INSTITUTE FOR DIPLOMATIC STUDIES CAIRO   40 Years of Accumulated Knowledge & Experience (1966-2006) Egypt’s diplomacy is distinguished by its wealth of experience and the diversity of its spheres of action, whether globally or regionally, at Arab, African, Islamic and developing-world levels, as well as for the prominent role it plays in international and regional organisations, which is reinforced by the acknowledged competence of Egyptian diplomats. As training is a pre-requisite for promoting diplomatic skills, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs set up the Cairo “Institute for Diplomatic Studies”, which this year celebrates its fortieth anniversary, in 1966. Since its establishment, the Institute has helped fill an evident gap and responded to an essential need in the diplomatic arena in the Arab world and Africa. It has also organised multiple training programmes for diplomats from Asia, Europe and North and Latin America. It likewise cooperates in various fields with counterpart institutions in countries with which Egypt has special ties. The Institute is steadfast in its determination to pursue its mission, and to continuously develop and further enhance its performance, so that Egyptian diplomacy may continue with its noble task of promoting peace, stability, development and progress. Mission of the Institute The Institute was established by virtue of a presidential decree in June 1966, underlining that its mission is to “provide modern practical training to the members of the diplomatic and consular corps to upgrade their performance to the highest level of competence”.   The Trainees Those who study and receive training at the Institute include the following: 1. Newly-recruited Egyptian Diplomatic Attachés, who have passed the competitive written and oral exams, and have been appointed by decree of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. 2. Members of the various ranks of the Egyptian diplomatic corps, for whom special advanced programmes are organised periodically, or upon their appointment abroad. 3. Members of the diplomatic corps and foreign affairs officials from Arab, African and Islamic countries, as well as from Central Asia, Eastern Europe and the Balkans. The Institute also organises specialised courses and programmes for specialists on Middle Eastern affairs from China, Russia, Canada and the European Union. 4. Egyptian Technical Attachés and their spouses, as well as officials from other fields such as the military, cultural, information, international cooperation, scientific research and public relations fields, for whom special programmes are organised. 5. Spouses of the members of the Egyptian diplomatic corps, for whom special courses are organised to enhance their performance in the significant role that they play.   The Training Programme Newly-recruited Diplomatic Attachés receive the largest share of training, immediately upon joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so as to develop their abilities and sharpen their skills. The programme includes the following: 1. General Knowledge & Cultural Topics: As diplomats are representatives of their country and culture, their training should be well-rounded, so that they are well- equipped with the knowledge that will enable them to effectively and successfully carry out their diplomatic mission - a mission which is becoming increasingly complex in terms of representation, communication and information. The Institute attaches great importance to this vital task of shaping the diplomats' intellect and character, and hence their cultural awareness and general knowledge must be extensive. This part of the programme is enriched by the invitation of eminent public figures, including writers, poets, musicians and artists, to conduct open discussions and debates with the trainees. Moreover, field trips to various historical and cultural sites in Egypt are organised to boost the trainees' knowledge and awareness in this regard. The theoretical aspect of the training is complemented by a practical component that includes the development of trainees' computer skills to enable them to benefit from the wide range of available information and communication facilities, which has become a basic requirement of everyday life. Simulation sessions and models are also conducted for the benefit of the trainees. Moreover, they are given the opportunity of having direct contact and engaging with their foreign counterparts who are invited to Egypt, and of attending and participating in international conferences and seminars. Furthermore, trips to foreign countries, particularly the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Belgium (EU), Russia and China, help develop the trainees’ knowledge and skills. 2. Political Topics Courses on Egypt’s foreign policy include in-depth studies of relations with neighbouring countries; the Middle East peace process; security, stability and development in Africa; the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM); Euro-Mediterranean cooperation; relations with major powers such as the United States, European Union, Russia, China and Japan, as well as issues of interest to the developing world in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 3. Economic & Trade Topics Courses in this context cover the Egyptian economy, its nature, salient features and the challenges it faces. In addition, they aim to enhance understanding of issues pertaining to international trade, investment and finance; the environment; the global economic order; international economic, trade and financial institutions and organizations, as well as basic economic concepts and principles relevant to diplomacy. Trainees are also instructed on means of using diplomacy to promote development, including through boosting exports and encouraging trade; attracting investment, technology and concessionary financing; propagating tourism, as well as protecting Egyptian investments and the interests of Egyptian communities and migrant workers abroad. 