INSPIRING WOMEN, EMPOWERED WOMEN “EMBRACING EQUITY”

International Women’s Day Conference – Embracing Equity “Global Mindset” March 11, 2023, from the Netherlands.

They talked about the role that women play in the different spaces that were previously considered untouchable for them and that were only intended for men to be able to highlight the achievements they have achieved with effort and dedication.

Within the framework of the commemoration of International Women’s Day, which has been taking place worldwide, the event organised by the ProtocolToday Academy, an organization established in the Netherlands (The Hague) and Iberomericanas FHCI, was held today.

This organisation is dedicated to training and sharing knowledge of protocol, etiquette, diplomatic skills, and other issues related to the personal and business growth of women, who, day by day, overcome challenges within a society that is still unequal in terms of gender.

The conference was called “EMBRACE EQUITY WITH A GLOBAL MIND” and was divided into two sessions; the first in English, where there were excellent participants of many carats and worth such as Stefanie Kasereca from the Republic of the Congo, a student of International Relations, Isabelle Niekrake from the Netherlands, Counselor for Economic Affairs of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Mexico, Adriana Flores from Holland, an expert in Protocol and Soft Skills, H.E. Irene Kasyanju of Tanzania, Ambassador of Tanzania.

Those who spoke on different topics related to the role of women in today’s world each focused on the particularities of their respective countries. However, they all reached a common denominator, where inequality still exists in the world of work was especially highlighted.

After 2 hours of presentations, the session in English ended, and a one-hour break was given to start the session in Spanish.

Session in Spanish

At noon the session began in Spanish, where there were a good number of attendees in addition to the live transmission by the prestigious radio station Kscad from Ecuador and TV COMPYME from Peru, who brought the incidents of the event to their respective listeners.

The ambassador of Panama in the Netherlands, H.E. Elizabeth Ward Neiman, was in charge of starting this event in Spanish; she highlighted, among other things, the role of women in the diplomatic sphere and the different actions that she has carried out throughout her professional life, in favour of the female gender.

It also had the participation of Dr Raquel Besudo from Mexico, President of the FHCI, who explained how her organisation is providing spaces so that Mexican artisans who do not have the opportunity to display their products can do so and highlighted the role they play in today’s women in society.

The journalist Mónica Muñoz from Mexico gave a magisterial talk on how her beginnings as a communicator were and what she had to do to adapt to technology to combine it with communication, in addition to encouraging women not to give up and more If they encounter obstacles, they must be overcome.

Gabriela Brouwer de Koning, an Argentine deputy, put her finger on the sore spot on the labour inequality gap that exists in Latin America and mainly in Argentina, where only 25% of the economically active female population has rights equal to those of men, and mentioned that the public policies that are dictated still do not cover the entire conglomerate that still has to stay at home to take care of the children and that function is not recognised.

The closure was in charge of Adriana Flores, Executive Director of ProtocolToday Academy, who, among other things, highlighted the potential and knowledge of the speakers who made known the realities of their respective countries and also expressed her gratitude to the organisations that were part of the event as media partners, strategic partner, golden sponsor and distinguished participants.

Undoubtedly, a class conference where it was possible to meet, feed and clear up doubts about what still needs to be achieved by gender to be on an equal footing in a globalised world that still minimises the value of women.

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Writer by: Rosendo Villavicencio, Bachelor of Communication and radio presenter.

19 March 2023, Ecuador

Category: Diplomacy  

Reference: RV19032023D    

“Somos una empresa de desarrollo de capacidades que conecta valores, culturas, organizaciones, individuos y sociedades en todo el mundo”

TOURISM DIPLOMACY

Introduction

Tourism diplomacy is promoting tourism resources and resolving a specific destination’s crisis or problem through peaceful negotiation between two or more nations or among nations using tourism’s soft power. Its peaceful discourse and adaptable approach enrich the theory of diplomacy and international relations, as well as the value and functions of tourism. Tourism diplomacy has long been practised in the international community; however, it emerged as an independent official concept following a proposal by the Chinese government in 2015. Currently, most research in China and abroad focus on tourism diplomacy as a form of public diplomacy to promote cross-cultural communication and national image; research should pay more attention to tourism diplomacy’s multilevel nature.

Tourism diplomacy began at the official level and spread to semi-official and civil groups. As forms of non-traditional diplomacy (public diplomacy), semi-official and civil levels of diplomacy have become increasingly important in today’s international arena; as a result, many studies have focused solely on public diplomacy, ignoring official tourism diplomacy. Tourism diplomacy’s functions have become more diverse as its depth and breadth have grown. That diversity is most visible in bridging gaps and fortifying alliances, boosting the economy and neo-colonialism, cultural exchanges and image building, and diplomatic retaliation and understanding.

Chinese Tourism Diplomacy

China has surpassed the United States as a tourism powerhouse. Notably, it has become a source of outbound tourists, with its visitors sought after by countries worldwide. COVID-19’s emergence has slowed current growth, but this is likely only temporary until the pandemic is contained. With this backdrop, it is unavoidable that the number of Chinese tourists and their economic impact will remain a major topic of discussion. The recent growth of tourism has resulted in the almost inevitable emergence of China’s tourism diplomacy as an evident and unavoidable intervention in statecraft. Chinese outbound tourists have become ambassadors for the country, its people, and its governing policies. In China’s tourism development history, the former China National Tourism Administration officially proposed the term “tourism diplomacy” in light of two factors. First, the Chinese government pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, which differs from previous international expositions of tourism politics from a power standpoint. Second, the sheer volume of Chinese outbound tourists and their enormous purchasing power form a solid practical foundation for China’s tourism diplomacy. With the concept of tourism diplomacy proposed and approved by government documents, tourism diplomacy has gained increasing attention from diplomatic, tourism, and academic circles.

