外交人员培训趋势探析

【摘要】：Vis-à-vis the growing challenges of economic globalization and internationalcompetition, diplomats are often called upon to deal with situations for which theycan neither prepare in advance nor find instructions in diplomatic manuals. They needto adapt quickly, deal with perceived crises, find the best possible solutions, andanalyze the impact of their decisions in local, national and international contexts. It istherefore vital for diplomats to build a vision for tomorrow’s world in order to handletoday’s problems through training. This paper aims to explore the changes in diplomatic training based on a studyof relevant literatures from both China and foreign countries. It integrates the theoryof human resource management with diplomatic training practices, and takes a casestudy in which different methods are embedded, including data analysis, on-siteinspection and interviews. Based on a wide range of researches on the status quo and the recent changes indiplomatic training institutions, this paper summarizes their characteristics in terms ofleadership and administration, goals and responsibilities, diversity in trainees andtrainers, and equipment and facilities, with China Foreign Affairs University as anexample. It goes further to examine the specific practices of an institution—theForeign Service Institute of USA to indicate changes in training diplomatic personnel. The author concludes that training is one of the most direct ways to enhance theoverall competence of diplomats to meet challenges in this complex world.Understanding the changes and trends in diplomatic training can better serve Chinafor its own human resource development in diplomatic field. Promoting internationalcooperation and exchanges is of great importance for the improvement of thediplomatic training. In terms of course design, it is important that the clear objectivesto ensure the effectiveness of training be established. The author points out thatintegrating training into diplomats’ career development could be a win-win approachfor both diplomats and the ministries of foreign affairs where they work.