Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice
UNITAR is pleased to announce the launch of its new Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice.
From September 2015 to August 2016, 10 Core Diplomatic Training workshops will be delivered in Geneva, Switzerland. Candidates participating in the Executive Diploma will have the possibility to attend all 10 workshops during this period.
The Executive Diploma represents an unparalleled opportunity for diplomats and other key actors in the multilateral system to strengthen their capacities and knowledge in the practice of diplomacy. Being awarded an Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice will not only improve career opportunities of successful candidates, but also expand the reach of their global network.
Each individual workshop will have a specific set of learning objectives, but the learning objectives of the diploma as a whole are as follows:
- Develop a critical understanding of contemporary bilateral and multilateral diplomacy challenges;
- Demonstrate a comprehensive, substantive and practical knowledge of the United Nations system, Human Rights, climate change diplomacy, economic diplomacy, diplomatic protocol, conference diplomacy and multilateral negotiation;
- Critically evaluate strengths and weaknesses related to negotiation skills and techniques, drafting, negotiating and adopting UN resolutions, leadership skills, public speaking and media relations;
- Produce a research paper that extends beyond the theoretical content of a workshop and relates to participants’ professional work;
- Perform efficiently and effectively in both bilateral and multilateral working environments with increased confidence.
The proposed Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice will require participants to complete at least 8 of the 10 following workshops between September 2015 to August 2016:
- Briefing on International Human Rights Protection and Promotion - September 2015
- Introduction to the Multilateral Working Environment of Geneva - October 2015
- Climate Change Diplomacy and the preparation for COP21 in Paris (in collaboration with UNFCCC, UNEP and UN-REDD) - November 2015
- Conference Diplomacy and Multilateral Negotiation - December 2015
- Negotiation Skills and Techniques - January 2016
- Trade Negotiation and Economic Diplomacy - February 2016
- Diplomatic Protocol - March 2016
- Negotiating, Drafting and Adopting United Nations Resolutions - April 2016
- Public Speaking and Media Relations - May 2016
- Leadership and Diplomacy - June 2016
Requirements to be Awarded the Diploma
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Participants are required to attend at least 8 of the 10 Core Diplomatic Training (CDT) workshops offered by UNITAR from September 2015 to August 2016 (see the list in point 10 below);
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Participants will also complete simulation exercises during the workshops, which trainers will assess in accordance with the learning objectives of each workshop on a pass or fail basis.
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At the end of the each workshop, participants will have to successfully pass a written quiz assessment, having answered at least 80% of the questions correctly. The quiz will assess the degree to which participants have met the learning objectives of each individual workshop, which they have participated in and will thus be tailored according to the workshops they have attended.
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At the end of each workshop, participants will have to complete the level 1 evaluation (participants feedback questionnaire) and the level 2 evaluation (to measure the improvement in participants’ level of knowledge, skills and competencies at the end of training event compared to the beginning);
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In exceptional circumstances, it will be possible for participants who cannot attend 8 workshops, to take up to 2 of the Multilateral Diplomacy Programme’s (MDP) e-Learning courses instead of 2 CDT workshops. Participants who opt to do so will have to attend 6 face-to-face workshops and 2 e-learning courses, for an overall total of at least 8 face-to-face and online activities;
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Where a participant has opted to replace a face-to-face workshop with an e-learning course, the successful completion of the course will be the criteria for evaluation. The maximum number of face-to-face workshops that can be replaced by e-learning courses is 2;
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All participants will also have to submit a final research report by August 1st, 2016. The research paper will be based on the material covered in one of the workshops. Participants are expected to write a 3,000-5,000 words paper (excluding bibliography and footnotes). Titles and learning objectives of each paper will be decided and approved in consultation with the trainer from the relevant CDT workshop. Participants are strongly encouraged to relate the topic to their work. Research papers will be submitted on the Moodle platform by August 1, and technical assistance will be provided by the MDP Team. Research papers will be graded by the supervisor on a pass or fail basis, according to the degree to which the trainer assesses the participants to have met the learning objectives of the research paper set with the candidate and the learning objectives of the diploma more broadly.
The primary target audience for the Executive Diploma is the diplomatic community in Geneva. 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) will be considered, 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 ones:
- Bachelor’s Degree;
- 2-3 years of relevant professional experience;
- Proficiency in English.
Fee and Fee Reductions
The fee for the Diploma is 8000 USD.
UNITAR is pleased to announce that participants from low and middle income countries are eligible for a limited number of fee reductions upon request.
UNITAR will make a selection based on the applications it receives.
Workload
The workload is estimate to be 200 hours for the whole duration of the Diploma.
- Of these, a minimum of 128 hours will be dedicated to face-to-face workshops or e-learning courses; each 2 day workshop will last 14 hours in total;
- Approximately 50% of the time in each workshop will be dedicated to presentations and discussion, while the remaining 50% will be simulation exercises;
- It will take approximately 2 hours overall to successfully complete all the written quiz assessments at the end of each workshop; and
- The remaining 60 hours are set aside for participants to draft their research paper and discuss improvements with their respective supervisors.
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+41 (0) 22 917 86 77 or visit www.unitar.org/cdt.
All accepted participants will be informed by email.