The U.S. State Department on Tourism Diplomacy

Tourism is recognised by the United States State Department as “soft diplomacy,” exposing American culture’s vast and unique components to populations worldwide (including within the United States itself) and promoting greater cultural understanding. This cultural cross-pollination reflects both growing cultural enlightenment among destinations and a reaction to the sharp decline in international market share during the “lost decade” following 2001. In short, the industry recognised the importance of quickly reaching out to new and emerging markets. The arts were and continue to be an essential part of that outreach. This approach can take various forms, most notably appealing to/about ethnic and racial target audiences or marketing a diverse menu of tourism products and cultural themes that resonate with traveller demographics. The tourist of the future seeks authentic experiences that allow for personal involvement and highlight the diverse narratives that define the character of communities across America. Understanding the fundamental nature of each destination is only possible with the artist’s voice. In urban America, there is a continuing arts and culture renaissance, the focus of which is nurturing indigenous communities’ talents.

Diplomacy by tourism pillars 

This factor is associated with ensuring long-term development in terms of environmental, economic, political, technological, and social aspects, which are the primary influencers in establishing and improving a country’s tourism sector. A country’s national image is a synthesis of perceptions held by international citizens in their minds and hearts. It may include cultural activities, political etiquette, environmental policy, and the state’s history. Organising activities that will bring together all stakeholders, including state officials, community members, representatives, bureaucrats, diplomats, spokespeople, public figures, athletes, culture-oriented individuals, and academicians, is necessary. It promotes tourism resources, attracts more tourists and foreign direct investors, and solves specific problems or crises through peaceful negotiation between or among countries. Furthermore, increased awareness of and interest in cultural differences will usher in a period when much tourism will be centred on domestic and international tourists interested in learning about other cultural traditions.

Conclusion

Given the role of cultural diplomacy in tourism and the number of conflict zones has decreased dramatically over the last half-century, the question of whether tourism is a tool for peace or merely a byproduct of it arises. Tourism is widely acknowledged for promoting understanding, tolerance, and cross-cultural relationships. Politicians from Mahatma Gandhi to John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan have cited tourism’s ability to foster a more cooperative global environment. On the other hand, tourism can contribute to peace if we recognise that not all conflicts are destructive; some can be considered constructive if they help transform societies from tension and toward mutual understanding. For cultural tourism to reach its full potential in promoting peace, the industry must be willing to address some of the other negative externalities that have arisen due to its rapid growth.

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Writer by Erik MUHIA, International Studies and Diplomacy Graduate Student and Young Diplomat

02 January 2023, Kenya

Category: Diplomacy 

Reference: EM102012023D   

“Somos una empresa de desarrollo de capacidades que conecta valores, culturas, organizaciones, individuos y sociedades en todo el mundo”

THE NATURE OF LAW IN JUDICIAL DIPLOMACY

Judicial diplomacy is a set of practices planned and organised by an international court to represent itself and claim authority through nonadjudicative interaction with external actors. It has four main characteristics—judicial diplomacy results from a court decision (not an individual judge). The court plans and organises it and is carried out on its behalf. Even though individual judges and administrators are the faces of judicial diplomacy, it is intended to represent the court (rather than the judges themselves). Not a single judge decides to attend a conference, interact with lawyers, the press, and so on.

For several reasons, judicial diplomacy is perplexing. First, as part of their regular professional lives, judges undoubtedly interact with other legal professionals, as they have long-term interests in maintaining active engagement with academia or professional associations. However, it is still being determined why a court would organise these interactions or how they would serve the court’s interests. Second, these activities require many resources. By engaging in judicial diplomacy, ICs may divert scarce monetary and human resources away from their core functions. Third, judicial diplomacy has the potential to politicise the institution and make judges appear to be politicians. Visits with current heads of state, national parliamentarians, or special interest groups may feed a reputation for independence and impartiality or for being above the fray of politics.

Role of International courts in Diplomacy

According to existing literature, judicial diplomacy reflects International court efforts to mobilise constituencies or socialise actors to adopt international norms. According to these accounts, judicial diplomacy is directed at public officials, legal communities, and civil society, focusing on procedural and substantive legal provisions. However, judicial diplomacy frequently addresses the general public and conveys value-laden narratives about the courts. When constitutional courts demonstrate mastery of foreign law or host foreign judges, their goals may be more than, if at all, to write stronger opinions or win over domestic audiences. They could also be competing for international influence or pursuing foreign policy goals like promoting the rule of law and judicial independence in other countries. The concept of judicial diplomacy helps to explain why constitutional law is so important.

The use of ad hoc or standing arbitral tribunals to resolve international conflicts has been a fascinating development in recent years. Since the Permanent Court of International Justice was established in 1922, which the International Court of Justice succeeded in 1945, it has been customary to distinguish between judicial and arbitral settlement. But, by 1922, there had been enough of the judicial quality in arbitration, and there was still enough of the arbitral in contemporary adjudication to make the distinction meaningless. We have a very long development process in which arbitration has taken on more of the characteristics of judicial proceedings over the last century.

