MY SPEECH AT THE LAUNCH OF EXECUTIVE MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAM IN DIPLOMACY AND FOREIGN POLICY, K.I.CC., SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 I thank you for inviting me to launch the Executive Master of Arts Program in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy. At the very outset, I commend Moi University, the International Institute for Social Studies in the Hague (IISS); the Institute for Democracy and Leadership in Africa (IDEA) and the Foreign Service Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Trade for signing the MOU that has eventuated in the commencement of this Executive Masters program. Thank you for fast tracking the implementation of the MOU and for opening doors to this program. Over the past few decades, Africa has made tremendous progress on multiple fronts, ranging from economic growth to social and political stabilization. This progress has promoted Africa’s place in the international arena. Today, the continuing steady rise of Africa has presented the continent with the challenge of achieving its development and self-advocacy on the world stage. The launch of this program is therefore opportune, coming at a time in which Kenya, alongside other African countries, is rising and asserting its place at the international stage. Our country, and other countries in Africa, today requires seasoned diplomats to formulate and implement a foreign policy that will advance our agenda at the international arena. Of particular importance for us today is the need to put strong economic outcomes at the center of our foreign relations. This economic diplomacy will require ever closer engagement with the private sector, business leaders, foreign governments and even non-government organizations in our region, in our continent and at the global arena. To achieve this, we need to develop, deploy and systematically harness our diplomatic network. Our global network of Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consul Generals will, therefore, play an immensely crucial role in promoting trade, marketing our country as a destination of choice for international business and investment, facilitating our business community to access markets and opportunities globally and in generally enabling us compete successfully at the international stage. It is, therefore, clear that our country needs to train more diplomats to execute our foreign policy. This will enable us enhance the capacity of our missions abroad and at the same time open new missions in the many countries in which we are not represented. This will undoubtedly have a defining impact on the future of our country. I should mention at this stage that the view that a diplomat is born, not trained, is untenable. This view was based on a lack of distinction between personal qualities of a diplomat on one hand, and the knowledge and skills a diplomat needs to do his job on the other. While there is a natural personal disposition conducive to diplomacy, what is more important is body of practical skills and knowledge that is needed in international relations. A look at the subject-matters of present-day international relations should suffice to impress on us the importance of multi-disciplinary academic knowledge. I am pleased that this program has attracted students not only from Kenya but also from our neighboring countries - notably DRC, South Sudan and Uganda. I encourage more students from our region, and indeed the continent, to enroll in the spirit of African solidarity. This will also contribute to the harmonization of our approaches to international relations as a continent. I congratulate students who have already enrolled in the program. I encourage you to take your studies seriously as this will guide you to an important career and a proud service to your countries and our continent. In conclusion, I pledge the unwavering support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Trade to this program. Some of our experienced and long serving diplomats will be coming to share their experiences and some will be teaching the courses. This will ensure that the class gets the best mix in terms of theory and practice. I thank you.
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 06:36:22 +0000
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