The Chair of International Relations and Diplomacy in the Digital Age examines the profound impact of digital transformation and disruptive technologies on global diplomacy, foreign policy, and governance. In a world where artificial intelligence, digital platforms, cyber networks, and emerging technologies shape both state and non-state actions, traditional diplomacy is being redefined. Big Tech companies have emerged as influential geopolitical actors, impacting global governance, regulatory frameworks, and international decision-making in unprecedented ways.

The Chair aims to analyze these transformations and equip students, researchers, and practitioners with the knowledge to navigate a digitalized international system. It explores how digital tools, virtual diplomacy, tech-driven public engagement, and data governance intersect with traditional diplomatic practice and statecraft.

 Strategic Objectives:

  • Investigate the influence of disruptive technologies and digital platforms on foreign policy, international relations, and global governance.
  • Examine the geopolitical role of Big Tech companies and their implications for state sovereignty, regulation, and multilateral diplomacy.
  • Promote interdisciplinary research linking technology, international affairs, and diplomacy.

Chair Director: Amb. Dr. Alejandro Garofali Acosta

2025 Currently H.E. Ambassador Garofali is Ambassador-designated in Vienna, Austria and Resident Representative to UNOV, IAEA, CTBTO and UNIDO.

Until September 2024 Director for Institutional Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Uruguay.

Until 2021 Ambassador of Uruguay to the Swiss Confederation and to the Principality of Liechtenstein, as well as Permanent Representative to the Universal Postal Union, based in Bern.

Formerly Ambassador to Ethiopia and Kenya, Permanent Representative of Uruguay to the African Union, the UN Environment Program-UNEP, UN-Habitat and UNECA, resident in Addis Ababa.

Entering foreign service in 1997 until being appointed as ambassador in Africa, he has served in various Uruguayan diplomatic positions in the United States of America, Sweden and other Nordic and Baltic countries, as well as having worked at several directorates of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Montevideo (covering functions in economic, political, regional integration, minister´s office, among others areas).

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Garofali holds a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Law and Economics of Sustainable Development (Catholic University of Ávila, Spain) and a Master in Business Administration and Management (Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain)

Degree in International Relations (University of the Republic, Uruguay) and has completed diplomatic training at the Foreign Service Academy of Uruguay (Artigas Institute, Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

Professor at the ORT University and the Catholic University of Uruguay

Associate Researcher on Latin America at Friedrich Alexander Erlangen University Nuremberg
(Germany)

Publications in international academic circles and collaboration in institutions such as T20 (G20 network of academic centers and think tanks)