement facilitated by the IGAD members countries. The negotiation took 15 months of intense negotiation. The agreement faces numerous challenges in terms of implementation due to various factors, ranging from resources, Political will, parties positioning themselves and influence of neighboring countries due to their interest either political or economic.

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

Protection and assistance to Vulnerable people. --- The establishment of the PoC is a good example of Humanitarian Diplomacy negotiation between the UN and the authorities to provided protection and services to the IDPS.

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

Protection and assistance to vulnerable groups. --- Following the out brake of the conflict in South Sudan in 2013, UNMISS established PoC (protection of civilian sites) across the country in various towns to provide protection to the IDPS who sought safety due to fear of being persecuted . The total number of the IDPS living in these camps since 2013 up to now is 167, 856 . Humanitarian agencies have been proving assistance since 2013 up to now these vulnerable population in the POC.

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

Maintaining the equilibrium between substance and relationships --- Individuals resemble to deal with substances during negotiating process owing of their zeal to address the issue. Relationships should not be overlooked because they contribute significantly to a positive end of the process, and the goal of humanitarian diplomacy is to sustain long-term good relationships.

Source author: Wossene Hailu Wossene_Hailu@wvi.org

Impasse solutions --- Yes and I would also add that success in negotiation is not always well understood. My example is again Myanmar where two groups, who were well known to each other and had long standing grievances were effectively inhibiting our ability to support a particular group (not related to these two parties). We engaged each separately, because they would not meet, and attempted to find a point of resolution. In short we failed with neither party yielding. However strangely, following our efforts the two groups did meet each other (without our involvement), and suddenly we had a clear path to the group we were aiming to reach. We logged our efforts as a failure, but who knows what impact our efforts had in achieving the ultimately successful outcome. I guess never give up, and always keep trying.

Source author: Shane Wilkes swilkes4129@gmail.com

Informal encounters --- In Myanmar, we tried to gain access to a particular expert for a Project in the hope of gaining his support. We followed all official channels and for 6 months we failed. One evening we had a chance encounter at a dinner placed we both liked, where we kept discussions deliberately light. However, on parting we agreed for a more formal dinner engagement at the same place. This dinner resulted in a significant shift in his attitude, and a clear indication of his support.<br /> Although in this example it never proved fruitful (not related to these negotiations), it shows the benefit of being in the community and seizing opportunities when they are available. Also unfortunately it blurs the lines between work and pleasure making relaxation time short, and can result in burnout. A tricky balance for humanitarians for sure.

Source author: Shane Wilkes swilkes4129@gmail.com

Quiet negotiation --- I have encountered situations where difficult negotiations have been won in these chance meetings. You meet someone in a common place, representing a common interest which helps build a bridge between you and the other party that assists when you return to the more official negotiations.

Source author: Shane Wilkes swilkes4129@gmail.com

Be explicit about your own and your counterpart's objectives --- Being clear about your and your counterpart's negotiation objectives will assist you avoid unnecessary compromises and will act as a check to see if your humanitarian diplomacy was successful in the end.

Source author: Wossene Hailu Wossene_Hailu@wvi.org

Secure Blockchain --- @Bennette, Yes, let assume that the blockchain itself is secure, but as we could see in headline about the attack to crypto exchange, mostly it happened at the programming level which is back to human. The attackers could still have the potential to exploit the vulnerability in coding (let's say smart contract) and leak your data out.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58163917 https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/coinbase-says-hackers-stole-cryptocurrency-least-6000-customers-2021-10-01/

Source author: Phannarith Ou phannarith-ou@mptc.gov.kh

Interconnected --- @Tracy, for my idea, we can not separated Cybersecurity from all of those digital issues. In addition, we also need to treat Cybersecurity seriously. Cybersecurity lays as one of the core foundation of digital related issues as our Internet was built without security in mind.

Source author: Phannarith Ou phannarith-ou@mptc.gov.kh

Encryption and data interception --- Vladimir, let me add to the responses by Bennette and Tracy with a particular look at the role of encryption.

If data that are traveling through the fibre (or any other medium - copper, wireless, mobile links, etc) are not encrypted, than the owner of the infrastructure (be it telecom companies, or a caffee which operates the WiFi you are connected to) has a technical capability to intercept and surveil (even alter it). If they are encrypted, however, it is not possible.

Then, the question is who does the encryption? Take a look at the 1.3 and part on encryption for some details, but in a nutshell - we can encrypt data - on our ends, at our devices: encryption of the content on our computers (such as with PGP applications) - in transit, which depends on the service we use and whether it has encryption embedded (eg. WhatsApp, Telegram, Zoom and most web-based services that use HTTPS encrypt the data during the exchange from our devices to their servers) - at the servers' end, in the cloud: this also depends on the service and providers we use: if the cloud is ours (ie servers are hosted by our institution) we can make the content to be encrypted; if it is a public cloud (say Google, Microsoft or other) then it's up to them - in most cases, cloud storage is not encrypted by default (unless you pay extras or so - but this is changing now).

Each of these points (our end, transit, and servers) can be a point where data can be intercepted if they are not encrypted. On our ends, a hack could enable the adversary to access our data (even before they get encrypted). In transit, as well as on servers, companies owning the medium (cables, satellites, etc) and servers could possibly intercept data - or could the law enforcement (depending on the jurisdictions and laws).

I hope this helps?

Source author: Vladimir Radunovic vladar@diplomacy.edu

Hiding an asset --- Interesting thought, Bennette. True: asset is the key. But if we look at what the assets are - from sensitive data, to critical systems, and even lives - it is not easy to hide it: adversaries usually strike because they know what they can get. For instance, they would attack voting machines or records because they know what they can get; or a hospital system because they know the effect of locking the data, computers and devices for ransom.

There are ways to better shield the assets (encryption of data, two-factor authentication, segmentation of the network, even 'air-gapping' the critical systems - disconnecting them from the net, and other) - but exactly the lack of those measures enable adversaries to advance (and, indeed, sometimes they are not even sufficient).

But, I might be missing your point here?

BTW it would be interesting to explore the possible role of blockchain more. Since it is effectively a distributed ledger of any kind of transactions, it can't help with securely storing the data, but it could keep track of various transactions of data, and access to it. Food for thought.

Source author: Vladimir Radunovic vladar@diplomacy.edu

Selling cybersecurity to superiors --- Great exchange, friends! I like the two practical steps (there may be more) that you outline: 1. A high-level champion / Tone from the top 2. A realistic simulation / Fear

On 1., a government champion at the Ministerial level may just show up, but this is not often; an alternative is to build one. This requires time and efforts, but is possible: a smart Minister, invited to be a speaker at the relevant (international) conference on cybersecurity, would ask to be briefed about this. A good briefing with the right person(s) could make him/her attracted to the topic, and dig further to show off as being smart - and realise that this topic offers future opportunities for visibility and leadership. One example I witnessed was when a Minister planned for about 30min for such a briefing prior to an important conference, yet ended up discussing the issue with the experts for almost 2 hours - and performed great at the panel, in fact (without any prior knowledge on the subject)! Thus - make sure you grow the Ministerial champion, don't leave it to chance.

On 2., while organising an effective simulation in controlled circumstances is not easy (and putting down all systems just to show the effect might be dangerous for those attempting this :), often we don't use the real crisis to the right extent. Almost every national incident - even of the smaller scale - could be used (with bit of exaggerated drumming) to extrapolate what could have happened if... and raise the attention (and fear) of the decision makers. Thus - don't waste (any) crisis!

Source author: Vladimir Radunovic vladar@diplomacy.edu

Cybersecurity as an enabler of digital --- We are back to discussions if cybersecurity can be - or indeed is - an enabler of all the other digital elements that Tracy lists? And, if so, it probably needs a special attention?

Source author: Vladimir Radunovic vladar@diplomacy.edu

New tools - New Risks --- Thanks for this @Loniarimalala ... I would be interested in hearing from colleagues as to whether their organisation undertook a risk assessment exercise/activity BEFORE implementing any new technology/productivity tool. Also, have you noticed any INCREASE in risk assessment activities when compared with a couple of years ago?

Source author: Tracy Hackshaw TracyH@diplomacy.edu

undiscover vulnerabilities --- Probably one of the biggest challenges for the Internet of Things, I suppose. If autonomous devices like cars, drones and even weapons rely on hardware and software whose vulnerabilities are not always known by the developers or vendors of the products, how far can the IoT go?

