Date: 25 June, 2009
Location: Geneva

Malta, Mexico and Switzerland today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to initiate cooperation in online diplomatic training. The three countries plan to work together in developing and delivering online courses for diplomats and others involved in managing global issues. Read more..

Memorandum of Understanding (PDF)

Date: 8 - 17 June 2009
Location: Malta

The workshop 'Modern Diplomacy for Small States' took place in Malta between the 8th and 17th of June 2009. The workshop was organised by DiploFoundation and sponsored by the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation through the Governance and Institutional Development Division (GIDD) under the auspices of the Malta Commonwealth third Country Training Programme and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malta. Twelve participants from ten different countries took part in a combination of lectures, participant presentations, simulations and workshops. Participants included middle and senior ranking officials of ministries of foreign affairs and other departments dealing with the foreign affairs of small states. Speakers at the workshop included practising diplomats, Ambassadors and former foreign ministers.

Date: June 1, 2009
Location: London

The Commonwealth Secretariat hosted the launch of Diplo’s new publication Strengthening Voices of Small and Developing Countries – 10 Years of Diplomatic Training, on June 1, 2009, in London. The publication features personal stories from diplomats and other officials who participated in the diplomatic training organised by DiploFoundation and supported by Malta and the Commonwealth over the last decade. The launch was addressed by the Maltese High Commissioner to UK Joseph Zammit Tabone, Swiss Ambassador in UK Alexis Lautenberg, Director of DiploFoundation Dr Jovan Kurbalija and one of Diplo’s alumni, Uchenna Okoli from Nigeria. The echoing message in all addresses and exchanges at the event was the importance of the contribution which the Commonwealth/Malta course has made towards strengthening the participation of small and developing states in modern international relations.

For further information, please read the Commonwealth Secretariat press release and see the event photo album.

Date: February 12, 2009
Location: Malta

Diplo and the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies held a Farewell Symposium for Professor Dietrich Kappeler, retiring from his 50-year career as a practitioner and teacher of diplomacy, on 12 February, 2009, in Malta. Professor Kappeler worked with Diplo’s director, Dr Jovan Kurbalija, to conceptualise and develop Diplo since its early days. Prior to his work with Diplo, Professor Kappeler was a Swiss diplomat and the founding director of three diplomatic training institutions (Kenya, Cameroon and Malta). Discussion at the symposium addressed the theme “Persuasion – The Essence of Diplomacy.” As well, we are offering a farewell discussion online. Contributions will appear online, while selected contributions may be published in 2009.
 

Visit the symposium website to read background papers: “Persuasion: The Essence of Diplomacy.”

Send us your contribution of up to five pages.