Mind of a trainee diplomat

Through my diplomatic training, I have noticed that I am beginning to position myself more strongly on issues I care about. Recently, I have taken great interest in militarism and armed conflict - not that I support it, but on how to eliminate war and the violence women face by male combatants. In researching my dissertation of the topic of 'Women versus Militarism', I came across an interesting book that supported very strongly the ideas I would like to bring forth in international diplomacy when I finally reach that point in my career. Here are a few thoughts I would like to share with you which I would like to strengthen in diplomacy and international relations - and I fully welcome any comments in support or argument of these points. 

1. Holding no official position does not relieve one of responsibility. Being a non-combatant does not make one innocent, nor does ignorance, especially not deliberate ignorance. “Conscious avoidance” or “deliberate ignorance” is a legal term which diminishes or negates a claim of innocence. Ignorance about one’s military does not make a citizen innocent.

2. Governmental secrecy does not absolve a citizen. Citizens who accept the necessity for government secrecy are complicit. In time of war, operational secrets are permissible. However, citizens should insist that every member of Congress have access to every government file, and that no file be kept secret longer than ten years. Withholding information from citizens subverts democracy. Lying to them is criminal.

3. If we can participate in choosing our government, we are accountable for the nature of our military and where and how it is deployed.

4. Military personnel kill on behalf of citizens. Citizens should be ashamed that the military is killing in their name.

5. In many developed countries military technology has created such impunity for its users that the moral question, “What is worth dying for?” has been replaced with “What is worth killing for”?

6. A military that “outsources” is a military which makes war profitable. Contracts let without standard procedures because of an “emergency” are not only enriching but a likely source of corruption.

7. In democracies, the military is sent to war by civilian officials who are charged with protecting the citizenry. The role of “protector” leads officials to authorise actions they might not take even in self-defence. The problem is that those charged with protection know that they cannot guarantee it.

8. Security means safety and well-being. It attaches to people not necessarily to the states, or to corporations, or religious or other institutions. Importantly, even “opponents” need to be and feel secure.

9. A crucial tool in diplomacy and warfare is to be able to think as the person one is dealing with thinks.

10. “Terrorism” has been used to justify pre-emption but terrorism is not special. It is experienced everywhere, including in democracies like England, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Spain. “Terrorism” is not necessarily more heinous than the random killing of non-combatants as “collateral damage”. Both involve the killing of non-participating civilians.

11.Instead of focusing on war’s cost and its horror, attention should be given to whether or not the outcome of a conflict fulfils its stated purpose.

12. The stationing of any country’s troops abroad should be prohibited unless they are part of a United Nations sanctioned force.

13. Article VI of the 1968 Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty calls for nuclear disarmament. Even, if the US were to destroy 9000 of its existing nuclear weapons, it would still have enough left to destroy civilization. The goal of non-proliferation should be expanded to include the goal of eliminating all nuclear weapons just as they treaty says.

14. “Gender” does not just mean the biological sex. In practice, a policy of “gender mainstreaming” involves bringing females into an institution.

15. The government is said to have a monopoly on the legitimate use of force. If men have a near monopoly on force, what can we learn from how women manage in a culture where they are, essentially, unilaterally disarmed?

16. When women focus on issues like rape in war, a military tactic, their energy and thoughts are diverted from the larger issues, which replacing strategies which select force as a legitimate means to achieving a goal. The goal should not be to make war more humane but to eliminate it.
 
17. Enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 which requires women's presence at all peace negotiations would serve as a useful reminder that women are participants in every conflict and have a stake in every conflict's resolution.

