40 years ago I had the ambition to change the course of the world history. In the footsteps of Talleyrand and Kissinger I dared to present myself to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and indeed they promised me a glorious diplomatic career, which brought me today being locked up at home behind my computer.
Besides the will to be part of the world history, a diplomat is curious about other countries, cultures and people. It must be your joy to leave your circle of family and friends behind in order to set up a life in a far away country, without knowing anybody, having to reset your life with an open mind emerging into a strange society.
The most prominent talent of someone working at an embassy is to develop, in no time, a network of professional and personal friends on which you can rely and whom are always prepared to assist you when it comes to practical issues, but also where political, economic and social relations are at stake and have to be handled.
Cultivating and maintaining a useful network under the present Corona restrictions is impossible. Don’t believe those who say that we can suffice in the future by working from home, on our tablets and with video conferences. In the new IT-world all communication, including education, medical examinations, government services and what have you can be done electronically. Much cheaper, more precise and more efficient.
In this line of thinking we could close all embassies worldwide. Link the governments and institutions of every country by a solid computer network, and you save the rental costs of embassies and residences, travel costs and the salaries (although in the Netherlands’ case rather modest!) of the diplomats involved.
I hope you follow me when I defend old school diplomacy like I have been practicing here in Kuwait. On arrival there was an extensive list of useful contacts, prepared by my predecessor, that I visited: ‘courtesy visit’. Within a year you get to know politicians, officials, captains of industry, academics, artists, journalist and so many more fascinating people. And you meet them in a small country like Kuwait regularly, at conferences, dinner parties and national days.
Some may say that these contacts remain superficial. This all depends on your own attitude. What are the subjects and sensitivities you bring up yourself? And try to be selective in your contacts, as not everyone represents added value. A diplomat should be engaged in all the topics of interest in the host country. Only then he or she is able to promote the bilateral friendly ties between countries and societies.
However, being locked up at my house for practically two month now, is frustrating. Yes, I maintain daily contacts with the embassy staff, members of the Dutch community, my European Union colleagues and many of my Kuwaiti friends, but honestly this is far from the dream of an ambitious diplomat that once wanted to change the course of the world history!
Stay healthy, stay safe and be nice to everyone! We will overcome the Corona-virus. Insh’allah!