Judges’ engagement in Diplomatic explanations.

Judges occasionally engage with foreign law and courts for reasons unrelated to the performance of legal or adjudication duties. Instead, their motivations may be more diplomatic than personal. Scholars may disagree on the normative desirability of diplomacy, but judicial diplomacy is taking place empirically. And it is happening because constitutional courts have both the opportunity and the incentive to do so. Diplomacy may not be the courts’ primary responsibility, but it was not entirely foreign to them previously.

Judicial diplomacy is an ambiguous term that could refer to several conceptually distinct types of behaviour, the last of which requires special attention. First, ordinary diplomats may use or seek to influence courts in conducting otherwise conventional diplomacy. The work of the courts may be used as a selling point in the quest for international leadership or acceptance, as in the case of State Department publications that educate international audiences about the United States Supreme Court or Israeli mailings of prominent Israeli Supreme Court decisions to American legal academics. Similarly, diplomats may seek to persuade courts to consider foreign policy considerations in their choices, as when officials repeatedly drew the Supreme Court’s attention to the negative impact of racial segregation on international perceptions of the United States during the Cold War. Judicial diplomacy may refer to how courts interact with one another. When dealing with foreign counterparts, courts may employ stereotypical diplomatic tactics and instruments for reasons ranging from jurisdictional to geopolitical. Negotiation and agreement, rather than adjudication and enforcement, are the buzzwords for this behaviour, as are tact and secrecy rather than transparency and justification. This type of judicial diplomacy can be triggered by multinational litigation: inter-court agreements for resolving global bankruptcies, for example, have been described as the equivalent of “case-specific, private international insolvency treaties.” The use of international law to justify decisions is a widely recognised distinction between good offices, mediation, or conciliation on the one hand and arbitration on the other.

Conclusion

Diplomacy is, first and foremost, a social activity. It links a public language to state business, providing meaning, reasons, and explanations for state action. As a result, it is embedded in a social context of reasons, rules, and meanings that existed before the interaction. When states use international law to justify their actions, they help to rewrite and enforce the rules. Diplomacy has a productive effect because it generates the public, social, and legal resources with which future state behaviour is understood, justified, and debated. Because the content of international law at any point in time is a function of how actors have deployed it in the past, this provides one dynamic for change in international law and international relations.

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Writer by Erik MUHIA, International Studies and Diplomacy Graduate Student and Young Diplomat

10 October 2022, Kenya

Category: Diplomacy 

Reference: EM10102022D    

“Somos una empresa de desarrollo de capacidades que conecta valores, culturas, organizaciones, individuos y sociedades en todo el mundo”

PROTOCOLTODAY: THE ART OF GIVING A GOOD IMPRESSION

PERS ARTICLE Written by Prensaanimal on 4 October 2022

In an executive meeting, a diplomatic visit or even an informal dinner, the way we convey our image and words can be essential to leave a good impression, finalise a deal or start a long-term business relationship.

ProtocolToday is a global organisation with expertise in international protocol, diplomacy and soft skills, both in the public and private sectors, to make meetings successful.

“We advise and train businessmen, diplomats or leaders to develop a global mindset, improve their etiquette and verbal communications, to make national and international deals and businesses,” explained Adriana Flores, executive director of ProtocolToday.

One of ProtocolToday’s missions is to empower its clients to work naturally, taking care of their image and that of their company or organisation.

The company, a specialist in protocol and diplomacy, teaches in an agile and professional way how to behave at an event, how to express a good speech, what to say and what not to say according to the time and place, and how to make a good impression, what is the correct clothing for women and men depending on the country, among other items.

“Regardless of the studies and experience that an entrepreneur has, he must know these matters to create the desired positive impact, since he can determine the short or long way to achieve a business; communication is not only verbal, we even teach how to communicate via e-mail; people in Latin America have different cultural traits than those of the United States, Europe or Asia. Therefore, the cultural standards of each region must be known”, said the executive.

Adriana Flores is an international expert in protocol and diplomatic skills with more than 18 years of experience. She has worked for royal family members, businesspeople, and presidents, among other prominent figures. She has a master’s in Protocol and Soft Diplomacy Skills in Europe.

ProtocolToday was founded in the Netherlands in 2014 and began its foray into Mexico in 2019, when Adriana Flores gave training in Morelia, Michoacán. Later, in August of this year, she gave a two-day master class in Mexico City and another master class in Querétaro for Coparmex (Employers’ Confederation of the Mexican Republic).

ProtocolToday is internationally certified by CTD (Continuing Professional Development), a body established in the United Kingdom.

The firm has worked with over 700 business people, diplomats, leaders and students from 53 countries. It can serve embassies, consulates, legal ministries, universities, institutes, companies, SMEs and foundations from all sectors, such as technology, finance, logistics, affairs, services, marketing and government.

