The Role of Multilateralism in Cyber-Diplomacy: A Tale of Three UNs

Abstract: Despite the novel challenges presented by cyberspace, cyberdiplomacy – understood as the means by which states, organizations and individuals conduct their affairs in cyberspace in order to safeguard and promote their values and interests, while trying to maintain ‘peaceful’ relations – is inherently multilateral in nature. Yet, the role of the United Nations (UN) in this new domain has been controversial and promises to become even more so in the future, at a time of global fragmentation and increased great power competition (if not conflict). This seminar will consider the concepts, challenges and opportunities provided by cyberdiplomacy in a multilateral setting, focusing specifically on the role of the UN. It will show how three very different ‘UNs’ – that of member-states, that of international civil servants, and that of ‘civil society’ actors – are shaping both the discourse about and the decisions surrounding this critical new frontier of international relations.

Dr. Herman T. Salton is a tenured Associate Professor of International Relations at the Department of Politics and International Studies, International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo, Japan, where is also Associate Director of the Rotary Peace Center, Chair of the Diplomatic and International Public Service Program, and Deputy-Director of the Academic Council on the UN System (ACUNS). 
Dr. Salton was educated at the Universities of Trento, Auckland, Aberystwyth and Oxford, and he holds two doctoral degrees, one in International Law and the other in International Relations. His research focus on the role of global institutions (especially the UN) in international politics. 
He has written four books in English, French and Italian - including 'Dangerous Diplomacy', which was published by Oxford University Press and won the first prize by the International Studies Association as the best book on international organization, as well as the Biennial Book Award of the Academic Council of the UN System as the best book on the United Nations. 

Registration: https://forms.gle/cUCBnEuRHoCRGWxDA

Thursday, March 9th 2023 from 4 pm till 6 pm 
Université libre de Bruxelles
Campus du Solbosch – IEE Kant Room
39 Avenue Franklin Roosevelt
1050 Bruxelles

Flyer (PDF)