How Diplomatic Training has Changed in an Evolving Multilateral Context

Part 1 - The Evolution of the UN since 1946

Direct link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVtBFm_cOl4

Part 2 - The Role of Training in Diplomacy

Direct link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-L_dq11FCo&feature=related

Having worked at the United Nations since 1946, Mr. Jean Gazarian is in a unique position to assess the evolution of the organization over the years. During his exclusive interview with UNITAR on the 3rd of June, 2009 in Geneva, this experienced UN member recalled that “when the United Nations was founded there was a feeling of euphoria” because the delegates had established “a system of collective security” to end all wars. This enthusiasm, however, did not last long because the Cold War started soon after. He described this period to us as a chaotic, yet exciting one. It was a very interesting time to work for the UN because already then “whatever happened in the world was […] reflected at the United Nations.”

When we asked Mr. Gazarian how the UN had changed since he had joined the organization in 1946, we learned that in the post Cold War world, negotiation in the form of informal consultation became a necessary tool for delegates at the UN. Informal consultation consisted in lobbying to draft resolutions. This incentive to work together led to a general feeling of “harmony,” which was very conducive to the work of UN diplomats at the time.

During his many years of work at the UN, Mr. Gazarian has understood that training is important for negotiation because diplomats representing UN Member-States generally only get bilateral training from their own governments. As a Senior Fellow at UNITAR since 1987, he shared his perspective about the Institute and its role. Mr. Gazarian strongly believes that the work of UNITAR in training diplomats worldwide is essential because it facilitates their work in the multilateral context and allows them to better collaborate in an increasingly complex international forum, such as the United Nations. We learned in the interview that important future challenges in training diplomats in a multilateral environment include e-learning and distance learning courses, which allows UNITAR to reach out to a wider audience. Covering emerging hot topics, such as dealing with the UN reform in a timely manner and being responsive to new challenging issues, is also part of UNITAR’s mission in this field.

Mr. Gazarian concluded on a positive note expressing his enthusiasm for the future of the United Nations and how this enthusiasm has increased over the years in light of the many challenges that the organization has been able to overcome. Long live multilateral diplomacy training!