ABOUT PROTOCOTODY ACADEMY

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ProtocolToday Academy
Contact person: Adriana Flores
M: +31 (0) 61168 1465
E: contact@protocoltoday.nl
Linked in: Protocol Today
Website: www.protocoltoday.nl

The Netherlands

QUEEN ELIZABETH II ROLE IN DIPLOMACY

Her late Majesty served as monarch for the most extended period in British history—70 years and 214 days—and served as a role model for consistency and unwavering dedication to the people of the UK, the Commonwealth, and the rest of the world. She came to the throne as the British Empire ended and was buried as war broke out in Europe and the UK started a new chapter in its international relations outside of the EU. Many people found comfort in her constant presence during years of upsetting social and political change. She was regarded as one of the most powerful symbols of British diplomacy and was addressed simply as “The Queen” outside of her official spheres.

Queen Elizabeth was a reliable confidante in the eyes of her Prime Ministers. She did not express her opinions on political issues, but several former prime ministers attested to the insightful counsel she provided them during their weekly meetings. Some of them noted that their meetings were the only times they could ensure confidentiality, so they knew they could rely on her discretion. She could benefit from her extensive experience with political affairs and frequent acquaintance with several generations of foreign leaders, especially in her later years. As a constitutional monarch with limited political authority, the Queen had an unquantifiable but undeniable background influence.

Reign in Diplomacy

The Queen supported the work of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office both at home and abroad in her capacity as Head of State, playing a crucial role in UK diplomacy. The Queen and other members of the Royal Family hosted the annual Diplomatic Reception in the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace, where they welcomed more than 500 members of the diplomatic corps. The Queen maintained regular contact with officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), representing British interests abroad and fostering diplomatic relations with other countries. The FCDO recommends which foreign heads of state should be invited to the United Kingdom for State Visits. The Queen and the Royal Family were/are in charge of welcoming the Head of State and their party with a ceremonial arrival and a State Banquet.

Queen Elizabeth II served as Britain’s lead ambassador, visiting 117 countries and hosting numerous high-level visitors. Power is essential in global politics. Soft power, or the power of attraction, is an important foreign policy tool, as political scientist Joseph S. Nye famously stated. The Queen and the Royal Family have played critical roles in ensuring the nation’s relevance. While the monarchy is known for its mystique, Britain’s soft power and outsized relevance as a significant player in global affairs are due in no small part to Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip. Her unique position, experience, and skill enabled her to strengthen strong friendships and emphasise long-term relationships with countries and peoples, even when politics became difficult. These distinct abilities contributed significantly to the UK’s “soft power,” allowing the country to frequently “punch above its weight” diplomatically.

The Queen’s diplomacy undoubtedly influenced transatlantic relations at critical junctures. Margaret Thatcher’s friendly relationship with Ronald Reagan didn’t hurt her bid to gain US support for her campaign in the Falkland Islands. Furthermore, by extending only the second invitation to a State Visit to Barack Obama in 2011, the Queen laid the groundwork for an amicable US welcome for then-Prime Minister David Cameron in 2012. During Queen Elizabeth II’s reign as Commonwealth Head, she witnessed gravitational shifts in many of the Commonwealth’s member states and a widespread movement toward independence. She was only 14 years old when she died as Head of State. However, the Commonwealth survived the transition to independence, and the Queen, as its Head, did much to protect and nurture the Commonwealth family, to the point where some of its now 54 members chose to join despite having never been subject to British rule. Her late majesty visited every Commonwealth country except two, making nearly 200 trips worldwide.

Without a doubt, Queen Elizabeth II travelled more than any other head of state. She had a reputation for taking on demanding intercontinental tours until her later years, which included the 1952 tour where she attained monarchy. By 2019, she had also welcomed numerous high-level diplomatic visits and 112 state visits. State visits have actual political and economic consequences rather than merely ceremonial show business, as a growing body of literature demonstrates. Public diplomacy of this kind can change public opinion, increase other leaders’ terms in office, and enhance bilateral trade.

Diplomatic Visits

For example, in the 1970s, British officials had to balance the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s desire to host Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev for a state visit to Britain with the queen’s reluctance to visit the Soviet Union. Indeed, the queen did not visit Russia until 1994, several years after the Cold War ended. That visit was deemed a huge success for British foreign policy, largely thanks to the queen’s efforts to establish a warm rapport with Russian President Boris Yeltsin. The Queen was instrumental in arranging the visit to South Africa in 1995, just a year after elections inaugurated the country’s new democratic government. According to biographer Robert Hardman, who quotes former Royal Yacht Britannia commander Sir Robert Woodard, “the Foreign Secretary was concerned [about the visit], and the Queen overruled him.” ‘Mr. Mandela is getting advice from many people, but no one is helping him,’ she said. He requires physical assistance as well as entertainment.

In 2011, The Queen paid an unprecedented state visit to Ireland. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron later stated that his government’s efforts to improve relations with Ireland “were nothing compared to the brave gesture that was the Queen’s groundbreaking visit to the Republic in 2011.” Cameron’s memoirs also mention the queen as a factor in his ability to work with the US during his time as prime minister: But it was the Queen whom I needed to thank. Except for Lyndon Johnson, she has met every US president who has served during her reign — a quarter of all presidents in history. Only two presidents have had the honour of an entire state visit to the United Kingdom: George W. Bush and Barack Obama. When Barack and Michelle arrived in May 2011, they loved it, and I knew how much of that was due to their friendship with our president. The success of their London trip, I felt, contributed significantly to the warmth of my March 2012 visit to Washington.

Diplomatic Audiences during the Queen’s role in Diplomacy

At any given time, there are over 170 Ambassadors and High Commissioners based in London, and each of them will have an Audience with The Queen shortly after taking up their role. High Commissioners and Ambassadors perform the same functions: representing their country’s interests in the UK by forging diplomatic ties. The only distinction is in their titles, which indicate their country’s relationship to the Commonwealth: High Commissioners are from Commonwealth countries, whereas Ambassadors are not. Diplomatic audiences haven’t changed much since the Victorian era and still include some uniquely Royal touches. Diplomats are picked up from their embassy or residence in a state landau (a ceremonial horse-drawn carriage) and led through the streets of London by a second carriage led by the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps. Diplomats present their Letters of Credence (for Ambassadors) or Letters of High Commission at the start of the Audience (for High Commissioners). This is a formal letter from the diplomat’s Head of State to The Queen, requesting that she give ‘credence’ to the new Ambassador or High Commissioner. In other words, Her Majesty can rely on the new appointment to speak for their country.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Queen’s death ended one of the world’s most active and influential diplomatic careers. Still, it also leaves an invaluable legacy for the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and many others. For much of her reign, she was aided in her work in the Commonwealth and worldwide by the now-King, whose international presence and connections are a significant asset.

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Writer by Eric Muhia, International Studies and Diplomacy Graduate Student and Young Diplomat.

04 October 2022, Kenya

Category: Diplomacy

Reference: EM04102022D    

“Somos una empresa de desarrollo de capacidades que conecta valores, culturas, organizaciones, individuos y sociedades en todo el mundo”

HUMANITARIAN DIPLOMACY: The Craft and Art

Humanitarian crises captivate the public’s attention. Images on television and in newspapers depict civilians fleeing violence or the devastating and indiscriminate impact of natural disasters, as well as the life-saving interventions of health professionals. An estimated 250,000 humanitarian workers are involved in these operations, many of which take place in dangerous locations such as Ukraine, Syria/Iraq, South Sudan, the Central African Republic [CAR], and Eastern Congo.

We need to look more closely at the role of humanitarian workers in negotiating access and other humanitarian issues with combatants and other actors in conflict zones. There is some truth to the assertion that negotiations pursuing humanitarian goals must necessarily differ from purely political deals resulting from traditional negotiation processes. Humanitarian principles must, once again, set the agenda for humanitarian actors’ negotiations. As a result, it is critical that those working in the international field recognize and respect their humanitarian colleagues.

Humanitarian Diplomacy Defined

Humanitarian diplomacy is effective in persuading decision-makers and opinion leaders to act in the best interests of vulnerable people and in accordance with fundamental humanitarian principles at all times. Humanitarian diplomacy seeks to mobilize public and governmental support and resources for humanitarian operations and programs, as well as to facilitate effective partnerships for meeting vulnerable people’s needs. Advocacy, negotiation, communication, formal agreements, and other measures are all part of humanitarian diplomacy. It is a crowded field with many players, including governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector, and individuals.

Health diplomacy as an aspect in humanitarian diplomacy

Humanitarian action, including health assistance, is characterized by a variety of diplomacy levels. Global norms and international humanitarian law govern international humanitarian action, which includes principles outlined in United Nations General Assembly Resolutions, agreements reached in multilateral forums such as the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, and the Geneva Conventions, which govern humanitarian action in war-torn countries. The rapid growth in the number of humanitarian actors working for or with governments at all levels, often in complex situations, has increased the importance of humanitarian diplomacy.

During humanitarian operations, a variety of people engage in health diplomacy at various levels. Negotiations determine the amount of assistance, how that assistance is delivered, who is involved in delivering it, and how to reach crisis-affected populations. This diplomacy occurs in multilateral, bilateral, and local settings, and it involves both state and non-state actors. Diplomacy plays a role at the global level in determining resource allocation and scale, as well as technical standards for health interventions. Negotiations at the local level determine how assistance is coordinated, the extent to which technical standards and international humanitarian law are followed, military engagement, and the role of national governments and other national stakeholders.

Approaches of Diplomacy in Humanitarian Aid.

Diplomacy is a specialized function performed by a specific group of people. The duties and obligations of official diplomats, as well as their performance of their duties, are clearly defined by international law and custom. Behind humanitarian officials’ discomfort with the term diplomacy is the fact that diplomacy entails regular interactions with host political officials, whether state or non-state actors. Whereas diplomats’ portfolios are overwhelmingly political, humanitarian organizations strive to establish and maintain their non-political credentials.

Diplomats in a given crisis-affected country form a “community.” They collaborate on issues of mutual interest to their respective governments, which were previously political and military in nature but are now increasingly economic and, in some cases, humanitarian in nature. Humanitarian diplomacy, on the other hand, is not framed by such a well-established regime. To be sure, international humanitarian, human rights, and refugee law provide a framework for governments to agree on. In recent years, significant progress has been made in clarifying and compelling such obligations, particularly in the areas of human rights and internally displaced persons.

