The major programmatic work of UNA Fiji is our Diplomacy Training Programme which promotes the concept of “leadership through the art of diplomacy”, the aim of which is to create Active Fijian Citizens. Who become Active Global Citizens by inspiring change in Fijians and paving a brighter future for our beloved nation-state.

An interactive learning experience is provided through the Global Class Room. Not only does it engage trainees in the study of global concerns, but it also fosters the development of skills that will serve them well throughout their life such as research and writing as well as public speaking and problem-solving.

The trainees learn the importance of multilateralism. Furthermore, on how the international community acts on its concerns about topics including peace and security, human rights, the environment, food and hunger, economic development, and globalization. The trainees through this Programme also look closely at the needs, goals, and foreign policies of the countries. The insights they gain from their exploration of history, geography, culture, economics, and science contribute to the authenticity of the simulation when the role-playing gets underway in summations.

The training is divided into 3 categories which are Basic Level, Intermediate Level, and Advanced Level.

1.) Basic Diplomacy Training Programme (BDTP)

The programme includes 154 hours of training which results in 16 classes including 1 day of orientation, 1 day of activism, and 3 days of summation with a final day of graduation. Trainees learn essential skills such as research, speech writing, public speaking, consensus building, solving problems, and negotiating with allies and adversaries. We teach the trainees the value of drawing on history, experience, and common values to generate solutions to common problems. The programme also involves peacebuilding and mindfulness classes to be used as major tools by the trainees in dialoguing for solutions.

2.) Intermediate Diplomacy Training Programme (IDTP)

The programme includes 114 hours of training which results in 12 classes along with a half-day of programme launch, 1 day of community impact, and 1 day of summation (UN model conference) with a final day of graduation. At this level trainees are provided appropriate skills in handling all forms of written diplomatic correspondence, an in-depth look at the various international standards Model United Nations (MUN) rules of procedures, and are introduced to the Way Finding Model of leadership. Trainees also continuously refresh on the following essential diplomatic skills such as research, speech writing, public speaking, consensus building, solving problems, and negotiating with allies and adversaries.

3.) Advanced Level Diplomacy Training Programme (ADTP)

The programme includes 108 hours of training which results in 11 classes along with a half-day of programme launch, 1 day of community impact, and 1 day of summation (UN model conference) with a final day of graduation. This is where trainees learn Foreign Policy Instruments of States (Diplomacy, Propaganda, Economic Methods). This becomes very real learning in terms of convening real Multilateral types of Summations with the rules of procedures borrowed from real meetings.

As a result of their extensive experience, our guest speakers include former ambassadors and other diplomats who have worked in many countries across the world. Simulated exercises and real-life case studies allow them to draw on decades of diplomacy and international relations knowledge imparting to our trainees.

It must be noted that in all the above levels Trainees learn about SDGs and Climate Change.

The major achievements of UNA Fiji have been from 2015 to date approximately 250 to 300 participants have gone through the training. Formal awarding of certificates and graduation started in 2018 and so far 3 graduations have taken place. We have seen our graduates become young diplomats who have successfully participated in local and international conferences such as the International Civil Society Week 2017, ADB 2019, CAPP 2019, and so forth. We also try to work with local communities time and again to create an impact. These projects are called community impact projects.