Malta, Switzerland, and Mexico renewed their MoU on cooperation in online diplomatic training. In a very successful cooperation implemented by the Instituto Matias Romero (Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and DiploFoundation (established by Malta and Switzerland), 320 diplomats have been trained over the last 9 years. The two training institutions also developed and delivered a course on Migration and Development.
The renewal of the MoU was signed by H.E. Ambassador Alexandre Fasel, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations in Geneva, H.E. Ambassador Juan José Gómez Camacho, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations in Geneva, and H.E. Ambassador John Paul Grech, Permanent Representative of Malta to the United Nations – Geneva (photo L to R).
In his summary of the cooperation between the Instituto Matias Romero (Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and DiploFoundation, Dr Jovan Kurbalija, Director of DiploFoundation, highlighted the following points:
How the cooperation started
After an intensive search for providers of online courses specializing in diplomatic practice and international relations, the Mexican diplomatic academy, Instituto Matías Romero, found DiploFoundation in 2004. Diplo’s variety of online courses related to the diplomatic activity, the high quality of its tutors and experts, and its commitment to technology and education, have led to an increasingly fruitful relationship between our institutions.
Alina Bassegoda, (former) Distance Learning Coordinator, Instituto Matías Romero
Timeline
2004 – First enrollment of Mexican diplomats in Diplo’s courses
2009 – Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on online diplomatic training
2010 – Development and cooperative delivery of online course on Migration and Development
2011 – Presentation of the Diplo-IMR cooperation at the Annual Meeting of Directors of Diplomatic Academies
2013 – Presentation on E-diplomacy by Pete Cranston (DiploFoundation) at the Annual Meeting of Mexican Ambassadors
Reflections from the course participants
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Course: Current Issues in the United Nations |
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Getting involved with Diplo has allowed me to fill in inevitable information and experience gaps. For those of us who have not yet experienced live action in the multilateral arena, Diplo´s course not only offers the possibility of learning from and exchanging views with highly qualified professionals in the field of multilateral diplomacy, but also participating in real-life discussions related to the most current and hotly debated international topics in the United Nations. Oswaldo A. Canto, Consul, Embassy of Mexico to Egypt (April 2012) |
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Course: Development Diplomacy |
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I found the Development Diplomacy course challenging and inspiring in equal measure. The lectures and complementary reading material were extremely useful. Even more valuable were the lucid comments and authoritative guidance from the course coordinator and lecturers. I would recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of the most crucial issues in today’s development agenda. Gonzalo Juan Carlos Canseco Gómez, Chief of Staff, |
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Course: Language and Diplomacy |
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I highly recommend this dynamic and thought-provoking course for all diplomats who wish to improve their communication skills, both as speakers/writers and listeners. Through Language and Diplomacy, Dr. Biljana Scott shares excellent tools to achieve our goals, not only by expressing what we want to say (and knowing what need not be said), but also by having a better understanding of the other party’s intention through their utterances. A true key to mastering the art of diplomacy! Nayeli Ceceña, Third Secretary, Embassy of Mexico in Georgetown, Guyana (December 2012) |
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Course: E-Diplomacy |
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E-Diplomacy from DiploFoundation is definitively the best online course I’ve ever taken. The diversity and experience of participants, as well as the knowledge and commitment of the staff made it a wonderful experience. Even when I had to wake up every single Thursday at 5am to attend the online discussions, it was totally worth it. I look forward to continue learning with DiploFoundation in the near future! Adriana Ramírez Aguilar, Deputy Consul, |
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Course: Public Diplomacy |
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It was my first time taking a cyber class and the experience was very rewarding. Working with such high level professionals and friendly coordinating team was a plus. It also gave me the opportunity to relate with colleagues overseas and allow me to experience working with a global team in a virtual fashion. The e-course was academically challenging and provided me with an impressive amount of useful information. Maria Guadalupe Sanchez Salazar, Deputy Head of Mission, |
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Course: Diplomatic Theory and Practice |
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My experience of the course was astounding. It overpassed my expectations because I had the opportunity to learn a lot from my tutors, as well as from my course mates’ experiences. The program allowed me to advance my methodology, structure, and skills within the diplomatic milieu. Manuel Herrera Rábago, Director for Social Affairs at the OAS, |
