From 22 until 25 July 2024, Clingendael Academy provided a capacity-building training for the Suriname Diplomaten Instituut (SDI) in Paramaribo, Suriname. The SDI is the diplomatic training centre within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Suriname and responsible for the training of Surinamese diplomats and other civil servants working on international affairs.

The training approach

The goal of the training was to support SDI, its staff and their trainers in the development and delivery of its training programmes for its target audiences. The training covered topics such as developments in modern diplomacy and the consequences for diplomatic training on skills and competences; allowed participants to practice with curriculum development tools; delved into learning styles, the formulation of learning goals; implementing various interactive working formats, and finally strengthened participants presentation and training delivery skills. Through a blended approach of theory, individual practice, group work and a self-assessment, participants practiced with the curriculum building tools and worked on the development of training programmes that they will implement in the near future. 

The training was officially opened by Ms. Miriam MacIntosh, Director for Foreign Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Suriname, and Mr. Walter Oostelbos, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who also handed out certificates to the participants after completion of the course. The training was funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.