Discussions on Diplomacy
Discussions on Diplomacy
The LIMUN conference really kicked off at midday with a star-studded panel on careers in diplomacy. Present on the panel were: The High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in the UK, Andreas Kakouris; The Head of the Political Department of the Germany Embassy, Dr. Clemens Kohnen; The Political Attaché of the Netherlands to the United Kingdom, Job Maarleveld; The Deputy Head of Mission for the Mexican Embassy, Yanerit Morgan; The Ambassador from Indonesia to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Dr. Desra Percaya.
The panel was an invaluable opportunity to hear advice and anecdotes from those at the forefront of the diplomatic profession. The majority of the questions focused on information about and perspectives on careers within the diplomatic sphere, and the unique traits and challenges these can bring.
The low down? Learn languages, forge connections, and be adaptable, adaptable, adaptable.
Of course, there is (and was) much more to it than that. Successful diplomats require an immense bank of knowledge and learnt skills. The history and intricacies of your own nation and culture, as well as the one you are posted to or dealing with. The ability to connect with others effectively and quickly. The ability to remain loyal to your government while advising politicians on the best course of action in foreign relation matters.
There are upsides, as the panellists stress - once-in-a-lifetime experiences that one could never dream of in a different job. The ability to see the world, to be accepted into a new nation with each new posting, and to be part of
The panellists were equally honest about the challenges that come with the job. For example, it can often be hard to see the direct results of your actions as a “small cog in a large machine”. It can also be challenging on occasion to keep personal political views private and contained – as a caveat to this, one panellist mentioned that frankly, if you cannot represent views that you don’t always support, then diplomacy is not the career for you! The strain on family life can also be a downside – “It has to be a well-informed decision [to go into democracy]”. One panellist in particular mentioned the continuing bias against women in the diplomatic and political world, particularly in cultures where family ties are seen as vitally important. Diplomacy continues to be a traditional (some would say old-fashioned) career in other ways too - and this shows. Namely, the fact that assignments can be given for any nation in the world, regardless of preference. It is a career bound by honour and duty to one’s country, and this can be an exhausting weight to shoulder. The challenges for diplomats are not just from the job itself – the global situation grows more tense, more polarised, and more fractious with each passing year.
On the theme of the conference, Future-proofing Today for a Resilient Tomorrow, the panellists were asked as to how students can prepare for the profession in the future. “The most fundamental aspect of diplomacy is the relationships you build with people,” one panellist stated, who believes that this is the way to future proof, more than any form of upcoming technology or shifts in global politics. In many ways, the modern world of instant communication and instant news does not blend well with the careful nature of democracy - which makes every word you say even more important, even more considered. The panel as a whole seemed in agreement that adaptability and forward-thinkingness are the keystones of good diplomacy, which give you the ability to “move with the times”. According to one panellist, who is proud to call themselves a lifelong learner, if you learn every day, change will not scare you - be prepared to understand new technologies and adapt to the changing world while developing your core skill set that is timeless. Another panellist has a rather less optimistic view - that the future of democracy has to be about fettering the downward trend of interactions between countries, as we are currently living in an age of waning multilateralism. Nevertheless, this can be motivation for future diplomats, who want to improve the global situation.
One moment that stood out was when a delegate from the audience asked what the panellists’ favourite moment of their career was, and while some could pinpoint a specific moment, most emphasised that each post is different in its own way, and given they still have time in their careers ahead, they would not want to dwell.
The genuine respect and passion for the profession demonstrated throughout the panel really shone through - if the delegates could take only one thing from the length of the session, it should be that you should love what you do, and do what you love.
Many of the panellists came into the job through unusual pathways, which is fitting for a unique and unusual career! Regardless of background, route into the job, delegates can leave with the knowledge that, for the five individuals on Friday’s panel, destiny cannot be discounted, but hard work will always pay off.
By Madelaine Gray