Diplomatic Training in Economic and Commercial Statecraft

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BACKGROUND AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Levan Mikeladze Diplomatic Training and Research Institute is Georgian Foreign Ministry’s only institution dedicated to capacity building in human resources. It has a status of the Legal Entity of the Public Law, which gives it flexibility in attracting outside resources for improving its performance and helping the foreign ministry in a crucial field of training of young diplomats. In recent years, the Diplomatic Institute delivered on its promise in a few key areas, including more active and consistent training of diplomatic staff, public outreach (with significant attention to US and partner countries’ participation), analytical work, improved public relations, etc. The Institute contributed to a more vibrant environment in the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia as well. The Institute has proved to be a reliable and effective partner with U.S. Embassy Tbilisi. Given that developing of economic and commercial relations with the United States and other Western partners has been a declared priority for Georgian Government in recent years, the Institute indicated an intention to make enhancement of its economic and commercial tradecraft a priority. What the Institute lacks is consistency in its curriculum development, particularly in the field of economic and commercial diplomacy. Economic and commercial diplomacy is crucial for Georgia’s foreign relations in terms of attracting badly needed international investments and is recognized as a priority by the Georgian Government. However, there seem to be challenges in both teaching current diplomats’ economic and commercial tradecraft fundamentals. This assistance project is aimed at addressing these issues through assisting the Institute in establishing proper curriculum and training its teaching staff and trainees in economic and commercial tradecraft. Connecting the Institute with US training institutions including those of the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and/ or the U.S. Department of Commerce will be a good way in meeting the Institute’s challenges, by improving the skills and accumulating knowledge by Georgian diplomats, as well as in advancing Georgia’s economic and commercial ties abroad. PROJECT GOAL: 1)     Improving the capacity of the Levan Mikeladze Diplomatic Training and Research Institute to develop and provide training to Georgian diplomats in understanding international economic and commercial relations, reaching out to foreign/ host nation audiences, and executing adequate advocacy 2)     Strengthen and advance US–Georgia Relations through economic and commercial diplomacy OBJECTIVES: 1) Designing and developing curriculum(s) in economic and commercial diplomacy and tradecraft for junior, mid-career, and senior diplomats. ·        Enrich knowledge of economic concepts and gain solid awareness of guidelines for commercial advocacy ·        Investment promotion fundamentals, branding and image building ·        Set up and manage effective trade promotion programs and assist foreign firms in market access ·        Build negotiation skills – effective communication, networking, public speaking and presentation skills for successful economic diplomacy ·        Enhancing skills in carrying out economic analysis, market evaluation, and reporting as well as more general analytical writing skills on economic and trade issues. ·        Provide training on: o  Bilateral investment treaties o  Intellectual property protection o  U.S. Government tools to facilitate investment/development (DFC, EXIM, USAID, etc.) o  USTR and trade policy o  Importance of investment screening mechanisms ·        Review U.S. tools like investment climate statements and country commercial guides. ·        Strengthen the understanding of broader economic entities such as the World Trade Organization ·        Designing communication strategies and increasing understanding between the diplomats and the private sector 2) Sharing experience and assistance in elaboration of online training capacities ·        Online courses for overseas-based in-service diplomats ·        production of short video clips on main concepts of economic diplomacy 3)     Conduct the training of trainers (ToT) for Georgian experts aimed at ensuring sustainability of efforts undertaken through “Diplomatic Training in Economic Statecraft” project. 4)     Elaboration of Exchange Study Programs ·        The proposal may include a brief (up to a week) study tour of the ToT graduates to relevant US institutions for further professional enrichment. ·        US Guest Speaker/s on Political and Economic Tradecraft (seminars by career ambassadors and other professional diplomats who have served in various countries over several decades.) EXPECTED RESULTS: ·        The Diplomatic Institute will develop resources for their economic and commercial statecraft curriculum, in the fields of economic and commercial diplomacy and adjacent fields. ·        Georgian diplomats will have better skills to develop economic ties with foreign nations’ economic and commercial entities. ·        Georgian diplomats will be better equipped for their missions to attract investments from overseas. ·        The Institute, and the rest of the foreign ministry (and the government at large) will have a proper understanding of its training perspective for training in economic diplomacy. ·        Current and future Georgian diplomats, regardless of their country of destination, will have a better understanding and stronger ties with U.S. diplomatic, economic, and academic/analytical community for future synergies. ·        Georgian diplomatic community will be better exposed to U.S. perspectives on international economic and trade issues. ·        Georgian perspective on liberal international order will gain more supporters through exposure to U.S. influence.

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