Master in Digital International Relations & Diplomacy
In collaboration with UNITAR

An introduction to global diplomacy and international negotiations: session carried out by UNITAR.

This course explores the dynamic landscape of diplomacy, from the past to the future. It begins with the fundamental principles of international relations, examining the interactions between politics and economics, studying the symbiotic relationships between business, trade and diplomacy under the light of the transition from traditional blocks to a multipolar multilateralism, which shapes the new global order. In an age dominated by AI, negotiations on survival and climate diplomacy prepare for the challenges of tomorrow. This requires hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI tools essential for effective stakeholder diplomacy in our increasingly digital world. This is the transformative journey through the evolution of diplomacy, where history meets innovation to shape the future of international relations.

3 ECTS

This course explores the transformative power of data. Big data, analytics, and information are key to understanding the world and are used to present political tendencies and trends. This course unlocks the art of visualizing big data, helping students to understand manipulative segmentation and influence profiling, from gerrymandering to multidimensional personal profiling. The juxtaposition of ‘what you see is what you get’ (wysiwig) and ‘what you see is not what you get’ in the context of data interpretation allows a comprehension of how data is a tool of international politics and diplomacy. The enlightening visual analyses of political data and AI-driven perspectives on basic facts of reality through the lens of renewed Factfulness provide a societal sense of reality. Finally, this course teaches students how to detect when the notions of individual and collective consciousness and responsibility surge where responsible policies predict the evolution of ethical and less ethical dimensions in this data-driven world. This is an intellectual journey where data, analytics, and information converge to shape our understanding of the modern era.

3 ECTS

Successful managers skillfully manage their resources and risks to produce a desired organizational outcome. A key and often overlooked challenge for managers is the ability to manage without influence: in other words, to gain the support of stakeholders and access to resources not directly under their control. Students will explore project management, effective negotiation and communication skills with a practical, hands-on approach through case studies and class exercises. This course will also review socio-political complexities, creativity and emotional considerations as well as approaches to maximize influence. Students will acquire the fundamental tools, concepts and behavioral skills needed to successfully lead and realize benefits from projects, negotiations and communications.

5 ECTS

The Business Immersion Week for this master’s degree consists of an immersion program designed and carried out by UNITAR within the joint program, in close collaboration with EU Business School. Students take part in a wide range of activities including conferences and events. Through this intense week of dynamic activities, students develop their business and diplomacy skills and put theory into practice.

1 ECTS

This is a practical course structured as a project with an iterative format. It is designed to provide a dynamic and engaging experience of executing a strategy consulting project based on a case study. Students will learn to self-organize and collaborate with teammates to solve problems and manage projects effectively and successfully by learning to implement feedback. In addition, students will learn to apply tools and soft skills that will enable them to solve challenges and execute projects as external or internal consultants, individual contributors, or organizational leaders.

6 ECTS

An introduction to global diplomacy and international negotiations: session carried out by UNITAR.

This course is a visual journey that invites students to explore the cutting-edge realm of scenario management through the lens of Artificial Intelligence. A deep dive into a GAI (Generative AI) scenario prompting unlocks the creative potential of AI in shaping future narratives. To navigate the convergence of AI, forecasting and futurology, to glimpse the possibilities of tomorrow, these are iterative techniques that give AI the power of an oracle. To reflect on our mission beyond AI as we envision a common future and harness the power of Generative AI as a captivating tool for storytelling is paramount. The intriguing dynamics of AI in leadership and followership uncovers the transformative impact of AI on shaping our collective future. This is a thought-provoking course on where innovation and imagination converge which provides the tools to shape the path forward.

3 ECTS

This course is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to excel in the rapidly evolving field of global user experience (UX) design. It explores the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on global communications, gaining insights into how AI technologies are shaping user experiences across diverse cultural contexts. Investigating critical topics such as propaganda, censorship and fake news arm the student with the tools to discern and use truths vs. misinformation in an age of information overload. This requires a deep study of the world of social media, exploring communication strategies, influence tactics and data analysis in a cross-cultural context. Students will be introduced to AI tools tailored for cross-cultural communication. The course will provide a professional look at the world of intelligence, infiltration and intrigue, offering insights into secret diplomacy and the complex dynamics of international relations. To conclude, it will immerse students in the practice of AI-diplomacy, where they will master the strategies of chess and poker in the global game of diplomacy. Understanding how AI technologies are transforming the field of public opinion is a crucial element to global diplomacy. By the end of this course, students will be well-prepared to tackle the challenges of cross-cultural UX and shape the future of global digital interactions.

