The Centre for Political Studies and Economic Diplomacy (PSED), Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) organised a programme titled, Workshop on Crisis Management and Preparedness on 18 May 2022 at IDFR.
The goal of this workshop was to expose participants to the concept of crisis and the various approaches to crisis management, in the context of international relations. This workshop will serve as a guide for the Centre in preparing a new course on crisis management and preparedness for officers and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia and other government agencies, who will be serving in Malaysian missions abroad.
This Crisis Management and Preparedness Workshop commenced with a session by Professor Dr Kamarulzaman Askandar, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). In this session, Professor Kamarulzaman delivered a talk titled, Introduction to Crises and Conflicts in International Relations online via Zoom application. He explained the important definitions and theories in international relations such as peace theory and conflict theory - which are highly relevant in the topic of crisis management. Professor Kamarulzaman also shared his experience being in several consultations and conflict resolution missions while serving as Malaysia's Representative to the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR).
In the second session, the participants were exposed to the functions and capacity of the National Security Council (NSC) in crisis management through a talk titled, The Role of the National Security Council in Managing Crisis Abroad. The talk was delivered by Ms Zetty Noor Akmar Abd Majid, Principal Assistant Director at NSC. During the session, the participants were actively participating through question-and-answer session, particularly on the cooperation between the NSC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia in managing crisis involving the interests and security of Malaysians abroad.
In the last session, Mr. Martin de Boer, Deputy Head of Delegation, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delivered a talk titled, The Role of International Organisations in Crisis Preparedness and Management. He introduced the functions and roles of ICRC in channelling humanitarian aid to victims affected by various types of international crises and conflicts including wars, natural disasters, and food crises among others.
The workshop was attended by a total of 19 people consisting of officers Grade 41 and above from IDFR and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. It was also attended by the Director General of IDFR, Dato’ Dr Shazelina Zainul Abidin and Heads of Centre at IDFR.
Prepared by:
Centre for Political Studies and Economic Diplomacy (PSED)
