Podcasts - PR UN, WTO and other organisations Geneva

Podcasts DigitalDots Talks

A 15-minute podcast about digital issues and the role of international Geneva in shaping our digital future.

About DigitalDots Talks Podcast

We all use digital technologies. They are part of our daily life: as an information source, as a learning tool, as a driver for trade and business, as a way to communicate and as a way to get entertainment… The list is endless.
But do we fully grasp the importance of what we hold in our hands every day?
 
Every month, with the help of experts, DigitalDots Talks aims to give new insights and food-for-thought of some of the most pressing contemporary digital policy issues; all in easy-to-understand 15-minute talks.
Digital technologies constantly evolve and with them so do the potential threats to privacy, to security, and to the enjoyment of other human rights online.

At the international and multilateral level, years of discussions and negotiations have already laid a foundation for digital technologies to develop, to flourish and to become interoperable global tools as we know them today.
The issues and stakes are numerous: e-commerce, taxation, trust and security, bridging the digital divide, building an inclusive information society, and more.

With DigitalDots Talks we want to connect the dots.
  • What already exist? What do we still need to explore? Where are the tensions?
  • How does geopolitics influence the discussions?
  • Who is shaping our common digital future? Making these technologies ‘speak’ the same language? Deciding on what is ethical?
  • What role is there for the international organisations, for governments and for the other stakeholders?
This podcast series is presented by the Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Geneva.

DigitalDots Talk Podcast Episodes

Episode 1: Digital is part of our everyday life

Dr Jovan Kurbalija, Head of the Geneva Internet Platform, discusses with Nathalie Olijslager, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Geneva, the impact of digital technologies on our everyday lives, the importance of the digital policy discussion happening in Geneva and the impact of the current geopolitical situation on the ongoing negotiations.

Episode 2: The risk of a fragmented internet and cyber conflicts

In this episode Ambassador Henri Verdier, Ambassador for Digital Affairs of France, sheds light on the risks of a fragmented Internet and debates on the responsible behaviour of actors in cyberspace, especially in case of cyber conflicts. The discussion is led by Dr Jovan Kurbalija, Head of the Geneva Internet Platform.

Episode 3: Cybersecurity and cyber risks

In this episode, Stephane Duguin, Chief Executive Officer at the CyberPeace Institute gives us an original and quick overview of the security challenges encountered in cyber space, with specific angles on the health and humanitarian fields. In discussion with Nathalie Olijslager, former Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Geneva.

Episode 4: The (gender) digital divide

In this episode, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), gives us an original overview on how to address the digital divide and the gender digital divide. How to address development challenges in the digital era? How to ensure meaningfull connectivity and ensure that no one is left behind? These are some of the questions discussed with Nathalie Olijslager, former Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Geneva.

Episode 5: Freedom of expression online

In this episode, Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and Expression, gives us an original overview of the benefits and challenges of freedom of expression in the digital environment.

How can we address the concerns of our modern society – bullying, disinformation, etc. – without unintended consequences on the enjoyment of freedom of expression? Is regulation the way forward? How can regulation have unintended consequences on freedom of expression? These are some of the questions discussed in this episode.

The interview is conducted by Lars Tummers, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Geneva.


For more information on this podcast series, and to register for email notifications for new episodes, go to: DigitalDots Talks Podcasts.

DigitalDots Talks is presented by the Permanent Representation of the Netherlands in Geneva and the Geneva Internet Platform.

Episode 6: The role of the United Nations in the digital world

In this 6th episode of DigitalDots Talks podcast we discuss trends and developments in the digital world with Amandeep Singh Gill, United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology. He connects the many dots on different digital topics that the UN covers.

Why is it necessary and important to have a UN Tech Envoy? In 2021 the UN Secretary General presented Our Common Agenda to rebuild the world and secure a better and more sustainable future for our people and our planet. For the digital part of Our Common Agenda, a Global Digital Compact will be established. But what is this Global Digital Compact? Who participates and what is its intended outcome? And what role will the private sector and other stakeholders play?

In this podcast you will find the answers for these and many more questions. The interview is conducted by Lars Tummers, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Geneva.

Episode 7: How to keep up with artificial intelligence (AI)

In the 7th episode of DigitalDots Talks, we discuss the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the security- and military domain. For this, we invited Dr. Giacomo Persi Paoli of the United Nations Institute on Disarmament Research (UNIDIR). He researches the challenges and opportunities of using AI in the military domain and explains what the international community can do to ensure that this happens responsibly. 

