DiploNews – Issue 164 – 1 August 2010

DiploNews – Issue 164 – August 1,
2010

 « | list |  >»     >

Berridge on Diplomacy

In a recently published interview for FiveBooks, Prof. Geoff Berridge, a senior Diplo fellow, talks about the history, purpose, and success of diplomacy. According to Berridge, 'we need professional diplomats . . . for the same reason that we need trained doctors: diplomacy, like medicine, is a specialised activity with a store of complex knowledge, well-tried procedures, and a distinctive lexicon.' He continues:'The chief purpose of diplomacy has always been to enable states to secure the objectives of their foreign policies without resort to force, propaganda, or law – in short, by lobbying and negotiation. These methods require confidential communication between protected representatives in continuous contact with receiving governments, and always will. We hear a lot today about ‘public diplomacy,’ as if this alleged invention had changed the whole game. This is complete nonsense. Public diplomacy is just the name we give to our own propaganda.' In direct and sometimes controversial ways, Berridge provides a modern vision of the value of diplomacy. Read the whole interview at FiveBooks.

Just-in-Time Training for Autumn 2010

This autumn, Diplo will offer two online courses to impart knowledge and skills needed to participate effectively in important upcoming global meetings.

Migration and Development : Prepare for the November meeting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development in Mexico. The Instituto Matías Romero of the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and DiploFoundation are offering a new online course on migration and development, covering migration and global governance; states, diasporas, and development; achievements and challenges. Online course materials and tutoring will be provided in both English and Spanish and the course description is available in Spanish. Diplo is pleased to offer a special introductory reduced fee for this course. The course runs from 31 August to 6 November 2010. Since places are limited, please visit the course webpage and apply online as soon as possible to ensure your registration.

Climate Change Diplomacy : Do you need to brush up on your climate change diplomacy knowledge and skills before the December 2010 climate change conference in Mexico? Diplo’s online course on climate change diplomacy provides relevant knowledge and practical skills for diplomats, scientists, and others who participate in the climate change policy process. The course will equip participants to represent and promote effectively the interests of their own countries in national, regional, and global climate change policy processes. Full scholarships are available for diplomats, civil servants, and academics from developing states involved in climate change policy processes and negotiations, with priority given to applications from small developing states. The course begins the week of 20 September 2010 (application deadline 23 August). For more information and to apply, please visit the course webpage.

2011 Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy

Earn an accredited Master’s degree while remaining on-the-job. Accelerate your career with Diplo’s Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy, offered through the University of Malta. This online programme guides working diplomats and international relations professionals through the theoretical and practical building blocks of diplomacy, with a focus on contemporary issues and challenges. A 10-day residential workshop in Malta builds the skills used in diplomatic practice and extends your professional network, while 16-20 months of online study provides flexibility and a unique in-depth grasp of contemporary diplomacy. The application deadline is 15 October 2010. For more information and to apply, please see the course webpage.

Autumn 2010 Online Courses

What I enjoyed most from the Diplo course was the fact that it opened up a window of global experiences and opinions to me through my classmates and professors, allowing me to increase my knowledge and skills at a tremendous speed and depth.

~ Angelic del Castilho, Ambassador for the Republic of Suriname to Indonesia

You are invited to apply for the following courses beginning the week of 11 October 2010:

• Language
  and Diplomacy
• Development
  Diplomacy

These courses are available as University of Malta Accredited Courses  (application deadline 9 August) and as Diplo Certificate Courses  (application deadline 6 September). For further information or to apply, click on the titles of the courses above, or visit our courses website.