Are diplomatic training programs meeting the needs of the modern diplomat?

Abstract

Our research has revealed that there is enormous disparity in the course content of diplomatic training programs worldwide, as every country/region has its own unique geopolitical and cultural policy goals. Therefore, I propose concentrating on emotional intelligence (EQ) specifically, as a universally valuable component of the diplomatic training curriculum. Why EQ? The modern diplomat faces many challenges, from war to pandemics; to climate change; thus, the work of a diplomat is a calling—a vocation, not just a career choice. Diplomats require well-honed EQ skills in all their interactions, particularly when facing crises, forming strategic relationships, and interacting effectively with the network of actors involved in today’s international diplomacy. The millennial diplomats, however, are comparatively deficient in EQ due to their constant exposure to, and immersion in, inanimate online communication via the internet and social media, resulting in a lack of confidence in face-to-face interaction. This unnerving reality is compounded by Dr. Jovan Kurbalija’s prediction that “One of the main functions of diplomacy in the future will be to manage conflict and tension in an increasingly interconnected cyber world.” (Kurbalija, 2010). Hence the need for a specific foundational course encompassing all the elements of emotional intelligence to prepare the 21st-century diplomat for the inevitable challenges ahead.