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Engagement in Multilateral Negotiations

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Participants of XXIXth Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs Programme had the opportunity of displaying their skills in multilateral negotiations recently (28/01) at the BIDTI.

   

   

‘Multilateral Negotiations’ is the second part of the assignment relevant to the 2nd Module of the Diploma conducted to assess participants’ competency in negotiating at a multilateral forum.  Previously, they fulfilled the first part of the assignment ‘Bilateral Negotiations’ of the Module.

   

 

The engagement allowed participants to learn how to negotiate as delegates of countries belonged to different regional groups of the United Nations while upholding interests of their own country. It also helped them to get together with likeminded countries having similar views and limitations, to work out strategies to safeguard their interests.

   

   

XXXth Diplomacy & World Affairs Programme inaugurated at the BIDTI

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Inauguration of the XXXth Course of the Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs programme of the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) took place on Wednesday, 5th February, 2025. At the outset, the Director General welcomed participants giving a brief introduction of the Institute. She mentioned that in spite of the BIDTI being the teaching institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; since its inception conducted programmes for the public who are interested in learning of diplomatic skills and conduct of international relations.  Further, she highlighted the importance of following the global events, which has an impact on each one in the globalized world.

   

  

Ms. Theshani Milindi Weligamage, a former student and the recipient of the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Award of the XXV Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs programme shared her experience as a student at the BIDTI.  She also made a presentation giving an overall idea to follow successfully the programme and its activities.

  

Participants from various backgrounds including undergraduates to post-graduate level from the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, Legal, Medical, Military, as well as Banks and Private sector have joined the XXX programme.

Panel Discussion on ‘Trump 2.0 – Impact on South Asia’

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The Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) in collaboration with the Centre for Law & Security Studies (CLASS) conducted a panel discussion on ‘Trump 2.0 – Impact on South Asia’ on Thursday 30th January 2025 at the Institute.

While Prof. Rohan Samarajiva Chair of Lirneasia, Ms. Subhashini Abeysinghe  Research Director of Verité Research and Mr. Nilanthan Niruthan Executive Director of  CLASS served as Panelists,  introductory remarks was delivered by the former Executive Director of the United States – Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission Mr. Tissa Jayatilaka. A scholar Mr. Shakthi De silva served as the Moderator.

   

Delivering introductory remarks, Mr. Tissa Jayatilaka, who is a keen follower of the US politics, briefly described the history of the US administration analyzing the foreign policy of the US administration, especially on Trump administration policy towards the Asian region.

   

   

Panelists expressed views arguing the challenges faced by the region under the Trump administration. Prof. Samarajiva referred to the US economy since the great depression and the recession of 2008. He explained the realignment of likeminded states based on the national interest.

   

   

Ms. Abeysinghe focusing on tariffs, shed light on how countries in Asia especially China, Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh and India increased their quota while Sri Lanka failed to adapt. Further, she mentioned these countries would adjust themselves to meet impediments relevant to the new tariffs introduced by President Trump.

Referring to geopolitics and challenges relevant to each region, Mr. Niruthan explained that Trump administration might not have time to focus on the South Asia.

Upon completion of remarks of Panelists, the Moderator posed questions to them prior to opening the Q & A session.

   

A large number of participants including former Foreign Secretaries, Ambassadors, former Parliamentarians, Heads of Institutes, media personnel, service personnel, undergraduates and students attended the event.

   

   

   

Display of Negotiating Skills

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Participants of the XXIXth Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs Programme of the BIDTI had an opportunity to display their skills in negotiations recently.

 

   

   

In the curriculum of the Diploma, participants are educated negotiating skills in bilateral as well as multilateral fora. In order to evaluate their skills the BIDTI conducts mockup sessions. Participants of XXIX Diploma programme exhibited their skills in bilateral negotiations on 7th January 2025 at the institute.

   

 

   

Approximately sixty participants divided into groups attended the exercise based on a case study to negotiate a text of a reciprocal visa agreement between two fictitious countries.

GCSP visits BIDTI

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A team of officials accompanied by Col (GS) Dr. Laurent Currit, Head of Defence & Diplomacy of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) visited the BIDTI on 4th December, 2024 to discuss the 7th International Defence Attachés Programme to be held in Colombo in May 2025. The Defence Attaché Orientation Programme was introduced to Sri Lanka in 2016 and established in collaboration with the Office of Chief of Defence Staff and the BIDTI.

