UNITAR/LUISS training project “African Executive Diplomatic Academy”

Office of the Directorate General for Global Affairs has funded an important training project for the benefit of diplomatic officials of some African countries, promoted by UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) and LUISS Guido Carli University, aimed at establishing an “Executive Master in Global Public Diplomacy and Sustainable Development” in view of the creation of an “African Executive Diplomatic Academy”.
The goal is to share experiences, knowledge and good practices of our country in terms of training in the field of international relations and diplomacy, for the benefit of young African colleagues.
The initiative counts on a contribution of almost 250,000 euros from the funds of the 2022 Missions Decree (Italian participation in humanitarian and peace initiatives in the international arena).
The UNITAR-LUISS project is aimed at 30 diplomatic officials from African countries and aims, through the planned training activities, to increase the knowledge of the participants in the following areas:
– current international issues, with an important focus on Africa;
– policies and institutions of the European Union;
– European policies and instruments aimed at pursuing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
More generally, the African officials involved will acquire advanced skills in bilateral and multilateral diplomatic relations, also with the aim of creating an international and intercultural network of professionals and academics linked to Italy.
The beneficiaries of the project will be able to participate in a Master in “Global Public Diplomacy and Sustainable Development”. A first phase of the program (March – June 2023), managed by UNITAR, involves the holding of a series of online courses, on topics such as: international relations; international conferences/events and drafting of resolutions; international negotiation techniques; multilateral diplomacy; protocol and label; digital diplomacy; coordination and involvement of stakeholders and non-governmental actors. At the end of the courses, a verification test is provided.
The second part of the Master will take place in July 2023 in Rome, at the LUISS School of Government, and will consist of an intensive program of lessons, focused on the following themes: Africa-Italy/Europe relations; commercial innovation and economic growth; environmental and energy policies; cybersecurity; food security and sustainability; public speaking, etc. For this second phase of the project, participants will be exempt from paying travel expenses, board and lodging in Rome for the duration of the Master. Finally, (August – October 2023) the beneficiaries of the initiative will have to prepare, under the supervision of UNITAR and LUISS, a written paper on a specific case study, relating to the topics covered during the lessons followed in the training course.
The regular completion of the Master will allow participants to obtain the title of “Executive First Level Master in Global Public Diplomacy and Sustainable Development”, issued by LUISS School of Government and UNITAR, together with 60 credits (ECTS).
With regard to the selection process, the applications of the African diplomatic officials concerned must be submitted by 10th February 2023, by completing the “call for applications” published by LUISS on the website:
https://sog.luiss.it/graduate-programs/master-sogunitar
It should be noted that candidates, together with the application form, must submit some documents, including: copy of the passport; CV; qualifications in English; motivational letter; letter of reference; letter of authorization to participate in the course from the Foreign Ministries of their respective membership; certificate of knowledge of the English language.
Officials belonging to the diplomatic corps of African countries under the age of 40, with a degree of at least three years and with an advanced knowledge of the English language, exercising their functions at the headquarters of the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs or seconded to the African Union or other Regional Organizations of the Continent, may apply for the Master.
For any further information relating to the program and the methods of participation, please contact Dr. Lorenzo Valeri, Scientific Manager, Luiss School of Government, are indicated below. Email: lvaleri@luiss.it