The Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) through the Centre for Leadership, Negotiation and Public Diplomacy (LNPD) has successfully organised the Workshop on Public Diplomacy and Media Skills 2019. The workshop was held in Hotel Vistana, Kuala Lumpur from 27 to 29 August 2019. The workshop was attended by 25 participants from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council (MREPC), Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources (KATS), The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and IDFR.
The aim of this workshop was to raise awareness among government officials on the role of public diplomacy in promoting and defending national interests. In addition, this workshop served as an exposure, preparation and information sharing to middle-level officials (Grades 44-52) in handling questions and answers during press conferences and interview sessions through media simulations. The simulation exercise were conducted by YBhg. Datin Yusanani Yushak, a well-known professional media consultant in Malaysia. This workshop is vital for mid-career and senior officials of any ministries and government agencies whose nature of work involve the handling of media and public diplomacy.
Throughout the three days course, IDFR believes all of the participants had gained a lot of information and increased their awareness on public diplomacy and fully understand the importance of public diplomacy in promoting Malaysia’s interests and obtain the necessary skills required to better communicate and handle the media effectively within the context of public diplomacy and advocacy. Encik Aiyub Omar, Head of LNPD, delivered his closing remarks and presented the certificates to the participants during the closing ceremony on the last day of the course.
Prepared by:
Centre for Leadership, Negotiation and Public Diplomacy (LNPD)
