Spain assists OECS in designing and developing foreign service and school of diplomacy
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Contact: Shannon Lebourne
Monday, October 26, 2009 – Several Delegates and Specialists from member states of the OECS, began discussions in Saint Lucia on Monday, aimed at designing and developing the OECS Foreign Service and School of Diplomacy.
The initiative—a collaborative effort of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and the Spanish School of Diplomacy through the government of Spain—follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties on October 3.
The three-day workshop is intended to offer representatives of the OECS the opportunity to learn from experiences of the Spanish School of Diplomacy. It is anticipated that the knowledge acquired will allow the OECS to tailor its Foreign Service and School of Diplomacy to meet its specific needs.
In delivering the feature address at the start of the workshop, the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas, who is also the Chairman of the OECS Authority, said the OECS Foreign Service and School of Diplomacy, will play a critical role in developing a cadre of OECS citizens with the necessary skills to represent the OECS professionally. These professionals, Dr. Douglas said, will also be equipped to effectively negotiate and articulate the region's position at various international forums.
“The unfortunate reality is that the foreign services of our individual member states are reported to be weak in terms of numbers, skill levels and orientation. At the headquarters level, the focus is invariably on what is sometimes referred to as just meet and greet activities like the handling of protocol arrangements and the organisation of workshops and conferences. At the overseas branch level the focus is usually on Consular matters, namely the renewal of passports of citizens and the issuance of visas for visitors. We are here today attending this Development of the OECS Foreign Service and School of Diplomacy design workshop because our focus on theses levels must change.”
Director General of the OECS Dr Len Ishmael, says the OECS Foreign Service and School of Diplomacy is vital as the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States moves toward the establishment of an OECS Economic Union by December this year.
Representing Minister Honourable Rufus Bousquet, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs Judith St. Hill congratulated the OECS and the government of Spain for the collaboration on the important initiative, and expressed government's commitment to supporting the historic and ground breaking event for the OECS. |
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