"The International Diplomatic Academy of Tunis is a historic achievement and a centre of influence for Tunisian diplomacy," its Director General, Faisal Gouiaa said in an exclusive interview with TAP news agency. "It will certainly serve the current generations in its noble mission. This project is an important institution, not only in terms of training future diplomats, but also in analysis, perception and influence on decision-making in foreign policy and diplomacy," Gouiaa added. Interview: -1- What does the inauguration of the Academy by President Kaïs Saïed, on January 15, 2024, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nabil Ammar, and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, mean? -A- The inauguration of the Academy by the President of the Republic was a historic moment and a unique opportunity to launch its activities. The presence of the Chinese Foreign Minister was a sign of his deep friendship with Tunisia and an expression of the strong ties between the two countries, which are celebrating six decades of friendship and bilateral cooperation. Relations between the International Diplomatic Academy and China are based on partnership, just like cooperation with other countries. The relationship between China and Tunisia is one of cooperation in the service of the two friendly countries, a multidisciplinary bilateral relationship. It should be noted that this diplomatic training academy is a unique project and the first of its kind in China's history, funded by a Chinese donation of about TND 72 million. The Diplomatic Academy is built on an area of almost 16,000 m2, of which 12,633 m2 are covered. The training facilities include 5 classrooms, two amphitheatres with 60 and 120 seats, a computer room, two language laboratories, a library, a multimedia room and 11 research offices. The Academy has a multi-purpose hall with 200 seats and a conference room with 500 seats for conferences and meetings. -2-Who are the students at the International Diplomatic Academy? -A- We train young foreign affair s officers for two years at the rank of secretary of state, after they have passed a very tough competitive examination. After passing the competitive examination, they undergo one year of theoretical training, followed by one year of practical training at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They then have to write a dissertation and present it to a jury at the Academy. We currently have 50 auditors who started their training on February 1, 2024. In terms of international training, in the short and medium term, we will train foreign diplomats, hence the name International Academy. The objective of our institution is also to train foreign diplomats within the Academy, and requests from certain countries to train a certain group of diplomats are gradually coming in, against payment. It should be noted that "this institution is a public institution of a non-administrative nature, which has financial, administrative and legal independence under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are not a p rofit-making entity, but we work according to the rules of commercial accounting and we follow the rules of commercial law, and we are in the process of studying these applications. The International Diplomatic Academy has two councils: a corporate council, which advises on legal, administrative and financial matters, and a scientific council, which is responsible for academic matters and advises on programmes, professors and theses. The third mission is to provide on-demand training in diplomacy and international cooperation for Tunisian officials in charge of international cooperation in ministries or public institutions working in departments or units responsible for international cooperation. This training will be provided at the request of the administration, such as the Prime Ministry, which may decide to do so. Another mission is to provide training at the request of Tunisian officials who will be working abroad, such as executives from the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) or the Export P romotion Centre (CEPEX). -3- Is training in economic diplomacy one of the priorities of the Diplomatic Academy? -A- Economic diplomacy is indeed one of the most important topics in the training programme of the Diplomatic Academy. It is highlighted by the training, which includes a theoretical part as well as a practical part consisting of visits to Tunisian and foreign sites established in Tunisia. To support the training, we organise lectures by economic leaders, such as those from CEPEX or FIPA, and we invite prominent Tunisian and international economic and financial figures to give lectures on international financial institutions, such as experts from the World Bank or the IMF, who can come and give lectures to our young diplomats. -4-Could you tell us about the origins of the Academy? -A-The Diplomatic Institute for Training and Studies (French: IDFE) was in operation from 1994 to 2019, and then the idea was developed to move from an institute to an academy, because it has a much broader role, part icularly in language learning. We have two language laboratories. We teach languages to our students and also to those who want to train in specialised languages, and we count on teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers, which is a separate activity within the academy. -5- Do you plan to organise conferences at the International Diplomatic Academy? -A-We have already organised a conference on the success of the Singapore experience in terms of development for examiners and trainees. This week we are organising an event with South Africa, and another is scheduled with the United States of America. Our conferences are generally organised for a specific audience, either foreign ministry officials, Tunisian universities or foreign diplomats. They are also open to the public and the press is invited to attend. The Academy can also organise two other types of events in partnership with similar or different institutions to organise conferences, symposia or seminars for the benefit of other bodies. Tomorrow, fo r example, the UN Office in Tunisia may ask us to organise a seminar on an international issue, and we can jointly organise the event. The Academy can also offer its conference centre to host symposia or seminars for Tunisian or foreign organisations wishing to organise events. -6-: What are the main tasks of the International Diplomatic Academy? -A-" The Academy's mission is to train Tunisian diplomats, to develop the skills of Tunisian and foreign diplomats, to teach languages, to carry out studies and research as part of a think-tank project and to publish a review specialising in diplomacy and international relations, in addition to organising conferences and seminars on all issues of global interest. In fact, the Academy can act as a think-tank for decision-makers, providing an opinion or analysis of a specific Tunisian position on certain issues. We are called upon not only to train diplomats and future diplomats, but also act as a player in analysing foreign policy and helping decision-makers to t ake the right decisions on international relations issues. Another of the Academy's missions is to develop the skills of Tunisian and foreign diplomats at three levels: at the beginning of their careers, in the middle of their careers and in senior administrative positions. The Academy will also publish specialised journals in the field of diplomacy and international relations open to national and international authors, a project for the future mentioned in government decree 630 of July 24, 1999, the Director General of the International Diplomatic Academy of Tunis. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse