ABU DHABI // More than 50 new students have been welcomed into the Emirates Diplomatic Academy for the new academic year.
They are the second cohort of students who will learn about the UAE’s international relations and diplomacy as well as leadership skills and best practice.
A nine-month long training will help the students on their first step towards becoming diplomats to continue the UAE’s tradition of global influence.
“The academy plays a pivotal role in nurturing a generation that will be tasked with enhancing international connectivity to ensure we are fit to face the challenges of our times,” said Omar Al Bitar, EDA deputy director general in a keynote speech to the new students.
“We are working to continually improve our offerings to give our diplomats what they need to succeed.”
The students will begin their post-graduate diploma in International Relations and UAE Diplomacy next month.
Other new courses on offer this year include digital diplomacy and modern leadership and ethics.
They are currently undergoing an orientation and induction into the academy’s departments along with executive education and research and analyses teams before they being their training.
Once complete, the diploma will equip students with the necessary range of skills to help them face the diplomatic challenges of the 21st century.
“Diplomacy is the sharp end of foreign policy and is more than just theory but a true profession - a skill, an art and a behavior which reflects our standing in the world and our effectiveness in getting things done,” said Mr Al Bitar.
The EDA was determined to push students into the highest standards, he said.
“It is vital that the next generation of UAE diplomats learns how to engage with an increasingly fast paced and uncertain world, and masters the tools to further UAE’s national interests.” he said.
This year will also see additional courses in Preparing for the 21st Century Diplomacy, which will cover the latest trends in diplomatic practice such as the use of digital technology.
This module will be taught by Tom Fletcher, the former British Ambassador to Lebanon.
‘Modern Leadership and Ethics’, will be taught by Mr Al Bitar and will tackle the difficult balance between decisive action and ethics while emphasising how the best leaders will always keep ethics at the forefront of their decisions.
Bernardino Leon, director general of EDA and former UN diplomat will pass on his experience of working with the top echelons of global diplomacy and multinational organisations.
‘It is really exciting to be able to learn from some of the world’s leading diplomats and thinkers on international relations as we prepare to represent the UAE abroad,” said new student Asma Hassan AlHammadi.
“I am looking forward to developing my skills and applying them in practice.”
Saud Salam Al Suwaidi agreed saying: “This is such an important time for diplomacy with new trade agreements to support the UAE’s hyper growth industries and areas of expertise.”
For more details visit eda.ac.ae.
newsdesk@thenational.ae