"The Peruvian Diplomatic Academy (PDA) lays the foundation supporting the diplomatic service's entire institutional character," recalls director Allan Wagner Tizon.
The institution has been shaping new diplomatic officials and providing ongoing training to serving diplomats during its 31 years of institutional history.
According to Ambassador Wagner, Latin America's second oldest diplomatic academy has "proved to be respected as the diplomatic service's training center and sole access path."
The prominent and well-known diplomat has been leading the said institution since April 2015.
Previously, he served as Peruvian Agent at The Hague, Secretary-General of the Andean Community, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense. He has been recently appointed Chairman of civil society group Transparencia (Transparency).
Adapting to changes
The Diplomatic Academy currently undertakes an upgrading process covering its curriculum and the study methodology for its Master's Program in International Relations and Diplomacy to “stay at the forefront of today's world developments,” Wagner Tizon explained.
Said process takes into consideration debates and suggestions gathered from its 60th anniversary forum last year featuring reflections on diplomatic training in the 21st century.
"In the past, international relations were seen as a mere series of changes and continuities. Today, however, given scientific and technological giant leaps, change is the common denominator," he said.
"Thus, our aim is to prepare 21st-century diplomats, who can work different scenarios in the light of such changes, identifying Peruvian foreign policy interests with a critical spirit and flexibility," the PDA director explained.
At the same time, PDA is vouching for an interactive teaching method, leaving the traditional, passive lecture-based instruction behind.
“It is about building specific skills in future diplomats and sparking their critical spirit to invigorate their ongoing questioning of the reality they observe, so they can identify the country's interest," noted PDA's 31st Director.
Form and content
PDA Studies Sub-Director Walter Linares talks about the new curriculum's Strategic Resource Management class, which provides future diplomats with knowledge to deal with the country's foreign policy objectives.
Classes focus not only in subject matter knowledge, but students also wear uniforms and practice diplomatic language on a daily basis. “We are working both form and content with them,” he expressed.
As part of the program, students also test their knowledge taking part in relevant international events being held in the country in support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where 1st-year-students do their internship every summer.
Given the kind of job they have, Linares reminds his students they must have "the strongest Peruvian spirit among Peruvians, since their "Peruvian-ness" will be constantly hindered abroad. It is their duty to act on behalf of the whole country."
(END) DOP/DHT/MVB
Published: 8/21/2016