On 22 June 2020, the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) launched the Executive Skills Enhancement Programme for Counsellors for the year 2020. Twenty seven diplomatic officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs joined the programme.

          At the opening ceremony, Ms. Lada Phumas, Director of the Institute welcomed the audience before reporting to Mr. Sunthorn Chaiyindeepoom, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on both the participants and the programme. Mr. Chaiyindeepoom was invited to deliver the opening remarks and gave useful advice on the performance of roles and duties as a head of section. He also emphasized that holistic human resources development was a priority for the Ministry. In addition to building the necessary knowledge and skills, such as analytical and critical thinking, the ability to anticipate problems and their solutions, a preparedness to coach and mentor others, he underlined the importance of developing emotional maturity, and fostering a sound work environment to achieve high productivity. He explained that the programme would adopt an active learning approach to encourage the full participation of the participants and informed them that all activities had been organized with a view to developing world-class diplomats with knowledge and moral integrity.

          After the opening session, Mr. Chainarong Keratiyutwong, the Ambassador attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gave a lecture on the topic, “Expectations and Roles of a Counsellor”, sensitizing the participants to their new roles, duties and responsibilities and revisiting the Ministry’s aims and expectations. He later led a brainstorming session to encourage all the participants to share their work experience and tips on leadership.

          During the 13-day programme, which took place at the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs, the participants were given opportunities to learn and share their knowledge and experience on various topics, including public administration and management in relation to their roles and duties. Speakers who lectured and shared their specialized knowledge and work experience  comprised former ambassadors, senior officials of the Ministry, and executives from other government agencies, private sector and academia. A further 4-week online workshop on professional team management was also organized to prepare the participants for their new roles and duties as head of section.

          The Executive Skills Enhancement Programme for Counsellors in 2020 was held in accordance with the Announcement of the Sub-Committee for the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) which set out the Training Programmes for Counsellors of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs as another means and criteria for evaluating those eligible for appointment to a counsellor.