*Stiehem, Judith Hicks. "These on the military, security, war and women", in Sjoberg, Laura, ed., Gender and International Security: Feminist Perspectives. London, New York: Routledge, 2010. pp 17-23

Broken British System

The election in Britain is over. The results are in, and the people have spoken… but the problem is, no-one still knows what the results are. We have no parliament, and Gordon Brown is still Prime Minister… without being voted in for the second time! Furthermore, thousands of voters were turned away at the polling station. There was a 65% rise in voter turnout and there was not enough polling stations and staff to handle the pressure. Is this really democracy when people were told that they would not vote because there simply wasn’t the space? This could have made the difference in the votes today, but instead, we have something that is known as a “hung parliament”. This situation has opened our eyes to just how broken the British electoral system is and the British people are furious.

In order to secure a Prime Minister, a party will need to secure a majority of 326 seats. These seats depend on the voters voting for which party a certain borough wants to be presented by. The problem with this is that the UK is dominated by two parties: Labour and the Conservatives…which means that they will always have more members in the party, and always have a higher number seats than candidates from independent parties, fringe parties or even parties like the Liberal Democrats. Confusing? Carry on reading!

Currently, the Conservative party have secured approximately 302 seats, Labour with 232, and Liberal Democrats with 55 – which was incredibly disappointing. The balance of power now depends on the Liberal Democrats. If they pass over their seats to the Conservatives, they will gain the majority votes and David Cameron will become Prime Minister.

In the next few days, Gordon Brown and David Cameron will have to negotiate with Nick Clegg and other independent parties to negotiate on passing their seats onto either Labour or Conservative, but this means a lot of game playing and political ‘bribery’… “Give me your seats and I will work with you on the child tax”.

You can keep reading about what the outcome of this election is but we are confused too! We have no government, many prominent MPs have lost the vote, and Gordon Brown is still our Prime Minister. I shake my head at this poor system. This is not democracy and it is indeed a very poor, unsatisfying and disappointing result.

Summer Fundraising

I am half way through my diplomatic training at the Diplomatic Academy of London with a huge 4 months gap before beginning semester II. The plans for summer are in fact quite busy with projects and activities in the pipeline. However, in order to represent my country and continue with my diplomacy training, I am seeking for funds to support my work. By the end of June, I aim to raise a total of £5000. Here is a short outline to where the money will go and how you will be supporting me. Please help me reach my target, and support this work. Every project will be covered by this website.

GRASSROOT DIPLOMAT

OUTLINE: Grassroot Diplomat acts as a broadcast media platform to bridge the gap between politicians and people under the age of 30. This age group is heavily underrepresented by the media, and very often, their views are ignored by politicians. The project seeks to highlight positive aspects of every nation through the eyes of young people. Grassroot Diplomat is cost effective, relying on people across the world to send footage about their local community. Documentaries will be edited in the London HQ, then uploaded online and sent to local TV stations for wider coverage.

FUNDS: £1000 to set-up a comprehensive website where documentaries can be accessed in areas with low bandwidth internet.

MOROCCO EXCHANGE

OUTLINE: As part of my Masters programme, the Diplomatic Academy of London has organised an exchange programme with the Al Akhawayn University in Morocco. This exchange will further my studies as an opportunity to learn Arabic, international relations from the perspective of an African nation, engage in global discussions, and train us as diplomats to protect and serve the interest of our own nation.

FUNDS: £1000 towards flights and meals.

UNITED NATIONS SUMMER PROGAMME

OUTLINE: Students studying diplomacy or international relations are confirmed places based on merit. This course will allow students to attend official sessions at the United Nations headquarters in New York, and participate at workshops from distinguished practitioners in the field of multilateral diplomacy. The program is structured around a series of seminars led by U.N. officials and representatives of governments and civil society on a wide range of global issues currently on the U.N. agenda.

FUNDING: £2000 towards course fee, return flights, and course materials.

SINGAPORE CONFERENCE

OUTLINE: I have been invited to represent my university and country at the Global Scholars and Leaders Conference in Singapore. Admissions to the conference are merit based, and upon completion of the conference, delegates will be recognised for past accomplishment and participation at the GSLC with the Global Young Leaders Award, an award that will distinguish me as a high-achiever.

FUNDING: £1000 towards accommodation and admission fee