Emirates Diplomatic Academy puts the spotlight on opportunities and challenges in economic diplomacy
The Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA), the pioneering integrated foreign policy, academic and research centre in the region, evaluated the opportunities and challenges in economic diplomacy for foreign policy-making during an Executive Education course on Economic Diplomacy. The three-day course, which took place from October 18 to 20, 2015, provided insights on the methodology of economic diplomacy, and enabled the participants to gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of economic diplomacy and its key role in international affairs.
EDA Executive Education courses are designed to train government staff engaged in different aspects of diplomacy and international relations. These courses feature highly engaging sessions involving practical exercises aimed at enhancing the experience of the participants and raising their skill levels to meet current challenges in the diplomatic arena, said Mariam Al Mahmoud, Director of Executive Education at EDA. The Executive Education course on Economic Diplomacy was led by Shawn Aktar, an expert with extensive experience in capacity development programmes; Kishan S. Rana, a veteran Indian Foreign Service diplomat; and Shahid Akhtar, an expert in international development policy.
The first day of the course demonstrated an understanding of the basic economic concepts, explaining the UAE economy and its legislative and policy frameworks. A session was devoted to the current state of economic diplomacy. Economic work at embassies and the possibilities of integrating economic work into diplomacy were the main areas of focus on the second day. One of the sessions dealt with UAEs political and socio-economic history and its impact on diplomacy. The third day examined the tools and instruments for promoting the UAE economy. The day included a session on domestic and international partners and stakeholders promoting the UAE economy. It also looked at the roles and relationships between the various UAE institutions, departments and policies in setting economic policy.
EDAs portfolio of innovative and practical executive education courses are designed for individuals currently working as part of the UAEs foreign policy and diplomatic corps and other Government entities. Combining rigorous academic knowledge, contemporary research, and high-level practical experience, these courses are led by EDAs in-house faculty and trainers, and are complemented by courses developed in collaboration with EDAs local and international institutional partners.
