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Exploring and dissecting the World around us: how the BIDTI leads the way

As an island caught in the cusp of global geopolitical change, the import ascribed to Sri Lanka and its foreign policy has markedly increased. A re-emerging ‘Asian Century’ bodes great benefits and challenges to all Sri Lankans and effectively harnessing this shift will assist us in reaching our collective goals and aspirations in the coming decades.   To not just comprehend, but to also make full use of this systemic power shift requires a clear understanding of international relations and its related dynamics.

The North Korean nuclear dilemma, the purported rise of revisionist powers, the global economic recession, piracy in the Indian Ocean and terrorist attacks from Europe to South East Asia dominate the headlines of mainstream media today. All of us develop our own estimations and opinions concerning these problems as well as the impacts they may have on us as a nation. But how can we improve our awareness and apprehension of these topics? What avenues do Sri Lankans have to sharpen their knowledge on these problems and develop clearer insights on these topics from subject experts in academia and in the field?
 
The Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) fills this lacuna.  The Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs course - of which I was a student of - covered topical themes such as Diplomatic Theory and Practice, International Law, International and Regional Organizations, Current Global Issues, and Developments in Sri Lanka. Studying these topics opened vistas for a more nuanced cognizance of the dynamics that shape the world we live in. Moreover, the highly qualified and experienced panel of lecturers we were exposed to enabled us to develop our analytical skills of theoretical and practical aspects of global politics in a new light. Among our lecturers were Ambassadors and High Commissioners representing a diverse array of countries, with whom we were able to have engaging and stimulating conversations; both inside and outside class. Such experiences were undoubtedly the highlight of my time at the BIDTI.

The institute was established in 1994 under the guidance of the then Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike for the purpose of offering advanced training courses in Diplomacy and International relations. Formulated under the auspices of the first female Prime Minister in the world, the institute is now under the able management of Mrs. Pamela J. Deen (the Director General of the BIDTI).

The course is invaluable to anyone aspiring to join the Sri Lankan Foreign Service as well as for professionals and students who wish to absorb a more articulate knowledge of international affairs and diplomacy.  Indeed, as an undergraduate in the Colombo University today, I can state that the experience at BIDTI became instrumental in shaping my desire to pursue International Relations as my degree. The Institute does not limit itself to academic instruction but also develops and enhances soft skills through its diplomatic etiquette and cocktail components as well.  Thus the Institute engages in a hands-on approach to enrich our soft skills whilst concomitantly deepening our grasp of global affairs. Therefore, to anyone interested in learning about world affairs and diplomacy or even desiring to develop his/her soft skills in an education-friendly environment I would highly recommend pursuing the BIDTI Diplomacy and World Affairs Diploma course!


Mr. Shakthi De Silva was the recipient of the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial award for excellent performance at the XIII Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs Course of the BIDTI in 2016.

The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and not the institutional views of the BIDTI, nor do they necessarily reflect the position of any other institution or individual with which the author is affiliated.

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