Kota Kinabalu: Cultural Diplomacy 2024 of Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) strengthens bilateral relations between the countries through cultural understanding.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) Director General, Datuk Syed Bakri Syed Abdul Rahman, said the course was held to share Malaysia’s development experience with other developing countries through culture. He said the participants would be exposed to a comprehensive module on diplomacy and cultural diversity in Malaysia throughout the course.
He said the topics include Country Branding and Cultural Diplomacy, Cultural Intelligence, Language and Diplomacy, Interactive Malay for Conversation, Cultural Dimensions in Negotiation and Mediation, Investment in Malaysia and Palm Oil Sustainability and Cultural Diplomacy in the Digital Era.
“The course also emphasises the aspect of sharing Malaysia’s development experience with developing countries, the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between countries, promoting South-South Cooperation (SSC) and increasing Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC).
“The organisation of the ongoing MTCP course shows Malaysia’s commitment through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to share development experience and expertise with developing countries.”
He said this after attending the Sabah State Development briefing session delivered by Sabah Economic Planning Unit (EPU) Economic Affairs Senior Director Tseu Kei Yue at Menara Kinabalu, recently.
Syed Bakri said Sabah was selected as one of the locations for the visit is to give exposure to the participants about the diversity and uniqueness of customs and culture found in Sabah, as well as the practice of racial tolerance which is an example of strengthening unity in Malaysia.
During their stay in Sabah, the participants will be exposed to a briefing session with the Department of Fisheries, as well as Tourism.
He said is in addition to a visit to Manukan Island, Mari-Mari Cultural Village, Kinabalu National Park, as well as an information sharing session with the University of Malaysia Sabah (UMS).
“The briefing session from the EPU is expected to strengthen the cooperative relationship between IDFR and EPU to give exposure to the participants regarding the economy, cultural diplomacy and cooperation practised between the Federal and State governments in the country,” he said.
A total of 13 participants out of 86 applications were selected to participate in the course from May 21-30.
Among the participants from developing countries include Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cuba, Fiji, Iraq, Jordan, Maldives, Oman, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan.
