The Path to Diplomatic Excellence: My Reflection on the Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs Programme offered by the BIDTI
As I sit and reflect on my journey at the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI), I am filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment. Pursuing a Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I have the BIDTI to thank for the incredible experiences it offered, those which I will treasure always.
From the moment I stepped through the doors of the institute, I knew I was in for something extraordinary. The warmth of the staff and their welcoming demeanour, as well as their calm manner in responding to the many questions I had about the programme (and I literally mean many), made me believe this was indeed going to be a wonderful learning experience. I am extremely thankful for their continuing patience and for never tiring of my frequent inquiries throughout the course of the programme, where they always took the time to respond, may it be via email, a call or an inperson meeting.
Lectures at the BIDTI are indeed the defining highlight of this learning experience that I know each and every student who traversed these halls will agree with. The Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs was chiefly categorised into five modules that range from introducing its basics in concepts and theory, international laws and treaties, transnational organisations and institutes, to an in-depth look at political and economic issues of a global nature as well as a close examination of Sri Lanka and its socio-political and economic milieu. I particularly enjoyed learning the aforementioned final two modules that wonderfully blended with my academic background in English Literature and Cultural Studies, where citing Michel Foucault and George Orwell in an essay that investigates the cyber security implications in international relations was an exciting possibility. The interdisciplinary manner in which the diploma syllabi were designed and topics were approached afforded the opportunity for students and professionals belonging to various academic disciplines and of diverse career paths to identify themselves and their interests in studies of global diplomacy.
Furthermore, each topic and session was conducted by career diplomats of the highest order, a host of accredited university lecturers, eminent officials from international organisations and other distinguished persons from a variety of industries and sectors. So, each lecture was a refreshing encounter where every resource person brought in their own arsenal of expertise and real-life experiences to the classroom, making all that we learn all the more enriching.
However, the BIDTI does not only limit itself to offering theoretical knowledge but goes above and beyond to provide its students with numerous opportunities for handson learning. My memories of the BIDTI are filled with moments of exciting group presentations, roleplay exercises and simulations of bilateral and multinational negotiations, where each task offered us a taste of what it would be like to work as a diplomat in the real world.
BIDTI possesses a long history of playing a momentous role in Sri Lanka’s foreign affairs, notably for its contributions as the training arm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Established under the direction of late Prime Minister Sirimavo R. D. Bandaranaike with the purpose of producing a proficient diplomatic service and offering guidance on diplomatic matters and world affairs to the nation, of which I am immensely proud to say that I am not only a graduate but also one who is a recipient of its esteemed Sirimavo Bandaranaike
Memorial Award. Indeed, while my time at the BIDTI was short, it was nonetheless an experience that offered me a wealth of knowledge and critical praxis and contributed greatly to not only my career but also to be a global citizen armed with an awareness to explore its persistent changes.
Contributed by: Lihini Boteju