BACKGROUND
The ASEF Public Diplomacy Training (ASEFPDT) combines participatory online learning and face-to-face interactions facilitated by public diplomacy experts and trainers. The modules are designed to keep participants abreast of new developments in the field through peer-to-peer learning, analysing case studies and designing strategic campaigns.
ASEFPDT Alumni are encouraged to apply the practical skills they acquired through the online course and the face-to-face training in their work to increase foreign and domestic publics’ awareness of the ASEM Process and ASEF.
Since its inception in 2013, ASEF has co-organised 10 tutored online courses and 8 face-to-face collaborations, across Asia and Europe, benefitting more than 400 diplomats and civil servants from 52 ASEM Partners. In 2020, a webinar series was launched as a sub-component of the Training, which covered topics on cybersecurity, crisis management and culminated in the publication of the 2nd edition of the ASEF Public Diplomacy Handbook.
ASEF is honoured to be hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia for the face-to-face component of ASEFPDT11 which will be held from 20-24 November 2023 in Canberra.
ASEFPDT is supported by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland (online training) and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands (face-to-face training).
OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of the online course is to enhance the participants’ skills to listen, understand, exchange views, collaborate and deliver an effective message to shape public perception and opinion in the context of Asia-Europe relations.
After completing the online course, participants are expected to:
- Gain deeper knowledge of public perceptions of Asia and Europe, bi-regional dynamics, and how these affect their work as diplomats and civil servants.
- Increase their understanding of contemporary public diplomacy.
- Identify tools and strategies to increase the visibility of the ASEM Process.
- Identify, map, and engage with key decision-, policy- and opinion-makers and shapers (state and non-state actors).
- Gain practical skills to formulate, develop and deliver effective public diplomacy campaigns to promote ASEM to foreign and domestic public.
- Increase networking opportunities for ASEM diplomats to share their experiences and promote deeper understanding of Asia-Europe relations.
STRUCTURE & CONTENT
Online Course (5 October- 9 November 2023)
The online component of ASEFPDT11 is designed and managed by DiploFoundation. Participants will read the provided lecture text, adding questions, comments and references in the form of hypertext entries on an online training platform. The course methodology is based on collaborative approach to learning, which means that the trainers and other participants will read and respond to these entries, creating interactions based on the lecture text.
All course activities are asynchronous so that participants can take care of these activities whenever it is convenient for them. The only fixed activity is the one-hour-long weekly session where trainers and participants will meet in either a chat room or a Zoom meeting room to discuss the weekly topic. Focus time required per week over the course of 5 weeks: 5-7 hours (including a chat session).
For more information on the individual online training modules, please refer to the Training Leaflet.
NOTE: Only participants who have successfully completed the online course will be admitted to the 11th Face-to-face training in November 2023. This approach will boost participation and a greater exchange of information among participants.
Face-to-Face Training (20-24 November 2023)
Face-to-face training functions as an intensive skills-oriented module that focuses on the practical interaction between the selected participants. Over the span of 5 days and with the help of professional trainers with a background in public diplomacy, the participants will expand the knowledge they acquired through the online course.
As part of the program, a cultural tour will also be arranged to allow participants to learn more about the host’s history and culture.
More information on the individual physical training modules will be published closer to the event dates.
TARGET PARTICIPANTS
- Early-/mid-career diplomats in departments dealing with Asia, Europe, or ASEM in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs or equivalent of the eligible Asian and European countries*
- Early-/mid-career diplomats posted by eligible ASEM Partners to ASEM countries* who are dealing with public diplomacy
EXPECTED PROFILES OF CANDIDATES
- MA degree, or equivalent, or BA degree with at least 3 years of diplomatic working experience
- Currently working in the Asia-Europe context
- High proficiency in English
- Interest in public diplomacy, public affairs or communications
NOMINATION PROCESS
The application period is closed
- Submissions of nominations should be sent to ASEF’s project coordinator via e-mail, stating the name, designation and e-mail address of the candidate; and put the Governance & Sustainable Development Department in copy.
- Candidates are required to submit a CV and a motivation letter, detailing the applicant’s interest and desire to take part in the Training. Kindly take note that motivation plays an important role in selecting the participants.
- Selected participants will later be asked to fill out an online registration form.
No registration or participation fee. The organisers will cover all training fees.
*Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Laos PDR, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, UK, Vietnam
All ASEF projects are implemented in line with the decision of the ASEF Board of Governors.