The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) conducted the Special Seminar on Management Science Tools for New Filipino Diplomats on 22-27 March 2018 as part of the Foreign Service Officers’ Cadetship Course (FSOCC).

The special seminar had former Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Federico M. Macaranas, former Communications Secretary Herminio B. Coloma, and former Labor Secretary Nieves R. Confesor as resource speakers.

 

Dr. Federico M. Macaranas (center) with the participants of the FSOCC.

 

The four-day participatory and case-method-based learning workshop equipped the new Foreign Service Officers with knowledge and skills related to modern management science methods in the field of diplomacy.

In his lectures, Dr. Macaranas  introduced the new FSOs to tools such as PESTLE and SWOT analyses, as well as frameworks such as VUCA, comparative advantage, and game theory, with the goal of enabling them to identify game-changing trends and to process information to develop solutions for complex national and international issues in the 21st century.

Dr. Coloma, for his part, discussed the nuances of communications in diplomacy by providing real-life situations. He presented effective strategies in overcoming challenges in public diplomacy and how new technological tools, such as social media, can be utilized to effectively communicate foreign policy.

Batch XXV, which is composed of 20 participants, of the present FSOCC, together with some foreign affairs research specialists, attended the special seminar.