The Forum for ASEAN Young Diplomats on International Affairs 2013 was successfully conducted from 2 to 13 December 2013. The two-week course was attended by 15 participants from Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and ASEAN Secretariat.
The objectives of this course were to enhance participants’ operational skills and expertise in the performance of their duties as diplomatic officers and to promote better understanding and interaction among ASEAN diplomats.
Throughout the course, the participants were exposed to issues and topics exemplified by experts concerning diplomacy and international relations from the Malaysian perspective. Among the topics discussed were Malaysia’s Foreign Policy, Evolution of ASEAN, ASEAN Economic Pillar and External Relations, Global Movements of Moderates, Language and Diplomacy, International Negotiations and Environmental Diplomacy.
Apart from lectures, a number of study visits were organised, including visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Tourism and the Petronas Twin Towers as well as a three-day visit to the Langkawi Island.
