The following training courses may be conducted in English
or French, depending on demand.
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AWARENESS
AND ORIENTATION TRAINING |
The UN System and Institutions
Structure and Functions of the Principal Organs of the
United Nations
(4 days)
This workshop aims at giving a general overview of the
United Nations system with a special focus on the relationships
between the different elements of the system. It analyses
the characteristics of the principal UN organs, assessing
their procedures and practices and those of their subsidiary
bodies, as well as their interrelations. It also examines
the decision-making processes, in particular those of
the General Assembly and of the Security Council. Participants
are familiarized with the practice of negotiating and
drafting resolutions by means of a simulation exercise.
The United Nations System and its Reform
(2 days)
This workshop provides a synopsis of the United Nations
system as a whole and an assessment of the current position
and status of the Organization in international affairs.
Participants gain insight into the relationships between
the elements of the UN system and examine the role and
functioning of its principal organs.
Furthermore, the course reviews the various reform proposals
for the UN system, critically analyses the reform process,
and discusses major challenges that the United Nations
is facing.
International Relations and Policy Developments in the
United Nations System
(3 – 5 days)
This workshop provides a broad overview of international
relations and institutions and focuses on the major geopolitical
shifts shaping the policies and agendas of states and
international institutions in 21st century diplomacy.
In addition to reviewing the principal organs of the
UN, the workshop covers contemporary policy developments
at centre stage in the UN system, such as human security,
peacekeeping, post-conflict reconstruction, humanitarian
assistance, sustainable development and the environment,
and global health concerns (HIV/AIDS).
Bretton Woods Institutions
The overall objective of the workshop is to introduce
diplomats (including some with little or no experience
of development financing and the role of the international
financial institutions) to the workings of the IMF and
World Bank and contemporary debates concerning their roles.
More specifically the workshop aims to familiarize diplomats
with the structure, governance and workings of the IMF
and World Bank, to explore the evolution of policy about
conditionality and policy reform and to examine the contemporary
debate about debt relief.
The approach to the workshop is a combination of organizational
politics and political economy. It focuses on decision-making
in the IMF and the World Bank and on the broad political
economy issues underpinning their work. It does not cover
the economic and financial techniques used by either institution
and it does not attempt to introduce participants to the
vast field of development economics over which the work
of the institutions ranges.
Introduction to the United Nations System in Geneva
(1 day)
This briefing summarizes the functions of the major Geneva-based
UN organizations, familiarises participants with the tasks
of a diplomat in a multilateral setting and introduces
the privileges and immunities of diplomats accredited
to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
Orientation Seminar for Members of Permanent Missions
Accredited to the United Nations at Vienna
(3 days)
This orientation seminar is intended to familiarise participants
with the objectives and activities of the Vienna-based
UN organizations. It is primarily, though not exclusively,
designed for members of Permanent Missions who have been
recently accredited to the United Nations at Vienna. Lectures
are followed by more informal case studies and discussions,
covering numerous aspects that are relevant for the professional
tasks of diplomats working in Vienna.
International Law
Trade Law and Trade Dispute Settlement
(2-3 days)
This workshop aims to familiarise the trainees with the
historical evolution of the multilateral trading system,
with particular reference on the current institutional
structure, basis rules and principles of the World Trade
Organization and the WTO Agreements. Other topics examined
include WTO dispute settlement, implementation-related
issues and concerns of the Doha development agenda, and
current developments with respect to the Trade Negotiations
Committee, TRIPS and trade and the environment. Parts
of this workshop may be developed and implemented in cooperation
with the WTO.
The Work of the United Nations Commission on International
Trade Law (UNCITRAL)
(2 days)
The purpose of this orientation seminar is to familiarise
participants with the objectives and activities of the
United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).
Accordingly, the seminar is primarily, though not exclusively,
designed for members of Permanent Missions accredited
to the United Nations Office at Vienna who might be in
charge of attending UNCITRAL meetings, as well as of facilitating
consideration of UNCITRAL texts by national legislative
organs with a view to fostering their adoption and implementation.
International Courts and Tribunals
(1 – 3 days)
This course provides the trainees with background information
concerning the law and procedures of a large range of
international courts and tribunals. Institutional and
procedural aspects are reviewed, as well as the function
of third party intervention in a pending case and the
possibility of Amicus curiae briefs filed by an international
organization. The course also deals with execution of
decisions, recognition, enforcement, interpretation and
revisions of judgements in the event that a dispute arises
between the parties as to the meaning or scope of a decision.
