Diplomats Earn Their Keep

•DANNY MEYER ATTENDING India’s 68th Republic Day reception reminded one there is more to the work of a diplomat and a foreign mission than meets the eye.

Rather than “Living the life of Riley”, they do play an important role in the global village that goes far beyond mere diplomacy.

The phrase “Living the life of Riley” originated in the early 20th century among the USA’s Irish-American immigrant community, and is synonymous with a carefree, comfortable and thoroughly enjoyable way of living. The proverbial Riley was a moneyed and free-spending gentleman.

Naively viewed as having a fancy title of ambassador or high commissioner, addressed as “Your Excellency”, driven about in a luxury car with red-lettered number plates and a little flag on the bonnet, they do earn their keep. The false notion that embassies or high commissions are a huge waste of public funds is also wrong.

Diplomats posted abroad and accredited to a country have an important role, in the host country, or for that country they are representing. Attending cocktail parties, hosting national days and making speeches at hand-over ceremonies of development projects funded by their country, is but a small part.

Embassies, or if the country is part of the Commonwealth of Nations, known as high commissions, are a country’s oldest form of foreign representation. Although created to represent and protect a nation’s interests abroad, modern diplomacy is very different. Trade and economics, culture, the environment, and human rights, are now important components of their responsibility.

The Commonwealth of Nations, also known simply as “the Commonwealth” is a grouping of 53 countries around the world. Created to ease the process of British decolonisation, it was seen as a way for former British colonies to maintain global unity through shared language, history and culture, after the attainment of independence and self-governance. Only two member states, Mozambique and Rwanda, historically had no connection with the British Empire.

Representing about one-third of the world population and a quarter of its total landmass, nations join the Commonwealth voluntarily and can withdraw at any time, Gambia being an example. The country quit in 2013, but now its new president, Adama Barrow, has declared Gambia’s intent to reapply for membership.

With an aim to foster links between rich and poor countries and draw together a variety of religious faiths and demographics, for a nation to join, it must recognise Queen Elizabeth II as head of the Commonwealth.

Additionally, membership conditionality includes adherence to racial equality and subscribing to values such as world peace, liberty, human rights, equality and free trade. A member state must be sovereign, accept English as the primary means of communication within the Commonwealth, and its people must have a desire to be a part of the organisation.

Observing the India high commissioner, Kumar Tuhin, and his mission’s staff in action at his country’s Republic Day celebration, demonstrated that partying was not the main objective. Every opportunity was used by them to promote bilateral trade and investment, market India as a place for young Namibians to further their studies, and as an attractive holiday destination.

Seeing India’s high commissioner and colleagues in action took me back to the 1990’s when Namibia’s diplomat in Brussels, Zed Ngavirue, played an important role in the Cotonou Agreement negotiations. Named after the largest city and economic hub of Benin where it was concluded, that agreement paved the way for products from African, Caribbean and Pacific countries to enter the European market.

So, the role of diplomat might not always be so obvious, but it is important in terms of global economics, trade and aid.

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