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Seventeen (17) African Union Officials successfully completed the above-mentioned programme conducted by the Institute of Diplomatic Practice and Development Policies (I-2DP) in Nazareth, Ethiopia, from 24th to 28th November, 2014. The resource persons for the training programme were Ambassador Nana Bema Kumi and Mr Alexander Kwame Archine, both of I-2DP in Accra. The four day intensive programme focused on Partnership Management and Coordination. It was carefully conceived to give full insight into how to negotiate and implement partnership agreements through knowledge-based management and coordination and was guided by the different needs of various units within and outside the African Union which relate to the Partnership Management and Coordination Division of the AU Commission. Emphasis was placed on the prominence of development cooperation among nations and regions and the increased role being played by international organisations. The related diplomatic practice, such as negotiation and communication skills; the knowledge, skills and approach required to ensure successful implementation of such partnerships, including strategic thinking, leadership skills and attention to organisational culture with significant doses of realities of globalisation and more especially, the inevitable consequences of other partnerships of current AU Partners was injected into the course to help enhance participant’s awareness of the constantly evolving international environment and how to manage the accompanying risks.

The second I-2DP diplomatic training programme for 2014 was held from 23 to 27 June, 2014 for Senior Diplomats and Officials who represent their governments or oganisations abroad as well as representatives from civil society organisations.The course was designed to improve the negotiating skills of participants; a fundamental requirement in all areas of diplomatic practice. It also aimed at updating participants’ knowledge in international economic relations, particularly, international development cooperation with emphasis on the Post 2015 Development Agenda. The importance of private sector involvement in the realisation of Africa’s 2063 agenda as well as effects of migration on African economies and the recent efforts to address them within the context of AU’s Partnerships with other regions were also highlighted with recommendations on alternate approaches. Other subjects such as Security Threats in Africa, Tools for Conflict Resolution; Recent Trends in Migration Flows within and out of Africa; Conference Preparation; Public-speaking and Speech-writing were also addressed.

I-2DP has, over the past three years, received much encouragement from the international community to redouble its capacity building efforts in diplomacy and international development cooperation.

With renewed vigour, therefore, the first of I-2DP’s 2014 training programmes was held from 17th to 21st February and was geared towards upgrading the knowledge and skills of mid-career African practitioners in the art of negotiation. Particular emphasis were placed on contract negotiations as well as conflict resolution processes in order to address participants’ lack of skills in negotiating in ways that maximize chances of coming out with agreements that best serve the interests of their respective countries or organizations. Matters related to International Development Cooperation, International Trade Talks, Financial Markets as well as Security Concerns in Africa were also addressed.

I-2DP commenced its 2014 activities with participation as an observer in the AU Summit held in January, 2014 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Executive Director, Ambassador N B Kumi and the Head of the Development Policies Section of the I-2DP Faculty, Mr Alexander Archine represented the institute. Extensive networking was undertaken and a number of meetings were held with UNDP and AU Officials with a view to strengthening existing ties.

In October, 2013, upon invitation from the European Group of Think Tanks, I-2DP, represented by its Executive Director, Ambassador Nana Bema Kumi, participated in a meeting held in Brussels as part of the preparations for the forthcoming Africa/EU Summit scheduled to take place in April, 2014, in Brussels.