Multilateral Diplomacy II: Current Issues in the United Nations

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Journey through the complex activities of the United Nations to examine the most intricate examples of multilateral diplomacy in action.

 
Participants in this course will study the most critical areas of work of the United Nations and examine contemporary issues high on the UN agenda. The course assumes and builds on prior knowledge of the structure, methods and processes of multilateral diplomacy, demonstrating how these processes influence the policy and operational activities of the United Nations. The course combines academic perspectives with first-hand knowledge and practical experience of working with the UN. In each module, course materials define principal concepts and terms, introduce participants to the historical evolution of the subject area, clarify core issues, identify principal actors and explain their main positions, and explore open questions. The materials examine each subject area in the context of the wider work of the UN.

By the end of the course, participants should be able to:

  • describe comprehensively the areas of work of the UN and the main subject areas it deals with;
  • identify and describe the salient current issues on the UN agenda;
  • explain the interaction of processes and policies in the United Nations;
  • assess and compare the effectiveness and efficiency of the UN across different fields and arenas.

 

Course Outline

  1. Maintenance of International Peace and Security. We discuss the Charter provisions relevant to this central and original area of the UN’s work, and the corresponding intergovernmental mechanisms. We identify and explain terms and concepts such as peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, with an overview of their evolution, and their common and specialised use. Finally, we look at the positions and perspectives of member states and other stakeholders.
  2. Current Issues in United Nations Reform. Continuing efforts aim to develop, adjust, or reform the institutional structure of the UN to enable it to confront the daunting challenges that it faces. We look at current “hot” issues, with particular focus on the current wave of negotiations on reforming the Security Council and expanding its membership. Other institutions under current review such as the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council will also be addressed.
  3. Humanitarian Action. The multiple forms of humanitarian activities and the variety of legal backgrounds are presented with a view to clarifying conceptual and practical differences between related areas: humanitarian assistance, humanitarian law and humanitarian intervention. The presentation of institutionalised coordination of humanitarian action in the field, among UN bodies, funds and programmes, individual governments and international organisations sheds light on a complex area where legal, political and operational aspects are equally relevant.
  4. Economic and Social Development. An overview of the UN’s continuing work through its main organs and bodies, focusing on the scope of the UN mandate in the service of development, the nature of its contributions, and the means available. Development is examined from both conceptual and programmatic perspectives. The lecture describes the main resource for development at the international level (Official Development Assistance), provides two specific examples of donor countries, and illustrates UN policies though case studies on specific resolutions.
  5. Progressive Development and Codification of International Law. The codification and progressive development of international law is one of the fundamental tasks entrusted to the UN by the Charter. We look at the work of the International Law Commission, the main expert body responsible for drafting international conventions and treaties. Its work is complemented by other UN bodies that occasionally or permanently elaborate multilateral conventions in various specialised areas.
  6. Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. A synoptic view over all the mechanisms established by the UN for the promotion and protection of human rights, from the Universal Declaration to the most recent core treaties adopted by the General Assembly. We examine human rights monitoring and the work of treaty bodies as well as the special procedures of the human rights bodies.
  7. Financing the United Nations. A look into the budgetary and financial mechanisms less known to the general public, but highly important for the proper functioning of the UN. We examine the difference between assessed and voluntary contributions and the methodology used to determine the obligatory contributions of member states. The analysis covers the general structure of the UN regular budget and the bodies responsible for funding, programming and assessing matters.
  8. United Nations Concepts for Global Governance. This final lecture proposes ways that the UN can change the world, its own vision and its instruments without changing the Charter. Innovative concepts constitute a reaction to the dynamics of world affairs and to the challenges of globalisation. The concepts are illustrated by several multi-faceted approaches to an increasingly interdependent world where classic concepts such as development and security no longer reflect reality.

 

Who Should Apply

This course will be of interest to:

  • practising diplomats, civil servants, and others working in international relations who want to refresh or expand their knowledge under the guidance of experienced practitioners and academics;
  • post-graduate students of diplomacy or international relations wishing to study topics not offered through their university programmes or diplomatic academies and to gain deeper insight through interaction with practising diplomats;
  • post-graduate students or practitioners in other fields seeking an entry point into the world of diplomacy;
  • journalists, staff of international and non-governmental organisations, translators, business people and others who interact with diplomats and wish to improve their understanding of diplomacy-related topics.

 

Words from Former Participants

Humanitarian aid, intervention in Libya, responsibility to protect, United Nations Security Council reform, drafting and analysis of UN documents … these are but a sample in the rich field of topical issues and practical applications through which Dr Petru Dumitriu and his knowledgeable team expertly guided Multilateral Diplomacy II.  I now evaluate world events with keener insight and have a wider appreciation of the gargantuan challenges in tackling global concerns.

Anna Durante, Crown Counsel,
Government of the Virgin Islands (May 2011)

A very stimulating and engaging course, although very demanding! We were lucky enough to tackle issues as they were unfolding at the UN such as Resolution 1973 on Libya, or some timely ones relating to the reform of the UN. Dr. Petru is well-versed in issues of the UN and combines academic background with firsthand experience; moreover, he was always ready to comment on our contributions or add some insight.

