Diploma in Diplomacy 2019: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Outreach Programme at Kuching, Sarawak

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The Diploma in Diplomacy 2019 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Outreach Programme was held in Kuching, Sarawak from 31 March to 5 April 2019. The programme involved 21 officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently undergoing the Diploma in Diplomacy (DiD) course at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR), Kuala Lumpur.

The main objective of the programme was to promote and enhance the ordinary citizens’ knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in defending the national interest at the international fora. In addition, the programme was also one of the training mechanisms implemented by IDFR in exposing young diplomats to the people’s predicaments as well as the challenges faced by the Ministry in providing services that meet the people's expectations.

In achieving the aims of this programme, several events were carried out, namely, Outreach Programme and Engagement Session with villagers of Kampung Teluk Melano, Outreach Programme and Engagement Session with UNIMAS’ International Studies students and adopt a Borneo Orangutan at Semenggoh Wildlife Centre. Besides that, the DiD participants also had the opportunity to interact with officials at the Sarawak State Secretary Office, Sarawak Federal Secretary Office, District Office of Lundu and UNIMAS Vice Chancellor Office.

During the said events, the participants shared the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, services offered to the people, consular issues faced by Malaysians abroad, Malaysia’s contribution to the international community and other relevant issues concerning Malaysia such as the ban on the use of palm oil, deforestation and threats of wildlife such as the Borneo Orangutans.

Through this programme, IDFR collaborated with Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, the first orangutan rehabilitation centre in Sarawak, to promote the initiatives undertaken by the centre. A promotional video was also produced and could be accessed through the Ministry’s and IDFR’s social media platforms.

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