Impact of digital technologies on UK foreign policy – former ambassador and academics to give evidence to Lords International Relations Committee
Former ambassador and author of The Naked Diplomat, Tom Fletcher, and academics from Cardiff University, UCL, the Oxford Internet Institute and the Council on Foreign Relations will appear before the House of Lords International Relations Committee on Wednesday 28 February as part of its inquiry UK Foreign Policy in Changed World Conditions.
The inquiry was launched in January 2018 to examine the changing face of international relations and foreign policy, and to assess the UK's strategy and capability to adapt to these changes.
Appearing at 10.40am:
- Tom Fletcher CMG, Former Ambassador and Visiting Professor in International Relations, New York University Abu Dhabi
Appearing at 11.40am:
- Dr Andrew Calderaro, Director, Centre for Internet and Global Politics, Cardiff University
- Dr Madeline Carr, Associate Professor of International Relations and Cyber Security, UCL
- Professor Philip Howard, Professor of Internet Studies, Oxford Internet Institute
Questions the witnesses will be asked include:
- How have digital technologies changed the world conditions in which the UK conducts its foreign policy?
- Facilitated by digital technologies, there have been increasing legal and illegal pressures on foreign ministries to act more transparently in the conduct of diplomacy. How has this affected the ability of governments to act effectively in international relations?
- How much of a challenge is cyber security, and how well have the UK and its allies responded to threats?
- To what extent have digital technologies empowered citizens and sub-national organisations to both challenge governments and act internationally?
The evidence session will take place at 10.30am in Committee Room 4.