Rachid Mtougui – Interpreter, Ministry of the Interior, United Arab Emirates (April 2011)

Structure and Methodology

This course is conducted entirely online over a period of ten weeks. Reading materials and tools for online interaction are provided through an online classroom. Each week, participants read the provided lecture text, adding questions, comments and references in the form of hypertext entries. Lecturers and other participants read and respond to these entries, creating interaction based on the lecture text. During the week, participants complete additional online activities (for example, further discussion via blogs or forums, quizzes, group tasks, simulations or short assignments). At the end of the week, participants and lecturers meet online in a chat room to discuss the week’s topic. To complete the course successfully, participants must write several essay assignments. Courses are based on a collaborative approach to learning, involving a high level of interaction.

 


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Lecturer(s)

Mr Amr Aljowaily
Multilateral Diplomacy, Multilateral Diplomacy II: Current Issues in the UN

Mr Amr Aljowaily is currently Director of UN Affairs at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. His diplomatic duties have spanned from Geneva, where he followed developmental and information society issues, through Washington, to the cabinets of the Minister and First Undersecretary and the departments of multilateral political and economic issues. He chaired the WTO’s Committee on Information Technology Agreement and the Global System of Trade Preferences Negotiating Group on Market Access. He holds a BA in Political Science and an MA in Middle East Studies from the American University in Cairo, and an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics. His publications include early analytical work on ICTs and international relations. He has lectured in Political Science at the American University in Cairo and served as board member of the Diplomatic Institute. He was International Relations Coordinator of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

 

Dr Petru Dumitriu
Multilateral Diplomacy, Multilateral Diplomacy II: Current Issues in the UN

Dr Petru Dumitriu is currently the representative of Romania in the Executive Board of UNESCO and national coordinator of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. From 2006 till the end of 2010 he served as Director General for Multilateral Affairs and Director General for Global Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania. Prior to this appointment he served in the Permanent Mission of Romania to the United Nations in Geneva (2001-2005) and New York (1994-1998). Since 2006 he has served in the International Advisory Board of the Conference of New or Restored Democracy. He has been an elected member of the UN Committee on Contributions since 2001. He was rapporteur of the Geneva phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (2002). In 1997 he acted as Secretary-General of the Third International Conference of New and Restored Democracies. He was also vice-president of the UNICEF Executive Board (1995), the UN Commission on Disarmament (1997) and the Special Political and Decolonisation Committee (1997). His flagship books are The United Nations System in the Context of Globalization: The Reform as Will and Representation (in Romanian) and Diversité dans l’unité: La capacité de négociation de l’Union Européenne au sein de la Commission des droits de l’homme des Nations unies.

 

Ms Katharina Höne
Multilateral Diplomacy, Climate Change Diplomacy, Multilateral Diplomacy II: Current Issues in the UN

Ms Katharina Höne is currently writing her PhD at the Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University, Wales. Her research focuses on states and their interaction in international organisations from a constructivist perspective. Previously, she was part of a research project on the Special Representatives of the UN Secretary-General and their role in peace processes at the University of Jena, Germany. She obtained a Master in Diplomatic Studies with distinction from the University of Leicester in the UK, and experienced the practical side of her studies during an internship with the German Foreign Ministry. Her research interests include international organisations, the UN Secretary-General, international mediation, theory of international relations, international environmental politics, and climate change diplomacy.

 

Prerequisites

Applicants must have:

  • an undergraduate university degree; OR three years work experience and appropriate professional qualifications in diplomacy or international relations;
  • sufficient ability in English language to undertake postgraduate level studies (including reading academic texts, discussing complex concepts with other course participants, and submitting written essay assignments of up to 2500 words in length);
  • unrestricted access to the Internet using Firefox or Internet Explorer web browsers (please contact us for more details if you are in doubt about your level of access).

 

Fees

Course fees depend on whether you wish to obtain university credit for the course:

  • 790 euros (University of Malta Accredited Course)
  • 600 euros (Diplo Certificate Course)

Applicants must pay full fees upon official acceptance into the course. The fee includes:

  • University of Malta application fee (for University of Malta Accredited Courses only);
  • full tuition;
  • course orientation pack where applicable (optional readings);
  • access to all course materials online, via Diplo’s online classroom;
  • access, via the Internet, to the University of Malta e-journal collection (University of Malta Accredited Courses only);
  • personal interaction via the online classroom with course lecturers, staff and other participants;
  • online technical support;
  • for Diplo Certificate Courses, postgraduate level certificate issued by DiploFoundation on successful completion of course requirements (interaction and participation, all assignments).

 

Financial Assistance

Discounts are available for more than one participant from the same institution. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for diplomats and others working in international relations from developing countries.

To apply for a scholarship please upload your CV and a motivation letter with your application. The motivation letter should include:

  • details of your relevant professional and educational background;
  • reasons for your interest in the course;
  • why you feel you should have the opportunity to participate in this course: how will your participation benefit you, your institution and/or your country?

As Diplo's ability to offer scholarship support is limited, candidates are strongly encouraged to seek scholarship funding directly from local or international institutions. Our guide to "Finding Scholarships for Online Study" may provide you with some useful starting points.

 

How to Apply

A number of routes for application are available, depending on the needs of the applicant: