Move with the times

Delivering the keynote address at the opening of a five-day foreign policy review conference in Windhoek yesterday, President Hage Geingob urged diplomats to modernise their approach.
“In today’s world of social media and 24-hour news cycles, diplomats are expected to be up to date and technology savvy to ensure that any information they generate has relevant context,” he told diplomatic staff.
The president told diplomats that they will have to become social media literate and that he will monitor how many of Namibia’s foreign missions have Facebook and Twitter accounts.
“We cannot continue adhering to outdated principles and continue practising the diplomatic doctrine of the Cold War Era. That era did not need to deal with a digitally interconnected world where hackers can penetrate classified electronic files from remote locations,” he said.
The president further told the heads of mission to organise business meetings and engagements with universities that can be incorporated in his programme, such as what is done by the foreign mission in the United States of America.
“I do not want to take the plane and go with a big delegation to the United Nations and address it for seven minutes. No, I would like you to organise meetings with business people so that I can be busy and justify my trip,” he urged.

Foreign policy

The president further said it is important that the policy pays special attention to the promotion of foreign investment through win-win partnerships.
He added that it is crucial for the government to support the capacity building of its Foreign Service personnel at the headquarters in Windhoek as well as those at diplomatic missions in order to become effective economic ambassadors.
He also emphasised that diplomats and staff need to become conversant in foreign languages.
Geingob last year renamed Namibia’s foreign ministry to the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation.
“Although there are many aspects of our International Relations Policy that need to adjust to meet the demands of an ever-changing global landscape, as a nation that aspires to uphold the spirit of Pan-Africanism we must always remain true to our identity,” he urged.

TERRORISM

The president urged diplomats to closely examine the root causes of the hate and hopelessness that drive terror attacks across the world.
He also urged leaders to investigate the conditions that provide fertile ground for young people to subscribe to the message of terror as opposed to diplomacy.
“War starts where diplomacy fails. Where have we failed? These are the difficult questions today’s diplomats must grapple with,” Geingob said.

Journey

In 2007, the government introduced a White Paper which highlighted a number of key goals Namibia aspired to.
According to Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the government has identified the need for face-to-face consultations, hence the hosting of this conference.
“We are looking forward to tap from your rich expertise and knowledge as we review our foreign policy,” she said.
The opening session was attended by senior government officials as well as the country’s two foremost diplomats: Hidipo Hamutenya and Theo-Ben Gurirab.
JEMIMA BEUKES