International Committee of the Red Cross concept of Humanitarian  Diplomacy

For example, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has developed its own definition of humanitarian diplomacy to reflect its specific mandate. Meanwhile, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has had a new division dedicated to promoting humanitarian diplomacy since 2010. The ICRC’s access diplomacy is based on a continuous process of negotiation to establish its presence in these areas, stay close to the affected people and communities, and seek the consent of the relevant parties to allow humanitarian operations to take place. Principled humanitarian action and diplomacy are concerned with preserving this neutral, impartial, and independent space: an embodiment of our shared humanity that endures even in the most difficult circumstances of tomorrow’s armed conflicts and natural disasters.

CASE STUDY

IRAQ

Humanitarian diplomacy helped non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Iraq overcome operational constraints caused by limited humanitarian space. The Coalition 108 occupation and rule in Iraq; the resulting insecurity in the country; the humanitarian impact of the war; and the role of the various humanitarian actors present before and after the war were the four contextual factors that determined international NGOs’ efforts at humanitarian diplomacy in Iraq after the second Gulf War. The post-war humanitarian situation in Iraq must be understood in light of Saddam Hussein’s government’s years of punishing economic sanctions and domestic repression.The effects of the war, as well as the subsequent destabilization of the country after the occupation was established, exacerbated the problem. Following the war, the number of actors involved in humanitarian assistance and reconstruction increased dramatically. Over 100 international NGOs and UN agencies had prepared to respond to what was expected to be a major humanitarian disaster. A small group of NGOs formed the NGO Coordination Committee in Iraq (NCCI) in April 2003 in response to growing concerns about preserving humanitarian space and ensuring the neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence of humanitarian activity within the framework of the occupation. The NCCI’s humanitarian diplomacy alternated between two levels: seeking concrete, case-by-case solutions to NGOs’ main operational constraints, and pursuing a more process-oriented engagement with various players for broader, more sustainable, and more principled goals.

SUDAN

There were large-scale interventions by the World Food Programme and the role of humanitarian diplomacy in the pursuit of operational humanitarian objectives in Sudan, which had an impact on operational issues. First, humanitarian diplomacy operates in an environment characterized by multiple or ambiguous political objectives. In Sudan, the government’s other priorities determined the priority given to humanitarian work, and the exigencies of the civil war took precedence over humanitarian concerns. Given the operational constraints, negotiating for humanitarian space is a never-ending struggle. It will be argued here that humanitarian diplomacy can be viewed as a type of policy implementation activity carried out in an adverse political and physical environment.

WFP and its sister UN aid agencies conduct humanitarian diplomacy in the absence of the ultimate sanction of force. Similarly, the promise of free assistance does not guarantee an unconditional welcome. Negotiations are necessary at all stages of a humanitarian operation, but not all of them are diplomatic in nature.

Conclusion

 To ensure that humanitarian practitioners’ voices are heard in global humanitarian decision-making, these practitioners must learn how to engage in and influence diplomatic processes at both the global and local levels. Training in negotiation and advocacy is required to influence multilateral organizations’ decision-making among donor and recipient states, as well as among local communities. Humanitarian diplomacy is a new concept. Its definition differs from that of traditional diplomacy, which seeks to manage states’ international relations through negotiation. Instead, humanitarian diplomacy focuses on “maximizing support for operations and programs, and building the partnerships required to achieve humanitarian objectives.

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Writer by Eric Muhia, International Studies and Diplomacy Graduate Student and Young Diplomat.

21 September 2022, Kenya

Category: Diplomacy

Reference: EM21092022D    

“Somos una empresa de desarrollo de capacidades que conecta valores, culturas, organizaciones, individuos y sociedades en todo el mundo”

THE INTERNATIONAL HONORIS CAUSA FOUNDATION AWARDED THE IBERO-AMERICAN MEDAL TO PROTOCOLTODAY

THE INTERNATIONAL HONORIS CAUSA FOUNDATION AWARDED THE IBERO-AMERICAN MEDAL TO ADRIANA FLORES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PROTOCOLTODAY. 04 AUGUST 2022, MEXICO CITY, CLUB DE INDUSTRIALES.

Adriana Flores was awarded the Ibero-American Medal of the Honoris Causa Foundation, “United for a Better World,” a badge awarded to life experiences turned into success for her spirit of improvement to create what she now has with her protocol, and Protocol Today, diplomacy has achieved success.

Based on her illustrious career and professional success, the result of a long history of hard work and excellence.

ProtocolToday® The Hague, Kingdom of the Netherlands, is an international protocol, diplomacy, interpersonal skills, business etiquette, and global cultural intelligence expert organization. It provides customized training programs based on public and private sector solutions.

Adriana Flores is regarded as a change agent and an advocate for Mexican business abroad; she was named President of the FHC in the Netherlands and Iberomerica leader.

This ceremonial act took place at Mexico City’s Industrial Club. DHC Enrique Michel Velasco, President of the FHC Board of Directors, DHC Raquel Bessudo, Vice President of the Board of Directors, and DHC Marco Tardelli, International President of FHC, were present. There were also diplomats and business representatives from the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, and Mexico.

In this ceremony, the Foundation’s presenters agreed to express the winner’s vital contribution to promoting Mexican culture and business in Latin America, particularly in the Netherlands, in addition to entrusting the liberty bell “symbol of Mexicans living abroad.”

It will be a privilege to represent Mexico and Latin America in the promotion of national and international business “United for a Better World.”

