As part of plans to better prepare the OECS Secretariat to operate in a changing geo-political environment, staff at the Secretariat received training in Diplomacy and Protocol by experts from Protocol institutions in Puerto Rico during an intensive workshop, February 18th to 21st in St. Lucia.

The workshop, tailored to cover the operations and responsibilities of an international organization serving a group small states, touched on a wide range of issues including diplomatic status, immunities and privileges, international organization law, diplomatic and consular law, international relations, order of flags, seating arrangements, diplomatic correspondence, negotiations, and protocol and etiquette.

In her welcoming remarks, OECS Director General Dr. Len Ishmael said the workshop was another step towards transforming the OECS Secretariat into a centre of excellence.  It also signaled the launch of the OECS School of Protocol and Diplomacy which in the coming months will move across the sub-region providing much needed training to OECS Member States, she said.

“It’s about how to achieve the goals of the institution. This procedure is the way that all international organizations do their relations. It’s fundamental. It’s about the development of human resources. It not only gives a professional image, it also gives you the opportunity to achieve and shows who you really are as an international organization. Hence you need to act as an international organisation everywhere and for that you need continuing knowledge.”

The professor endorsed the Director General’s idea of an “OECS School of Diplomacy and Protocol”:

“This is a great idea because it would be a “school” to prepare international officials and new recruits for the work of the organization and it will also provide continuing education. We also hope that this “school” will be the diplomatic school of all OECS States. It means that new recruits at Ministries of Foreign Affairs in each OECS country could be introduced to diplomacy and international relations. This will also help to achieve national interests”.-Vasquez-Vera

Alga Rivera of the Puerto Rico School of Protocol wrapped up the workshop with a programme entitled “Outclass the Competition”, which covered areas such as  how to greet, distinguishing from the competition and  the dos and don’ts of dining.

The workshop was organized by the CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) funded OECS Institutional Strengthening Project.