Emirates Diplomatic Academy Organises Training Course for Participants of UAE Youth Ambassadors Program

Monday 10 July 2017

Abu Dhabi – MENA Herald: Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA) organised an interactive training course for 20 participants ofthe UAE Youth Ambassadors Program. The Academydevelopedthe course in conjunctionwith the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Educational Affairs Office at the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi.

In line with the objectives of the programme, the training course placedspecial emphasis on the UAE-China relations.The week-long course covered a range of subjects including protocol and etiquette, communication and cultural awareness, and reportwriting skills.

Launched in 2012 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin ZayedAl Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the UAE Youth Ambassadors Program seeks to develop young Emiratis to take on prominent roles in key strategic sectors to promote cross-cultural understanding and strengthen relations between the UAE and its strategic partners.

His Excellency Bernardino León, President of EDA, said: "Emirates Diplomatic Academyworks relentlessly to impart the latesttheoretical and practical expertisein the field ofdiplomacy and international relationsto future UAE diplomatswith the aim of equipping them with the tools to become worthy representativesof theircountryon the world stage.EDA is committed toempowering young Emiratis to become the driving force of the UAE’s international strategic initiatives.The course for the participants of the UAE Youth Ambassadors Programis a prime example of how the Academy meets this mandate.”

Mariam Al Mahmoud, Director of the Executive Training and Student Affairs Department at EDA, added: "The Academy offers programmes and training courses tailored to the requirements of the modern age and designedin accordance with international best practices.As the strategic partners of the UAE Youth Ambassadors Program, we have developed our latestcourseto buildthe participants’diplomatic capabilities, and enhancetheir understanding of the UAE’s foreign policyand international relations.We are confident that the course will go a long way towards helpingthe youth ambassadors make the right strategic decisions while representing their country abroad."

Speaking on her takeaways fromthe course, Majida Al Maktoum, UAE Youth Ambassador Program member, said: "I thank the Academy for organising the course that provided deep insight into the nature of the UAE’s relationship with China and the common values the two countries share, enabling us to gain a greater understanding of our country's foreign policy objectives.”

She added: “Participants also learned about the Belt and Road initiative that seeks a symbolic revival of ancient trade routes through boosting foreign infrastructure investments and developing trade relations between China and other countries. We were proud to discover the significant role the UAE plays in this endeavour and other important strategic initiatives.”

Al Maktoum said: “The Program will continue working on enhancing knowledge of Chinese culture, through multiple site visitswithin the UAE and in China. The Program will also work on further developing Chinese language skills amongst all participants."

For his part, Hassan Abdullah Al Ali, a fellow participant, said: "With its vast territory, rich geographic diversity and high population density, China is one of the most diverse countries in the world in terms of cultures, religions and spiritual concepts. The course helped us understand the educational, cultural and economic connections between the UAE and China. We also studied the basics of Chinese protocol and etiquette, and the most important customs and traditions that distinguish Chinese people from other nations and reflect their history and civilisation. Furthermore, we got to bond with the other participants of the UAE Youth Ambassadors Program."

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