Source author: Eduardo Ruiz Mazon eruizm@sre.gob.mx

underlying infrastructure --- I have heard several times that one of the reasons Microsoft makes regularly updates to Windows (sorry, there are not many other options to put examples) is because at the core and from its beginning the operative system has fundamental programming flaws, which other OS like Lynux do not have. How true is that?

Source author: Eduardo Ruiz Mazon eruizm@sre.gob.mx

precautions --- I understand that most of the attacks happen because the users accept emails or messages which create the technical vulnerability. Is that correct? How often the attacks happen, without the users making a “bad step” at all?

Source author: Eduardo Ruiz Mazon eruizm@sre.gob.mx

Using digitalization improve vulnerability --- More the organization use digital tools, more they have to invest more in the security (specially for their information). One new key or reflexion in making decision when putting innovation, which vulnerabilities or security issues did this bring?

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

Humans in the chain --- @Tracy. As mentioned or alluded to in an earlier HT, humans will always seek to commit some bad act whether for fun, pleasure, benefit or otherwise irrespective of technology. Technology simply provides another means "on steroids'" to do what man always wanted to do. It may be egotistic, academic, political, philosophy or otherwise but expect bad behavior by humans

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

Humans in the chain --- Food for thought here @Scott ... one of the things I always like to use as a sanity check in understanding whether we are being too overly deterministic wrt "blaming" technology for the prevalence of cyberattacks is the idea that for any given cyberattack, incident or similar, if there was an analogous (no pun intended ... well ...) attack or incident that DID NOT use any form of technology, will things like human error be more or less impactful? What does everyone think? Have human errors and human intervention ever facilitated and/or impacted "real world" attacks?

Source author: Tracy Hackshaw TracyH@diplomacy.edu

Very deep packets --- @Tracy. Thanks for the warm words and your insights. Looking forward for a great discussion in these matters

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

Accountability --- What I'm not clear is, besides all codes, international laws and resolutions, regulators, UN working groups and so on....at the end of the day I rarely hear/read (at least on mainstream media) that cross border cyber criminals were held accountable for some notable cases, for instance the US 2016 elections. Has anyone been sentenced in this case? Maybe it is just me not being well informed!? In several developing countries that also had targeted-attacks on election days, the national investigations led to a dead end (probably no technical or human capacity to investigate such highly technical attacks without larger foreign expert help). The public was only informed that the attacks were done by highly-skilled organized group/s, and the electronic traces pointed to different locations and computers around the globe (In media EastAsian countries were mentioned as regions with skilled, trained experts, where you can "order and pay" for a cyber attack for good price).

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

Insecurity --- Well said: "we rely on...insecure infrastructure and services...and use them in insecure ways" - perfect recipe for cyber doom :)

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

Vulberabilities by design --- Could it be possible, at least to some extent or in some cases, that a few vulnerabilities of the early day internet were just left as they were, in order interested groups can gain access (if needed) to new users' computers and information? (Same question applies to mass market hardware/software vulnerabilities - PCs, smartphones, Operating-systems...)

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

Accountability --- @Nikolov. That's my point. The accountability issue seems to be sanctions for which the law in in jurisdiction A where the attack occurred is outside the legal framework of the attacker. The attacker is not penalized (of if they do, its in absentia) because of jurisdictional and attrition issues. In the end, we cannot give up but keep trying.

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

Security and code development --- It would appear that the responsibility to mitigate against vulnerabilities is left primarily with end users without any serious responsibility on chip manufacturers or code developers; Legislation should be enacted to ensure that such design or structural flaws are not a regular aspect of life in a digital environment.

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

Vulnerabilities --- When we are aware of the many areas of flaws (Connectivity, Protocol, software and human) and we continue to facilitate or enable the security design flaws or the rapid deployment of technology without sound verification practices or should I say, profits over people, it would seem tat we will always be vulnerable. Should there be legal enforcement mechanisms to reduce these known vulnerabilities?

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

Lateral attacks into systems --- Shouldn't there be checks and balances placed as corporate policies with electronic footprints recording for persons who have been provided with access to sensitive infrastructure within an organization? If the IS Manager is permitted to move along with undeterred and unlimited access as a Master User, wouldn't we end up against a Michael Snowden-type scenario? which may be good or bad? Who monitors the cat who is after the cheese?

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

feedback --- Thank you for your feedback! Great suggestions. If I make a parallel with management/business/marketing, you point on two very relevant factors 1. "Tone from the top" 2. "Fear". The first one is crucially important in implementing projects in organizational contexts (public/private), whereas fear is well known as a highly effective sales strategy!

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

undiscovered adversaries --- Adversaries are not friends; how should one treat an intruder who has been caught illegally entering one's property? shouldn't the same principle apply in the cyberworld? When hackers place "unnoticed" electronic weapons into one's network using illegal backdoor means of access and they are eventually caught (like the Russian attack on the US Presidential Election 2016), should the aggrieved State respond? should this be considered an "act of war" during supposedly peace time?

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

Ways to reduce threats and vulnerabilities --- One of the many ways to reduce threats and vulnerabilities is to have a commonly agreed code of laws and standards and holding participants accountable when violated. There ought to be collaboration and cooperation between public and private sector stakeholders together with bureaucrats and technocrats for the common good. If we cooperate in this manner, then the common enemy would be the bad actors; unfortunately rogue states sometimes partner covertly with these bad actors to undermine these very laws- all in an effort to gain an upper hand in the geo-politics.- latest news I heard indicated that some of the most economically stronger economies have secretly sought to undermine the climate change agenda COPS26 which they themselves sought to develop; the same happens in the cybersecurity sphere.

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

how to convince leaders --- @Nikolov. The paradox is that Government actually agree with you that cybersecurity is critical but the problem lies in making the actual budgetary allocation of any value towards this effort. To make this a reality, two things ought to be done:

1. A Government Champion at the Ministerial level who understands the issue of cybersecurity and its potential devastating socio-economic impact

2. Maybe a simulated attack where all Government systems are frozen and inaccessible using a drill but affecting only the top Directorate and their immediate officers?/

It may be possible to get experienced experts or companies who have been through a similar attack or worse to explain what transpired and the cost on livelihoods - maybe, that might turn the tide.

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

how to convince leaders --- @Bennete - I agree. Especially in developing countries it may be that the local economy is still not so integrated in the digital domain and maybe it is predominantly "offline" dependent (offline banks, schools, health services) and therefore the Cybersecurity might seem abstract or not critically important to governments. I'm afraid that exactly this different timeliness will lead to even bigger "digital divide". We face the similar problem in my country too, although last year the country faced a cyber-attack on the election day (the website of the State Electoral Commission was down, and electoral data/results were compromised. SEC had to manually re-count everything). I'd also like to hear more ideas how can we push the cybersecurity higher on our governments agenda!

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

Fiberoptic cables --- @Nikolov. This is a very good observation and having been in this area of work for over 30 years both as an technical person and regulator, allow me to provide some insight. It is true that these fiber optic cables are owned by Companies and conglomerates but there are lwas and regulations which make it illegal for companies or any person to look at the actual data packets - a scenario known as "deep packet engineering"; this practice is illegal and punishable. However, this opens the discussion that some persons may use tools to do so illegally and hence regulators are provided with the tools to monitor accordingly. The bigger issue is really the actions of the owners who may act in a monopolistic manner and cause disruption of information by cutting off the service.

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

Risk Formula --- @Vlad/Tracy. If one removes the Asset factor from the Risk formula (Risk = Threat x Vulnerability x Asset) then there remains nothing of value for the bad actors since their primary motive is the Asset. The key therefore is how to secure that Asset away from the bad actors. With the emergence of AI and Blockchain Technology, isn't it possible to "fake" an asset making it look as a "dummy" using technology while shielding the actual valued asset in some secure blockchain ledger and attacking the malicious code separately?

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

cybersecurity risks - a permanent challenge --- @Vlad/Tracy. Since it is inevitable that cybersecurity risks or should I say cybercrime activities are not a "maybe" scenario but have become a de facto part of cyberspace as a result of the very fallible nature of man, should we speak in terms of a "permanent challenge" or a "permanent fact"? It would seem to me that we simply have to agree that there will always be back actors who will seek to either cause harm, seek dominance, act selfishly for personal or state-sponsored gain etc. and device guard rails as best as we can using technical experts, international laws, codes of conduct, confidence-building measures and any or every tool possible to mitigate these "risks"???"challenges"??? or "facts of life in cyberspace??"

