1st Edition of UNITAR's Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice (Beirut)
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The Executive Diploma in Beirut has been postponed to 23-24 January 2020. Thank you for your patience.
Before making any payments, please submit your application composed by:
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Passport
to the following address: diplomacy [at] unitar.org (diplomacy[at]unitar[dot]org). After the review of the application, only successful candidates will be able to enroll in the programme.
The main component of the Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice is a series of 10 workshops, which fall within UNITAR's Core Diplomatic Training (CDT).
The format of the CDT consists of 2-days executive-style training workshops, delivered face-to-face to diplomats and other beneficiaries at major UN locations so that they can perform effectively in a multilateral environment. These workshops will take place at the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in Beirut, Lebanon.
UNITAR has been delivering CDT courses since its inception in 1965 and the courses are traditionally considered the "core" training of the Institute. By definition, CDT implies training that is multilateral in character and offered in a multilateral context. All Member States and the United Nations, collectively, benefit from greater knowledge on how to operate in the multilateral setting and perform effectively and efficiently.
CDT covers training in international cooperation and multilateral diplomacy, and is aimed at enhancing the understanding of the United Nations system and its organs and procedures, strenghtening the skills relevant to conferences and negotiations and supporting efforts to build a more effective multilateral system.
Each individual workshop will have a specific set of learning objectives, but the learning objectives of the diploma as a whole are as follows:
1. Develop a critical understanding of contemporary bilateral and multilateral diplomacy challenges;
2. Demonstrate a comprehensive, substantive and practical knowledge of the United Nations system, Digital Diplomacy, Conference Diplomacy and Multilateral Negotiation etc.;
3. Critically evaluate strengths and weaknesses related to negotiation skills and techniques, drafting, negotiating and adopting UN resolutions, leadership skills, public speaking and communication;
4. Produce a research paper that extends beyond the theoretical content of a workshop and related to participants' professional work;
5. Perform efficiently and effectively in both bilateral and multilateral working environments with increased confidence.
The 2020 edition of the Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice programme will comprise of four main components:
Preparation Stage - Prior to the beginning of the series, participants might receive individual guidance from UNITAR experts, which will include a questionnaire of expectations, and/or an individual Skype session with a UNITAR representative and a certified coach to address any questions or concerns about the programme.
Training Workshops - 10 skills-based workshops, which will aim to be cross-cutting and to equip participants with knowledge and practical competences to enhance their expertise in multilateral settings, and to enrich their professional performances. The topics envisioned for the next edition are:
- Introduction to the United Nations System: 21-22 April 2020
- Overcoming Negotiation Deadlocks: 14-15 May 2020
- Effective Writing in Multilateral Diplomacy: 4-5 June 2020
- International Human Rights Protection and Promotion: 25-26 June 2020
- Public Speaking and Media Relations: 26-27 August 2020
- Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination: 24-25 September 2020
- Conference Diplomacy and Multilateral Negotiation: 15-16 October 2020
- Leadership skills and Assertiveness: 12-13 November 2020
- Mediation, Conflict Resolution and Difficult Conversations: 3-4 December 2020
- Digital Diplomacy and Cybersecurity: 14-15 January 2021
Each CDT Workshop takes place once every month with a usual interval of about 30 days.
Follow-up Stage - At the end of the programme, attendees who have worked towards receiving the Executive Diploma will be further evaluated in the same vein as the first component, in order to assess their learning margins after the completion of the trainings. This process will allow for consistent and thorough monitoring of participants' progress, and will serve as a final phase in their learning cycle.
Research Paper - The final requirement to obtain the Executive Diploma will be the submission of a research paper of between 3,000 and 5,000 words. For this requirement, participants must provide a more in-depth analysis and argumentation on a chosen theme covered in the course or related to multilateral diplomacy.
Participants are required to attend at least 8 of the 10 Core Diplomatic Training (CDT) workshops offered by UNITAR's Multilateral Diplomacy Programme Unit from April 2020 to January 2021.
Participants will engage in simulation exercises during the workshop, which trainers will assess in accordance with the learning objectives of each workshop on a pass or fail basis.
In exceptional circumstances, it will be possible for participants who cannot attend 10 workshops to take up to 2 of MDPU's e-Learning courses instead of 2 CDT workshops.
All participants will submit a final Research Paper based on the material covered in one of the workshops. The Research Paper is to be turned in latest by March 2021 after the last workshop in January.
There is no primary target audience for the Executive Diploma yet priority is given to the diplomatic community in Beirut. Other interested participants (staff of international, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, diplomatic academies and foreign service training institutions, as well as academics and private sector professionals) are highly encouraged to apply, and UNITAR will make a selection based on the applications it receives.
Admission Requirements
The minimum requirements to be accepted for the Executive Diploma are the following:
1. Bachelor's Degree;
2. 2-3 years of relevant professional experience (no specific field required although fields related to multilateral diplomacy are a plus);
3. Proficiency in English.
Fee and Fee Reductions
The overall fee for a total of up to 10 workshops is USD 6,999. UNITAR is delighted to announce that a limited number of fellowships are offered to participants from Developing and Least-Developed Countries; according to UNSD M49 Standard.
UNITAR will make a selection based on the application it receives.
Other
For more information, please write an email to diplomacy [at] unitar.org (diplomacy[at]unitar[dot]org) or call +41(0) 22 917 86 77; or visit www.unitar.org/cdt.
All accepted participants will be informed by email.