4. International Law and International Organisations Topics in this regard include the Law of Treaties, international codes of conduct, Law of the Sea and of international rivers, human rights, international humanitarian law, state succession, international environmental law, as well as diplomatic and consular law. In addition, the United Nations system, its structure, entities, functions, decision-making and lobbying mechanisms are studied. This part of the programme also focuses on regional organisations and groupings, such as the League of Arab States, African Union, Non-Aligned Movement / Group of 77, Organisation of the Islamic Conference and the European Union. 5. Strategic and Security Topics These topics include issues related to disarmament, regional and global arms control, crisis management, challenges to Egyptian and Arab national security, efforts to combat terrorism and extremism, and dialogue among cultures and civilisations. 6. Information Technology, Communication and the Media Courses cover the recent developments in information and communications technology, the media, the political and legal aspects in this regard, and also include practical computer training and data processing. 7. Promoting Diplomatic Skills These topics cover the art of negotiation, rules of protocol, diplomatic correspondence and reporting, arrangements for and conduct of meetings, etc. 8. Languages The programme also focuses on training in the English, French, Spanish & German languages, as well as placing special emphasis on drafting and correspondence in Arabic. 9. Financial and Administrative Affairs These topics deal with issues related to diplomatic matters and activities at home and abroad, such as the structure of the Ministry, its budget, regulations, the archives, the establishment of a new diplomatic or consular mission, etc. As the Institute is an affiliate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it does not grant academic degrees, yet it is of a professional and academic nature, with a view to meeting diplomatic needs and enhancing and developing the performance of Egyptian diplomats, as well as diplomats from other countries with which Egypt has close ties.   Management of the Institute A select group of diplomats, headed by an Ambassador who is the Director, manages the Institute, supervises the implementation of its policies, and is entrusted with the design and organisation of the training programmes, in accordance with the policies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and under the direct supervision of the Minister.   Instructors and Visiting Lecturers   Both active and retired prominent Egyptian diplomats, highly distinguished for their experience and academic qualifications, together with renowned university professors, researchers, top state officials and public figures, lecture on these courses. Moreover, the participation of foreign diplomats, politicians and academics in seminars organised by the Institute, greatly enriches the training programmes. Regional and International Cooperation The Institute maintains a wide and well-established network of cooperative relationships with similar bodies and institutions around the world, including through its participation in various international dialogues, such as the Africa-Latin America dialogue, and its conclusion of cooperation agreements with foreign organisations and institutions, such as the American Ford Foundation, The National School of Administration (ENA) in Paris, The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in addition to Arab, African, Asian, European and North and South American diplomatic academies and institutes. For the past 25 years, the Institute has been organising two courses annually for African diplomats, each of two to three-week duration, one for English-speaking diplomats and the other for French and Portuguese-speaking ones. The Egyptian Fund for Technical Cooperation with Africa, affiliated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cooperates in organising these courses. Special courses are also organised by the Institute for Palestinian, Sudanese, Iraqi and other Arab diplomats. Likewise, the Institute organises several seminars annually in the field of conflict resolution and peacekeeping. The Institute, in collaboration with the Egyptian Fund for Technical Cooperation with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), European Islamic Countries and Newly-Independent Countries, also organises special programmes for diplomats from the CIS, the Islamic Republics of Central Asia, Eastern European states, as well as some countries from the Balkans. Furthermore, many regional and international organisations cooperate with the Institute in the specialised courses that it periodically organises. Such organisations include the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), League of Arab States (LAS), African Union (AU), Common Market for Eastern and Southern African (COMESA), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs (IIHA) in New York.   The Cairo Centre for Training on Conflict Resolution & Peacekeeping in Africa The Institute for Diplomatic Studies also hosts the Cairo Centre for Training on Conflict Resolution and Peacekeeping in Africa, which was established in 1995 in response to the dire need of the region for qualified personnel who could play leading roles in peacekeeping missions. During the past ten years, the Centre has focused on developing the skills of African experts through organising seminars, programmes and workshops, with the full cooperation of the United Nations Department of Peace-Keeping Operations (DPKO) and the Ford Foundation. These activities cover the legal, logistical, humanitarian and political aspects of peace-keeping operations. Military and police officers and specialists from African, Arab, Asian, American and European countries participate in all such activities. Egypt has contributed to the success of these events by drawing on the accumulated expertise of its personnel in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and the Interior, which has been gained through Egypt’s active and effective participation in peacekeeping missions over the past 50 years.