Utah Global Diplomacy is delighted to have launched its Citizen Diplomacy Certification as part of the International Leadership Academy! During the ten week course, the Citizen Diplomacy Certification cohort will dive into world affairs topics taught by dynamic local subject matter experts, and elevate their professional experience through immersive, hands-on activities.
“Global trade has been the greatest lubricant for the wheels of international prosperity and peace known to man and woman” is a concept Simon Greathead has endorsed for 20 years. He is an Associate Professor of International Business and Global Supply Chain Management at BYU Marriott School of Business and we were privileged to have him join our class. His assertion illuminates how global trade is this essential forerunner through job creation, resource sharing, and the establishment of stability. Global trade serves not only as an economic engine but as a catalyst for transcultural cohesion and harmony. During his discussion, he addressed global trade disruptions, especially in the wake of COVID-19, and the trend of companies opting to 'reshore'. He cautioned against localization being a panacea, emphasizing the trade offs to sourcing and manufacturing domestically. In navigating the intricacies of global trade he underscored that “culture is not right or wrong, it's different” and recommended reading ‘The Culture Map’ by Erin Meyer. His insights into both micro and macro perspectives of global supply chain exemplifies our work at Utah Global Diplomacy showcasing the international impacts from “one handshake at a time” happening right here in Utah.
Our cohort participated in the first half of our diplomacy simulation, International Nuclear Crisis: Non-Proliferation and National Security, provided by the U.S. Department of State. Participants were assigned stakeholder positions and needed to “prioritize diplomatic goals according to [their] policy position” and “identify with whom to negotiate and who might be allies [and] opponents.” The simulation encouraged collaboration among participants, fostering teamwork and the ability to navigate conflicts and seek compromises through formal and informal negotiations. Some stakeholders refined their adaptability skills as they faced resistance from other parties. Over the next few weeks, participants will have the opportunity to do research on the topic and negotiate with stakeholders outside of the classroom. Hopefully, a solution can be found when we convene for our simulated Geneva conference. It's not all work and no play, for additional cohort relationship building we got some ice cream after class!
Learn more about our Citizen Diplomacy Certification and other opportunities with our International Leadership Academy!
