Niël Terblanché
The Namibia School of Diplomatic Studies (NSDS), established through a partnership between the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation and the University of Namibia, is aimed at strengthening Namibia’s diplomatic capabilities.
The school took the country a step closer to strengthening its diplomatic corps with the graduation of the first cohort of students on Monday.
Peya Mushelenga, the minister of international relations and cooperation, during the graduation ceremony reiterated the importance of diplomacy in advancing the country’s foreign policy and international standing.
“Diplomatic academies have played a crucial role in shaping global diplomatic practice for over two centuries, dating back to the establishment of the Vienna Diplomatic Academy in 1754,” he said.
Mushelenga added that diplomatic academies serve the purpose of equipping students with the necessary skills for negotiations, so that they can make informed analyses of political and economic situations.
“These schools also enhance professionalism in diplomatic careers,” he said.
He added that the NSDS follows this tradition by combining theoretical knowledge with practical application.
The minister commended the school’s approach, which incorporates experienced diplomats as instructors.
“I have noted that the Namibia School of Diplomatic Studies modules are presented by experienced diplomats who not only previously served as heads of missions or diplomatic officials but who are also students of International Relations. They have built knowledge and skills over the years that stand this school in good stead,” he said.
Mushelenga also pointed to Namibia’s active role in multilateral diplomacy, citing the country’s recent service on the African Union Peace and Security Council and the contributions of its permanent representative to the United Nations.
“Last year, Namibia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Neville Gertze, was the co-facilitator for the negotiations of the Pact of the Future, a United Nations blueprint that commits countries to work towards a sustainable, peaceful, and better tomorrow,” he said.
The minister stressed that diplomacy is an ever-evolving field and that training institutions must remain adaptable.
He encouraged the school to tailor its courses for different stages of diplomatic careers and to maintain high academic standards.
Mushelenga also urged the NSDS to seek membership in the International Forum on Diplomatic Training, which connects diplomatic academies from over 60 countries.
Mushelenga commended the graduates for their commitment, revealing that the school’s three intakes had achieved an impressive 92% pass rate.
“This is the same percentage of the completion rate for the Diplo Academy, a renowned world-class institute in Malta, for the 2024 academic year. This demonstrates that the Namibia School of Diplomatic Studies is becoming a centre of excellence in diplomatic training,” he said.
He encouraged graduates to apply their newly acquired skills in the field and contribute to Namibia’s diplomatic efforts.
“Those of you who are Foreign Service Officers should go and put into practice the knowledge that you acquired from the training. There should be an improvement in the quality of your output, symbolising that you are better equipped than before,” he urged.
