More than 25 civil servants, who completed the seven-day induction course for diplomatic services today, were urged to know their countries’ Foreign Policy priority such as strengthening international relations at multi-lateral and bilateral levels.
The course, which included civil servants from a wide cross section of ministries locally, was also extended to other Pacific island countries such as Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru and Solomon Islands.
While closing the 5th induction workshop, Fiji's former ambassador to China, Sir James Ah Koy reminded participants to use their academic qualification with the new set of skills acquired from the induction course to advance their works and understand the countries they deal with.
“For Fiji, the shift of focus has been the Look North Policy, South-South Cooperation and change of diplomatic partners from traditional allies to new ones. Diplomatic allies change over period of time whilst the only thing that is constant that is constant is permanent interests,” Sir James said.
The former minister also called on the participants to explore roles and management of diplomatic missions known as diplomatic machineries.
He said the chances for more diplomats to be posted to other countries in the near future were real because countries, including Fiji, planned to open up more diplomatic missions.
“Your focus in this course is to learn some of the right methods of diplomacy that may be employed at the missions whilst focusing on efforts to build and strengthen political relations with host countries,” Sir James added.
New approaches of diplomacy have evolved over time and the focus today was more on greater good for humanity through multilateral diplomacy.
The course was organized and facilitated by Fiji’s Ambassador to Tokyo, Isikeli Mataitoga.
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