During the second week of the diplomatic Course for Diplomats from the Arab Region (CDAR), the participants discussed latest trends in the international legal order. Lively debates arose during the classes provided by experts in their fields, which included the new developments in international public law, labour and migration law and the effects of international security threats in the 21^st century. The participants discussed the issue matters with their lecturers, but also among themselves, creating interactive sessions and interesting conversations.

The Legal Capital of the World: The Hague

As the city of international law, the Hague was the perfect environment to arrange several working visits when it comes to learning about the international legal order. For example, the CDAR group went to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Not only were they able to see the court rooms and the ICC’s building, but they were also invited to ask questions to ICC personnel working at the Registrar, the Prosecutor’s Office and the External Relations office. Another highlight in this module was the visit to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), where the participants talked with experts about OPCW’s role in the Syrian crisis and their winning of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013. Finally, the visit to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) was particularly useful for the group. The CDAR group met with constitution-building experts at their office in the city centre of the Hague. In country-specific discussion sessions, the issue of drafting a new constitutions was analyzed, making this another highly relevant working visit.

Skills Training Sessions

Throughout all thematic modules of this six-weeks training programme, the diplomats participate in numerous skills sessions. One of these training session focussed on effective influencing and lobbying. By self-assessing their own styles of argumentation, body language and behavior, the participants were able to discover the most effective way to influence or convince their counterparts. Other practical training sessions included intercultural communication and public speaking - skills that are essential to diplomatic practice.

The participants are now halfway through the programme and will stay at the Clingendael Institute until 3^rd June 2014.

By Adriaan Zondag