Myanmar Training Course on International Relations, Governance and Public Participation 2015

TRAINING COURSE

© Antoine Tardy

10 APRIL-2 MAY 2015

MYANMAR TRAINING COURSE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Course Director

3 week programme

Managing International Relations and Democratization Myanmar is currently undergoing rapid changes to its political and economic systems .The three-week training course brings together 20-25 selected persons from Myanmar’s administration, parliament, political parties and civil society organisations, to explore key issues in democratization and international relations. It promotes a vision of strong democratic institutions and support for the rule of law and human rights.

Maarten Merkelbach Mr Merkelbach is a Senior Programme Advisor to the Leadership, Crisis and Conflict Management Programme at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

GCSP The Geneva Centre for Security Policy is an international foundation with 45 member states from across the globe that provides forwardthinking and innovative solutions for leaders and policymakers concerned with international affairs and security in today’s complex, globalised world.

Key benefits for you Participating professionals and leaders from Myanmar will: • Gain up-to-date knowledge and current experience gained in an international environment • Increase knowledge in the areas of

international relations, governance,

human security and public participation • Develop personal skills and collaborative tools needed for effective participation in the policy-making process •

Meet, often for the first time, fellow citizens and international professionals from other sectors such as civil society, government and security forces

• Create networks among actors working towards peace and stability both in Myanmar and abroad

Support This is the third edition of the course, and is funded by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. It follows Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter’s visit to Myanmar in November 2012, and honours the commitment made to President Thein Sein to offer training courses in democratization and international relations to Myanmar participants.

Course profile The course includes lectures by GCSP faculty and some 40 external experts.

Conceptual inputs are complemented by intensive interactive sessions and workshops as well as visits to organisations in International Geneva.

In the heart of “International Geneva” Hosting 35 international organisations, more than 250 non-governmental organisations, and 173 diplomatic missions, representations and delegations, Geneva represents one of the world’s richest networks in international affairs.

Admission Course focus Myanmar is currently undergoing rapid changes to its political and economic systems. The country is opening up to the international community and the government is trying to move towards more democratic institutions and practices while also negotiating peace agreements with ethnic groups.

The rapid changes taking place in Myanmar create a major need for professional training and building ties with other countries, both of which

elements have been absent for the past decades. At the same time the influx of massive development aid as well as the arrival of many NGOs, IOs and private companies is creating new governance challenges for Myanmar.

In this context, it is important to help develop knowledge and skills at all levels of society.

For further details about the course, please contact: m.merkelbach@gcsp.ch +41 (0)22 730 96 37 Language requirements: The course will be held in English. No translation will be provided.

Venue: GCSP Maison de la paix Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2D P.O. Box 1295 CH-1211 Geneva 1

Course design

www.gcsp.ch

Three main principles underpin the course programme. The first is a deliberate choice not to make the programme Myanmarspecific. While the issues to be covered are clearly significant for Myanmar, sessions present broad principles or guidelines, and use case studies from elsewhere, in order to encourage the participants to reflect themselves on the relevance for Myanmar.

The second principle is to make the course interactive where appropriate and possible.

The third principle is to build in sufficient time for the participants to network informally, during sessions and breaks but notably also during social events and free time

which can be – and experience shows, indeed is – maintained once back in their home country and posting. The creation of enduring relationships is a significant ongoing contribution to their capacity to perform their professional tasks.

Field trips and exposure to policymakers and practitioners will broaden the perspectives of participants and give them new insights and best practices to take home with them. The exchange between participants as well as with experts delivering programme sessions allows them furthermore to expand and enrich their network of professionals

Participants are selected by authorities in Myanmar in collaboration with the Swiss Federal department of Foreign Affairs.

External applications are not accepted.

Partnership The course is run in partnership with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF).

Participation

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