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

Main item? --- @Tracy. Welcome again my friend. Cybersecurity should be and in my opinion, inextricably linked to every aspect of life in this era we are living; No one doubts that digital technology is critical important to socio-economic development and with every major institution and indeed Governments have concluded that the digital economy is the key to economic sustainability- cybersecurity therefore takes center stage in this picture. Every sector is impacted through digital technology as clearly articulated in the SDGs; to be an active participant in the digital economy, Digital Skills adoption become mandatory, Digital Literacy and AI Technology- all these become absolutely linked to cybersecurity because the key is to protect the data or critical information or networks which facilitates these online services from bad actors. Cybersecurity should not be seen as a separate matter but a major aspect of this digital technology world.

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

Permanent cybersecurity threats --- @Nikolov. I agree with you, However, the issue lies in how best we can convince our leaders of this threat (maybe its easier within the private sector); and as @Phan stated last week, maybe we should sell the importance of cybersecurity threat to livelihoods and economic sustainability as an investment and not as a threat particularly in the pubic sector. As mentioned previously, small island developing states (SIDS) may not place that level of seriousness to what Governments perceive as "abstract" issues when compared to renovations to a health center or a school. Here comes the challenge but we must persevere..

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

Monopoly in chip production & high tech --- Another serious risk for cybersecurity is the shortage of chip production (semiconductor industry) and so to say "monopoly" in high-tech (needed for any device using internet). What happens if for instance there is a high magnitude earthquake or other natural disaster (highly possible with climate change) hitting certain regions and affecting chip production by TSMC/Samsung or Intel or NVIDIA!? Many industries including cybersecurity will be seriously affected. So, diversification and more competition is a must...

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

Main item? --- This is an excellent observation @Vladimir. I do have one challenge that I wish to share out, however … hoping that you AND other participants can weigh in. Do you believe that Cybersecurity is so critical that it should be treated separately by Governments from OTHER digital issues (e.g. Access & Inclusion, Digital Literacy, Digital Economy, AI Ethics etc.) or are the issues all intertwined and difficult to be separated in this way? Thoughts?

Source author: Tracy Hackshaw TracyH@diplomacy.edu

Fiberoptic cables --- As I do not understand all tech details, I'd like to post a question here, related to security of data transfers via fiber-optic cables. I know there are encryption techniques and other methods of protecting data, however due to the fact that most undersea fiber-optic cables are in fact owned by few private corporations and/or governments, is data secure at all (for all other users)? Is it possible for these few actors (corporations/powerful governments) to intercept data transferred via cables or at points where cables connect to other hardware/infrastructure in their ownership? All other users of the internet who do not own the cables/infrastructure rent/pay for using internet infrastructure owned by others and trust the infrastructure designed/owned/built by others. Is this one of the reasons other countries (Russia and others) plan to install (or already did) their own cables and build own sovereign internet network infrastructure. Any feedback is welcome, thank you.

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

sensitive assets --- As I've mentioned before, this would be particularly alarming if the system is tied to a lab with highly pathogenic agents, chemical facility with highly toxic chemicals or nuclear facility with nuclear material. This is where cyber meets CBRN security/non-proliferation.

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

access to an institution's cloud --- This is an interesting dilemma. Many of us our now relying on cloud computing to do our work (all of our team documentation in many cases in a cloud drive to which the entire team may have full access). This would suggest then that one team member's mistake (triggering a cyber kill chain) could ultimately have a damaging impact on the other team members as well.

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

Permanent cybersecurity threats --- Cybersecurity threats are here to stay and are indeed a permanent challenge, thus, cybersecurity as such, should be probably taken into account when adopting national budgets, in a sense, to plan ahead funds for investment in cybersecurity, similarly to Health and Education, Capital investments, Infrastructure (and why not as a % from government spending). The same logic is applicable for corporations.

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

The cost of ineffective coordination within a government --- Negatively impacts on the poor, increases inequality, undermines the quality of service delivery, state legitimacy and stability; and poses a threat to the environment

Source author: Tarniem Shokry Iskandar tar.eskander@hotmail.com

Not only COVID-19, but also when there's political issues within a country. For example in Egypt; --- Political unrest has not only caused tumult for the civilians of Egypt, but it has also affected the tourism industry, which is a forceful contributor to the economy. Prior to the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak in the midst of the Arab Spring revolutions, the Egyptian tourism industry made 7.7 billion Egyptian pounds, or roughly $1.078 billion, in 2010. In 2013, after three years of consistent political strife, the profit from tourism dropped by more than half, to about 3.6 billion Egyptian pounds, or roughly $504 million.

Source author: Tarniem Shokry Iskandar tar.eskander@hotmail.com

Especially developing countries --- Remittances have proven to be a more sustainable source of foreign currency for developing countries than other capital inflows such as foreign direct investment, public debt or official development assistance.

Source author: Tarniem Shokry Iskandar tar.eskander@hotmail.com

Agreed. For example: --- In Vietnam, when Trump attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit to deliver an address in reinforcing his America First vision on trade.

Source author: Tarniem Shokry Iskandar tar.eskander@hotmail.com

The brand new General Directorate of Global Economic Impulse (Mexico) --- Since June 18, 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a General Directorate dedicated to international economic promotion, the General Directorate of Global Economic Impulse, which replaces the functions carried out by ProMéxico through a network of 160 Embassies and Consulates.

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

Economic diplomacy: a multilateral task --- In Mexico, economic diplomacy is an essential part of the work of the Undersecretariat for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, as a new function entrusted by the President of the Republic to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the framework of an increasingly globalized world and the relevance of multilateral forums to solve major challenges such as security and peacekeeping, economic diplomacy reinforces the role of economic and commercial relations, which have become revealed as a central element of diplomacy in the 21st century.

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

Ways to enhance coordination for economic diplomacy --- The first mechanism to enhance coordination for economic diplomacy is setting up a good legal framework that clearly describes the responsibilities and functions of each institution that engages in economic diplomacy, especially which ministry will be the main coordinator. Later on, all major agencies responsible for economic diplomacy need to have budget and enough resources to perform their activities. Finally, the Head of the government and the most important institutions of the country need to recognize the contribution that economic diplomacy has to advance foreign policy goals.

Source author: Ricardo Daniel Delgado Muñoz rdelgado@sre.gob.mx

Foreign missions mainly specialized in economical promotion --- There are several nations that establish representative offices that are more oriented to economical promotion and are based in key cities in the world. Argentina has, aside of embassies and regular consulates, promotion centers that are mainly responsible for the commercial, touristic and cultural promotion of Argentina abroad. They are settled in places like Miami or Shanghai and they have more budget, human resources and receive better attention than normal offices.<br /> Source: https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/es/argentinatradenet/quienes-somos.

Source author: Ricardo Daniel Delgado Muñoz rdelgado@sre.gob.mx

We are most impressed --- Thanks for this link, Blanca! I love monitoring personal pronouns in speeches and am grateful for this systematic approach!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Why is Peterson so disliked? --- It seems to me that Newman didn't lose her train of thought so much as realise that she had false-footed herself. We'll come back to the 'Gotcha' moment in a later lecture.

I like the ping-pong analogy - I too found it riveting, if very uncomfortable because Newman was so unwilling/unable to listen.

I've read Peterson's books and seen several interviews and cannot understand why he is so controversial. Is he being misrepresented or am I missing something?

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Have I mis-spoken? --- Nor do I believe that recognising the quality of others diminishes us! I hope I did not suggest that we HAVE to diminish ourselves. I only wanted to point out the existence of an inverse dynamic, where the opposite of raising up is to lower down. This complementarity is expressed in body language as well as through many linguistic expressions across languages. I am certainly not prescribing that one should diminish oneself just noting that this dynamic exists and explaining it through embodiment theory.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Conflict escalation over lack of acknowledgment --- Thanks for this analysis, Eric. From what you say there may be an escalation on both sides: first various politicians fail to engage with the concerns of activists and simply pay them lip service, then in response to that initial lack of acknowledgment from politicians, activists refuse to acknowledge the contributions politicians have already made and are promising to make on climate change, dismissing them as hot air and unreliable players.

It's interesting to note that you simulation took place more than 25 years ago!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

For who? --- It makes me wonder who these well-cultivated and emphaised image and prestige metrics are trying to cater to: 1) (generally) is it fellow governments / their own common people / or the common people in other countries, and 2) given the difficulty of appeasing the entire globe, are (esp. smaller) governments more concerned with only trying and impressing world powers / only core strategic partners (though there is likely to be overlap with world powers for a lot of countries). Or is there something completely different at play here? This may be obvious to some more familiar with the subject matter, but I am personally curious how this topic is generally viewed.

