My experience in the Diplomatic and Protocol Compact Seminar
by Guillermo Guardado (EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies – Manuel Marín Promotion)
We live surrounded by protocol and diplomacy. Maybe we don’t pay attention to it, but from the very first time we hold a party, meet new people, give a speech, have a simple conversation with our neighbours or our boss or even when we are enjoying “an amazing time” with our family in-laws, we have to use some diplomacy, protocol or at least, we need to know how to behave accordingly.
As students of the College of Europe, we must be prepared for when, in the future, we will probably have to speak to and organize events with people from very different backgrounds, language and cultures and maybe, we will have to deal with head of states and royalty; The College is, for sure, a fantastic place where we can raise our knowledge in etiquette and poise.
So when I was given the chance of taking part in the compact seminar “Introduction au Protocole: Protocole Diplomatique et Européen” taught completely in French, I didn’t hesitate and, with some luck as there was a huge waiting list, I finally got to be one of the students who attend the 8-hours course with professor Jacques de Baenst, former ambassador and Honorary Director-General of the European Commission. He was also Chief of Protocol of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Director of the Protocol Service of the European Commission. So, as it can be seen, we were privileged enough to have one of the most important representatives of diplomacy in Europe as professor.
The compact seminar was divided in two-days lectures of four hours each.
The first day was mainly theorical, we talked about diplomacy in the 21st century as a smooth introduction and, then, we discussed the idea of Diplomatic Protocol and we finished focusing on the International and European Protocol.
The second day was much more practical, we saw some instruments of etiquette (such as flags, anthems, receptions…), we learnt about how to organise an event and finally, we practiced everything we saw in some interactive exercises with different tables where we had to place many personalities depending on the relevance of their position. It was a productive simulation that has been definitely useful for anyone who wants to become an expert in diplomacy.
Although the compact seminar was long, we didn’t feel tired as we would have feel after some time dealing with pure theory: we had some real cases and funny anecdotes all the time that managed to kept our attention. It was also interesting to have a lecture in French for some people, like me, that aren’t French native speakers. However, everyone was able to follow the lecture as the professor spoke slowly and clearly.
There is only one shortfall I could note, as, personally, I would have liked to spend more time in clothing poise and etiquette dining manners, as I consider that, one day, we will all have to face these situations, but, of course, I understand that it was a very complex topic explained in only two lectures, so I definitely cannot complain.
It was a worthy experience and I would recommend anyone to join future diplomatic and protocol seminars.
Don´t miss this opportunity, if you have it!
#IRD #Diplomacy #Diplomaticprotocol #CollegeofEurope #themorethemerrier #issue2 #CoE #Memories #Marinpromotion
