„Navigating New Horizons: Digital Diplomacy for a Sustainable Future“, 24 – 27 April

In the light of a rapidly accelerating digitalization, Diplomacy by Networking hosted the Network Conference „Navigating New Horizons: Digital Diplomacy for a Sustainable Future“ in the buzzing Mediterranean metropole of Barcelona in April. For this programme Diplomacy by Networking teamed up with two vital European regional cooperation organizations: the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). The German Consulate General to Barcelona supported the programme team in developing the conference programme.
By bringing together experts and stakeholders from politics, science and the civil society this programme was designed to explore the potentials digitalization processes can have on strengthening and enhancing diplomatic work. 20 alumni from 20 different countries from all around the globe participated in the four-day-programme, engaging in thought provoking discussions and fostering new connections.
The programme was kicked off by a welcome reception in the premises of the German Consulate General hosted by Consul General Dr Dirk Rotenberg overlooking the marina of Barcelona. Together with representatives of the UfM and the BSEC, such as their respective General Secretaries Lazar Comanescu (BSEC) and Nasser Kamel (UfM), the participants enjoyed the opportunity to get to know each other and share their diplomatic insights.
The second day marked the beginning of intensive discussions and panels focusing on digital diplomacy. Our first speaker Professor Hannes Müller from the Institute for Economic Analysis (IAE) gave valuable insights on the potentials of using artificial intelligence and big data for a progressive form of foreign policy. Especially his impressive work on projects that use highly advanced technological methods for international crisis forecasting was met with great interest by the participants. A panel discussion organised by the BSEC brought together experts from the Black Sea Region who elaborated on the use of digital tools to enhance transnational regional cooperation. The first day was complemented by a fruitful discussion on trends in European digital policies conducted by representatives of the Barcelona Center of International Affairs (CIDOB).
The following day began with an excursion to the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC). The head of the Earth Science Department, Francisco J. Doblas Reyes, presented his department’s intriguing work on the prediction of climate events using the latest digital tools. The subsequent tour of the BSC premises, including the inspection of some of the most powerful supercomputers in Europe, was particularly memorable. Roger Albinyana from the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) and Abdelkader El Khissassi (UfM) added the regional perspective of European-Mediterranean digital collaboration to the discussions.
Last but not least, on the last programme day the participants were able to dive into one of the cultural highlights of Barcelona by visiting the Joan Miro Foundation.
The programme once again demonstrated the crucial importance of discussing pressing questions of diplomacy in a setting that it on the one side professional but on the other side also a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with old and meet new partners and friends.

Alumni Team