Source author: Mamta Reid liveandsmile@hotmail.com

Face-threatening moves --- Thanks for this example, Blanca. It illustrates how difficult the loss of face is - on both sides, in this case, and how damaging to bilateral relations.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

On the range minimising Imposition in various contexts --- W.r.t minimising imposition, Japanese culture extends this paradigm even further. Generally speaking, even when suggesting a new idea/disagreeing/etc..., regardless of how sure you actually are, one must say "I think", or "I'm not sure" throughout the sentence(s). Whereas in many Western contexts, being confident (and being somewhat imposing) about certain subjects can inspire confidence in the other person, in Japan doing so can have the opposite effect. This is just one example (that I am familiar with), but I'm curious to how far "minimising imposition" extends towards politeness in various cultures....

Source author: Mamta Reid liveandsmile@hotmail.com

Pack mentality and survival --- That's a really interesting insight about the group drawing together to protect the underdog.

I wonder if that happens in all cases - I can imagine some contexts (Chinese Cultural revolution for example) where survival would depend on adding one's voice to the aggression.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Ethos --- Thanks for the link, MacOswald. The term 'soulful authority' sounds very much like 'ethos' as we are using it in these lectures

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Bidirectional Acknowledgement with Tag Questions --- I'm curious to see whether these softeners exist even in indigenous languages, in which international language/cultural exchange has not had a major influence on the development a language. Potentially, if these exist in every language then it may not just be for acknowledging the other party, but also an opportunity for the other party to acknowledge you (by implicitly agreeing with the subject of the tag-question).

Source author: Mamta Reid liveandsmile@hotmail.com

A walk in the park? --- Not sure about 'perambulatory' in this context. The titles you list are referred to as 'appellations', defined as 'an identifying name or title' or 'honorifics' - the titles that convey esteem, courtesy, or respect for position or rank when used in addressing or referring to a person.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

I do agree --- and Nancy demonstrated that she does not give a damn.

Mostly important, this shows power of none verbal acts in communication.

What happened here failed to met standards of all 4 principles of courtesy.

Source author: MacOswald Jumali macjumali@yahoo.com

Maybe we need to have --- a list of perambulatory courtesy phrases, for instance,

• Your excellency
• Your honour
• Distinguished
• Your majesty
• Honourable
• Right honourable

Source author: MacOswald Jumali macjumali@yahoo.com

Rudeness or --- signalling? President of the EU, Ursula von der Leyen was left standing (no chair provided) and had to sit on a nearby sofa "sofagate," when meeting with President Erdogan in Turkey. There was a seat next to the President provided for EU Council President Charles Michel.

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

Yes/No Question --- Again, Jeremy Paxman hunted his prey Michael Howard mercilessly. He did finally back hiim into a corner where I thought he was going to win...but he didn't...Michael Howard still did not answer the question!

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

Cathy Newman --- repeatedly and relentlessly, through reframing his answers, tried to trap Jordan Peterson into changing his statements. At one point he told her that she was being disagreeable (which he recommended for women to get on better at work) and complimented her on doing it well! They were both excellent in their roles...it was like a game of table tennis where nobody blinked. She lost her train of thought at one point, but made a quick recovery...it did spoil the fun a bit!

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

It would --- be funny if the situation wasn't so serious. To the naked eye, it appears that they each wanted to give the other precedence in going through the door first. However, throw in complex Peace Talks and every move is like a chess piece. One of them is trying to play Host by "bringing up the rear" and thereby get the upperhand. Arafat is obviously not happy that he's being literally strong-armed through the door before Barakat. Obvious power-play that would have best been avoided. Threre's the aspect of middle eastern culture where the lesser person is ushered through the door first but judging from the comments, this may not be accurate. Optics!

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

Obama in Monica Lewinski case --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZSHEsVcDkM&t=352s

The Clinton-Lewinsky’s affair is a good example of the power of apologies: after being very clear that you have acted wrongly, you also publicly deny the situation and then arrange everything with a single apology. Is this courtesy …..? The video has many other examples.

Source author: Blanca Jimenez bjimenez@sre.gob.mx

Body language is the key --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-mZKUNZ9CA

Blanca Elena Jimenez Cisneros 23-10-2021 19:52

Source author: Blanca Jimenez bjimenez@sre.gob.mx

Making someone --- feel good (genuinely) is a gift one gives to others and eases the tension of that first meeting. Giving someone precedence, showing respect for rank and titles is preferable but it does not mean that we have to put ourselves down in any way in the process. Again, it's good to know the protocol of greetings around the world and what is expected. Expressing humility is similar but a little different, it is viewed as a strength in Asia, but as a weakness in the US and should be used sparingly if at all.

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

Globalisation vs a common future --- I fully agree with the speech but the globalisation concept being NEW still there is room to further understand it and further design ways to put it into practice.<br /> Loosing local identity (and cultural heritage as a result) is the major concern expressed in many ways by different countries. How we could use the diplomatic language to advance the discussion of this concept and the ways to put int into practice?

Source author: Blanca Jimenez bjimenez@sre.gob.mx

It did indeed --- draw a attention to him if that was his intention. This was his overall M.O. (drunk on power perhaps) or was he signalling...open to speculation. He once asked the Obamas if they had spent a lot of time at the beach due to their wonderful tans! Michelle was so offended she refused to shake his hand at the next event! Who said protocol wasn't interesting?

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

Use of I , you and we by Politicians --- https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:531167/fulltext01.pdf

Additional to the information presented on the paper I think politicians use "us" to meke us beleive that we think like them

Source author: Blanca Jimenez bjimenez@sre.gob.mx

Andre --- On this one, I must respectfully disagree...see, I'm learning! Although, your observation is interesting, it is my opinion that he could indeed have had his Minister, or whomever was accompanying him, deal with the important incoming phonecall. However, he chose to take the call and leave Angela stranded at the Alter for all the world to see...no coming back from that one!

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

Women more suitable for diplomats? --- Interesting video,

1.Note that the video is a short video, not presenting the entire view of the people which are on it

1. Body Languague is key

2. If you agree that women are more interested in people while men are more interested in things, therefor women may be mor suitable for diplomacy

:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR18xUboTuw

Source author: Blanca Jimenez bjimenez@sre.gob.mx

Wow! --- These 4 examples definitely got my attention! They surpass the bounds of protocol into abject rudeness and agression. Their messages are overt and there is no doubt as to their intentions. I learned during my time in ToastMasters International to "never" lose one's tempter when addressing an audience even if you are right. Why? Because the audience acts as a "pack" and will feel sorry for the person being insulted or berated. In all four cases, the aggressors are the losers!

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

I agree --- I do not beleive that recognising others qualities diminishes you

Source author: Blanca Jimenez bjimenez@sre.gob.mx

Another element missing from our previous analysis on Greta's tone: --- One on tactics (or unexpected outcomes): The digital social media environment surrounding Greta Thunberg: coming such a strong uttering from a minor girl absolutely committed to the climate issue, her tone made the videos taken by personal cellphones and media cameras going viral around youths (who’s consciousness around the climate issue had been deepening and extending) around the world, increasing the pressure on institutions to act (Greta’s final aim)...

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

Climate activists being dissmissed --- A lot of missinformation and fake news pretending “climate change is a prank” has been put to circulate for years by fossil fuel companies, campaign contributors, lobbyists, politicians and heads of State, with the practical consequence of having climate advocates feeling being dissmised as mere alarmists taking of proportion the phenomena...

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

Greta and other climate advocates feeling being ignored: --- Analyzing: who our diplomatic counterpart is; from where it comes, and what is her/his way of perceiving the cosmos, could be relevant for: improving our understanding, acknowledging our counterpart and improving dialogue: I just read a fascinating account on Greta Thurnberg in a book -I strongly recommend to you-: ON FIRE by Naomi Klein (2019) published by Simon & Shuster. It helps us understand where Greta’s “short, unadorned and utterly scathing interventions” come from. In the first chapter of her book, Naomi shares with us Greta was diagnosed having Asperger’s disorder (this is in no way a tactic of “discrediting the emissary”, you will see…).

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

Trump and former Montegro President, simply de did not exist --- Trump lacks courtesy when pushing the former President of Montenegro to be in front of everybody. https://youtu.be/Iimj0j4NYME Simply Trump acts as of the President of Montenegro did not exist. Trump did not even turn back to look at him

Source author: Blanca Jimenez bjimenez@sre.gob.mx

This seems relevant for our analysis of Great’s tone when addressing governments, international gatherings, and companies --- Their actual behaviour for decades could imply a lack of real acknowledgment of climate advocates and granting them only formal acknowledgement. Despite the urgency of such a trascendental issue small actions have been instrumented despite the fact international debate on the need to act on climate change began more than three decades ago with poor results up to these date (I remember when taking a negotiation course at Harvard in 1993 the whole class was divided to take the role of governments with different degrees of CO2 emissions to negotiate the setting of international commitments of targets for its future emissions and the price of sale/purchase polluting bonus available at the global market under the exercise). That lack of acknowledgement radicalizes some advocates speeches and actions.