My heartfelt thanks to the FHC for believing in me and awarding me this significant international recognition, as well as to the people who have been the driving force, Hector Pérez, president of the Enlazadot company, for the interview on Women’s Day, Dr Sosa Chavez, psychologist and reporter, for her article published in the Guadalajara newspaper and to the press media for their publications.

My family, friends, follower and the ProtocolToday team.

 Thank you very much!

Entevista por Enlazadot

Video entrevista por Enlazado

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My deepest thanks to all the people who have made an impact on protocoltoday
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THE IMPORTANCE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN DIPLOMACY IN AFRICA

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is important not only for developed countries but also for developing countries, including Africa. While the African continent has seen several innovative applications of Artificial Intelligence, more can be done to ensure access to information and knowledge via AI. While AI development has a long history of excitement followed by long disappointment, we are currently in the midst of an unprecedented period of technological innovation across multiple sectors, which is driving the growth of AI. The increase in digitised data in the global economy is one of the two critical factors driving this growth. Africa is already playing a key role in developing AI systems, which necessitate the use and availability of natural resources, labour, and skills across the continent.

Artificial Intelligence advancements in technology in Africa’s Digital diplomacy era

African countries have spent the last decade negotiating better export trading conditions using traditional diplomatic tools. However, the new global trading system is changing the very nature of diplomacy. Traditional approaches based on the concept of sovereign equity are giving way to more sophisticated approaches influenced by countries’ scientific and technological competence levels. This manifests itself in two ways. First, African countries’ ability to wield greater influence in the global arena will be determined by their economic strength, which is linked to their ability to use technological innovation for global competitiveness effectively. South Africa is the continent’s leader in AI adoption, thanks to a robust ecosystem that includes numerous technology hubs, research groups, and forums such as the AI Summit, which is sponsored by multinational corporations such as Intel, Salesforce, Amazon, and IBM, and Singularity University’s South Africa Summit. South Africa has over a hundred companies integrating AI solutions into their operations or developing new solutions using AI.

At least three major areas of technological innovation are reshaping international relations. First, greater international technical cooperation will be required to meet Africa’s human needs, such as adequate nutrition and health care. Similarly, Africa will need to strengthen its capacity for innovation to participate more effectively in the global economy. Although better raw material trading arrangements can help in the short term, long-term strategic technology alliances will offer the continent a viable way out of the raw materials commodity trap. Finally, addressing ecological challenges, such as the projected effects of climate change, will necessitate long-term technological collaboration with other countries. The recent agreement between the United States and Brazil to share ethanol technology to reduce reliance on oil demonstrates how urgent global challenges are redefining diplomatic relations.

AI in Security and Defence

Throughout history, warfare has changed due to the introduction and innovative use of new military technology. In the military and defence realms, AI is frequently discussed regarding lethal autonomous weapons, or “killer robots.” However, AI can enable and support a wide range of military functions, from logistics to autonomous weapons, cyber warfare, and disinformation. It consists of offensive and defensive systems and frontline and support systems. If we are interested in using AI as a tool for diplomacy, we must first define what diplomats do. One method is to examine the functions of diplomacy. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations defines diplomacy as gathering information, communication, representation, negotiation, and promotion of friendly relations. Artificial intelligence in diplomacy will play several roles in state recognition, making it a powerful tool for promoting relations between newly formed and established states. Within the African continent, Eritrea and South Sudan are examples of once-aspiring states that have achieved international recognition and recognition after successfully seceding from their host states. The two countries are opposed: the former gained statehood and recognition when digital diplomacy was non-existent, while the latter did so when it was well-established. Leading officials in South Sudan are known to have widely mobilised diplomatic support from regional states and the international community through digital technologies to gain statehood and recognition. As a result of digital technologies, social media has earned a central role in the projection, dissemination, and replication of information in the diplomatic arena. Diplomats worldwide used social media following South Sudan’s referendum to spread their speeches, announce public appearances, and share messages of congratulations for South Sudan’s referendum and independence.

The impact of AI in diplomacy, particularly in Africa, will result in a new or newly confirmed status in the relations between the states involved, joint or unilateral concerted action, the failure of negotiations, or their transfer to another temporal, geographical, or institutional framework. Failure may result in the use of military or non-military means of coercion. As defined in Chapter VI of the UN Charter, diplomatic negotiations aim to resolve conflicts without resorting to coercive measures. African governments should prioritise adopting AI solutions that help achieve national development goals and contribute to prosperous and inclusive societies. Policy responses to AI are emerging across the African continent, with Egypt, Mauritius, and Rwanda being the first to publish national AI strategies.

Conclusion

Local African actors are becoming more active in AI innovation, capacity building, and knowledge creation. This is brought on by increased computational power and an increase in funding for AI as part of a more significant increase in funding for start-ups. Despite this growth, African businesses are finding it difficult to develop suitable and alluring use cases that investors will fund with a reasonable degree of certainty that they will make a profit. However, foreign technology and AI companies continue to dominate the African market, which may not always support the achievement of national development priorities (such as those outlined in the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals). Worse, they amplify exclusion and oppression of specific groups, particularly women. African policymakers must prioritise the development of local AI capabilities and capacities that can be used to propel inclusive economic growth and social transformation. This prioritisation necessitates AI policies that build on national digital agendas and emphasise equitable access to digital, data, and computing infrastructure.

