On 15 May 2020, the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) launched a 2-day online orientation course to prepare 30 participants of the 13^th Public Service Executive Development Program (PSED) for their future overseas assignments at diplomatic and consular missions. The first part of the course was conducted online during 15 and 18 May 2020.

        The course introduced the participants to the broader scope of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ work and provided them with the necessary knowledge and skills to enable them to carry out their assignments effectively at diplomatic and consular missions abroad.

        Ms. Lada Phumas, the Director of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) outlined the role and missions of the Institute in relation to building capacity among government officials, and underlined the importance of this orientation course. H.E. Mr. Chainarong Keratiyutwong, the Ambasssador attached to the Ministry, welcomed the participants and provided them with useful advice on their performance overseas.

         During the two-day course, the participants were given an overview of overseas works, protocol and etiquette as well as Thailand’s foreign policy and strategies in regional and global affairs. They actively engaged in the topics through exchange of views and their individual experience. Among the speakers were experienced representatives from the relevant departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs including the Personnel Management Bureau, Policy and Planning Bureau, and the Protocol Department. In addition, Mr. Kiattikhun Chartprasert, former Thai Ambassador to Vientiane and the PSED adviser, provided the participants with information on Thailand’s representatives abroad, including Team Thailand as well as work experience on consular affairs and engagement with the Thai community abroad.

          The longstanding collaboration between the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) and the Institute for Good Governance Promotion, Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC), which began in 2008, reflects the spirit of partnership and a network of cooperation between the two Institutes.