FR EN
Download my CV

Project 05 — Digital diplomacy

African Youth & Diplomacy — JDA

An initiative on youth, diplomacy and African affairs: preparing young professionals for technical diplomacy, treaty negotiation and multilateral deliberation.

Research Tech DiplomacyModel African UnionTreaties

01 — Overview

JDA is a framework for initiation into technical diplomacy and African multilateral affairs, focused on negotiating technology-related treaties (cyber, data, AI).

Field
Digital diplomacy & multilateralism
Pillars
Negotiation, international law, tech policy
Simulations
Model African Union
Stage
Research

02 — Problem

Global norms on AI, the Internet and data are too often adopted without active and technically qualified participation from African delegations. Understanding the underlying technical issues (protocols, cryptography, server sovereignty) is essential to negotiate effectively.

03 — Objective

To prepare young African professionals to understand and negotiate technological issues in multilateral forums, by combining legal treaty analysis with an understanding of contemporary geopolitical dynamics.

04 — Proposed solution

  • Legal analysis of treaties (Malabo Convention, African Youth Charter, AfCFTA e-commerce protocol).
  • Negotiation simulations following international conference rules of procedure.
  • Drafting of resolutions and national position papers.
  • Introduction to scientific and technical diplomacy.

05 — My role

Conception of the methodological framework, drafting of a model resolution and a procedural guide to multilateral negotiations. A personal research initiative, with no institutional affiliation.

06 — Methodology

A structured simulation method: national position paper → regional caucus → plenary negotiation → adoption of a text, following the usual rules of procedure of multilateral forums.

07 — Governance & policy dimension

The project addresses African representation in negotiations on global technology standards, the protection of critical digital infrastructure and mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes.

08 — Current status

Research. The methodological framework, a model resolution and a procedural guide exist. No simulation session has been held yet.

09 — Evidence

  • Model resolution (official format).
  • Procedural guide to multilateral negotiations (README).
  • Associated analysis note (Policy Brief #02).

10 — Roadmap

  1. Finalise the handbook and country notes.
  2. Organise a first supervised simulation — to be defined.
  3. Document feedback and refine the framework.

11 — Potential impact

Strengthening the capacity of young African professionals to participate effectively in international technology negotiations — subject to the effective organisation of sessions.

12 — Documents

  • Model resolution (Model AU)View
  • Procedural guide (README)View
  • Policy Brief #02 — Cybersecurity & foreign policyRead