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

Comes y te vas, Mexican President (FOX) and Cuban President (Castro) --- Comes y te vas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoaN2a9DkcY

The video shows when President Castro was denied participation in a meeting convened by the Mexican President Vicente Fox.<br /> The incident is known as: “Comes y te vas” (you eat and leave). In brief, this episode probably created one of the most important crisis between Mexico and Cuba. During a phone call made by Vicente Fox -the President of Mexico at that time- to Fidel Castro, Fox asked Castro not to criticize the United States and to leave just after lunch, before the US president’s arrival. This happened in the context of the U.N. Development Summit Meeting that took place in Monterrey, Mexico, in 2002.<br /> Castro did as he was told but, before leaving Mexico, when he was asked why he was leaving the country, he publicly explained the incident. The Mexican President denied the situation, but the tape of the phone call was released showing that what President Castro said was true

Source author: Blanca Jimenez bjimenez@sre.gob.mx

Great example, yes! --- Th question then becomes: was Trump raising their moral status or lowering the common denominator!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

'Stronger, more trustworthy, more competent"... --- ... is the reaction of most to a woman when she speaks with a low baritone voice, according to your link. This is why Maggie Thatcher took elocution lessons to lower her voice. Since requesting a favour is not usually associated with strength, trustworthiness or competence, I suspect that we are both arguing on the same side: high pitch makes us smaller and less assertive. Back to embodiment!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Our knowledge is ahead of our understanding --- I love this aspect of language, that we understand more than we consciously know. it reminds me of Mr Jourdain in the Bourgeois Gentilhomme when he says: "My faith! For more than forty years I have been speaking prose while knowing nothing of it, and I am the most obliged person in the world to you for telling me so."

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Informal research! --- I agree with your gut reaction. It seems the 'please' acquires emphasis and becomes a command in the 'Could you please..' variant. I don't know the reason for this but would start researching it by running different sentence positions past native informants. How does the sentence-initial variant 'Please could you...' sound to you? Tone of voice aside.

It would be interesting to do a comparative analysis across languages too.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Rich ground for speculations --- At the time, many of the newspapers speculated about whether he was talking to his under-age mistress Ruby Rubacuori. Whether he was deal-breaking or heart-broken, his breach of protocol did the business: it drew a lot of attention to him.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Trump at Charlottesville --- His famous "you also had people that were very fine people, on both sides" line extended the circle of inclusion, thus bringing supremacists to the a moral equivalence with those opposing them.

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

I tend to agree --- I can't quite put my finger on why it is so, but that's how it sounds to me, too.

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

Something I've been bothered by for quite a while --- Is there an implied difference in tone between "Could you bring me the water, please?" and "Could you please bring me the water?"

I instinctively feel that the latter is less patient and somewhat ruder, but I'd appreciate your thoughts on this.

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

I don't get this --- Why is diminishing oneself the inverse of praise and deference?

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

Not much that is constructive in his statement --- It feels that he is less interested in what the journalist says or does than in playing to his domestic audience by talking China up. From a logical perspective I quite liked his final rhetorical question, since there is no connection between what he promotes as Chinese achievements and human rights.

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

A masterclass in what not to do --- I feel like I'm simply stating the obvious here but He Who Must Not Be Named goes out of his way to treat Nancy in the most contemptuous way possible.

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

@Blanca, Bi: grammar --- One should accept that non-native speakers have a different perception of some English expressions, compared with the natives, even if they know exactly what that expression means.

I remember how delighted I was when I heard for the first time the character named Urquhart in "House of cards" saying:

"You might very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment".

I believe that this is a masterpiece of elegant ambiguity combined with deniable clarity and, at the same time, heightened by a delicate zest of humour.

And, to be honest, I couldn't possibly translate it into an equally subtle expression in other languages, including my maternal one.

Source author: Petru Dumitriu PetruD@diplomacy.edu

Politeness expressed through grammar --- I absolutely agree, comparative studies across languages of how tense, aspect modality and mood are used in order to add nuance to what we say are fascinating.

Every language has ways of expressing politeness through its grammar, not just its lexicon. Participants are welcome to provide an insight into how their own languages do so.

The subjunctive mood in all the Romance languages is central to creating a parallel world into which we can deflect our requests and speculations in order to make them more tentative - and therefore less assertive/imposing.

English does not use the subjunctive much but has a rich range of modals (may, could, would etc...) and also uses the conditional.

Chinese does not mark tense (past, present, future) on the verb, but it has a rich aspectual range (aspect measures the structure of an event rather than mapping the event onto a time line as tense does). The modulations of politeness in Chinese are expressed (as in English) through modality, but also through the 'tentative' aspect (which conveys a 'give-it-a-go' meaning).

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

deceased kings --- Some years ago it was very common for almost everybody to receive emails from so called descendants of deceased princes or kings in some exotic countries, who were for some marvelous reason willing to share their inherited fortunes on condition of establishing internet contact with them. I never fell in these funny traps, but, as diplomat, I experienced some cases of individuals which were requesting government help to find the perpetrators in a foreign a country, who not very surprisingly were in fact operating from third unknown countries. I think this kind of scam is not very common now and attackers are now also more sophisticated.

Source author: Eduardo Ruiz Mazon eruizm@sre.gob.mx

computers and smartphones --- It would be interesting to know if smartphones are also as vulnerable as PCs, especially if we consider that social networks are more used through these devices, than through computers. Maybe there is a special feature in the hardware or OS software in smartphones that make them less vulnerable?

Source author: Eduardo Ruiz Mazon eruizm@sre.gob.mx

dual use --- I agree that programs can be also weapons, as physical objects which are originally not designed to be used as weapons. The Wassenaar Arrangement groups several countries which have the most developed capabilities to produce goods with a “dual” use in the “physical” world and I have heard that they have included already in their agenda the IT software. Maybe this capability is more widespread in the world than other traditional technologies, in which case more countries could be invited to be part of this arrangement.

Source author: Eduardo Ruiz Mazon eruizm@sre.gob.mx

scam testimonies --- This is a common business and well known among a certain African country in particular. I almost got caught years ago while on training in England when my email was hacked and the scammer politely asked me to send some funds to one of my best friends who was stranded in England!!! On second thoughts, I suspected that my friend has my number so he could have called and further, how did he know that I was in England (when I had not spoken or written to him in years)!!!!

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

The AI race : attackers vs defenders --- Criminal minds (attackers) are continually at work seeking to find new and innovative ways to create or commit mischief; the defenders are usually after the fact fixers and to me, the AI race will be won by the attackers. Its like technology and regulation - the former is always one step ahead.

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

therein lies the problem --- @Scott. Nice analogy. However, who should be held accountable when the human followed the manufacturer's guidelines, do not drink when driving and the design aspects were taken into consideration yet the software patch for update was placed on the website for easy of access by customers (only to be hacked by the bad guys)?

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

"staying under the radar" --- I believe the time is ripe for the international "good guys" to formulate and codify laws against attackers hiding "under the thresholds" - which to my mind are illegal activity waiting to happen in one's space; If covert activities are illegal by illegal intrusion in another's territory or domain and actually laying time-sensitive electronic "bombs" or "grenades", how can these practices not be seen as acts of war and therefore the right to respond?

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

"attack tools vs traditional weapons" --- If we conclude that cybersecurity attack "tools" or "electronic weapons" can actually be more devastating in their impact than traditional weapons, why haven't we establish similar weapons conventions like SALT1 & SALT 2 within cyberspace as a deterrent? is there a double standard or are we simply playing a geo-political game of chess?

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

yes there is such a thing as a cyberweapon --- @Scott I agree with you absolutely. This is a matter that I have highlighted previously. There is something known as cyber-weapon. By comparison, the Webster dictionary defines "weapon" as 'something (like a club, knife or gun) used to injure, defeat or destroy; a means of contending against another" We would agree with Scott that a knife or club or even a pen can be used as a means to injure another? Similarly in the cyber world, the weapon is simply code which acts like the weapon. It is critical that further deliberations are taken up on this and other matters

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

and therein lies the problem --- Take cars: manufacturers can put in seat belts, air bags, impact absorbing frames, etc. but if people drink and drive, don't wear seatbelts, drive well above the speed limit and in a reckless manner then the manufacturer's best intentions are undermined. The analogy may break down, however, if we consider that manufacturers of software, devices, cloud-based computing etc. may not be putting in all the bells and whistles for safety and security to protect their users that car manufacturers have now been fine-tuning for decades based on earlier outrage about the number of deaths and injuries coming from poorly designed automobiles.

