YOUTHS ON DIPLOMATIC UNDERTAKING

By Ravichandran D.J Paul

KUALA LUMPUR, August 11 (Bernama) -- A group of five youths looking elegant
in their black and gray suits were greeted with a salute fit for a dignitary
much to their amazement when they entered the room.

`Welcome your excellencies', veteran diplomat Dr Rajmah Hussain
saluted the five who were obviously shy and conscious over the salutation.

The five - Faizal Hassan, 21, Bernard Eng, 22, Wan Azizul Faiz Zuklifli,
22, Ahmal Reeza Abu Bakar, 23, and Ahmad Rahimi Ahmad Fauzan, 21, were among the
47 youths who went through a rigorous United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
sitting simulation exercise under the mentorship of Dr Rajmah to prepare them
for the Global Model United Nations (GMUN) Conference slated on 14-18 August in
PWTC Kuala Lumpur.

The GMUN 2010 provides a channel for youths to express ideas, opinions and
alternative solutions to the issues already discussed in UNGA and thus provides
Malaysian youths a chance to take on the role as multilateral diplomats.

During the simulation the youths learnt of the work of a diplomat and how
diplomacy works.

YOUTHS KEEN ON DIPLOMATIC CAREER

Based on the observation made on the group, it is obvious that most of the
youths aspire to join the nation's diplomatic corps and believe that they have
what it takes to join the diplomatic ranks - ambassadors, envoys, charge' d'
affaires and ministers.

The youths, like most of us, see the diplomatic service as an exclusive and
prestigious profession where they have the opportunity to serve in another
country and rub shoulders with dignitaries.

They are allured by the `Christian Dior' postings (to developed capitals
like Paris, Geneva, London etc) and the `hot seats' (like Washington) but they
have to remember that they cannot escape from the `hardship postings' (to least
developed capitals like in the African continent)

The youths also learnt the difference between a multilateral and a bilateral
diplomat, with the multilateral diplomats accredited to international
organisations like the UN and its agencies and the bilateral diplomats
accredited to other nations.

But for Dr Rajmah, a seasoned bilateral and multilateral diplomat, and
Malaysia's first women ambassador to the United States, there is more than
prestige and exclusivity in diplomatic service and this is the field where
Malaysia has earned a sterling reputation.

"The fact that Malaysia has avoided conflicts with other nations and
participated effectively in world forums since Merdeka is the testimony of the
country's tactful diplomacy carried out by its competent practitioners," said
this petite lady.

Another testimony of the successful international diplomacy is Malaysia's
preeminent role in multilateral organisations like the Non-Aligned Movement
(NAM), Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and G15.

"And therefore Malaysia must keep churning out competent diplomats," says Dr
Rajmah who also authored a book entitled `Malaysia at the United Nations - A
Study of Foreign Policy Priorities, 1957-1987'.

THE ART OF BEING A DIPLOMAT

Dr Rajmah who had served with the foreign ministry for over 32 years, has
mastered the intricacies of diplomacy and she shared her knowledge with the
participants during the UNGA sitting simulation exercise.

During the exercise the youths acted as the envoys of different nations,
learnt on public speaking and writing skills and in establishing networking, all
part and parcel of diplomacy.

She reminded the participants that they should have an open mind over the
global issues and adhere strictly to the country's stand on multilateral and
bilateral matters.

"This may sound easy but often the nation's stand has to be relayed through
nuances and a diplomat must know how to say no without saying no," she points
out.

They were also exposed to the intricacies like the roll call, voting
process, lobbying and social etiquette under the close guidance of Dr Rajmah.

Globalisation has brought a new dimension in diplomacy, the way we perceive
things in the world ruled by ICT, and therefore it is vital that present and
future diplomats engage in globalised diplomacy, she says.

DO OUR YOUTHS FIT IN

But are our youths up to the task? Despite the fact that many of Malaysian
youths lack self-confidence and the proficiency in English, the language of
diplomacy, Dr Rajmah believes with the right guidance these youths can be
polished into distinguished envoys of the nation.

Moreover, Malaysian youths who come from a diverse ethnic and cultural
background will have no problem in dealing with officials and leaders of the
world from diverse background.

"It is good to see these enthusiastic youths showing keen interest in
serving the nation through the foreign service," she says.

Back to the five, the best public speaker, Faizal who is planning to do a
degree in international relations and diplomacy is keen to join the diplomatic
corps as he believes he can contribute to Malaysia's stronger presence at the
international stage.

Eng, a biochemical engineering student from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
(Natioanal University, Malaysa), believes that he has the leadership ability and
could contribute tremendously in the field of diplomacy.

As for Wan Azizul, an undergraduate at Universiti Pertahanan Malaysia
(Defence University, Malaysia), he opines that with his training in the military
field he can contribute to diplomacy through the role of a defense attaché.

Ahmal Reeza, who has a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration management
degree from Victoria University in New Zealand says he is a strong advocate of
diplomacy and likes meeting people.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Rahimi who is majoring in International Business in
Universiti Sains Malaysia (Science University, Malaysia) believes by being a
diplomat he will be able to perceive things differently in helping to promote
the nation's trade and diplomacy.

The simulation exercise is part of the five-day 'Leadership in a Changing
Global Environment' course organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the
International Institute of Public Policy and Management (INPUMA).

The youths who underwent the simulation exercise will take on the diplomat's
role in GMUN 2010 along with their counterparts from the rest of the world.
-- BERNAMA