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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a Training for Protocol Officers and External Officers workshop at the Diplomatic Lounge, Lynden Pindling International Airport from April 23-24, 2012. Pictured amongst the Protocol Officers and auxiliary officers are Chief of Protocol Elise Delancy; Dr Patricia Rodgers, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Joshua Sears, Director General, Ministry of foreign Affairs. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
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Nassau, The Bahamas – Officers of the Protocol Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were urged to remain current on modern protocol practices as diplomatic relations strengthen between The Bahamas and other countries.
This charge was the focal point of Training for Protocol Officers and External Officers workshop facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Diplomatic Lounge, Lynden Pindling International Airport, April 23-24.
In attendance were substantive Protocol Officers of the division as well as those auxiliary officers who assist, periodically with ceremonial duties.
Purpose of the workshop was to lay the groundwork for the preparation of an updated Protocol Manual, which will become a practical guide for Protocol Officers, with respect to the observance and practice of state and diplomatic protocol.
The workshop also aimed to ensure that all officers clearly understand the role of the Protocol Division in state affairs; remind officers of the importance of the Order of Precedence; remind officers of the practices of ceremonial duties; provide officers the opportunity to share their skills, views and concerns and to ensure that they are committed to team work, the correct deportment of a Protocol Officer and practice the correct protocol procedures.
Dr Patricia Rodgers, in her address, said she is assured that at the end of the workshop professionalism will be their mantra.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a Training for Protocol Officers and External Officers workshop at the Diplomatic Lounge, Lynden Pindling International Airport from April 23-24, 2012. Out front making his presentation is Ambassador Joshua Sears, Director General, and Ministry of foreign Affairs. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
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She mentioned the ‘Goof Factor” as it relates to protocol. Namely, if protocol goes well, no one notices but if a mistake is made no matter how minuscule, then everyone notices.
Since independence in 1973, The Bahamas Government established and observed rules of Protocol to govern state and official ceremonies, as well as routine state and diplomatic correspondence and diplomatic practice.
“From this you can deduce that protocol is essentially a framework for the orderly conduct of state and official affairs. It makes our official life more predictable,” Dr Rodgers said.
“For the most part, it is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which has acted as the central authority on matters of diplomatic protocol, the latter by happenstance.”
In many countries there is a separation between state and diplomatic protocol, with the former operating out of the office of the Prime Minister and the latter under the direction of a Chief of Protocol in the a Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she said.
“Exactly why you do what you do or for that matter, if what you are doing is even correct, you really should know and understand the reasons behind the rules and guidelines for the various authorised facets of protocol, and when and where and how to legitimately amend them, if need be,” Dr Rodgers said.
“Once you acquire this knowledge, you will be better able to perform your protocol duties and to handle your clients,” she said.
Ambassador Joshua Sears, Director General, Foreign Service; Senior Protocol Officers Carolyn Conliffe, Terry Archer and Christopher Gibson; and former Chief of Protocol Andrew McKinney gave presentations on the multi-faceted functions of Protocol Officers.
© Copyright 2012 by thebahamasweekly.com
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