Asia regional training programme for foreign service officers

Foreign service officers from Asia will attend a two-week diplomatic training programme organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2 to 13 March 2009.

The Commonwealth Regional Programme on Diplomatic Training, which takes place at the Malaysian Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations in Kuala Lumpur, will focus on the development of diplomacy and leadership skills and will offer a unique opportunity to discuss contemporary global and regional issues and experiences.

Jacqueline Wilson, Director of the Secretariat’s Governance and Institutional Development Division (GIDD), said the programme aimed to expose participants to developments in diplomacy and international relations and to prepare participants for higher responsibilities at their respective Missions, including Head of Mission.

“The programme will cover globalisation, trade negotiations, global energy, the food crisis, human rights in diplomacy, international terrorism and the role of non-state actors in diplomacy,” Ms Wilson explained.

Course tutors will include former ambassadors, senior government servants and internationally recognised training consultants from the public as well as private sector.

It is expected that up to 15 foreign service staff will attend the course from Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

The programme is the first in the current series and is part of the Secretariat’s work to prepare candidates for senior roles in their countries’ diplomatic service.

Diplomacy and leadership skills include effective cross-cultural communication, multilateral diplomacy in a changing world, knowledge management, leadership and organisational management, crisis management, and fine dining and reception etiquette.

Mohammad Jasimuddin, Adviser (Asia) at GIDD, who designed the programme, said: “The programme is meant to be highly participative and interactive in nature and the learning journey will include group and panel discussions, lectures, simulation exercises and case studies. This will enable officers to freely learn and share models of good practice from each other’s jurisdictions.”

Secretariat Links:

• Public Sector Development

Related Websites:

• Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs