Diplomats must broaden their horizon: Alatas
JAKARTA (JP): Ali Alatas believes that Indonesia's diplomatic corps should possess a comprehensive understanding of the many facets of world affairs to face the unprecedented changes of the post-cold war era.
"Diplomats cannot merely concentrate on the professional aspect of their jobs. They should attain a broad humanistic grasp of world affairs," said the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the closing of the ministry's six-month senior staff and leadership course.
Alatas told the 35 graduates that as diplomats they must continue to widen their knowledge in all aspects of international relations.
He criticized those who used such courses as a mere career vehicles to enhance their credentials and obtain "good" postings abroad.
"Most of you are quite diligent during the course, but as soon as it is over, you seem to think there is no longer a necessity to learn any further," Alatas lamented.
He pointed to various literary works and social-cultural meetings as a fertile source of self-improvement.
The current world environment, according to Alatas, is very different to any one previously encountered, creating predicaments that have no prior answers.
The post-cold era has brought encouraging developments to the resolution of various conflicts but moreover it has also introduced some worrying occurrences.
"One thing is for sure, the initial hope of a new world order is far from reality," Alatas said.
In the glare of these adversities the world is thus challenged to construct a system which can sway the global changes in a positive direction that enhances peace and justice.
Alatas explained that the world needs a set of institutional instruments and norms for international relations.
It is these challenges that the country's legion of diplomats have to not merely face, but successfully overcome.
"The developments will directly affect the undertaking of our sixth-long term development plan (Repelita VI)," Alatas stated.
Quality
The quality of Indonesia's diplomatic corps has often been criticized for its lack of quality.
Deficiencies in communicative, language and basic diplomacy skills have been highlighted as the most obvious weaknesses.
To remedy the problems, the foreign ministry conducts periodic courses such as the senior staff and leadership course.
Indonesian diplomats of counselor rank and higher are put through a rigorous curriculum which includes simulations of international conferences and briefings on the current events, concluded by a written English paper as a final prerequisite.
Of yesterday's 35 graduates, only two acquired the highest class honors with the majority given an "average" grade.
"A diplomat is required to foster the ability to not only enhance knowledge that concerns his profession, but all knowledge and experiences which can broaden his horizon," Alatas said. (07)