3 ECTS

This course equips students with the skills required to become effective leaders. Students will learn how to take decisions under uncertainty, build the capabilities needed to lead across local and international boundaries, and learn how to bridge culture gaps and differences to create value for the organization. Students will further develop the ability to lead through challenging dilemmas and explore the role of emotional intelligence in transforming a good leader into a great one. This course will equip students with the knowledge and skills required to formulate contemporary leadership strategies, which will allow for both short- and long-term success. The course takes a pragmatic, real-world approach and embraces the latest thinking in leadership development.

5 ECTS

The Business Immersion Week for this master’s degree consists of an immersion program designed and carried out by UNITAR within the joint program, in close collaboration with EU Business School. Students take part in a wide range of activities including conferences and events. Through this intense week of dynamic activities, students develop their business and diplomacy skills and put theory into practice.

1 ECTS

This is a practical course in strategy development structured as an agile project, culminating in creation of a strategy based on a luxury tourism case study. The course is designed to provide a dynamic and engaging experience of developing a strategy by understanding context, choices and determining goals which will determine resource allocation and defend competitive differentiation. The project will involve market research, analysis of segment attractiveness and competitive position building on capabilities and existing strengths. The final strategy will devise development of winning plays for competitive advantage aligned to the company mission and performance objectives. Students will learn to self-organize and collaborate with teammates to effectively manage content modules with group work as with a real management consulting project.

6 ECTS

An introduction to global diplomacy and international negotiations: session carried out by UNITAR.

In this course, students will study contemporary international relations, based on multipolar multilateralism, gaining understanding of the evolving power dynamics on the global stage. This includes the study of the formation and transformation of dynamic blocks and alliances, shedding light on how evolving coalitions shape diplomatic strategies. The course further examines the perception of communications and policies as they relate to the truth, unraveling the complexities of diplomatic narratives and the impact of stakeholder perception on international relations. In the era of information dissemination, the course revisits social media and its pivotal role in shaping diplomatic discourse and public opinion. It further explores the new multilateralism, considering how diplomatic efforts are adapting to the changing global landscape. Finally, students will be equipped with AI power tools for digital diplomacy, empowering them to harness the potential of artificial intelligence in diplomatic endeavors. By the end of this course, students will emerge as well-rounded diplomats, ready to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by our interconnected world with professional insight and strategic finesse.

3 ECTS

This course explores the intersection of ethics, international relations and global challenges. Students will examine subjects ranging from foundational concepts such as the price theory of sacrifice and the predator-prey dynamics that rule our world, drawing parallels with diplomatic strategies and negotiations. Corporate reporting integrates the ‘three Ps’ of people, planet, and profit, often creating value above the bottom line, not unlike public entities. In the context of sustainable diplomacy, the significance of public-private partnerships (PPP) is crucial in shaping international relations.  In this ever-evolving landscape of global affairs, students will master the critical role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its ethical implications, equipping themselves to navigate complex diplomatic scenarios, handle crises, disasters and terrorism on the international stage, while emphasizing the ethical dimensions of conflict resolution. The course will also cover the nuanced relationship between peace and climate, and examine whether technological advancements can provide innovative solutions where policy-driven diplomacy holds the key to a sustainable future. By the end of this course, students will be well versed in the ethical foundations that underpin effective diplomacy in an interconnected world.

3 ECTS

This course equips students with the skills required to build and lead successful, high-performance teams. The students will learn to manage team dynamics in local and global environments and navigate through corporate and cultural challenges, including crisis management, miscommunication, and conflict resolution. A hands-on approach to team development will be introduced. Considerable attention will be paid to team leadership and empowerment within an ever-changing business environment.

5 ECTS

The Business Immersion Week for this master’s degree consists of an immersion program designed and carried out by UNITAR within the joint program, in close collaboration with EU Business School. Students take part in a wide range of activities including conferences and events. Through this intense week of dynamic activities, students develop their business and diplomacy skills and put theory into practice.

1 ECTS

This project-based new product development course is designed to provide students with experience in creating and developing a new product from ideation to launch. The course follows the lean startup method. The basic principle of this method is to launch a new product as quickly as possible in order to obtain customer feedback at a very early stage. This is done in a build-measure-learn cycle, which is constantly repeated to develop a product that is designed to be as close as possible to the customer's needs. Students will learn to apply this iterative approach in a concrete case study. They will not only learn the methodological basics and the required toolbox, but also the mindset, which is fundamentally different from that of classic product development. At the end of the course, participants should be able to successfully apply the Lean Startup method in concrete product, service, and business development situations.

6 ECTS