Clingendael Academy provides first dedicated cyber and AI diplomacy training in South Africa

In October 2025, Clingendael Academy provided its first dedicated three days cyber and AI diplomacy training to officials from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) of South Africa. Clingendael Academy provided the training as part of the longstanding collaboration on diplomatic training programmes with DIRCO, including amongst others many negotiation and mediation trainings and more recently, a cyber diplomacy training in 2024. 

The programme of the course was divided in three components: cyber and AI threats and risks, cyber and AI governance and the application of AI in the daily work practice of a diplomat. Participants first heard from key-note Professor Brett van Niekerk, Associate Professor at Durban University of Technology about the cyber threat landscape for the Southern African region, and the role of AI as potential catalysator. Drawing from these insights and their own work practice, participants conducted a cyber risk analysis. 

In the next component, participants heard insights about cyber and AI governance instruments. One of the highlights of the training was a new and interactive group assignment. Building on the risk analysis, participants were asked to identify their most pressing AI governance needs and think about potential governance solutions. Participants briefed in short presentations about the concrete actions they intend to undertake. 

The last component was all about hearing and practicing with the safe and ethical use of AI as a tool in the daily work practice of a diplomat. The main aim was for participants to draft their own internal guidelines for the use of AI. 

Clingendael Academy looks back on a rewarding training and looks forward to see our participants taking the lead in cyber and AI initiatives within and on behalf of DIRCO.