Overview of Selected Legal Instruments
(3 – 5 days)
This workshop gives an overview of selected international
legal instruments from various legal and policy-making
fields, such as criminal, environmental, human rights,
humanitarian, refugee, watercourse, and law of the sea.
The environmental law component of this workshop is developed
and implemented in cooperation with UNITAR’s Environmental
Law Programme; other segments may be developed and implemented
in partnership with concerned bodies of the UN system
as well as other intergovernmental organizations and secretariats.
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SKILLS
TRAINING |
Negotiation, Conference Diplomacy and Mediation
Negotiation Skills and Techniques
(2 – 3 days)
This workshop will enhance participants’ comprehension
and knowledge of negotiation dynamics in bilateral and
multilateral contexts. After reviewing the fundamental
elements of negotiation as well as different strategies
and tactics, the workshop examines how certain processes
shape different outcomes, and how the human and intercultural
dimension may influence negotiation dynamics.
The workshop reviews the prerequisites for successful
negotiation, analyses power asymmetries at the negotiating
table, and suggests how to deal with incomplete information.
It covers different levels and characteristics of complexity,
coalition building and group dynamics. Through a series
of interactive training sessions, participants will apply
skills and techniques in role-play exercises, simulations,
and in video and Internet broadcast working group analyses.
Methods and Techniques for Negotiating Multilateral
Legal Instruments
(3 days)
This seminar caters to the needs of diplomats who are
involved in negotiations of resolutions, declarations
and treaties in the context of committee work of the United
Nations. It aims at increasing awareness of participants
to the legal and political issues involved in multilateral
negotiation, and identifying the best practices in reaching
agreement.
The course focuses on characteristics of multilateral
processes, methods and techniques commonly used to identify
areas of agreement and to promote consensus, procedural
motions, and decision-making. Examples are based on actual
cases. Participants are to take part in negotiation simulations.
Conference Diplomacy and Multilateral Negotiation
(2
– 3 days)
This workshop aims to provide a better understanding
of the dynamics unfolding in multilateral diplomacy and
negotiation, particularly as practiced in the numerous
meetings and conferences taking place at UN offices. The
workshop also seeks to refine essential skills to improve
preparation for and participation in negotiations, and
to provide participants with an enhanced appreciation
of intercultural differences.
Before concluding with a multilateral simulation negotiation,
the workshop reviews conference management by examining
in particular the role of presiding officers and conference
secretariats. It will also give participants the opportunity
to apply skills and techniques in role-play exercises,
simulations, and a video and Internet broadcast working
group analysis.
Structure, Drafting and Adoption of UN Resolutions
(3
days)
This workshop familiarises participants with the structure
and form of United Nations resolutions and decisions,
helps them improve their skills in the drafting of resolutions
and enhances their knowledge of the rules and practices
relating to the adoption of resolutions.
After a presentation on the structure and drafting of
resolutions and decisions, participants are involved in
practical drafting exercises. The last part of the workshop
focuses on decision-making in the various organs of the
UN and on the steps leading to the adoption of resolutions.
Managing Meetings: Effective Chairmanship
(2 days)
Meetings represent an integral part of our way of working,
especially in the civil and diplomatic services. The objective
of this workshop is to improve the participants’ skills
related to chairing and participating in meetings.
The workshop will cover the following topics: the purpose
and characteristics of meetings; deficiencies that meetings
often suffer from; material arrangements; role and responsibility
of chairperson; participation in meetings; listening; and
introducing a report. The workshop is highly participatory;
role-playing exercises will be videotaped in order to
review, assess and learn from participant performance.
UN Conference Rules of Procedure
(2 days)
The web of procedural rules and requirements may decisively
influence the outcome of conferences and the representatives’
possibilities to play a significant role. This workshop
aims at acquainting participants with the main procedural
aspects of UN meetings and conferences and their implications
for negotiations and decision-making in a multilateral
setting. The workshop is based on a comparative analysis
of rules of procedure, with emphasis being given to practical
aspects and to actual cases.
