Aleinik names main quality for Belarusian diplomat
MINSK, 21 April (BelTA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Sergei Aleinik named patriotism the most important quality for a Belarusian diplomat as he spoke at a solemn ceremony to award winners and laureates of the I Want to be a Diplomat competition on 21 April, BelTA has learned.
The minister thanked everyone who participated in the competition and congratulated the winners and laureates: “You demonstrated your talents, knowledge and personal qualities in a very remarkable, extraordinary and creative way.” He emphasized that this year the number of participants is much bigger than the year before. The geography of the competition is also expanding, the quality of entries is increasing. For example, this year schoolchildren and Belarusians studying abroad got a change to submit an essay for the competition.
Sergei Aleinik is convinced that student days are a perfect time to take part in various competitions, it is the age of creativity, enthusiasm, an active life position, the determination to learn how the world works. “I am glad that many of you dream of becoming a diplomat. It is gratifying that at this young age you are already thinking about how to contribute to the development and prosperity of our Motherland — the Republic of Belarus,” the foreign minister said.
He noted that diplomacy is sometimes called the art of the possible, and sometimes the art of the impossible. According to the minister, both are partly true. “This kind of career requires a combination of many skills as diplomats help build interstate relations, take part in negotiations. Many competencies and skills are important in our profession. This includes knowledge of foreign languages and the basics of international relations, international law, foreign economic activity. But today, perhaps, the most important quality is patriotism. Indeed, today diplomacy is, first of all, about active patriotism. It is a tool for strengthening the sovereignty and independence of our country. Love for the Motherland, for our people, for the land is essential for defending and promoting the interests of our country abroad,” Sergei Aleinik said.
He quoted one of the participants in the competition who wrote: “I want to wake up every morning being a citizen of the Republic of Belarus and feel like a Belarusian. “It is worth a lot. And thank you very much for these words and for your ideas,” the foreign minister said.
Sergei Aleinik told the young people: “This profession needs creativity and has a romantic appeal. There is also a place for a feat, for extraordinary achievements. It is a multifaceted career, but you spend most of the time doing painstaking, routine, everyday work. We arrange such meetings to help you build a better understanding of what this career is about.” In order to get the feel of this profession, he invited all the laureates to come to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for internship.
The I Want to be a Diplomat competition was held on Facebook and Instagram accounts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 22 January-3 March 2023. The participants were asked to submit a short essay themed “Why I want to become a diplomat” and to share their view of the diplomatic service, its role in strengthening the Belarusian statehood, and their goals as a future diplomat.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received more than 70 entries from students of 13 higher educational institutions of Belarus, two Russian universities, as well as from a graduate student of a secondary school. The number of participants increased by 35% compared with the debut competition held in 2022. More universities joined the competition this year. There were students of the Belarusian State University of Transport, Belarusian State Agricultural Academy, the Institute of Theology of Belarusian State University, universities from Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno and Polotsk.
Eleven people were named winners. They were awarded diplomas and prizes in a solemn atmosphere at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Diplomas and memorable souvenirs were presented to seven laureates of the competition.