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Following mock exams, Hilary term got fully underway with a one-day workshop on International Negotiation Skills run by the Centre for Political & Diplomatic Studies, CPDS. The aim was to explore the principles of effective negotiation and engagement, evaluating the different styles of negotiation and examining the dynamics and skills of influencing.

IHTM students practising negotiation

The workshop was led by Andy Lebrecht, Paul Docherty and Kate Jones, Course Directors at CPDS, who have a wealth of experience gained from their work as civil servants and diplomats.

 Speaking about the workshop Kate said,

“The tremendous diversity of professional and geographical experience that the IHTM students bring to the course, and their enthusiasm for the practical exercises, makes this a truly rewarding – and enjoyable – day of practical negotiation training.”

The workshop involved seminars, exercises and a simulation of a bilateral negotiation followed by discussion and feedback. Working in two groups, the simulation activity looked at negotiations between the government and the Global Fund for a $400 million contract for a HIV/AIDS programme in Malawi. Students were encouraged to put into practice the negotiation principles that had been explored earlier in the day.

IHTM students were very positive about the workshop, Seun Ajayi commented,

“The negotiation workshop took us through professional handling of disagreements to agreements. The highlight was the supervised in-class bilateral negotiations simulating real-life confrontations to expect as global health leaders. This skill is very useful in both formal and informal engagements.” 

The workshop is part of the Leadership Management and Communications Training module which is an integral part of IHTM, and spans the three terms of the course. Understanding and improving negotiation skills is key to IHTM students’ work post the MSc.