Diplomacy of Small States

…Vulnerability is a concept that is applicable in all aspects of small state diplomacy. However, while smallness always brings an element of vulnerability in its own right, this vulnerability also carries different connotations in different areas. In the area of security, it is often a relative concept. In the area of economic development, important elements of vulnerability lie in the linkages between smallness and remoteness, and in those between smallness and low levels of development.
In environmental concerns, size is the major element of vulnerability. On the one hand, environmental risks and natural disasters affect large and small states indiscriminately, and their effects on specific locations are the same, irrespective of location in a large or a small state. On the other hand, the ability of a state to recover from the effects of environmental risks and natural disasters is highly related to size (although level of development is also a factor)…

- excerpt from Diplomacy of Small States course materials


Description and Objectives

This course examines the manner in which small states conduct their diplomacy to pursue their foreign policy objectives, and to manage their participation in the global community of nations. The subject takes two aspects as starting premises - that diplomacy as practiced by small states is a subset of the basic themes and methods of diplomacy in general; and that small states, however defined, are necessary and active partners in the global community of nations.

Diplomacy is only one of a set of tools available to a country in the pursuit of its foreign policy. Diplomacy operates within a matrix of actions and of interests which collectively determine a country’s foreign policy objectives and affect the achievement of these objectives within the community of nations. Small state diplomacy is characterised by the relative importance that some of the standard factors and conditions which affect diplomacy everywhere, and especially physical, geographical and economic constraints and vulnerabilities, assume in both the definition, as well as the pursuit of policy goals.

 

Course Outline

  1. Introduction to Diplomacy of Small States: We consider the role of small states as members of a set of principal, though not exclusive, actors in the international order. We look at qualitative and quantitative definitions of small states. We analyse the bases of foreign policy choices and diplomatic method, and consider the choices and methods available to small states in the areas of security, development and status building.  
  2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Small States: We look at how foreign ministries of small states conduct tasks arising from their primary responsibility to help implement the state’s foreign policy; tasks relating to information, representation, protection, and negotiation. We also consider two aspects of the structure of a small state foreign ministry: organisational set-up and human resource management. 
  3. Security: We focus on the central concern of any state’s security, namely the safeguarding of territorial integrity, which is as vital to small states as to larger states. We analyse the various threats to a small state’s territorial integrity (actual, latent, or potential) and examine how the diplomatic process in addressing each is unique.
  4. Economic Diplomacy: We look at the economic openness to which small states are subject, the linkages between smallness and peripherality, and smallness and low level of development. We examine the resilience of small states to their economic vulnerabilities and the way these vulnerabilities affect their bilateral and multilateral economic diplomacy. 
  5. Environmental Diplomacy: States must take both preventative and remedial action in the face of environmental risks and natural disasters. In environmental concerns, size is the major element of vulnerability. We look at actions being taken by small island states to meet the challenge of long-term effects of such phenomena as ozone depletion and climate change; then the impact of natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, or tsunamis. 
  6. Multilateral Diplomacy: We look at two separate roots of multilateral diplomacy: the regional process, with geographical proximity as the primary motivating factor, and the broader process resulting from a commonality of interests and concerns. We discuss the small state’s perception of the multilateral process and the assumptions behind this process. We then look at the institutional dimension, including the system of groupings under which different states position themselves for purposes of negotiation and voting. 
  7. Regional Diplomacy: We first consider the factors at work in promoting regional diplomacy. We consider regional arrangements for peace and security, and the role of the UN regional commissions which deal with a broader spectrum of social, economic, and political issues. We then examine the role of small states in regional arrangements in America, Europe, Africa and Asia. 
  8. Small States and Globalisation: From the perspective of a small state, we examine two aspects of globalisation that fall directly within the domain of diplomacy: the way globalisation affects the role and status of various actors in the international arena, and the way globalisation affects the manner in which states interact with each other. 

 

Who Should Apply

  • Practicing diplomats, civil servants, and others who work in international relations who want to refresh or expand their knowledge under the guidance of experienced practitioners and academics;
  • Post-graduate students of diplomacy or international relations wishing to study topics not offered through their university programmes or diplomatic academies and to gain deeper insight through interaction with practicing diplomats;
  • Post-graduate students or practitioners in other fields seeking an entry point into the world of diplomacy;
  • Journalists, staff of international and non-governmental organisations, translators, business people and others who interact with diplomats and wish to improve their understanding of diplomacy-related topics.

 

Structure and Methodology

This course is conducted entirely online over a period of 10 weeks. Reading materials and tools for online interaction are provided through an online classroom. Each week, participants read the provided lecture text, adding questions, comments and references in the form of hypertext entries. Lecturers and other participants read and respond to these entries, creating interaction based on the lecture text. During the week, participants complete additional online activities (for example, further discussion via blogs or forums, quizzes, group tasks, simulations or short assignments). At the end of the week, participants and lecturers meet online in a chat room to discuss the week’s topic. To complete the course successfully, participants must write several essay assignments. Courses are based on a collaborative approach to learning, involving a high level of interaction.

 

Lecturer(s)

Ambassador Victor Camilleri
Diplomacy of Small States

Ambassador Victor Camilleri is currently serving as Malta’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva. In his forty year career at the Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs he has occupied a number of senior administrative and diplomatic posts including that of Permanent Secretary. As Ambassador in Brussels he formed part of the Maltese team which negotiated Malta’s membership of the EU. Amb. Camilleri was chef de cabinet to Maltese Foreign Minister Prof. G. de Marco during his Presidency of the 45th Session of the UN General Assembly. He has extensive experience in multilateral affairs. He is actively interested in the promotion of IT as a tool of diplomacy and for some years served as Chairman of the Working Group on Informatics at the UN in New York.

 

Ms Solange Cross
Diplomacy of Small States

Ms Solange Cross is a Junior Research Fellow at the Institute of International Relations (IIR), The University of The West Indies, St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago, where she currently lectures the postgraduate courses Theory and Practice of Diplomacy and Contemporary International Diplomacy. A Doctoral candidate, her research interests include the impact and role of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) in diplomacy and international relations, particularly in the context of the collaborative negotiations framework of the Caribbean Community.

 

Words from Former Participants

This course gave me the assurance that smallness is not at all a disadvantage to a State. During the well formed and very educating lectures of Ambassador Camilleri based on practical situations and rich experience, we learnt how Small States can use their diplomatic means as cleverly and efficiently as possible in order to gain leverage in international politics by focusing on their strengths and clear strategies. During the online classes I had this amazing possibility to discuss with students around the world the issues Small States face in the international arena due to lack of resources, influence and other constraints. It is particularly important for the diplomats of Small States to be aware of these opportunities in order to succeed at their service; therefore I’d encourage everyone interested to participate in this exciting course.

Liene Norberg, Director, International Affairs, Latvia Post

This course presents a unique and unconventional source of knowledge, practical experience and exchanges that I would cordially recommend to all practitioners and theorists of international relations, especially those coming from or involved in diplomatic affairs of small states. Being involved both theoretically and as practitioner in the diplomatic efforts of my country, I found the course very meaningful and profound. Through a dynamic and interactive method this course manages to enlighten participants about the particular threats and vulnerabilities of smallness, as well as to provide answers, methods and directions for transforming the smallness of a state and a diplomatic system into a strong asset in maintaining national interests and practicing foreign affairs.

Ljuben Tevdovski, Member of the Editorial Board of Macedonian
Foreign Policy Magazine CROSSROADS, Public Diplomacy Department,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia

 

Prerequisites

Applicants must have:

  • an undergraduate university degree; OR three years work experience and appropriate professional qualifications in diplomacy or international relations;
  • sufficient ability in English language to undertake postgraduate level studies (including reading academic texts, discussing complex concepts with other course participants, and submitting written essay assignments of up to 2500 words in length);
  • unrestricted access to the Internet using Firefox or Internet Explorer web browsers (please contact us for more details if you are in doubt about your level of access).

 

Fees

Course fees depend on whether you wish to obtain university credit for the course:

  • 755 euros (University of Malta Credit Course)
  • 575 euros (Diplo Certificate Course)

Applicants must pay full fees upon official acceptance into the course. The fee includes:

  • University of Malta application fee (where applicable)
  • Tuition fee
  • Course orientation pack (where applicable - may include text and/or references and Textus Learning User Guide)
  • Access to all required course materials online, via Diplo’s online classroom
  • Personal interaction via the online classroom with course lecturers, staff and other participants
  • Online technical support: requests will be answered within 24 hours
  • Certificate of completion issued by DiploFoundation (upon meeting all course requirements for participation, assignments and examination)

 

Financial Assistance

Discounts are available for more than one participant from the same institution. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for diplomats from developing countries. To apply for a scholarship please include your CV or resume, and a letter outlining your interest in the course and financial need, with your application package.

 

How to Apply

A number of routes for application are available, depending on the needs of the applicant: