Interview with Ron Ton, Director of the Clingendael Academy for the Magazine Chinese Social Sciences Today, 4 December 2013

 

CSST is publishing a series of articles about different think tanks around the world and this time Clingendael is one of them. The article analyses the role of Clingendael on diplomatic training and research as well introduces its history and current development. 

 

The main responsibility of the Clingendael Academy is to train diplomatic and international working professionals. Broadly speaking, there are three kinds of products: training, capacity building and consultancy. Training is focussed on analysing international topics, improving practical skills and creating more awareness of the working environment by working visits and expert meetings. In capacity building we advise foreign diplomatic institutions on strategic management, curricula development, train the trainer programmes and development of interactive diplomatic exercises. A skills training programme is part of the Academy.

 

The focus for research is on policy relevant issues responding on current international policy dilemma’s, for example on the security issues, the Euro crisis or the impact of emerging economies. Furthermore, research is driven by an integrative approach taking into account various themes and actors. Finally, research output can be related to the academic community, but more often serves to advice policy makers at NL ministries and to promote debate in the NL society and media.