Basic diplomat course Suriname Diplomat Institute has started
On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, Minister Albert Ramdin of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation (BIBIS) opened the ‘Basic Diplomat Course 2024’. This course is provided by the Suriname Diplomat Institute, an arm of the Ministry of BIBIS. Minister Ramdin gave an inspiring ‘keynote speech’ entitled ‘Impact of diplomacy in a world in crisis’.
Elizabeth Bradley, Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of BIBIS, who conducted the introduction, presented participants with the key focus areas that will be covered in the eight-week course. These include, among others, active listening and negotiation, the fundamental skills for diplomats to communicate effectively and reach agreements, practical skills such as knowledge of dress and protocol, as well as the English language, which is very important for international relations and negotiations on matters such as tariffs and climate.
Director Bradley further indicated that while participants focus on international relations, it is important not to lose sight of the interests of their own country. This should certainly include the economic aspects of diplomacy, modern trends in diplomacy such as knowledge of organizations, including the IMF, sustainable development goals (SDGs) and e-diplomacy, which are becoming increasingly important in today’s diplomatic field. Furthermore, Director Bradley mentioned that security will also be addressed in the course as an important aspect of diplomacy, where participants will learn about security issues and protocols.
Minister Ramdin, who purposefully gave his presentation in English after the agreement of those present, congratulated the participants on their interest in the course and the start of an interesting journey in the world of diplomacy. “Diplomacy is a powerful instrument of foreign policy,” said the minister, who emphasized that the wise use of intelligence and strategy are essential in sharing information. The minister joked that diplomats are often very nice people, but inside they also have an absolute determination to serve their country. The minister emphasized the importance of self-discipline, continuous learning, strategic and analytical thinking, as well as perseverance and perseverance as important skills for diplomats. “The higher you go, the more complex it becomes,” the minister added, noting that maintaining open lines of communication and positioning yourself as an honest mediator are important in diplomatic negotiations.
“All conflicts end at the negotiating table. Dialogue, consultations, involvement and ultimately negotiation are crucial in finding a way forward,” the minister said. “Negotiation starts with a conversation between two people,” the minister then said, explaining that in a conversation there is already a question of trying to convince the other person that what has been stated.
In his presentation, the minister looked back at the history of diplomacy and indicated that diplomacy was traditionally mainly concerned with border and territory conflicts and peacemaking, and later with promoting economic changes. With the signing of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations in 1961, diplomacy evolved more into a means of safeguarding the interests of states and promoting their political, economic and cultural cooperation, while maintaining peaceful relations based on mutual respect. were held.
In his keynote speech, Minister Ramdin also discussed various current issues in the areas of international and regional security, including the situation of Haiti, as well as negotiations in the areas of natural disasters, pandemics, crisis management and human rights.
Finally, Minister Ramdin indicated that the ‘Basic Diplomats Course 2024’ provides a platform to develop and refine these skills, with the aim of nurturing a new generation of diplomats ready to take on challenges and bring positive changes in an increasingly changing world.