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

yes there is such a thing as a cyberweapon --- Anything that causes harm or damage could arguably be called a weapon. A knife can be used to cut a steak but it can also be used to hurt or kill someone. Or a fork if you try really hard. If code is being used to harm (a person, a facility, a banking system) then it's a weapon. I'm not quite quite what else it would be?

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

Yes, that is... --- ...a good practical approach. We all have to work in systems that exist. No point in hankering after ideals that are not feasible.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

Waqas, a simple Q: does statecraft and security policy study... --- ...offer any solutions? Theory is just that, often rather empty theory, notions, concepts.....Far better to look to practice. A useful approach: Identify a few countries around the world that have used statecraft well, in situations that resemble yours. For instance, there is little point for a Global South country to look to the US or France for solutions -- they have resources and assets that we in the GS do not. Look at Singapore, or Taiwan, or Rwanda. Identify their good actions....In many of our countries we have institutionalized corruption. And leadership issues too. It is such practical issues that need to be tackled. And civil society can help, if they remain clean and offer grassroot solutions....Focus on practice. Feasible?

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

In this HT chain, and elsewhere, comments refer to... --- ...the use of economic 'experts' in promotion work.....Let me set out some personal observations that relate to this major issue.....1. It is an illusion that 'experts' give real help in promotion work. Why? An investor, foreign or domestic, is spending money. They will always seek the best, impartial advice before they invest. They will NOT go by the technical or tax law or other detailed investment guidance that the 'expert' from the receiving country provides....2. So what is the job of the 'promoter'? Based on 20 years of hands-on experience, it is to get the investor to give real attention to your country. That is a task of politico-economic promotion, not mastery over tax laws or other investment conditions.....3. More than anyone else, it is the Amb that enjoys access to top management, not an economic counselor or an adviser from the home country's investment board....4. It is the generalist-political diplomat that understands connections between different issues, and reaches out to business and to political leaders. Both need to be cultivated.....5. Finally, too many politically appointed Amb are too lazy, or disinterested to engage in real economic promotion work. As one colleague said, Africa still resorts to too many of them. And, sadly, it pays the price!....Apologies for blunt comments.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

Good points, solid data. --- But the document is in Spanish!....Many thanks, nevertheless.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

Silent rebuff --- I would have thought that any failure to respond to a letter sent by a head of state would amount to a very overt rebuff by the receiving state.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Ironic reversal --- LOL, yes indeed, Greta is at risk of ridicule since she herself has resorted exclusively to language (an one low-carbon crossing of the Atlantic).

However, and this is very relevant to the week's topic, her words are not merely a waste of time (as 'blah-blah would suggest) since she has achieved a lot with them. She has managed to raise awareness and galvanise a generation into engaging with Climate Change. She has secured a global audience for her message. She has used the UN platform to 'speak truth to power' and she has raised everybody's expectations with regard to goals and time limits. Pretty impressive, much as I don't like her divisiveness.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Oh dear ;) --- I'm not sure how I feel about the fact that I am the one who has brought you to this realisation, André!!

On the other hand, there is a lot of wisdom in the adages "master or be mastered" / "do or be done unto".

But then again, maybe we don't need to see survival as rivalry. We will be looking at ways to collaborate and expand the happy circle of inclusion during this survey of rhetorical resources, so hang onto you nice hat!!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Not a great way to attract young diplomats --- 🤣

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

It depends on your adversary --- Let's take Trump as an example. His popularity, especially in certain parts of the US, stems from his fiery rhetoric. Attempting to take the moral high ground by staying silent would simply not work for his base.

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

THIS! --- Moving from blaming to providing solutions is immensely difficult in this scenario. Otherwise, Greta's outrage is simply "blah, blah, blah" too.

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

He was never interested in this --- Trump wanted to be elected because he wished to be elected. That's just about it.

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

What is the solution? --- It's all well and good telling politicians off, but what is to be done? How can we solve the problem? Let's keep in mind that there are 7+ billion people on Earth, spread across some 140 nations. There is no silver bullet, and pretending that there is some solution that will help everyone, everywhere, whilst lifting people out of poverty and ensuring that no one's quality of life suffers is over-simplified.

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

We need both! --- Open anxiety helps to get people fired up and passionate, which makes it easier for politicians to demand and mandate change.

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

This is the critical point of the argument --- Greta is free to be a “single-issue politician.” Governments have no such luxury. I remember chatting with Malta’s Superintendent for Public Health in summer 2020; her words made me think – “At the end of the day we must strike a balance between people dying from an illness and people dying from hunger” (my paraphrasing.)

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

I disagree --- Ultimately politicians in democracies can only do so much. Their words are what prompts voters to demand change and accept policies. Simply changing policies risks being voted out of office and throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

I'm not sure what Greta would like politicians to do, precisely. Some politicians are fans of photo-ops (the Dutch PM used to commute by bicycle, for example) but at the end of the day the impact of politicians in real terms is a drop in the ocean.

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

That's a good point, but... --- I would urge some caution. In one way, it feels like this is akin to the "defence against the dark arts" course that the kids in Harry Potter sit through; knowing our counterparts' weapons is the best way to disarm them. On the other hand, I am slowly coming to the realisation that being too nice is not good; at the end of the day, it is sometimes necessary to adopt the same tactics as those we are talking to.

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

Seconded! --- This was one of the more interesting discussions, at least in my experience.

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

Ambiguity and the headache of phrasal verbs --- To bang is indeed ambiguous, though ambiguity is hardly a reason to get divorced! Banging on the wrong side of the sheets might be! Finishing a relationship with a bang is, once again, very ambiguous!

I won't bang on about phrasal verbs but as you know they have the power to considerably modulate (and therefore complicate) communication in English.

To 'bang on' = to talk about something for a long time, especially in a way that is boring to other people

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

We bang all the time! --- Do we? When a started my term in the UN Joint Inspection Unit a non-native speaker (from The Dominican Republic) married with one native (United States), explained to me (another non-native speaker) that the word "bang", in a certain context, may mean also something incompatible with the language of a diplomat. The action suggested by the word "bang" was the reason for the divorce between the two. Since then I avoided the word.

Till today, when I saw that the word is used so graciously by our distinguished professor. However, I made sure that Khrushchev gesture is retained in history as the "the shoe-banging" episode.

Source author: Petru Dumitriu PetruD@diplomacy.edu

Longest UN speech - unofficial --- According to Guinness, the longest statement made at the UN was given by V.K. Krishna Menon of India. The respective statement was made to the Security Council but it was given during three consecutive meetings. Those meetings together lasted eight hours, but some time was also spent in procedural interventions.

Source author: Petru Dumitriu PetruD@diplomacy.edu

Nikita Khrushchcev and Fidel Castro --- The shoe-banging incident occurred during a debate on 12 October 1960 over a Soviet resolution decrying colonialism. Khrushchev was infuriated by a statement of Filipino delegate charging the Soviets with employing a double standard by decrying colonialism while dominating Eastern Europe.

Fidel Castro did not do anything similar. However, he hold his own personal record.

According to the records of the United Nations the longest timed speech made in the General Assembly was made by Fidel Castro of Cuba at the 872nd plenary meeting of the General Assembly on 26 September 1960 (A/PV.872). The time listed is 269 minutes.

The document is "List of Speeches and Visits Made by Heads of State and Dignitaries" and gives information for statements made from 1945-1976 (document ST/OGS/SER.F/4 + Add.1-2.)

O tempora, o mores! (Cicero). Now even for the heads of the state or government the average is 35 minutes. For normal official meetings the time limits are stricter. Source author: Petru Dumitriu <PetruD@diplomacy.edu>

they have an incentive not to --- They have an incentive not to: if they let on to who they know (or think) it is they might lose an edge in dealing with that particular adversary because the adversary would know they're on to them and respond/protect themselves accordingly.

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

no liability protection if the vendor knowingly failed to use security measures --- If the vendor knowingly did not incorporate security by design into their product, software, when security measures were available, then naturally they should be liable for the consequences.

