The Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) had just completed a two-week course for the Commonwealth Regional Programme on Diplomatic Training 2012 from 12 until 25 November 2012. The course was conducted in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat, London.
The course was attended by fourteen (14) participants from Bangladesh (3 participants), Brunei Darussalam (1 participant), Maldives (3 participants), Pakistan (3 participants) and Sri Lanka (4 participants). Majority of the participants are currently mid-career officers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while the others are serving at the Economic and Trade Divisions at their home countries.
The main objectives of the course were to provide exposure on the contemporary developments in diplomacy and international relations; enhance knowledge on current global and regional issues; enhance professional knowledge and diplomatic skills and provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and experience. The course was also meant to share with the participants an overview of Malaysia’s efforts in transforming and improving its economic growth, governance and social development.
During the two-week duration, the participants went through classroom interactive sessions, group discussions, simulation exercises, attachment at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia and study visits. The classroom interactive sessions covered topics on Organisational Leadership and Management, ASEAN Security, Global Movement of Moderates, Public Diplomacy, Malaysia’s National Key Result Areas (NKRA) and Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), Knowledge Management, Theories and Practices in Diplomacy and International Relations and Crisis Management.
The participants also went through the conceptual framework of International negotiation, followed by simulation exercises. In addition, the course also included a new module, a three-day attachment programme at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia. During the attachment, the participants were exposed to Malaysia’s Foreign Policy, the roles and functions of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia, and the works and operations at Information and Public Diplomacy Department, Protocol and Consular Department and Multilateral Political Division. In adding a regional perspective into the course, it was graced by the presence of H.E. Ambassador Sumith Nakandala, Director General of Economic Affairs of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of External Affairs. H.E. Ambassador Sumith Nakandala shared his views and experiences on Peace and Reconciliation in South Asia. Apart from the above, the participants were also brought to Batu Caves where the national celebration for Deepavali, a major religious festival for the Hindus in Malaysia took place. This gave the participants a glimpse of Malaysia’s multiculturalism. Additionally, an aspect of Malaysia’s history and culture was also exposed to the participants when they had a day-trip to Malacca, one of Malaysia’s UNESCO sites.
The course concluded with a dinner and presentation of the certificate of completion, graced by Ambassador Aminahtun Hj. A. Karim, Deputy Director General of IDFR.
Reported by : Romaiza Abd Rahman
Training Division
