Digital Diplomacy: Shaping Global Transformation

Digital technologies are fundamentally transforming societies around the globe. How these technologies are used, misused, and regulated has significant implications for our political and economic lives. The pandemic has brought to the fore some of the great advantages of digitalisation, also in our daily lives. But for all the opportunities, serious challenges are already evident, too: digital divides, a technological cold war in the offing, and the growth of digital authoritarianism. Shaping this global transformation – in a world of increasing geoeconomic and geopolitical competition and rivalry – will be essential to protect our values and our way of life, and to unlock new forms of global cooperation.

The German Federal Foreign Office has put forth a comprehensive digitalisation strategy. The GIGA is proud to bring to you the two senior diplomats in charge of this policy. In their lecture, Ambassador Dr. Regine Grienberger and Ambassador Dr. Hinrich Thölken will address urgent matters of cyber foreign policy and the hopeful promise of digital transformation.

Tuesday, 27 April 2021, 02:30–03:30 p.m. (CET) | online Event

Distinguishes Speakers: Ambassador Dr. Regine Grienberger is the Director for Cyber Foreign and Security Policy at the Federal Foreign Office. Her previous professional experience lay chiefly in the field of EU foreign policy as well as EU financial and economic policy, with a focus on general agricultural policy, with responsibility for crisis management in pandemics, among other areas. Dr. Grienberger studied agriculture in Bonn, Munich, Vienna and Michigan State University.

Ambassador Dr. Hinrich Thölken is Director for International Climate and Energy Policy and Digital Transformation at the German Federal Foreign Office. He previously served as Germany’s first Digital Ambassador. He served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UN Organisations in Rome, among other foreign postings. He studied medicine in Germany and in the United Kingdom and holds a Medical Degree (M.D.) of the University of Heidelberg.

Chair & Moderator: Prof. Dr. Amrita Narlikar, President of the GIGA

The GIGA Distinguished Speaker Lecture Series brings leading minds in academia and policy from all over the world to the Institute to stimulate public exchange on key global developments.