Zhou Enlai was foreign minister of the People’s Republic of China from 1949 until 1958 and its first premier. He defined diplomacy as a continuation of warfare by other means.
In the contemporary world, that definition includes an understanding of the concepts of hard and soft power.
Joseph Nye developed the idea of soft power as the ability to attract and persuade rather than applying economic, military and political hard power.
William Strang, who served as Britain’s permanent under-secretary of state for foreign affairs from 1949 until 1953, remarked that “in a world where war is everybody’s tragedy and everybody’s nightmare, diplomacy is everybody’s business”.
Emirates Diplomatic Academy received an exceptional mentor, who examined the concept of diplomacy from his own perspective.
Our guest was Omar Ahmad Adi Al Bitar, a former ambassador of the UAE to China and who has also been deputy general manager at Emirates Diplomatic Academy.
According to him, diplomacy is the way we conduct ourselves to achieve our policy as well as the art of persuasion.
He indicated that diplomacy is our behaviour and attitude while conducting foreign policy.
Mr Al Bitar also explained what makes good diplomats. The UAE’s foreign affairs require great intellectual qualities and personal skills.
As a diplomat, you represent your leadership, your people, your country and your culture abroad, as well as serving your country’s national interests.
You have to be dedicated and loyal to the leadership and the nation. In the game of nations you have to become a champion to be able to achieve maximum gains for your country.
You have to prepare yourself and acquire the best possible skills and qualities while you can. You have to be disciplined and respectful of your superiors, you must support them in carrying out their responsibilities. You must always be professional and never personalise your relations or the issues you deal with at work. You must be a good team player but when you lead, be a good example to your subordinates. Be aware: if you cannot follow, you will never be able to lead successfully.
Mr Al Bitar ended his speech with some advice.
Firstly, have high moral values and integrity. Be honest, ethical and disciplined. Put your country’s interests above all else and have a high sense of responsibility, loyalty, duty and respect.
Secondly, get well educated and knowledgeable. Be thoughtful, insightful and creative.
Next, develop a positive personality and image. Be kind, calm, caring, humble, well-dressed and presentable.
In addition, develop your leadership and managerial skills, and have good communication, negotiation, analytical and decision-making skills.
In Mr Al Bitar’s estimation, you will also need to be credible and trustworthy. Be prompt, accurate and fulfil your promises.
Finally, to be a successful diplomat you need to be resilient and firm.
You should be ready to operate under stress and pressure while defending your country’s positions with all your talents and skills.
I am grateful to Mr Al Bitar for all that I have learnt from him.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has played a crucial role in establishing the EDA, a unique institution that helps to develop the skills of UAE diplomats so that they can represent the country abroad in the most effective manner and defend its interests.
Dr Noura Saber Al Mazrouei is an assistant professor at Emirates Diplomatic Academy
Company%20Profile
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What is tokenisation?
Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2)
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
Five expert hiking tips
- Always check the weather forecast before setting off
- Make sure you have plenty of water
- Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
- Take your litter home with you
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
TV (UAE time);
OSN Sports: from 10am
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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The specs: Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs Ferrari GTC4Lusso T
Price, base: Dh840,000; Dh120,000
Engine: 4.0L V8 twin-turbo; 3.9L V8 turbo
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic; seven-speed automatic
Power: 509hp @ 6,000rpm; 601hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 695Nm @ 2,000rpm; 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.9L / 100km; 11.6L / 100km
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.