The Foreign Service Institute of Maldives (FOSIM)

The Maldives Foreign Service Act was ratified by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on 14 November 2021 and entered effective on 14 May 2022. The Foreign Service Act mandates the establishment of a separate entity named “Foreign Service” to implement the foreign Policy of the Maldives. With the enactment of the Foreign Service Act, all functions of the Foreign Service Institute of Maldives (FOSIM) is now transformed into an institute empowered under the Act. FOSIM is now mandated to provide all necessary trainings to the Foreign Service Officers with the central aim of creating a professional foreign service cadre.

Vision

To become a centre of excellence for diplomatic training and skill development.

Mission

To be a reputed national institute for nurturing a professional Foreign Service Cadre with specialized trainings and skills, and undertake research on pertinent foreign policy issues.

Objectives

The objectives of the Institute are:

1. To provide specialized skill development training for Foreign Service Officers and in-service career development training of mid-career diplomats and executives, as required by the changing needs of the Foreign Service;
2. To study the opportunities available to the Maldives in the international community and how to make the most of such opportunities and promote the interests of the Maldives in a manner that will benefit the country;
3. To share the results of such studies as described above with various parts of the Foreign Service, with other institutions of the State in a prescribed manner and to publish them in a manner that is understandable to the public; and
4. To prepare documents and conduct necessary research to provide information and advice to the Minister on diplomacy and international issues.

FOSIM Programme and Activities

Skills Development and Enhancement Programme

FOSIM skills development programme is an ongoing programme designed to foster a set of essential skills required by Foreign Service Officers to function as successful diplomats.

Orientation

FOSIM organizes orientation programmes for new recruits that join the Ministry. The orientation programme covers a wide range of topics such as foreign policy and bilateral, and multilateral relations, commercial diplomacy, consular relations and protocol and etiquettes. Additionally, through the programme the new recruits are given information regarding the main work that is being undertaken by different departments of the Ministry.

Briefing programmes for Ambassadors

Ambassador briefing programmes are held to accommodate Ambassador/High Commissioner-designates to orient them on the issues and challenges and to share lessons from experience on how best to deal with these issues. Main topics of discussion include the basics on diplomatic practices, the Maldives foreign policy, commercial diplomacy, dealing with consular issues, strengthening bilateral relations, international conventions, multilateralism and global governance, diplomatic communication and negotiation skills. Ambassadors/High Commissioners are also briefed on various aspects of budgeting and financial management, on reporting skills and effective coordination with missions and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Pre-Posting Training Programme

The Pre-Posting Training Programme orients participants to the role of the representatives of the Maldives at its Missions abroad. The formal training component enhances their understanding on wide-range of topics from Maldives foreign policy, history and culture, diplomatic communication, consular issues, commercial diplomacy, cultural and public diplomacy, protocol and etiquette, bilateral and multilateral issues, and security concerns. Participants also acquire knowledge and skills on management topics, including budgeting and accounting, strategic management, time management, and human and financial resources management.

Stakeholder Awareness Session

FOSIM collaborates with other government institutions and holds awareness sessions on protocol and etiquette, dealing with consular issues, diplomatic immunities and privileges, international conventions, foreign policy issues and other areas as required by the Ministry.

Ambassador Lecture Series

FOSIM Ambassador Lecture Series features diplomats and aims to create a dialogue on issues of regional and global importance among the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Distinguished Speaker Series

FOSIM Distinguished Speaker Series provide opportunities for experienced diplomats, distinguished speakers and visiting lecturers to share their unique experiences and perspectives on a wide spectrum of topics ranging from diplomacy; issues in international development and politics; climate change and environment; human rights; and sustainable development.

Outreach Programme

FOSIM School Outreach Programme is an ongoing programme to create awareness to general public school children and Government Institution on the Maldives Foreign Policy and Foreign Policy priority issues. It also aims to generate interest of teenagers and youth to embrace the foreign service as a future career path.

Discussion Forum

Knowledge Sharing Forum is an ongoing programme which helps with sharing knowledge and skills acquired through short term training opportunities and workshops by the Ministry and the Institute with the staff of the Ministry.