‘Towards a Level Playing Field’ — UN Institute for Training and Research, Olof

 

Palme Memorial Fund to Launch 2011 Negotiation Training Series for Diplomats

 

NEW YORK, 24 August (UNITAR) — On 25 August, the Olof Palme Memorial Fund, Sweden, and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) will launch the 2011 Negotiation Training Series “Towards a level playing field”, aimed at enhancing diplomats’ negotiation skills.  With the generous support of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, this Series demonstrates the fifth year of collaboration between the Olof Palme Memorial Fund and UNITAR.

Building on the solid reputation developed over the years, the negotiation training series aims to strengthen the capacity of diplomats, particularly those from developing and least developed countries, to negotiate effectively in multilateral conferences.  Taking place at United Nations Headquarters in New York, the 2011 series consists of three introductory workshops on effective negotiation in multilateral conferences — offered in English and French — and three advanced workshops on:  women in diplomacy; peace, security and the rule of law; environmental negotiations; and climate change diplomacy, taking note of the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference in Durban in early December.

Renowned experts in negotiation techniques and conference diplomacy will provide instruction to more than 200 diplomats for this essential workshop series this year.  They will gain practical knowledge and skill sets necessary to succeed at every stage in negotiations, which is critical in the multilateral negotiation process.

In line with the growing importance attached to women’s empowerment at the national, regional and international levels, this year’s opening workshop focuses on women in diplomacy.  This workshop provides a unique opportunity for diplomats, especially women, to sharpen their essential negotiation and leadership skills to advance professionally within the United Nations system.  In this regard, it will notably highlight the negotiation process that led to the creation of UN Women (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women) in July 2010.

“Diplomats from developing and least developed countries remain disadvantaged in negotiations.  They are vastly outnumbered at the negotiation table, with grave consequences on complex issues of vital interest for developing countries,” says Ambassador Pierre Schori, Chairman of the Board of the Olof Palme Memorial Fund.  “With these workshops, we want to contribute to a level playing field so that representatives from the developing world can influence the course of international affairs with greater weight.  Enhancing women’s capacity and presence in international negotiations is critical in that context, since global concerns such as peace and security or climate change will only be effectively addressed while including also the voice of women.”

“The theme of this year’s opening workshop, women in diplomacy is very close to my heart,” said Michelle Bachelet, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women.  “It is indeed a recognition of the fact that not only are gender equality and women’s empowerment priorities for the United Nations, but also that there cannot be a level playing field in international affairs without advancing women and their leadership at all levels of public affairs, from parliament to government to the diplomatic service.  I applaud UNITAR’s efforts to spotlight this important theme and its efforts to get more voices of diplomats and women civil servants, from all parts of the world, to the forefront of international negotiations,” she said.

Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations; Ambassador Joy Ogwu, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations; Ambassador Mary Elizabeth Flores, Permanent Representative of Honduras to the United Nations; Ambassador Signe Burgstaller, Deputy Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations; and Ann-Marie Orler of Sweden, United Nations Police Adviser, will join Ms. Bachelet for this opening workshop on women in diplomacy.  Ambassador Burgstaller congratulated UNITAR on the launch of the Negotiation Training Series and stressed the importance of sustained capacity-building for diplomats to collectively address the world’s complex problems.

For more information about the 2011 Negotiation Training Series, please visit the website:  www.unitar.org/ny/skills-strengthening/negotiation-mediation-in-multilateral-conferences; or contact Yvonne Lodico, Head, UNITAR Office in New York, tel.: +1 212 963 9683, e-mail:  lodicoy@un.org; or Ambassador Pierre Schori, Chairman of the Board of the Olof Palme Memorial Fund, tel.:  +46 709 58 38 38.

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For information media • not an official record