Workshop on Multilateral Conference Diplomacy for diplomats of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and civil servants of other Norwegian Administrations

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Type:

Workshop

Date:

11 Feb - 14 Feb 2013

Duration of event:

4 days

Location:

Geneva, Switzerland

Programme area:

Peace Security and Diplomacy, Multilateral Diplomacy

Fee:

N.A.

Website:

http://www.unitar.org/mdp/

Event focal point email:

diplomacy@unitar.org

Other events details:

Private events - by invitation only are reserved for a pre-determined group of participants.

Background

The World Summit Outcome recognizes the valuable role of the major United Nations conferences and summits in economic, social and rated fields, and reaffirms the “vital importance for an effective multilateral system….” This workshop will help diplomats of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and civil servants of other Norwegian Administrations achieve a better conduct of negotiations in a multilateral working environment.

Event Objectives

As mutually agreed by UNITAR, the NFSI and DIFI, the overall objective of the workshop was to provide an in-depth understanding of multilateral negotiations and their particular dynamics. A positive side-effect of the workshop was also to be the creation of a sustainable network between different Norwegian government institutions, represented by the respective junior diplomats and civil servants participating in the training.

Learning Objectives

The learning objectives of this workshop are:

Acquire an enhanced understanding of conference diplomacy and negotiations in theory and practice;
Gain confidence in preparing for and attending international negotiations;
Build negotiation skills and public speaking abilities at conferences.

Content and Structure

The workshop will address the following topics:

-Introduction to Conference Diplomacy
-Conference and Negotiation
-Purposes and Outcomes of Multilateral Conferences
-Informal and Formal Processes of conferences
-Drafting resolutions
-Decision-making in Conferences
-Conference documentation
-Preparation for Multilateral Conferences

Methodology

The workshop is designed to be highly interactive and participatory. Training methods include concept learning (lectures, presentations), role-playing (exercises, simulations), experience sharing (panels, working group discussions) and exposure to real world problems and policy choices confronted by diplomats (case illustrations, video performance analysis, and Internet broadcasts of actual multilateral conferences taking place in the UN).