From 25 to 27 October 2021, the European Cyber Diplomacy Dialogue (ECDD) gathered experts from academia and policy-making for a hybrid meeting on the EU’s cyber diplomacy challenges.
The third edition of the event was co-organised by the EU Cyber Direct project and the School of Transnational Governance at the European University Institute. For the first time, the ECDD took place in a hybrid format, thus allowing both physical and virtual participation.
The ECDD aims to provide a platform for regular exchange between policymakers and scholars on research findings and policies related to cyberspace, in order to rethink the dominant narrative and jointly look for solutions to current challenges for the EU’s cyber diplomacy.
More than 25 researchers, analysts, and senior-level diplomatic representatives from EU institutions and member states joined the event. Throughout the different sessions, they discussed approaches to international norms negotiation, shared knowledge in the implementation of cyber diplomacy policies, and addressed specific controversies.
The agenda included discussions on the Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox, cooperation with non-EU countries, as well as the EU's approach to engagement with countries like China, Russia and Iran in the context of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace.
On 27 October, participants met the Young African Leader Fellows to debate the digital transition in Africa, focussing on opportunities for cooperation with the EU.
