Effective Negotiation in
Multilateral Conferences
Information Note
English-language Workshop
New York, 26 to 28 May 2010
Overview
In a multilateral context, effective negotiation skills are critical for managing interdependencies,
leveraging power and influencing outcomes. Mastering negotiation tools can therefore assist in securing
beneficial agreements at the international level. Participants in this workshop will receive training from
top negotiation experts on effective negotiation skills in multilateral conferences. They will also learn
firsthand from experienced diplomats and international civil servants who have successfully negotiated
agreements in the peace and security and social and economic spheres.
This workshop is part of the 2010 UNITAR / Olof Palme Memorial Fund Negotiation Series “Towards a
level playing field”. Participants who successfully complete this course will be given the opportunity to
attend one of the second-level courses UNITAR will be offering during the year.
Objectives
This workshop’s objective is to improve international cooperation through more effective negotiating in
a multilateral context. At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
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Define and distinguish the purposes, products and processes of multilateral conferences;
Assess the strategies and techniques for producing good negotiated outcomes;
Anticipate and address the main challenges in multilateral negotiations, both from the
negotiators’ as well as the chair’s perspective;
Analyse negotiation dynamics, based on case studies presented by international experts.
Organization
The workshop will be held over two and a half days and consist of seven sessions, as outlined on the
agenda. Certificates of participation will be issued at the end of the workshop for delegates who
attended in full.
The workshop will be co‐facilitated by Professor Minh A. Luong, Yale University, and Mr. David Koschel,
UNITAR, supported by Mr. Nicholas Coburn-Palo, also from Yale University.
The workshop will follow an interactive, participatory and practice‐oriented approach, involving
practical exercises, case studies, interactive lectures, and peer‐to‐peer learning. The workshop will be
conducted in English. (The same course will be offered in French later this year.)
Target Audience
The workshop is intended for delegates from permanent missions in New York. Preference will be given
to applicants from developing or least developed countries. Registration will be limited to 30 persons.
The selected participants are requested to regard their participation as a firm commitment. UNITAR
reserves the right to make the final selection of participants.
Date and Venue
The workshop will take place on Wednesday 26 May 2010, from 9:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:30 to
6:00 p.m., on Thursday 27 May from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. and on Friday
28 May from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. It will be held in New York (venue to be announced).
Registration
For queries regarding the workshop’s programme, please contact Mr. David Koschel at koschel@un.org.
Members of the permanent missions accredited to the United Nations in New York who wish to
participate in this workshop are requested to register online at http://www.unitar.org/ny/, or complete
the attached nomination form and return it before Wednesday 19 May 2010 to:
UNITAR
One United Nations Plaza, Suite DC1-603
New York, NY 10017-3515
Phone: (212) 963-3021 or 9196
Fax: (212) 963-9686 or 0995
Email: info@unitarny.org
 The Negotiation Series is financially supported by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden.