Diplomacy is the practice of preventing arguments and fights between friends, groups or even entire nations. It’s also one of the most important and valuable tools in a country’s foreign policy toolbox. Diplomacy keeps people and groups from fighting, so they can continue to work together and benefit from each other’s strengths. On a larger scale, it can prevent wars, which hurt everyone.
Diplomats are professional representatives of their states that communicate with each other to achieve their national objectives in a peaceful manner. While diplomatic activity dates back at least 2500 years, the modern concept of diplomatic relations was established in 1961 with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Great diplomats are excellent communicators who are able to convey the results of their meetings in a clear and usable format. They can draft short memos by nightfall if the topic is time-sensitive, or they can quickly deliver their findings to the senior staff at their agencies.
They know when to speak and what points to raise, but they also know how to listen to their counterparts and respect them as equals. They never sound overly official or like they’re reading from a list of talking points, and they don’t dominate their conversations by lecturing their counterparts.
The United States maintains a network of more than 180 embassies around the world, and it’s our country’s diplomats and other foreign service personnel that make those connections possible. Supporting their efforts is vital for the people of the United States.
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