We are currently running an online training series, “UN Discussions On Responsible State Behaviour In Cyberspace: An Introductory Course For Civil Society”.

This online training series is aimed at expert and non-expert members of civil society with an interest in cybersecurity, human rights, international peace and security and the roles and responsibilities of different actors in cyberspace.

Over the course of several interactive webinars, the training series provides an overview of the discussions at the UN General Assembly, their links with human rights, and other relevant processes.

The series seeks to:

Increase participants knowledge of the opportunities for engagement in the UN First Committee discussions;
Increase participants understanding of the UNGGE responsible state behaviour framework and the different components Increase participants understanding of how the UNGGE framework and norms in particular, can be operationalised at the national level, allowing them to support policymakers and other stakeholders in their implementation of the GGE framework;
Broaden the pool of civil society actors engaging in these discussions.

Please see below for information in the series.

Part 1

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Webinar 1 – The story so far

The first webinar in the series outlined:

the basic terms relevant to the UN cyber discussions;
links with human rights;
What the UN First Committee has done so far; and
The relationship with other discussions at the UN.

Resources:

Extra reading:

UN First Committee Processes in Responsible State Behaviour: An Explainer

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Webinar 2 – The current status of UN cyber discussions

Webinar 2 provided an overview of the:

OEWG and GGE;
Areas of agreement and disagreement; and
The impact of disagreements.

Resources:

Extra reading:

“In progress”? Reflections on the UN discussions on state behaviour in cyberspace (June 2021)

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Webinar 3 – Opportunities for civil society engagement

The final webinar of Part One focused on:

A recap of webinars 1 and 2;
The GGE report: reflections from a civil society perspective; and
National, regional and global opportunities for engagement.

Resources:

Extra reading:

https://www.gp-digital.org/civil-society-input/

Part 2

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Webinar 1 – Unpacking the Responsible State Behaviour Framework

The first webinar in the second part of the series outlined:

The different elements of the GGE framework;
How the different elements link together;
The role of civil society and relationship of the different elements of the framework and human rights

Resources:

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Webinar 2 – Deep Dive into GGE Cybernorms

The second webinar examined:

The reasons for cybernorms
Implementing cybernorms in a rights-respecting way, including through frameworks at the national level

Resources:

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Webinar 3 – Operationalising the Responsible State Behaviour Framework Beyond Norms

This session covered what civil society can do to support the implementation of:

Confidence-building measures
International law
Capacity building

Resources:

Back to series landing page