On the 24th of April 2012, Ambassadors and diplomats from over 100 countries gathered in London for the 4th Annual Diplomat Magazine Awards Ceremony. Hosted in the Langham Hotel’s Grand Ballroom, the beautiful room paid perfect homage to the centuries-old traditions of diplomacy.
The Awards Ceremony, hosted by publisher of Diplomat Magazine Hugo de Blocq van Kuffeler, recognised different levels of diplomacy from consular services to ambassadorships of seven different regions. His opening remarks underlined the crucial importance of the work carried out by diplomats on behalf of the international community and the everlasting necessity for countries to maintain and build positive bilateral and multilateral relations.
As guests networked over champagne canapé, 12 Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Mission representatives were rewarded for their outstanding achievements and contributions to diplomacy.
Amongst the winners, the Diplomatic Academy of London - where Grassroot Diplomat Director Talyn Rahman-Figueroa received her diplomatic training - was awarded for ‘Distinguished Contribution to Diplomacy in London’. First Secretary at the Royal Thai Embassy Natthapol Na Songkhla was honoured as ‘Young Diplomat of the Year’, while the Ambassador of Macedonia Her Excellency Mrs Marija Efremova was recognised for her ‘Outstanding Contribution to Women in Diplomacy’.
Newly appointed High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Dr. Chris Nonis, was “deeply humbled” by his award for Diplomat of the Year from Asia, and transcended identity politics in his acceptance speech, “I am not Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, or Burgher, I am Sri Lankan, and I am proud to be Sri Lankan.”
With media attention often focusing on international conflict and diplomatic failure, this DIPLOMAT Awards provided a key reminder of the endless successes of diplomacy in London.
The event can be described as a huge success, and it was a real pleasure for Grassroot Diplomat, which places huge value on work done by diplomats on behalf of communities, to see their important efforts being recognised.
Grassroot Diplomat looks forward partnering with Diplomat Magazine in November this year to deliver Grassroot Diplomat Initiative Award. The Grassroot Diplomat Initiative Awards will give recognition to politicians and diplomats who have made exceptional achievements benefitting communities.
DIPLOMAT Award Winners and Categories:
Young Diplomat of the Year:
Mr Natthapol Na Songkhla – First Secretary from the Embassy of Thailand
Outstanding Contribution to the Press Corps:
Ms Cristina-Nacisa Nita – Press Attaché from Embassy of Romania
Outstanding Contribution to the Consular Corps:
Ms Zeina Hamad Al Khalifa – Embassy of Bahrain
Diplomat of the Year from the Americas:
His Excellency Mr Eduardo Medina Mora – Ambassador of Mexico
Diplomat of the Year from Europe:
His Excellency Dr Ion Jinga – Ambassador of Romania
Diplomat of the Year from Eurasia:
His Excellency Mr Fakhraddin Gurbanov – Ambassador of Azerbaijan
Diplomat of the Year from Africa:
His Excellency Mr Ernest Rwamucyo – High Commissioner for Rwanda
Diplomat of the Year from Asia:
His Excellency Dr Chris Nonis – High Commissioner for Sri Lanka
Diplomat of the Year from South America:
His Excellency Mr Mauricio Rodríguez-Múnera – Ambassador of Colombia
Outstanding Contribution to Women in Diplomacy:
Her Excellency Mrs Marija Efremova – Ambassador of Macedonia
The Distinguished Contribution to Diplomacy in London:
The Diplomatic Academy of London (Collected by Director, Professor Nabil Ayad)
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