Malaysia had once again taken the lead under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) by organising a Strategic Analysis Course for International Participants from 17 October to 4 November 2011. Over the three-week period, 19 participants from 13 countries; Afghanistan, Albania, Burkina Faso, Croatia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Oman, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Malaysia underwent intensive training in the skills of strategic analysis right here at the Institute Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR).
The objective of this course was to enhance the participants’ knowledge on strategic thinking and security analysis, comprising areas such as country risk analysis, national and international security, defence strategy, strategic planning and thinking as well as international political issues (multilateral and bilateral).
The subjects taught included Introduction to Conflict, Peace and Resolution; Security in the Straits of Malacca; Role of Power In Strategy; Traditional Security; Non-Traditional Security; The Use of Force; War and Peace Journalism; Counter Terrorism: Strategic Solutions; Balancing, Bandwagoning and Hedging; Discourse of Strategy; and Diplomatic Reporting: Issues and Challenges.
Not only were the participants exposed to interactive sessions in the classroom setting, they were also taken on study visits to the Kuala Lumpur Craft Centre, PETRONAS and KLCC, and a tour of Kuala Lumpur and the administrative capital of Putrajaya. All these exposure definitely enhanced the participants’ knowledge and experience.A three-day visit to Malacca was also organised to help expose the participants to a variety of culture exchange, diversity and historical linkages. Malacca was chosen because of its rich history and culture which represents the 1Malaysia Concept.
The Strategic Analysis Course for International Participants is funded by the Malaysian government under the MTCP. This course aims to promote greater cooperation, understanding and networking amongst developing countries on issues pertaining to diplomacy and foreign relations.