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

Disarmement --- I agree.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

Re: a paleontological perspective --- Thank you Ryan for your comment and the article. My field is archaeology, but I work in particular on issues related to the illicit trafficking of cultural goods, so that I also know well what is happening or has happened in the field of paleonthology, which is not very different from what happens in archaeology. Whether it is to fight against illicit trafficking or to establish more fair and equitable scientific practices, I think that you have touched two essential points: first, in this type of research must be involved researchers from the host country and not only for supporting the collection of data or specimen, but to participate actively in the research throughout all the project, from the conception to the dissemination of the results. The other important point is the involvement of the local communities to raise awareness and engage them given that this is a heritage which is part of their history and from which they must also benefit. I am working in Mexico as a member of a foreign (Italian) archaeological project, as part of a bilateral cooperation agreement. It was not mandatory, but we decided to co-lead the project with a team of Mexican researchers and to develop it in an inclusive and participative way for the local community that lives on part of the archaeological site, including awareness-raising and training activities. I agree with you and I do think that today certain practices and approaches should be integrated automatically and it would be worthwhile to discuss them during the establishment of bilateral scientific cooperation agreements between countries or institutions.

Source author: Aura Fossati aura.fossati@gmail.com

science, politics, religion --- Ginger, thanks for raising this point. It's a really intriguing and thoughtful question and that for me includes two sub-questions: First, who are the actors in science diplomacy? Second, how do scientific findings become accepted in societies and become policies? Let me start addressing these questions. As Estefania points out, religious leaders can be considered actors in science diplomacy. The second question is partly a science diplomacy question and partly a much broader question. In very general terms, science never gets translated directly into policies ... there is a process of communication, persuasion, and negotiation.

Source author: Katharina Höne KatharinaH@diplomacy.edu

science and knowledge as process --- Very much on board with the definition of science as a process, Petal. And as you say, the need to understand it as a process and understand the 'how' of this process. One additional thought for thought: what if we understood knowledge itself as a process (rather than as something fixed?).

Source author: Katharina Höne KatharinaH@diplomacy.edu

Wuhan Institute of Virology --- Thank you for this excellent example and thoughtful elaboration on this, Katharina. It really shows the complex interplay between science and politics. We will look at health in the science diplomacy context in module three, maybe we can deepen this discussion there - it would be very beneficial.

Source author: Katharina Höne KatharinaH@diplomacy.edu

science attachés as a small example of a much wider field of science diplomacy --- Absolutely agreed, Samir

Source author: Katharina Höne KatharinaH@diplomacy.edu

Global Sustainable Development Report --- More on that in module two ...

Source author: Katharina Höne KatharinaH@diplomacy.edu

traditional definition of diplomacy - what about multilateral diplomacy --- I very much see where you are coming from, Samir. From the perspective of the diplomatic studies literature, this definition applies to both bilateral and multilateral relations. However, wf we see international organisations as independent actors (which they are to a degree) and take the 'global governance' perspective, then you are absolutely right to say that multilateralism is about the collective management of our planet.

Source author: Katharina Höne KatharinaH@diplomacy.edu

SESAME in the Middle East --- Thanks for sharing your personal experience working at SESAME, Muna. This is extremely exciting to read about! SESAME is certainly very widely discussed in the literature on science diplomacy. I have one question: the impression I get is that scientist from different countries are yet to use the facility at the same time. If this is the case, when do you think we will see this happening and what are current barriers?

Source author: Katharina Höne KatharinaH@diplomacy.edu

science for diplomacy - process perspective --- "Science for diplomacy" is usually thought of as scientific findings being used for foreign policy decision-making. With our suggestion, Petal, you are taking it one step further and look at the process of arriving at the decisions. I have not seen this perspective in the literature (yet), but it strikes me as extremely valuable.

Source author: Katharina Höne KatharinaH@diplomacy.edu

interlinkages between them all --- I know this HT is too late, but wanted to put here for future reference too. For me I wouldn't say all but an interlinked between them all. In other words, I do see science diplomacy as a scientific collaboration that contribute and implement existing policies to work closely and inline with the state actors to achieve peace.

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

With you Erfat --- I agree with sustainability in mind we will achieve fairness, continuity, prosperity, equity, and all of that. Sustainability is the way to think of the Big Picture

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

Uncertainty is pervasive... --- Thanks Ryan for bringing up the comfort levels of scientists vs. policymakers with uncertainty. This has been playing out for all of us with the ongoing pandemic w.r.t. whether to wear masks or not, indoors or outdoors, and what type; new virus variants and their rates of infectivity and severity of disease they're likely to cause; whether the virus spreads via physical/surface contact or airborne, and therefore what might be a safe distance; one or two or booster doses of vaccines, and for what ages, and how to prioritise. The policy responses varied as the scientific evidence either confirmed or refuted the plausibility (while everything is possible!) of each of the scenarios.

At the cost of using a much cliched word, scientists and policymakers/diplomats have more to benefit from empathy borne out of understanding each others' objectives and cultural milieu. Borrowing from reality shows, perhaps both communities ought to spend at least a day in each other's professional environment! Have a policymaker/diplomat shadow a scientist in their lab/field site, and have a scientist back-bench as an observer in a diplomatic exchange. In my previous avatar as a lab scientist, I observed a disconnect even among scientists - a researcher working on a particular DNA/protein or cellular pathway that might be involved in causing say Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease has rarely if ever seen a patient and their physical and psychological pain and suffering in a clinical setting. Imagine the sense of urgency that might bear upon their research effort when they realise what is at stake. Brings us back to empathy! Now think pandemic, climate change, access to healthcare, sustainable development....neither resources nor time are infinite.

Source author: Vid Nukala Vid.Nukala@gmail.com

science literacy --- A lack of understanding of how science works is a huge issue indeed. I like to use the term "science literacy" (though certainly not original to me). I often say that one of the goals of science outreach isn't just to inspire more people to become scientists, but to help create a society where everyone has a basic understanding and appreciation for the role of science in their lives. I think it would make dealing with societal challenges that have a strongly scientific component (such as pandemics) go much better than we have seen them go in the past.

Source author: Ryan Haupt ryan.haupt@nysf.com

The United Nations Technology Bank for LCDs --- The United Nations Technology Bank is one off the top of my head. It is a global organization that is dedicated to enhancing the contribution of science, technology and innovation for sustainable development in the world’s 46 least developed countries.

Source author: Sovanndanit Roath sovanndanitroath@gmail.com

Domestic Science Diplomacy Network in Cambodia. --- In Cambodia, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation are supposedly the main actors responsible for the practice of science diplomacy. As illustrated in this lecture, other stakeholders such as NGOs, universities and academies of sciences also play an important role.

Source author: Sovanndanit Roath sovanndanitroath@gmail.com

relations between national policies and diplomacy --- in my opinion, since one's country foreign policies are influenced by their domestic policies to ensure their national interests, it is also safe to say that while science diplomacy is a broader term, it is also heavily influenced by science policy.

Source author: Sovanndanit Roath sovanndanitroath@gmail.com

Comfort with uncertainty --- In addition to being the idea that scientific evidence/consensus is always subject to change when new data/evidence is presented, another element of being trained as a scientist that I think is relevant here is being trained to be comfortable with a degree of uncertainty, and being able to express that uncertainty precisely in a way that is understandable to other scientists but often seems unclear or misunderstood by non-scientists especially policy-makers. In my experience working with US-based policy makers, I often found that people on the policy side wanted clarity or certainty on issues that when thinking as a scientist have more nuance or a reasonable degree of uncertainty. A policy maker may want to hear "We know that climate change is being driven by fossil fuel emissions" but a scientist advising them may only be willing to say "We are reasonably sure that the most likely driver of climate change based on all available evidence..." and that response won't be seen as a certain enough piece of evidence for a policy maker to then act upon even though it is a perfectly reasonable degree of certainty for a researcher, if that makes sense.

Source author: Ryan Haupt ryan.haupt@nysf.com

changing norms for science outreach --- @Vid - I agree with you that the consequences of effective science communication are on full display as we struggle with vaccine hesitancy, continued denials about the realities of climate change, and more. That said, I would push back slightly on the idea that scientists are reluctant to engage with those outside the scientific community. At least in the US academic system, scientific outreach was not as valued a part of having a scientific career as a professor or researcher as other elements of the job like publishing and teaching. If anything, outreach was seen as a risk because it was taking time away from research and exposing one's self to criticism and misinterpretation. Hopefully younger generations of up and coming scientists can help revive the idea of the respected "public intellectual", and I agree that social media giving researchers a platform to do so can be a huge help for reaching an audience.