The GCSP is an International Foundation established in Switzerland dedicated to promote Peace, Security and Stability through education, research and dialogue.

   

Etiquette of hosting Dinners / Luncheons

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The BIDTI organized a session on ‘Etiquette of hosting Dinners / Luncheons’ to participants of the XXIXth Diploma Course. Simulation exercise held on 21st October 2024 was conducted by the prominent etiquette trainer Mrs. Krishanti Weerakoon.

          

South African High Commissioner speaks on challenges of Foreign Ministries in the 21st Century

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South African High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Sandile Schalk speaking at the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute highlighted challenges before the Ministries of Foreign Affairs in the 21st Century. Delivering a speech on ‘The Role of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the 21st Century” at the BIDTI on 3rd November 2023, he said that global issues were calling for a new economic order.

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High Commissioner Schalk emphasised the need of addressing the veto power of the United Nations Security Council, as it was no longer represent the existing global order. Further, with the advent of the multi polar world, a new global order is in the offing thus the world is in need of a moral leadership.

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He highlighted the challenging situation in the world and how Foreign Service officers should respond to those by dissecting and analyzing situations reported in the media.  High Commissioner Schalk expressed the importance of adopting to new trends as states cannot achieve multilaterally what had been lost bilaterally.
Referring to the South African Foreign Service, he said that Foreign Service Act governs the conduct and role of officers and they take the lead role in every negotiating event on behalf of the country.

Korean Ambassador Visits the BIDTI

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The Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka Her Excellency Miyon Lee paid a visit to the BIDTI on Monday 18th September, 2023. Welcoming the Ambassador, the Director General appreciated her visit undertaken upon commencing Ambassodor’s assignment in Sri Lanka.
Referring to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the BIDTI and the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) on 15th March 2017, Director General reminisced the visit undertaken by H. E. Cho Byug-jae, Vice Foreign Minister and Chancellor of the Academy to the BIDTI on 31st October, 2017. She also mentioned the dynamic language training programmes conducted by the KNDA, for which Sri Lankan diplomats are given opportunities to learn the Korean language.
Ambassador Lee stated that Sri Lanka is important to Korea as it has undertaken a number of projects in the country. In view of the cordial relationship enjoyed between the two countries Korea wishes to further enhance economic collaboration for the mutual benefit.  Ambassador mentioned that she has already commenced meeting with key stake holders to discuss in this regard.

Dr. Nadeera Rajapakse talks on Travelling through Silk Roads at the BIDTI

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Delivering a special guest lecture on ‘Travelling through Silk Roads: Cultural Pluralism and Porous Boarders’ at the BIDTI on 28th July, 2023, Assistant Professor of the University of Paris, Pantheon – Sorbonne Dr. Nadeera Rajapakse gave a detail description of journeys made by the famous traveller Ibn Battuta.

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Dr. Rajapakse explained how Ibn Battuta , a Judge  and a native of Tangier in Morocco had been received at various realms from the West to the East during his journeys as well as techniques he used to convince rulers to permit him to travel through areas under their jurisdiction.

She revealed the significance of the records of Battuta’s accounts which focused more on the people than on the places he visited and explained the great insights into the cultural practices along the way. She explained that those records show a greater cultural harmony than most mainstream history lessons have shown.

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Dr. Rajapakse explained that the narrative of Battuta relevant to the Holy Kaaba where paintings of three angles existed.  Further, the practice of the Mongolian court as well as existence of Christianity in the East. Referring to the Gandhara civilization she said that it was a mix of Greek culture and Buddhist thinking.

During the presentation, she described that the Silk Road provides proof that culture transcends borders and that borders themselves have been mostly porous and blurred. She pointed out that by looking at historical narrative of travel along the Silk roads, people get a sense of the ease or the difficulty of travel, the welcome or rejections travelers face, the way travelers and their cultures are integrated, assimilated in new places.

The talk given by Dr. Nadeera Rajapakse was under the Special Guest Lecture series conducted by the BIDTI.   It was attended by distinguished persons including former Foreign Secretaries, Ambassadors, Academics and former participants of the programmes of the Institute.

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