"RIAC's educational programs make a long-term investment in the human potential of Russia's official, corporate and public diplomacy. Of course, it is also investment of the participants in their future, the future of their organizations and the entire country." In fact, this statement of RIAC Program Director Ivan Timofeyev became the keynote for the opening procedure of the current RIAC Summer School.
"RIAC's educational programs make a long-term investment in the human potential of Russia's official, corporate and public diplomacy. Of course, it is also investment of the participants in their future, the future of their organizations and the entire country." In fact, this statement of RIAC Program Director Ivan Timofeyev became the keynote for the opening procedure of the current RIAC Summer School.
This year, the School covers the "Interactive Resources for Public and Corporate Diplomacy" and operates in St. Petersburg in partnership with the St. Petersburg State University.
Igor Gretzky, head of the University Office on External Relations for the Foreign Policy, Political Science, Sociology and Economic Studies, spoke on the paradigm shift in modern diplomacy, underlining that the rules of the game and foreign relations parameters are in the process of change. The Kissinger-style diplomacy is swiftly acquiring new features, which means that people should learn parallel with the transformations.
Natalie Markushina, Assistance Professor of the Foreign Relations Department, mentioned that the corporate and public diplomacy via the Internet is something absolutely new. Hence, the School participants should feel lucky to pioneer in the unexplored subject.
Dr. Timofeyev characterized the School as a mechanism for exchanges in knowledge and practices. "This is the tool for joint investment in human capital, the long-term investment." He also narrated about RIAC's principles and instruments, and thanked the University, RIAC's corporate member and reliable partner, for organization of the session.
The Summer School will work till July 7 to instruct its students on algorithms for creation and promotion of English-language websites, methods of text writing for various target groups, and dissipation of information in social media.
After the ceremony, RIAC and University representatives exchanged views on advancing their cooperation.
Summer School "Interactive Resources for Public and Corporate Diplomacy", Day 1