Source author: Ryan Haupt ryan.haupt@nysf.com

"hard" vs. "soft" sciences --- Trying to label certain sciences as "hard" or "soft" comes with its own set of issues and those terms can also be confused as making value judgments about the relative merits of certain disciplines. A more value-neutral way of distinguishing between disciplines is to assess the degree to which they have to apply statistical analyses to their datasets. This is often a function of how "messy" the data is, i.e., how many other confounding factors might be influencing the data. For example, when particle physicists use particle accelerators to generate their data they are considering the interaction of two particles in a highly controlled environment, whereas an ecologist studying a forest has to consider (or at least be aware of) all the interactions taking place that might have an effect on their data, and only by applying careful statistical analyses in the latter case, can the data collected be determined as more than likely giving the ecologist an answer to their question, so basically teasing the truth out of a very 'noisy' system from a data approach. So "hard" sciences in this sense rely less on statistics because they don't need to, whereas "soft" sciences use statistics to help make sense of messier datasets, and this distinction is certainly more of a spectrum than a hard line, and in no way should used to argue that some scientific disciplines are "better" or "more rigorous" than others. It's more about making sure the right tools are applied to the right questions and types of data that scientists use to do their research.

Source author: Ryan Haupt ryan.haupt@nysf.com

The Caribbean Academy of Sciences (CAS) --- CAS is a venue for science diplomacy to take place

Source author: Petal Punalall Jetoo pjetoo@gmail.com

Guyana --- International NGOs such as Iwokrama, Conservation International and WWF drive nature conservation agendas while the Government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Guyana Forestry Commission etc. collaborate with these NGOs. International support is linked to UN agencies. However, there are opportunities for strengthening capacities for collaborative research and STI diplomacy

Source author: Petal Punalall Jetoo pjetoo@gmail.com

Science for Policies and Policies for Science --- Can we think about how the scientific method is applied in policy development process - "science for policies".

Source author: Petal Punalall Jetoo pjetoo@gmail.com

Caribbean Science and Technology Capacity Development --- The work of UNESCO in the Caribbean fosters collaboration across borders and resonates with me since I was a part of some of their recent initiatives.

Source author: Petal Punalall Jetoo pjetoo@gmail.com

My understanding of Science --- I agree that science is a process that leads to knowledge creation and application. The development of science process skills such as observation, communication, investigation etc. should be tackled very early in our education systems. While Science is a process is it is also a product - the product being new knowlede

Source author: Petal Punalall Jetoo pjetoo@gmail.com

Science, Technology and Diplomacy --- Absolutely, science diplomacy is influenced by technologies. I think that the practical applications of sciences leads to the development and deployment of relevant technologies which could advance sustainable development

Source author: Petal Punalall Jetoo pjetoo@gmail.com

Not consular activities --- As you correctly point, this consulate is carrying out activities that are not consular but diplomatic.

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

Out of the framework --- Consulates use to develop parallel activities that are not consular as public diplomacy, comercial festival, etc. Hosting a network doesn't make the network have a consular status. Consular activities are ruled under the Vienna Convention on consular relations and this is totally out of this framework

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

scientists at different levels in the process --- I think this is a really useful way of looking at it. I very much agree with your examples and the various levels of decision-making you point out. I would add something: even if the science is clear (in an ideal world kind of assumption), translating this into action is always going to be a messy process. For one, different stakeholders need to be accommodated, different political agendas and sensibilities brought together and so on. Beyond the initial discovery or scientific finding, there is a need to include scientists in the process that follows. So, I totally agree here and find your approach very useful. In addition, for that to be effective however, scientists need training (communication, negotiation, etc.)

Source author: Katharina Höne KatharinaH@diplomacy.edu

social sciences for the last mile ... but ... --- Very much agreed with this comment, Veronica and Vid. This is worth emphasising: the level of adoption is not a technical matter. Yet, I would caution against 'confining' the contribution of social sciences to implementation. Just one example: understanding human behaviour needs to play a role in how we design technology - in particular digital devices and social media come to mind. In some case, bringing social science in at the 'implementation stage' is too late.

Source author: Katharina Höne KatharinaH@diplomacy.edu

Emergence & Convergence out of Complexity --- Nicely written Ryan! My first post on this page speaks to the concepts of Emergence & Convergence driven by increasing complexity, with authors whose works I follow.

Source author: Vid Nukala Vid.Nukala@gmail.com

Influence of scientists at different levels of the decision-making process --- Could we argue that, in the decision-making process, there are two "levels" where scientists and policy-makers meet? The first is at very high-level, and deals with the scientific community to broadly agree on mega-trends: let's take the perfect example of climate change. The policy-makers then base on such mega-trend their multi-annual policies: let's take the perfect example of the EU Green Deal. At this point, the policy-maker 'knows' where he wants to go - towards a greener country, industry, society. But the scientific options to be chosen to achieve such objective are manyfold, and here once again the national/supra-national scientific community can influence the policy decision-making process (e.g. to invest in R&D on bio-fuels for automotive or, viceversa, demonstrating scientifically that these will never help reach achieve the green target, therefore pushing the opting for only electrical vehicles to circulate from year x onwards, etc.).

Source author: Veronica Elena Bocci v_ele_bo@hotmail.com

Social sciences for making the "last mile" --- I am even more used, in my job, to deal with advanced technologies and with learning (from high-level research and wide-coverage technical reports) that the level of adoption is never a technological matter, rather one based on social sciences (being them economics, sociology, phychology...).

Source author: Veronica Elena Bocci v_ele_bo@hotmail.com

paradigm shift examples --- @Mouloud - You're right there are examples of paradigm shifts in nearly every field of science, which might undercut the idea that they're relatively rare but I think the point stands since the examples we have on hand are iconic moments in the history of those fields. Do you agree?

Source author: Ryan Haupt ryan.haupt@nysf.com

Feynman --- I guess it's obvious that I hadn't watched the Feynman video yet, but he also mentions the story about Mercury in video linked below. :-)

Source author: Ryan Haupt ryan.haupt@nysf.com

emergence --- Carlos, your thoughts also make me think about the concept of emergent properties in the sciences. Put as simply as possible for those not familiar with them, emergent properties are attributes of systems made up of many individual parts where the parts alone do not have the property of the collected version. One of my favorite examples is the question "Is a single molecule of water wet?" probably not, wetness is a property that emerges when a sufficiently high number of water molecules are together.

In the context of your thoughts, I often think about how certain scientific disciplines can be seen as emergent from others. Physics studies atoms and forces, but when enough atoms come together and start interacting in new ways, chemistry emerges. When enough sufficiently complex molecules start reproducing and sharing information with their descendent molecules, biology emerges. When biological entities develop social groups, eventually sociology emerges. So forth and so on. So for whatever distinctions we're able to make, there's also ways to find connections because after all that's how branches work. :-)

Source author: Ryan Haupt ryan.haupt@nysf.com

the intersection --- An issue that comes up in my field of paleontology which is relevant here is that in some point in earth history an ape starts walking upright and eventually some of the descendants of those apes become known as Homo sapiens, so when do we as paleontologists hand those fossils over to anthropologists? When do anthropologists start deferring to archaeologists? As disciplines we have developed ways to navigated these issues, but when discussing things more philosophically it's less clear. There's a moment where your two distinct definitions would in fact overlap, and I also think it's important to remember that humans are a part of the natural world, no matter how much we might try to remove ourselves from it. Food for thought.

Source author: Ryan Haupt ryan.haupt@nysf.com

Medical arts --- My father is a physician and one of the buildings at his medical school was simply called the "medical arts" building, which used to drive my wife nuts because she would always see that building and exclaim "but shouldn't it be medical science!" to which my father always justified some of the more artistic aspects of the discipline. So I think for something as complex and human-centered as medicine it's sort of all of the above!

Source author: Ryan Haupt ryan.haupt@nysf.com

another way to apply social science --- @Kiconco - As a followup to your point about using social sciences to guide practical application of the things learned from natural sciences (a forward thinking approach), we can always take a backwards looking approach and use social sciences to assess how well prior applications of scientific results worked (or didn't work), which can then help iteratively improve or inform future applications.

Source author: Ryan Haupt ryan.haupt@nysf.com

Scientific method --- I think it does, or at least it should since science is a human endeavour to generate new knowledge.

Source author: Petal Punalall Jetoo pjetoo@gmail.com

and this introduces policy skills --- I agree to this comment of your Kathy (if I may), actually, I took a policy skills training a month ago and this taught me exactly what you are saying here, there is no right or wrong, its a different perspective to things. Each one's opinion is a right one and serve one objective, one might be better and more comprehensive to the other. and this is where weighing options comes to know what option is more feasible and economically and politically efficient, where scientists should be included to learn and to advice.

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