Main Thematic Areas of the Training:
For the 2021 edition of the ASEFPDT Diplomatic Negotiations Workshop, ASEF intends to expand the workshop curriculum by focusing on current themes:
1. Public Diplomacy
The study of Public Diplomacy lays the foundation for the ASEFPDT Project Series and shall serve as the main building block for the Diplomatic Negotiations Workshop. Combining the concepts and strategies of how to successfully lead public diplomacy campaigns, with the topic of Climate and Trade Diplomacy, participants will be able to expand their skillset for future bilateral and multilateral negotiations.
2. Climate Diplomacy | Climate Negotiations
One of the most heavily debated topics in recent years is climate change treaties emanating from protracted international negotiations at the UN level. Since the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992, practising climate diplomacy and training in climate negotiations have increasingly become significant components of various training programmes for diplomats. The Paris Agreement ratified in 2015 can be seen as the culmination of climate negotiations from the past decades.
3. Trade Diplomacy | Trade Negotiations
Despite the potential for trade-climate synergies, historical evidence shows that Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) have increased trade in carbon-intensive and environmentally destructive products, more than it has for environmentally friendly goods. Experts point at the potential for FTAs to shrink the “policy space” available to countries to pursue environmental goals. 1 The trade-climate negotiations of the future will be compelled to overcome this gridlock by finding sustainable solutions.
The aim of the Virtual Public Diplomacy Negotiations Workshop is to:
- Provide participants with an online training platform to learn about diplomatic negotiations on climate and trade at the international level;
- Elevate the discourse on climate and trade diplomacy among ASEM diplomats as well as civil servants and civil society representatives;
- Train participants on the fundamentals of climate diplomacy (i.e. influencing public opinion on climate, prioritising climate action bilaterally and multilaterally, promoting diplomatic dialogues) and how it is linked to the broader topic of trade and development;
- Equip participants with the necessary tools, concepts and strategies that are essential for the preparation and execution of diplomatic negotiations (physical and virtual);
- Provide participants an in-depth virtual training opportunity on bilateral and multilateral diplomatic negotiations (i.e. UNFCCC, COP);
The training organisation is expected to:
- Design the training programme, curriculum and materials, in consultation with ASEF;
- Coordinate and deliver a training for maximum of 20 hours, including 3-4 days of live teaching for approximately 9 – 12 hours. The live sessions should cover an introductory session, breakout sessions and a closing ceremony;
- Prepare a training report (between 10 and 20 pages);
- Prepare a post-training assessment survey, analysis of which should be included in the report;
- Provide an Online Learning Platform (OLP);
- Provide (at least) 2 expert trainers in the field of Diplomatic Negotiation;
Through the training, participants will:
- Learn new bilateral and multilateral negotiations strategies with special focus on international climate negotiations;
- Learn how non-state actors can influence negotiating outcomes through public diplomacy;
- Familiarise with tools, concepts and methodologies that are essential for each negotiation stage;
- Practice to overcome challenging situations related to international relations and politics;
- Obtain an in-depth perspective on potential dynamics that affect trade and climate negotiations at international level.
Tentative Timeline:
Relevant Documents:
ASEFPDT Diplomatic Negotiations Workshop – Call for Proposals
ASEFPDT Diplomatic Negotiations Workshop – Proposal Template
For more details, please refer to the attached Call for Proposals. Read the instructions carefully and consult the Proposal Template provided.
Queries, CVs, cover letters, and proposals (refer to the accompanying form) should be emailed to Mr Simon PIOLDI and Ms Trishia OCTAVIANO at pol.econ@asef.org and copy Dr Yannick BINEAU at yannick.bineau@asef.org.