Tag: DIPLOMACY

 United Nations Institute for Training and Research

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The United Nations Institute for Training and Research is pleased to announce its 2025 portfolio of educational and training programmes, offered in partnership with world-class universities. These programmes, taught by UN experts and distinguished practitioners in their fields, offer flexible formats and a diverse array of learning opportunities, designed to equip diplomats, government officials, and professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to advance their careers.
Master’s ProgrammesComprehensive master’s degrees designed to provide in-depth knowledge in diplomacy and international relations, available in hybrid, online, or in-person formats. ● M.A. in Digital International Relations and Diplomacy In partnership with EU Business SchoolStart: October, January, April (In-person, Geneva, Full-time) | Deadline: Rolling Learn More >  

● M.A. in International Affairs and DiplomacyIn partnership with Open University of Catalonia Start: 12 March 2025 (Online, Full-time or Part-time) | Deadline: 21 February 2025Learn More >  

● Master’s Programmes in Diplomacy, International Law, Gender and DevelopmentIn partnership with the University for PeaceStart: July, August, September (Online, Hybrid, In-person, Full-time) | Deadline: April, June, August (Depending on the format)  |See related certificates >Learn More > 

● LL.M. in Public International Law In partnership with Sigmund Freud University ViennaStart: October 2025 (Online or In-person, Full-time) | Deadline: 14 April (Non-EU Citizens) / 31 August 2025 (EU/EFTA Citizens)Learn More >  

● M.S. in International Affairs and Diplomatic PracticeIn partnership with Seton Hall UniversityStart: August 2025 (Online, Full-time) | Deadline: RollingLearn More > | Join the info session (4 February) > 

● Professional Masters in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence ApplicationsIn partnership with the Asian Institute of TechnologyStart: August 2025 (Hybrid, Part-time)Learn More > 

● MBA in Alternative Dispute ResolutionIn partnership with the University of BoltonStart: September 2025 (Online Part-time, with 1-week in Geneva)Learn More > 

● MSc. Gender and Diplomatic PracticeIn partnership with the University of StirlingStart: September 2025 (In-person, Full-time or Part-time)Learn More > 

● M.A. in International Leadership and Negotiation In partnership with Universidad Europea de Valencia Start date: 2025 TBC (Online, Full-time)Learn More > 

* For programmes without confirmed deadlines, further details will be shared in upcoming communications.

Executive Diplomas Executive programmes for professionals seeking specialized knowledge in diplomacy, available in both in-person and online formats. 

● Executive Diploma in Cultural Diplomacy, International Relations and Global GovernanceIn partnership with the Center for Cultural Diplomacy StudiesStart: 9 February 2025 (Berlin or Online, 10 days) | Deadline: 8 February 2025Learn More >  

● Online Diploma in Multilateral Diplomacy Modules can also be taken separately as certified courses, with upgrade options toward the diploma.Start: 10 February/ 1 September 2025 | Deadline: 9 February/ 1 September 2025 (10 months)

Upcoming Courses Include:– The Art of Speechwriting- Overcoming Negotiation Deadlocks- United Nations Protocol- Public and Cultural Diplomacy- Cross-Cultural CommunicationLearn More >  

● Executive Diploma in Anti-Corruption and Diplomacy In partnership with the International Anti-Corruption Academy Start: March 2025 | Deadline: 21 February 2025 (Online, 5 months)Learn More >

Immersion Programmes 5-day field visits in the world’s multilateralism capitals, receiving expert lectures, training workshops, multilateral conferences, private guided tours, access to UN institutions, and career development sessions. 

● UN Geneva Immersion ProgrammeDates: February, May, July, August 2025Learn More >  

● UN Nairobi Immersion ProgrammeDates: 17 March – 21 March 2025 Learn More >  

● UN The Hague Immersion ProgrammeDates: 7 – 11 July 2025Learn More >  

● UN New York Immersion ProgrammeDates: 4 – 8 August 2025Learn More >  

● UN Vienna Immersion ProgrammeDates: 29 September – 3 October 2025Learn More >

The Bandung Initiative

The first Asian-African Conference, or more popularly known as the Bandung Conference, was held in Bandung, Indonesia in April 1955. It brought together the newly independent countries of Asia and Africa to discuss a range of issues.

Bandung was the initial stage of a Third World movement of newly independent countries that sought to move on from their colonial histories by using the State as means to freedom, self-determination and modernization that would unite its citizens and carry them towards development. This was argued to be the essence of the ‘Bandung Spirit’. The heyday of this Third World-ism was the period from 1955 to 1975 and the call for a New International Economic Order (NIEO) by the developing world was an integral part of the Bandung Era.

