Page 29 - Diplomatic Voice Vol 4

FORUM NEWS More fun-filled activities were in store Moving on the following week, the Affairs. After visiting the Museum of for us during the weekend. After ha- programme continued with talks that the Ministry, we met with Ambassador ving breakfast in a beautiful town cal- included Issues Facing Independent Elman Abdullayev and Mr. Hikmet led Ismayilli on a rainy Saturday mor- Azerbaijan; Islam in the Republic of Hajiyev, the spokespersons of the ning, we left for the lovely city of Sheki Azerbaijan; The Republic of Azerbaijan Ministry who graciously shared their in the northwestern part of the Repub- as Secular State; and the Special views and experiences regarding life lic of Azerbaijan. The autumnal sce- Guest Series. We were honoured by as a diplomat and shared with us nery along the way was breathtakingly the presence of the Ambassadors of some pointers and tips. It was indeed beautiful. In Sheki, we visited the Pala- Russia, Iran and Turkmenistan in our a fruitful and meaningful visit. ce of Sheki Khans which was the class who were willing to share their Summer Palace of kings of ancient ti- thoughts on the foreign policy priori- The presentation of the Certificates of mes. We stood with our mouth opened ties of their respective countries. The Participation by Ambassador Hafiz when we were told that not a single talks were then followed by a dinner Pashayev, the Rector of ADA Universi- nail was used during its construction. hosted by Ambassador John Maresca, ty and Deputy Foreign Minister of the Though small, the workmanship and Advisor to the Rector on External Republic of Azerbaijan, at the closing the inner design of the Palace were Affairs of ADA University and former ceremony in the afternoon marked the truly remarkable and it was a pity we US Ambassador. end of the programme. The last event were forbidden to take pictures. After of the day was the farewell dinner a short stop at a silk and carpet shop The next day, we learned about the hosted by Ms. Aygun Hajiyeva, the where we had the opportunity to touch Positive Externalities of the Energy Re- Director of ADA University Executive a handmade carpet worth AZN5000 sources of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Education. The atmosphere at the (about RM23000), we visited the Alba- Geopolitics of Caspian Energy; and dinner was both pleasant and sad as nian Church in Kish, Sheki where we SOFAZ: Managing the Wealth of the we had to say our goodbyes amid our saw collections of historical artifacts Nation. The talks enhanced our under- growing friendship. such as ceramics and ornaments as standing of the energy diplomacy, e- well as the eerie medieval human nergy policy, energy security of The All in all, I had benefited immensely remains. Republic of Azerbaijan, and the like. from participating in the programme, We also had the opportunity to visit with new found friends as well as We spent the night in Gabala and the the Sangacahal Oil Terminal in the af- knowledge and experience gained. I next day, the cable car tour which was ternoon. As expected, we were asked left for Malaysia with plenty of wonder- scheduled in the morning had to be to hand over our smart phones tempo- ful memories of the country as a whole called off because of adverse weather rarily during the visit as the authority and ADA University in particular, and conditions. Though it had been driz- wanted to make sure that nobody took am looking forward to a return visit. zling throughout the weekend in both pictures of the oil terminal. Thank you to everyone who played a Sheki and Gabala, we still had fun. All part in my being able to attend this in all, our visit to both Sheki and On 26 November 2014, which was the programme. Gabala was very enchanting, en- last day of the Programme, we went lightening and rewarding. on a visit to the Ministry of Foreign Johor Student Leaders Council (JSLC) Young Diplomats’ Programme By Navineish Nair s/o Rajan On 16 December 2014, the Johor Stu- newly-elected Johor Student Leaders As he talked about people and how to dent Leaders Council (JSLC) Cohort 5 on the topic of Global Mindset. He get everyone involved, Mr. Michael Te- had a great session with an interna- spoke about his life and experiences oh shared his experience in Kenya and tionally recognised entrepreneur and to instil volunteerism in the future Columbia where he carried out mas- one of Malaysia’s youth icons, Mr. leaders’ mind and hearts, and to sive voluntary projects. He and his te- Michael Teoh Su Lim. The session was expose them to success, energy and am saved lion cubs in Kenya to help held during JSLC’s Young Diplomats global mindset and their relationship. breed the declining number of this Programme held at IDFR from 15 to 19 Mr. Teoh also touched on Transforma- species. In Columbia, he managed to December 2014. tional Global Leaders which is very recruit a team of local people to build important for the leaders of the next homes for the people living in the Mr. Michael Teoh spoke to the generation to take note of. slums. DIPLOMATIC VOICE 29