BACKGROUND
The ASEF Public Diplomacy Training programme (ASEFPDT) was set up in 2013 to help promote and facilitate skills training for diplomats and civil society actors. The programme aims to improve public diplomacy efforts between the countries of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process.
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.
Since its inception, ASEF has co-organised 11 tutored online courses and 9 face-to-face collaborations, across Asia and Europe, benefitting more than 400 diplomats and civil servants from 52 ASEM Partners.
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:
- Increase their understanding of contemporary public diplomacy.
- Gain deeper knowledge of public perceptions of Asia and Europe, bi-regional dynamics and relations, and how these affect their work as diplomats and civil servants.
- 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.
- Enhance their people-to-people connections and networks across the ASEM membership.
STRUCTURE & CONTENT
Online Course (23 September-31 October 2024)
The online component of ASEFPDT12 is designed and managed by DiploFoundation. Participants will read the provided lecture text, adding questions, comments and references in the form of textus annotations 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.
The majority of 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 live class meeting 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 the class meeting).
This year, the course will also introduce participants to various AI-assisted tools Diplo developed in-house and tested in the delivery of its regular course entitled E-Diplomacy as they can be used in drafting and conceptualising public diplomacy campaigns.
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 12th Face-to-face training in November 2024. This approach will boost participation and a greater exchange of information among participants as the training is desired to be highly interactive.
Face-to-Face Training (18-22 November 2024)
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.
ASEFPDT12’s face-to-face component will be hosted by the Slovenian Department of Foreign Affairs from 18-22 November in Ljubljana.
More information on the individual physical training modules will be shared 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
Submissions of nomination(s) 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 (pol.econ@asef.org) in copy by Sunday 4 August 2024
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.
There is no registration or participation fee, and the organisers cover travel (subject to a ceiling) and accommodation expenses of the participants.
CANDIDATES WILL BE INFORMED ABOUT THE SELECTION OUTCOME ON THE WEEK OF 19 AUGUST 2024
*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.