On the 15th and 16th of February, the Netherlands and South Korea are hosting the REAIM Summit, REAIM being the acronym for Responsible AI in the Military Domain. The aim of this Summit is set a common international agenda for the responsible development, deployment and use of AI in the military. What does Dr. Persi Paoli expect will come out of this Summit and why is it important? And why is it so essential that not just states, but also the private sector, NGOs, and academics participate in the discussions?

You will find the answers to these questions in this 7th episode of DigitalDots Talks. The interview is conducted by Lars Tummers, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Geneva.

Episode 8: Exploring the digital economy

In the 8th episode of DigitalDots Talks, we discuss the different ways in which our worldwide economy is going digital. For this, we have invited Torbjörn Frederiksson, Head of E-commerce and Digital Economy at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). We talk about big and familiar platforms like Google, Facebook and Amazon, about the power of big data, but also about many other ways in which our economies are influenced by increasing digitalisation.

What is the digital economy and how do we include everyone in it?  How can we make sure that anyone can benefit from the quick developments in this domain? These are questions we will cover in this new episode of DigitalDots Talks.

The interview is conducted by Lars Tummers, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Geneva.

Episode 9: Gender equality online

March is the worldwide gender month. Therefore, the 9th episode of DigitalDots Talks has the position of women in the digital world at its core. Together with Monica Ferro, Director of the Geneva office of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), we go into the risks that exist for women in the online environment and what UNFPA is working on to fight these forms of online violence. What is the role that International Geneva plays in this, and how do we make sure that women and girls remain able to also benefit from the digital and technological transformation?

The interview is conducted by Lars Tummers, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Geneva.

Episode 10: Opportunities and challenges of digital transformation

In our 10th DigitalDots Talks podcast we have the honour to have Her Excellency Emilija Stojmenova Duh, the Slovenian Minister for Digital Transformation as guest. Visiting Geneva to chair this year’s World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) Forum, she speaks about the main outcomes of this Forum – the world largest annual gathering the Information and communication technology for development' community.

What role does she see for International Geneva in bridging the digital divide? And what work is she doing on this herself in her role as Minister for Digital Transformation? The Minister shows some refreshing insights, from a policy level to useful tips on the use of new technologies for young people.


The Minister gets into a conversation about these questions and more with Lars Tummers, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Geneva.

Episode 11: How digitalisation is changing healthcare

The COVID pandemic has highlighted how important data and connectivity are for global health. In our 11th Digital Dots Talks podcast we interview Jan-Willem Scheijgrond, Vice President Government and Public Affairs at Philips to get the perspective of the private sector and of a world leader on digitalisation in healthcare. 

Digitalisation is revolutionising the healthcare sector. It can support providing better care, increasing access to care and driving innovation and research. Philips is committed to expand access to care through digital and technological innovation and works in partnership with other stakeholders, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva, to build a more resilient and sustainable health system. How can we harness the power of digitalisation to provide sustainable and resilient health for all? What are the opportunities and challenges

The interview is conducted by Lars Tummers, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Geneva.

Episode 12: Data to save lives in humanitarian crisis

Global humanitarian needs reach record heights. The use of data can help to make the humanitarian aid system more efficient and effective.

In this podcast we speak with Sarah Telford, Head of the OCHA Centre for Humanitarian Data (CHD). OCHA, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has a leading role in improving access and use of data and information in crisis settings.

What role can data play in the humanitarian system and how does the Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX) platform work? Can we use data to predict and prevent conflict similarly to how data is used for predicting natural hazards/disasters?  What is the role of Artificial Intelligence?


In this podcast our host, Lars Tummers, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Geneva, has a special guest! His predecessor Nathalie Olijslager, incoming Director for Humanitarian Affairs and Stabilisation of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is co-hosting the interview.

Episode 13: Generative AI, empowering women and youth in Kenya

In this 13th episode, we speak about the role of technology and artificial intelligence in bridging the digital divide from a grass roots perspective.
Listen to the inspiring story of Magdaline Chepkemoi – founder and CEO of EldoHub, a technology hub that applies technology to solve local challenges and empowers women and young people in tech in Kenya. With tangible impact.

Together we look at how new technologies like generative AI revolutionise the ICT sector. How does Magdalene’s work in Kenya link to international Geneva? What are the challenges in terms of regulations related to intellectual property? How can the international community support the development of such technologies while addressing its challenges?

We also identify ways in which women and especially young girls could be encouraged to follow an ICT career and support bridging the gender divide in tech. For Magdaline, one thing is clear: it’s time to focus on the tech expertise of women instead of the gender perspective.

The interview is conducted by Lars Tummers, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Geneva.