Scholars of International Relations [IR] have argued that the Bandung Conference sowed the seeds for re-envisioning international society in two significant ways. Bandung’s call for equitable representation in international decision-making for the new members was marked by international justice principles, particularly that of procedural justice, in the management of international affairs. Bandung participants also articulated an alternative set of principles for inter-state engagement that emphasized dialogue and accommodation, collective and peaceful problem-solving, and the search for consensus or compromise.

By the late 1940s, the Afro-Asian movement’s specific aim had already become clearly defined, which was to speed up decolonization and achieve independence for the colonies. Although these objectives formed the basis for the Bandung Conference, the immediate focus at Bandung was that of peaceful co-existence in the broader society of states, especially between the communist and non-communist worlds. And more broadly there was the need felt for association and brotherhood amid an unfolding Cold War.

Although the 1955 Bandung Conference had been divided into three committees i.e. political, economic and cultural, it was politics that took centre-stage. But the emphasis on political matters notwithstanding, economics also was of some importance. A 12-point Economic Cooperation agenda was issued as part of the Final Communique. The economic agenda was non-controversial. The participating countries affirmed the importance of economic cooperation with states outside the region, and the value of foreign investment for their countries.

The Bandung participants endorsed the rights of governments to freely choose their own political and economic systems. But Bandung and its successor saw the independence of individual states as the primary medium to achieve freedom, development and modernization for their peoples.

The Bandung Conference did not directly address justice and fairness in substantive economic matters, but its emphasis on equitable participation and representation in international decision-making implied a concern with matters of procedural justice. The Bandung participants were not only attempting to create a more hospitable international arena for themselves but were also attempting to enhance their ability to meaningfully participate in world affairs. The core premise of Bandung was based on the belief that if IR focused on dialogue and diplomacy, there would offer far greater chances for post-colonial states to engage in world affairs than a world based on confrontation, power politics, and the use of force. Bandung’s legacy might be its emphasis on deliberative politics.

Reference- https://www.rsis.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/rsis-pubs/WP95.pdf

Hallyu is the new frontrunner of Soft Power

Hard Power or coercive power is often recognized as having shaped Global Politics for years. A smaller nation ought to fear a bigger nation that has an expansive army or greater economic prowess. On the other hand, soft power in politics refers to the ability to attract and co-opt rather than coerce. Soft Power is thus co-optive power. It primarily refers to shaping others’ preferences through appeal or through attraction.

Joseph S Nye Jr. was the scholar who coined the term soft power in the late 1980s. He defined it as the ability of a country to persuade others to do what it wants without force or coercion. In the context of International Relations, it emerged as one of the go-to-strategies for many. The US was among the earliest beneficiaries with the McDonaldization of the world. More recently, Asian countries have witnessed a remarkable boom in their economies thanks to the concept of soft power.

South Korea has been among the biggest beneficiaries of the same. Korean pop, or K-pop as it is more commonly known, has been at the heart of Korean soft power strategies. The Korean culture wave or ‘Hallyu’ has taken the world by storm. K-Dramas were initially meant for domestic audience but its audience soon spread to other parts of Asia and slowly captured the world. K-pop groups like EXO, BTS, Blackpink are now household names. BTS accounted for $4.65 billion (£3.5 billion) of South Korea’s GDP in 2019. EXO’s Baekhyun, who debuted as a soloist in 2019, released his second album in May 2020 and went on to become the first soloist in over 19 years to sell more than one million physical albums. In today’s digital day and age, selling over one million physical albums is a huge achievement.

The popularity of Korean music, K-Dramas and films has resulted in growth in other sectors such as food, tourism and has increased the demand for the Korean language as well. The international popularity of K-pop groups, actors and Hallyu in general, is a great example of the proliferation of Korean soft power. Soft power is at the heart of cultural diplomacy. Through deploying cultural diplomacy tools, nations and other international actors mobilize resources for forming positive opinions about their culture, people and society. The promotion of soft power through cultural diplomacy is a shared interest of both governmental and non-governmental actors as well as K-pop agencies.

K-pop groups play a big part in spreading positive associations with Korean culture worldwide, through the immediate impact of their performances on international music charts, merchandising and rise in tourism. The huge demand for K-pop merchandise in India is testimony to their growing popularity in the region. There are many sellers on Instagram and Twitter who devote their time and efforts to conducting group orders for fans in India in order to help them order albums and other merchandise from South Korea. All these cases illustrate how influential South Korean soft power strategy has been in expanding horizons for the Far East Asian nation.

