The Executive Director of the Institute of Diplomacy, Dr. Shaikha Muneera bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, met today with the Director General of the Foreign Service Academy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Ambassador Aftab Ahmad Khokher, at the Academy’s headquarters here, as part of the implementation process of the Memorandum of Understanding signed two years ago between the Institute of Diplomacy and the Foreign Service Academy.
The Executive Director of the Institute of Diplomacy commended the distinguished relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which are constantly progressing at all levels. She also affirmed the keenness of the Kingdom to expand these relations for the benefit of both friendly countries and peoples.
She also highlighted the steps taken by the Institute of Diplomacy in activating joint cooperation between diplomatic academies and institutes in the region after His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has given directives to turn the Institute of Diplomacy into an Academy for Diplomatic Studies, named after the Deputy Prime Minister, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa.
Dr. Shaikha Muneera lauded the achievements made by the Foreign Service Academy in Islamabad, and noted their qualitative development witnessed in many fields. She stressed the importance of promoting cooperation in training, such as knowledge building through scientific theoretical curricula, which is considered nowadays a main pillar in enhancing diplomacy, due to its focus on understanding the world and its reality when it comes to decision making.
She also exemplified the significance of scientific research as a tool to shed light on various issues related to the world of politics, especially international relations, and how the world is reflected in its multiple regional and international scopes that can be studied and paralleled with one another. She added that intellectual contributions will facilitate reaching a more transparent vision of our world today, stressing that enhancing strategic thinking of the diplomat is essential.
The Executive Director of the Institute of Diplomacy showcased the importance of introducing practical programs that qualify diplomats towards optimal performances in their work, as well as protocol obligations, and means of dealing with international diplomats effectively. She further elaborated on the significance of theoretical training, in light of the approach taken towards a more integrated formulation of the concept of diplomacy, which corresponds to the data of the twenty-first century, and adapts to its changes seamlessly.
Dr. Shaikha Muneera stressed the pivotal aspect of training programs in this day in age, alongside implementing modern academic methods of teaching and facilitating evaluation and feedback in order to benefit and enlighten both sides involved. She added that these factors are considered a main instrument in shaping strategic plans of diplomatic institutes, in order to produce a highly equipped generation.
The Director General of the Foreign Service Academy welcomed the Executive Director of the Institute of Diplomacy, and affirmed his pride in the solid relations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as their joint keenness to develop all aspects of cooperation between the two countries, wishing the Kingdom of Bahrain further progress and prosperity.
Ambassador Aftab Ahmad Khokher also expressed his pleasure to cooperate with the Institute of Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain through incorporating several academic and professional programs that would enhance overall diplomatic work and equip future diplomats with the competent training capabilities needed to serve the policies of their foreign countries and defend their interests in all international forums.
He added that in order to reach greater coordination, diplomatic efforts must be incorporated in the field of training to achieve the desired academic goals needed in this progressing world, noting that these efforts should be universally recognized and connected to the rules of international diplomacy, such as the establishment of a culture of dialogue and the principles of peace, which seek to construct bridges of communication and between states.
