Page 29 - Diplomatic Voice 2014 -3

FORUM NEWS My Very First Step into the World of Diplomacy Yemen, Pakistan, Oman, Vietnam, giving me a platform where I could Malaysia, Laos and Cambodia and actually stand toe-to-toe with the above all being selected as the presi- international community – with IDFR’s dent and leader of the group, it was an education on my back – as I can now opportunity of a life-time for me. The call myself a proud alumni of the knowledge of ASEAN and the South- Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign east Asia region that I gained here, Relations. friends that I made from the diplomatic community, entering government Thank you IDFR from the bottom of my Being selected for the MTCP: Strate- buildings and meeting personnel heart. Long live Malaysia! gic Analysis Course for International first-hand during official visits across Participants 2014 and studying at three states, and the comprehensive Mr. Asif Sohani was a IDFR was the best thing that has ever understanding of world affairs that I participant of the MTCP: Strategic Analysis Course happened to me in my 15 years of acquired during this three-week inten- for International Partici- professional career. It was a joyful sive training programme – in short, pants 2014. He lives in moment of my life when I first received this is all still mind-boggling to me, Malaysia and is currently a call from IDFR about my selection and I would never trade it for anything engaged with the United Nations High Commissi- into the course – a world-class else. oner for Refugees, in a programme of international standards voluntary capacity. – bringing diplomats and government As I look forward to making a career in officials from all over the world, where diplomacy, work with think tanks and all participants were given an equal focus on areas like public policy and chance to represent their respective global governance, I would never countries on one single platform. They forget that the very first “small steps” were provided with the best possible of mine into the world of international training and a golden opportunity, relations were actually taken right here indeed, to equip themselves with the at the IDFR building in Kuala Lumpur, most-current facts and know-how of Malaysia – the old Wisma Putra. I am world affairs, public policy, global grateful to this one-of-a-kind school of peace and security, maritime intelli- diplomacy, research, training and gence, climate change, politics, diplo- development which has given me so macy and international relations as a much in such a short time. whole. As I write this piece about my whole On 8 September 2014, as I walked experience, I have been thinking as to through the corridors of IDFR towards what I can do for IDFR, to give some- the hall where the course was to be thing back to this institution as a token conducted, I sent a text message to of appreciation in my own personal my sister, currently residing in East way. I cannot think of anything else but Africa. I wrote, “Today is my first day at to work closely with the Ministry of IDFR. I am walking down the hallway Foreign Affairs and the Government of towards the lift. On my right and on my Malaysia and promote IDFR on the left, I notice the black and world stage, upholding its vision and white photos of all the past Prime values as to what the institution stands Ministers of Malaysia, figures like Kofi for and represent IDFR to the global Annan, Ban Ki-Moon and my all-time community by supporting Malaysia’s personal hero, the late Nelson Mande- foreign policy and its leadership role la, I feel as if they are all welcoming me and standing in the Southeast Asia into the world of diplomacy. I am region. As a matter of fact, if given an getting goose bumps all over my body, opportunity, I will be more than happy because I have never felt such things to even serve as an advocate and before. I am not Malaysian but I feel I spokesperson of this prestigious belong here…...belong right here.” institution of global standing. Studying with 15 participants (exclu- With this, I am fully indebted to IDFR ding myself) representing nine coun- for holding my hands when I needed it tries altogether i.e. Albania, Brunei, the most, taking me along the way and DIPLOMATIC VOICE 29