Diplomacy and spanish language immersion course for Caribbean Community diplomats

I. GENERAL BACKGROUND.

With the aim of strengthening cooperation links between Mexico and Chile, a Strategic Partnership Agreement was signed on January 26, 2006, , which established the creation of the Chile-Mexico Joint Cooperation Fund to finance cooperation projects in areas of common interest to both countries.

 

Triangular cooperation is considered a mechanism to promote, coordinate and implement projects in favor of third countries in areas where Chile and Mexico share skills and interests..

In this context, considering the importance of having trained and professional diplomats and the relevance of Spanish as a second language for the English-speaking Caribbean countries, a diplomacy and Spanish immersion course for diplomats is proposed for the following countries:  Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

 

Program Name: “Diplomacy and Spanish Language Immersion Course for Caribbean Community Diplomats."

 

The Spanish immersion course will be offered by the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional de México (Mexican National Pedagogical University), which has a recognized expertise in Spanish immersion programs for foreigners.

The diplomacy training will be executed by the Academia Diplomática de Chile “Andrés Bello” (the Chilean Diplomatic Academy “Andres Bello”).

The purpose of the course is to give the participants a theoretical and practical training on the Spanish language, considering spoken communication, reading comprehension and grammar practice; as well as training in areas related to diplomacy like foreign trade, international relations and commercial negotiations, among others. See Annex 1 for a complete program of the course.

The course will be held in Mexico and Chile, with a total duration of 4 months, from Monday, January 20^th to Friday May 16^th, 2014.

           

Mexico           :           Monday, January 20^th - Friday, April 11^th, 2014.

Chile              :           Monday, April 21^st Friday May 16^th, 2013.

 

* Easter is on the week of April 14^th – Saturday 20^th, therefore the participants will stay in Mexico until Tuesday April 15^th, arriving to Chile on Wednesday April 16^th and beginning the diplomacy course on Monday April 21^st.

II. REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPANTS:

1. The course is addressed to diplomats nominated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of countries from the Caribbean Community member states.

2. Nominees must have and demonstrate a low-medium level in spoken and written Spanish, as the course is intended to enhance these abilities. Diplomats with a higher knowledge of the language will not benefit from this course since it is designed for those with lower skills. The Universidad Pedagógica de México will hold personal interviews with the preselected candidates in order to confirm their Spanish level.

2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of each country must nominate their candidates. One professional per country will be selected, considering his/her Spanish level, his/her current responsibilities and/or projections in the implementation of South-South cooperation programs, and his/her availability to participate full time in the course, staying for three (3) months in Mexico City and for 1 month in Santiago, Chile.

3. The nominees must be willing to participate in individual and collective practical activities.

III. NOMINEES SUBMISSION PROCESS

 

The applications should be submitted physically (ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE ORIGINAL) and electronically (documentation properly scanned).

A complete nominee application includes:

 

1. Official letter certifying that the diplomat has been nominated and has an absence permit from work throughout the entire duration of the program. (More than one nomination per country is allowed).

2. Medical certificate issued by a certified physician that proves compatible health.

 
3. Nomination/Scholarship Application Form submitted and signed by the applicant.

 

4. Updated Resume

 

5. Spanish Essay answering the following question: How will this program benefit you, the institution you work for and your country? (1 page long)

 The complete application must be submitted to the CARICOM focal points (See Annex 2), who will then submit it to the Chilean International Cooperation Agency (AGCI). AGCI will not receive any applications submitted directly by the applicant.

Once the selected participants arrive to Mexico, the original documents of their applications will be required; therefore it is important that they have two original copies of everything (one for the physical application submission and another one for their arrival to Mexico

Important dates:

• Applications are accepted by AGCI until November 29^th, 2013
• Preselected nominees will be interviewed during the week of December 2^nd – 6^th, 2013
• The final decisions of the accepted nominees will be communicated on Friday December 6^th and will be posted in the AGCI and AMEXCID websites (www.agci.gob.cl and www.amexcid.mx).

Applications that will not be accepted:

• Applications that were not submitted through the focal points of Chile and Mexico
• Applications with incomplete documentation
• Applications received after the deadline.

IV. BENEFITS GRANTED BY THE CHILE - MEXICO JOINT COOPERATION FUND:

 

1. Airplane ticket (round trip): Country of Origin - Mexico City - Santiago de Chile - Country of Origin. (Departure from the main airport of the country of origin)
2. Scholarship for the whole course
3. Accommodation with breakfast included in Mexico and Chile
4. Daily stipend for food expenses of US$ 40 (forty US dollars), during the entire duration of the course in Mexico and in Chile
5. Health and life insurance during the entire period

The aforementioned benefits are exclusively for the selected participants. No benefits are considered for family or companions.

 

V. OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS.

 

• All costs not considered in the above paragraphs shall be covered by the participant or his/her institution (passport and visa formalities, airport taxes, excess baggage charges, costs related to closure of airports, flight connections, etc.).

• Personal tourism that generates travel expenses inside or outside Mexico or Chile (not considered in the course program) during development of the course will be covered by the participant. Any travelling outside the country should be previously notified to AGCI and AMEXCID.

•  If a participant selected for the Program is temporarily residing in Mexico at the time of acceptance to the course, the only benefit he/she will receive is the airplane ticket to Chile from Mexico, the daily stipend, accommodation in Chile and the departure ticket from Chile.
• It is recommended that selected diplomats bring a laptop with integrated WIFI.

• Selected diplomats that renounce to the course after airline tickets have been purchased must refund its cost.

• If any diplomat quits the program before it ends without a valid justification will not be able to apply again to any Chilean cooperation program and will be asked to repay to the Chile - Mexico Joint Cooperation Fund the expenses incurred.