Protocol andd Planning High Level Visits Training For Public Servants

More than 100 civil servants are part of special train­ing for protocol and high level visits planning at the Central Cuisine conference room in Suva yesterday.

The two-week training also in­cludes drivers of very important persons who visit our shores.

It is being organised by Fiji’s Min­istry of Foreign Affairs and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Personnel from specific ministries and agencies involved in planning for high level and state visits are participants at the training.

Newly appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs Inia Seruiratu re­minded participants of their role as representatives of Fiji during high level state visits.

Mr Seruiratu said as diplomats the participants needed to ensure they had knowledge to disseminate relevant information to our foreign visitors.

“The international environment is changing fast and for a small coun­try like Fiji, we have to live with the world as it is,” Mr Seruiratu said.

“There are new drivers for change and for Fiji to be relevant within the context of the changing envi­ronment we have to seize the oppor­tunity.

“You are called to be diplomats, representing your country, to man­age relations with other countries.

“So as public servants, you must have all the knowledge needed in regard to our own culture, tradi­tions and values.”

In her opening address, Deputy High Commissioner of New Zea­land to Fiji, Halia Haddad stressed on the need for effective informa­tion.

With Fiji’s growing international prominence Ms Haddad added there was a need for protocol, events and visit staff training.

“Each of the 193 countries around the world has its own political situa­tion, history, languages, traditions, hierarchies, customs and culture,” Ms Haddad said.

“All these could lead to miscom­munications between countries and cause serious complications in the development of strong interna­tional ties.

“But, it is nevertheless useful for underlining the importance of hav­ing rules and norms in place within the diplomatic arena that provides structure and certainty.

“Protocol is the rule of the game by which we all play. “

She added: “The training over the next two weeks will also cover dip­lomatic immunity, hospitality and entertainment, diplomatic appoint­ments and correspondence.

“Planning for these visits and events, and delivering them, is no small task.”

The workshop continues today and will end on February 7.

Edited by Percy Kean

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