The second edition of the “Women in Diplomacy School” began today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event, opened by the Secretary General at the Ministry, Michele Valensise, also saw the participation of Kosovo’s Foreign Minister, Vlora Çitaku, and Poland’s Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Henryka Moscicka-Dendys.
Twenty young women working in diplomacy or politics in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Israel will be taking part. The “School”, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Society for International Organisation (SIOI), takes the form of a packed week-long programme of interactive training sessions. The project was set up during the post-Arab Spring transition.
Sessions will take place in Rome, at the Farnesina, and in Milan, at the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI). Working with Italian and foreign specialists, the young future leaders will come into contact with advanced thinking on international issues. The transforming role of the “new 21st century diplomacy”, the challenges of democratic transition, gender issues and women’s leadership are some of the topics that will be addressed. In Milan, the focus will be on EXPO 2015 and entrepreneurial management.
“The ‘school’ is another sign of Italy’s concern for the countries of the Mediterranean, civil society and the status of women”, commented Ambassador Valensise. “With this initiative, we intend to encourage a fruitful exchange of views with young people destined to hold senior positions in their countries”.
