Founder and Executive Director of Diplo Foundation, Dr. Jovan Kurbalija, takes us on a journey from the past to the present and across civilizations to explore the interplay of technology and diplomacy.

Diplomacy and technology are at the heart of Diplo’s mission. Dr. Kurbalija emphasizes the importance of writing as a diplomatic tool and begins by telling us the story in the Sumerian poem “Enmerkar and the Lord of Aratta”, recounting how Enmerkar invents writing on clay tablets to relieve the messenger of having to remember the increasing number of messages with which he is charged.

Jovan talks about the similarity of the Ancient Egyptian Amarna letters to today’s diplomatic notes, the advanced messaging system of the Persians at the time of Cyrus the Great, how the Romans and Byzantines concealed information, the advances in technology during the Renaissance period and he highlights the themes of continuity and change all the way to present day. He also speaks about the impact of social media, AI, and our need to remain open to embracing technology in a smart way.

Resources

Diplo website: https://www.diplomacy.edu/

Kurbalija J. (2023) History of Diplomacy and Technology: From Smoke Signals to Artificial Intelligence available at: https://www.diplomacy.edu/resource/history-of-diplomacy-and-technology-from-smoke-signals-to-artificial-intelligence/

Where to listen to this episode

• Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-page/id1469021154
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/10fp8ROoVdve0el88KyFLy
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/

Content

Guest: Jovan Kurbalija, Executive Director, Diplo

Host and Producer: Amy Smith

Editing and social media designs: Mengna Chen

Recorded & produced at the United Nations Library & Archives Geneva

We invited Itonde Kakoma, the new President and CEO of Interpeace, to talk about the mission of Interpeace – an organization that had its origins in the UN and works to prevent violence and build lasting peace. Interpeace has over 30 years of experience working in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

In this conversation with the Director of the UN Library & Archives, Francesco Pisano, Itonde Kakoma talks about inclusive peacebuilding, a participatory approach and a vision of peace anchored in the cohesion and resilience of citizens, the diversity and inclusion of communities and the responsiveness and trustworthiness of State institutions. They discuss the obstacles around implementing the strategic aims of rethinking peace, enhancing resilience and embedding peace, as well as the nexus between peacebuilding and multilateralism.

Resources

Interpeace website: https://www.interpeace.org/

Where to listen to this episode

• Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-page/id1469021154
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/10fp8ROoVdve0el88KyFLy
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/

Content

Guest: Itonde Kakoma, President, Interpeace

Host: Francesco Pisano

Producer: Amy Smith

Editing and social media designs: Mengna Chen

Recorded & produced at the United Nations Library & Archives Geneva

A conversation with Under-Secretary-General Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of UNECE

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is one of the five Regional Commissions of the United Nations. ECE was set up in 1947 to promote pan-European economic integration. Francesco Pisano met with UNECE’s new Executive Secretary, Ms. Tatiana Molcean for a conversation on the role of the Commission and how it serves multilateralism. They also talk about the vision for European economic integration and the challenges currently facing the wider European region.

Resources

UNECE website: https://unece.org/

Where to listen to this episode 

• Apple podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-page/id1469021154
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/10fp8ROoVdve0el88KyFLy
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R06Hz-T2C0M&t=3s

Content   

Guest: Tatiana Molcean, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of UNECE

Host: Francesco Pisano

Producer: Amy Smith

Editing and social media designs: Mengna Chen  

Recorded & produced at the United Nations Library & Archives Geneva