https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/64991 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:49:03 GMT 2026-04-19T23:49:03Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/66155 Title: Towards a national cyber security strategy : the case of Suriname Abstract: The increasingly high penetration of internet in Suriname has called for actions to be taken to protect the people and the important things. Measures and policies to create an environment of innovation should also have a plan to protect all that becomes vulnerable due to the innovation. Having access to internet gives people the opportunity to communicate, trade, shop, learn, practically do everything global. This implies that the sovereignty of a country is also impacted when the elements of daily living become borderless. What is necessary to be protect and what is not part of the responsibility of the country. The Surinamese government is at a point where it has clearly seen that the ICT innovation is superseding the security mechanisms and has for this reason, installed an official committee to deliberate on a national cybersecurity strategy. Furthermore, it is important define the concept of cybersecurity, while the world is still discussing its perspective on it. Some countries have clearly defined cybersecurity in their context while others are still descriptive on what they perceive cybersecurity to be. International organizations are encouraging governments to establish a National Cybersecurity Strategy, as this is eminent for the ICT innovation to counter cyber attacks. They have provided guidelines with which the countries can work with, although the process is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Evidently, the national cybersecurity strategies do have components that are critical in every country. The National Cybersecurity Committee of Suriname has the task to publish such a document and set up a CIRT, where they will also have the decide which components are important and applicable to the Surinamese situation. Description: M.CONTEMPORARY DIPLOMACY Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/66155 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/66147 Title: Embracing social media as a tool for e-diplomacy in the Africa Union Abstract: Electronic diplomacy (E-diplomacy) is not a new concept in many African countries. Many Foreign ministries in Africa have already adopted social media and other digital diplomacy tools to reach out to millions of people across the continent and the world. E-diplomacy has become a special component in conducting diplomatic missions. This dissertation reviewed and documented the usage of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and other digital diplomacy tools in the African Union (AU). The study established that little research has been conducted on the effect of e-diplomacy on the African continent as compared to other continents. The study adopted a qualitative research approach to comparatively review existing literature on e-diplomacy across the world. With Africa’s high Internet penetration and accessibility to smart phone devices, AU has great opportunity to use digital diplomacy tools to manage conflicts, uphold human rights, respond to emergencies and share information to the African diaspora. The study established that the Africa Union is actively using social media and updated website as a tool for information dissemination. However, there is room for more research on e-diplomacy within the African Union and the African continent at large. Description: M.CONTEMPORARY DIPLOMACY Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/66147 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/66145 Title: Towards the definition of a public diplomacy strategy for Mexico in the face of its relationship with the United States of America Abstract: Either from a social, economic or political perspective, the relationship between Mexico and the U.S. is strategic and essential for the future of both countries. However, the bilateral relationship has been impacted by a series of negative perceptions, stereotypes and misconceptions that affect the character of exchanges between the two countries, with consequences for policy formulation, such as the predominant negative perceptions on Mexican immigrants in the U.S. This situation calls Mexico to embark on an unprecedented effort to change the stereotypical narrative that the U.S. holds about Mexico and Mexicans. In this effort, Public Diplomacy (PD) is a relevant tool to assess negative perceptions and positively influence public opinion in the U.S. However, as a relevant instrument for Mexican foreign policy, it has been underutilised in the context of the bilateral relationship, since the country has lacked a comprehensive strategy towards the U.S., with the exception of some desegregated initiatives and isolated campaigns that have proven the country’s potential. Under that notion, this dissertation will analyse the current state of public perceptions of Mexico in the U.S., the potential of PD as a foreign policy tool following the study case of the Republic of Korea, and will formulate a theoretical proposal for the definition of a PD comprehensive strategy for the Mexican government, as a necessary condition to improve U.S.-Mexico relations, consolidate the presence of the “Mexico” brand and improve the situation of the large Mexican diaspora in the U.S. Description: M.CONTEMPORARY DIPLOMACY Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/66145 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/66144 Title: The cost of being left behind : what it means to be unconnected to the internet in Kenya in 2020 Abstract: The Internet has been hailed for its unprecedented transformational potential which only accrues upon connection. This study examines the economic, political and sociocultural leaps that have been made possible by Internet use. These triumphs are juxtaposed against the reality of the unconnected. The results show that disparity in Internet connectivity breeds inequality as the unconnected are left behind from participating in any of the economic, political and sociocultural benefits. The picture drawn is of two detached realities. Those with access to the Internet are well on their way to realization of fundamental rights. The unconnected are pushed further back by their disadvantage. As the government moves its operations online, this handicap deepens their plight further. There is an urgent need to remedy the inequality between the connected and the unconnected. To achieve this, this research proposes an upheaval in the current policy underlying the deployment of Internet infrastructure. It advocates for making the Internet a public good and treating it as such. The research calls to question the government’s approach towards taxation and offers proposals for alternative efforts geared towards access. Barriers to entry which must be addressed in order to onboard vulnerable members of society have been addressed. This research makes the case for universal access to the Internet for Kenya and for the declaration of access to the Internet as a basic right. Description: M.CONTEMPORARY DIPLOMACY Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/66144 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z