Clingendael Academy Delivers Diplomatic Trainings in Cairo

The Clingendael Academy recently concluded two highly successful training programmes in Cairo, strengthening professional capacities in digital diplomacy and international negotiations within key regional institutions.

The first programme brought together 62 young diplomats from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an intensive training on Digital Diplomacy and Strategic Planning. The training explored how digitalisation is fundamentally reshaping the functioning of diplomacy across a broad and interconnected range of domains. Participants examined the impact of digital tools and technologies on diplomatic communication, data analysis, cybersecurity, crisis management, artificial intelligence, and governance. Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, the programme enabled participants to better understand and strategically respond to the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in contemporary diplomacy. 

In addition, a second training was delivered to 20 participants from the Secretariat of the League of Arab States (LAS) at its headquarters in Cairo. This programme focused on International Negotiations, with particular attention to the use of strategic negotiation tools, process design, behaviour, and tactical decision-making. Two in-depth simulations formed a core part of the programme, including an exercise in which participants applied different negotiation styles to resolve a dispute between two delegations. The simulations allowed participants to translate theory into practice and reflect on the dynamics of real-life negotiation settings.

Both training programmes were delivered by Ron Ton, Founding Director of the Clingendael Academy. During his visit to Cairo, an important milestone was reached with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Clingendael Academy and the Institute of Diplomatic Studies (IDS) of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.