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Writer by Eric Muhia, Co-editor in English language, Author of VIP Special Edition and specialised writer 

13  September 2022, Kenya

Category: Diplomacy 

Reference: EM13092022D    

“Somos una empresa de desarrollo de capacidades que conecta valores, culturas, organizaciones, individuos y sociedades en todo el mundo”

THE VALUE OF CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN PUBLIC SPEAKING

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Public speaking is serious business for politicians.

Where did it go wrong for President Macron and former immigration minister Peter Dutton?

The Advertiser stated in September 2015, while attending the Pacific Island Forum hosted by Papua New Guinea, “Noting that a meeting to discuss refugee resettlement was running a little late.” Mr Dutton joked that it was on “Cape York time,” to which Prime Minister Abbott responded, “We had a little of that up in Port Moresby.” A media blunder.

In May 2018, French President Emmanuel Macron called Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s wife “delicious.” Unfortunately, the two leaders’ conversation was lost in translation. Delicieux can also mean delightful in French. It’s worth noting that the Australian and French media outlets addressed this media blunder in very different ways. According to France 24, “Australia’s prime minister said on Thursday that his wife was ‘flattered and charmed’ to be described as ‘delicious’ by President Emmanuel Macron, a compliment that has sparked lighthearted speculation during the French leader’s first official visit.” The full-page cover of the Sydney-based Daily Telegraph featured Macron’s head superimposed with the French-inspired lothario comic ‘Pepe le Pew.’ The two opposing views on the French president resulting from one speech gaffe are intriguing.

Speaking to the media, at events, and in other capacities is part of the job of a CEO, minister, or governor. Leaders in government or business receive intensive training to represent their organisations, specialising in different types of communication and interacting with the media. Delivering key messages, anticipating questions, crisis management, learning to be in control, body language, video production, answering questions diplomatically, and avoiding common pitfalls such as journalist tricks and hard-hitting questions are all part of training. It only takes one lousy interview to ruin your reputation. Did the leaders’ reputations suffer as a result of their mistakes? No, they all reacted quickly, thanks to their media training. Perhaps some etiquette awareness training would have prevented the headlines. Did Macron’s team conduct cultural research on Australian culture and check for translational issues?

Could the former Australian ministers have used cultural awareness as a guide and remembered Ronald Reagan’s fate with a microphone in the 1980 election debate? Yes, the answer is unequivocal.

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References: 

https://www.france24.com/en/20180503-australia-first-lady-lucy-turnbull-flattered-macron-delicious-faux-pas   

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/breaking-news/dutton-faux-pas-offends-islanders/news-story/12ed0f87b7c45dcebeb92e671551048d

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Writer by Elizabeth Soos, specialist in Etiquette

31 August 2022, Australia

Category: Cultural Intelligence 

Reference: ES310822CI    

“Somos una empresa de desarrollo de capacidades que conecta valores, culturas, organizaciones, individuos y sociedades en todo el mundo”

LATINO COMMUNITIES ARE PROTAGONISTS OF THE HISTORY OF PEOPLES

The countries that make up the vast Spanish-speaking continent contribute uniquely through a mosaic of identities in their shared history, values ​​and customs. Argentina is one of those open-door countries with a dynamic, inclusive engine for those who have chosen to inhabit it.

Let us bear in mind that immigration is not synonymous with a phenomenon rooted in a historical past but rather a current dynamic process typical of an open-door society that understands it as a fundamental engine for its development and of a multipolar world in which we live people are looking for better opportunities.

General Deheza, an active, agro-industrialized city with strong ingrained values, is the geographical space of the interior of Argentina that can give examples of what is expressed in this article.

It is a city founded in 1893, initially called Colonia La Agrícola, inhabited by a handful of Creoles and natives willing to see it grow according to the possibilities of the time. Appointed as a municipality on January 21, 1929, it knew how to take its first steps with a renewed air, thanks to the European immigration that the Second World War imposed on them, forcing them to give up their lands and, in some cases, never return.

Today, converted into a city in total growth, with the experience to the surface and the years that guarantee it as a pioneer in agro-industrial activities, it can express that currently in its local soil. In addition, different Spanish-speaking communities have joined jointly and with a strong bond of brotherhood, which, together with their native Dehezinos and European immigrants, make up a thriving town in total development.

Peru, Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, Paraguay, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay are direct participants in each achievement obtained at a social level in our small dehezine homeland.

Union makes strength, embodied every February of each year in the staging of our Provincial Festival of the Collectivities. This festive space allows the inhabitants of Dehez to express gratitude to each Latino immigrant for their valuable cultural and generational contribution.

We must maintain that firm conviction of reaching out to our Latino brothers who are perhaps going through a delicate moment or are just looking for a new horizon for their personal growth.

Today we are participants in a cultural change that involves us all, which also requires communities to be encouraged to renew themselves. That is, knowing that they are also protagonists of our time, as they have been throughout history. It is a beautiful challenge to continue travelling together on the path of encounter in diversity, stimulating dialogue and sowing the seed of harmony to achieve the union of all as brothers.

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Writer by Gustavo Rafael Caballero, Journalist, Broadcaster, and Specialist in Ceremonial and Protocol.

05 Julio 2022, Argentina 

Category: Cultural Intelligence 

Reference: GC05072022CI  

“Somos una empresa de desarrollo de capacidades que conecta valores, culturas, organizaciones, individuos y sociedades en todo el mundo”