Global Diplomacy: The United Nations.

  • The name “United Nations” appears true only in books but in reality it seems like a contest for nations to prove their dominance and power individually. The diplomacy comes off to be biased. The World today is owned by corporate and the UN follows through. The actual role of united nations should be to rise above the competition and work as ONE UNITED PLANET towards climate change, global pandemic, poverty and financial slavery.

Though it is non-arguable that UN has helped bring forward issues like Women Empowerment, Poverty, Health, Education, etc. on a global platform. The real question is, are these issues solved or they have been piled upon by newer issues day by day.

But on a positive note, the UN has made progress in its peace making strategies and providing financial and healthcare aids to the countries in need. If not for this organisation then there would have not been a diplomatic relationship between nations and war would be the ultimate solution to all inter-nation problems.

Just because a medicine has side-effects does not mean it cannot be used for treating the illness in hand. Similarly, it is easy for anybody to make war but only the united front can make peace and prosperity!

  • The UN came from the minds of some of the renowned politicians of the western countries. When the super power nations felt their security and peace was under threat they collaborated with like-minded ones against the equally powerful nations. Powerful only in military and vengeance and the greed to conquer. According to human psychology (basic), a man desires power more than water for thirst.

From all the glorifications I read about this organisation, UN rose from the ashes of the war like a phoenix bird. Very beautiful and powerful bird- a phoenix-their tears have healing powers. One can say that United Nations came into existence to act as the panacea to diseases like violence, death and fading humanity.

But is the origin really important to determine its worth in the present scenario is something to ponder upon. Today UN works for a cause which it was originally built upon; irrespective of its results, – promotion of peace with its symbol the white dove soaring high, its wings flapping, freeing itself from the shackles of slavery of power, money, greed and hate.

Born in times of desperate times it can be regarded as an invention by man in the time of dire need. As we all know – “NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF ALL INVENTIONS!”

  • The UN Security Council consists of 5 permanent members and 10 temporary members all with a right to vote however only the permanent five have the right to veto. The word itself suggests that the council was made to resolve the security concerns of nations and to make peace among them.

 Today, the Council responds to three types of situations:

  • (1) chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons proliferation; (2) international conflict; and (3) intra-state conflict. More recently, the Council has also developed a (4) cross-cutting and (5) quasi-legislative agenda.

The above decisions and powers in the hands of the council sounds safe however it is not the situation in reality. There has to be an expansion of the members instead of giving all the authority in the hands of the few. This will help in avoidance of partiality or constant disagreement that has been happening since the council has been formed. Though it has never successfully managed to make any notable reforms , it is one of our best option to resolve the security threats and war like situations in many countries and their estranged borders.

  • Human rights are the rights we are all entitled to irrespective of the place of birth or the time of birth. The core of United Nations is built upon the protection and service towards human rights and its associated freedoms. However due to international politics and superpower nations greed to stay on top of others and world domination has endangered the human rights of developing and under developed nations. Human rights have become a selective freedom provided to only those who can afford it without any restrictions. In my country citizens think that they are not worthy of having human rights as they think only the rich and developed nations are fortunate enough to have human rights that too the basic one’s. In recent events of racism ad discrimination on the basis of colour and financial status, what is the united nations enforcing laws to stop the fights  to avail basic human rights. People have to come on streets and protest later developing into riots in order to practise their rights and enjoy the freedom of being born as a human on this planet.
  • The united nations in the past has failed in crisis management because of the disagreement between it’s member nations and security councils. Due to the interference of the security council the  situation was aggravated rather than being put out or quite down. Rather than focusing on the crisis at hand it focuses on the political relations of that country with the members of the united nations and then it takes the necessary actions that too not quick or decisive but slow and of poor quality. However by putting the past back the united nations can improve on its crisis management skills by being in constant touch with the country and states local administration and education people on a personal and more localised manner rather than representing it as a political agenda or foreign policy which puts the civilians in a mind-set of confusion and feeling of unsafe and non trustable environment.
  • Today a question arises on the future of the United Nations and will it still prevail in the modern world where people are becoming rather too aware and will want a more secular council, one which works one which provides solutions, one which is actually true to its purpose of being formed.
  • During the 2020 Global Pandemic the true face of UN is being put to test and how it acts now to maintain peace among nations will say a lot about its existence in the future or will it be left to be just pages in history textbooks.

Just wishing for once if we had leaders who cared about the upliftment of the entire nation and not just the name of their political agenda and parties. The world needs educated and selfless leaders and hopefully in the future with my generation in the front we will represent a better council than these old ways and barbaric wars.