Mediation Techniques
(2 days)
Mediation is an important part of daily diplomatic and
governmental work, whether the context is political, social
or economic, or involves bilateral or multilateral conflicts
and negotiations.
This workshop familiarises participants with various
mediation strategies. It will analyse certain approaches
and conceptual problems that arise and, at the same time,
examine a number of case studies of both ´first track´
and ´second track´ nature. As an interactive workshop,
this training course relies on the participation of the
attendants.
Public Speaking, Conference Report Writing and Media Relations
Public Speaking
(2 days)
The objective of this workshop is to improve the participants’
speaking and presentation skills. It provides a simple,
user-friendly methodology with which to construct an audience-focused
effective oral communication.
Participants learn the essential elements of preparation,
structure and delivery through a mixture of trainer input
and practical activities. They have to deal with simulated
situations of public speaking and receive feedback from
the group and the trainer alike. The important issue of
visual aids is addressed in terms of “Dos and Don’ts”
when it comes to incorporating supports into an oral communication.
Conference Report Writing
(2 days)
Report writing is one of the immediate follow-up tasks
of participation in intergovernmental conferences, meetings,
and negotiations. A successful report will depend firstly
on the specific body of knowledge which the writer has,
and secondly on specialized techniques which allow the
written transfer of that knowledge to be as smooth and
as effective as possible.
This workshop aims to address these key areas through
evaluation and discussion of practical guidelines and
through a task-based approach to the development of relevant
skills. The workshop is divided into two parts, the first
of which reviews language control and covers appropriate
vocabulary, writing style, report presentation and content,
etc. The second part addresses information control, pre-writing
considerations, logical sequencing and presentation of
results.
Media Relations
(2 days)
Even the most experienced public speaker may feel uncomfortable
when confronted with the microphones of the media. This
workshop strives to improve the trainees’ skills in relations
with the media, in particular the participation in press
conferences and the delivery of interviews. Thus, it allows
the participants to find their own “comfort zone” when
dealing with the media, encouraging them to project personality
and communication skills naturally and confidently.
The curriculum covers the following topics: preparing
for an interview, how to be convincing in an interview,
dealing with destabilizing questions, reaction to crisis
situations, maintaining a good relationship with the media.
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OTHER
COURSES AND WORKSHOPS |
Information and Communication Technologies: A New Issue
for Diplomats
(1 day)
This training offers a introduction to the organization
and functioning of the international administration of
the Internet. It aims to increase participants´ awareness
of legal, economic and social questions related to Internet
governance and to encourage them to become actively involved
in negotiations and work being undertaken in this field.
The course covers areas such as ICT and North-South relations,
information systems and security issues, international
law end cyberspace, and E-commerce as a tool for development.
Structure, Retrieval and Use of United Nations Documentation
(3 sessions)
Jointly organised with the United Nations Library at
Geneva, this workshop acquaints diplomats and librarians
from Permanent Missions with UNOG Library user services
and the various UN information resources. The course especially
aims to deepen and update the trainees’ understanding
of the interrelationship between the structure and activities
of the UN System and its documentation.
UN documentation in its printed, electronic and optical
disk formats will be examined in a hands-on basis. Non-UN
published reference books, CD-ROMs, and databases will
also be explored for their role in furthering the retrieval
of UN-related information.
The Use of the Official UN Documents System (ODS)
(3
sessions)
The workshop introduces participants to the United Nations
Official Documents System (ODS). This system allows users
to search for and retrieve documents via high-speed networks
and the Internet, and permits high-speed transmission
of documents through telecommunications links. The system
also provides a more economical and secure means of distributing
and storing documents worldwide and permits timely access
to such documents in electronic form by UN offices, Permanent
Missions and other government offices.
The Challenge of Linguistic and Cultural Diversity
(2
days)
This seminar aims to familiarise participants with the
issues and challenges of multilingualism and cultural
diversity, as well as to improve their capacity to work
and communicate effectively in a multicultural and multilingual
environment, especially in international organizations.
Participants are introduced to the importance of linguistic
and cultural issues in inter-group relations, the possibilities
of promoting multilingualism, and the respective linguistic
policies launched by the UN, UNESCO, the International
Organization of the Francophonie, etc. Moreover, skills
training based on simulation exercises enhances the participants’
abilities to deal with multicultural teams and cross-cultural
negotiations.
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