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FORMER Foreign Affairs Minister and President of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Dr. Rudy Insanally last Friday evening launched his book titled: ‘Multilateral Diplomacy for Small States – The art of letting others have your way’, at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown.Written from a small state perspective, the book analyses the particular vulnerabilities faced by these countries and the potential they have for overcoming those challenges.
It is indeed a welcome publication coming from one of our most esteemed, brilliant and experienced diplomats and it would certainly be a help to our younger emerging diplomats as it would provide a sound insight into international diplomacy from a small-state perspective.
After retiring from an illustrious and long diplomatic career, Dr Insanally left us wondering whether he had called it a day and wanted to simply relax during the rest of his life as many are wont to do. However, this timely and pertinent publication is refreshing and shows that while out of public view he was quietly working on his book.
Notably, part of the proceeds from the book will be given to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs towards the development of young diplomats. Copies of the book were presented to the ministry, the National Library, the University of Guyana (UG) library and the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre.
This clearly shows that the veteran diplomat, even though in retirement, is committed towards making a continued contribution to our diplomatic strategies.
According to Dr Insanally, small states can and do play an important role in international affairs; with a strategic vision of the future, assertive diplomacy and inspired leadership, these states can be able to have a greater say in matters of concern and to compete in an increasingly complex and liberalised world.
He said the book, which is dedicated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, does not cover his entire diplomatic life but rather, is focused on the period when he held the Presidency of the UN General Assembly and Chairmanship of the Group of 77.
Acknowledging the value of Dr Insanally’s book, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodgrigues-Birkett said there is no doubt that the book will be of immense value and an asset for the serving and upcoming diplomats in Guyana and others as well.
“Ambassador Insanally mentioned in his book that he was more interested in the practice of diplomacy rather than the theory of diplomacy, and practice he did. Many have written on various international issues but few had the distinguished career and first-hand experience as that of Ambassador Insanally which gives added credence to the contents of this book,” she asserted.
The minister stressed that it would be unfortunate if the experiences and lessons learnt from such a distinguished diplomatic career spanning over four decades go unwritten and hence not shared with others.
She said that for Guyana, as a small state relying on principles, and for other small states who share these principles, multilateral action was and still remains central to pursuing their goals for the greater good of the world.
The minister is most correct as international relations are an exceptionally important aspect of citizenship in a global society. As our world becomes smaller and smaller through communication technology, rapid air transportation and a complex international economy, the value of peaceful and cooperative relationships between nations is increasingly important.
And with so many trouble spots around the world, including the Middle East, Africa and Asia, diplomacy would have to play an increasing role in resolving these conflicts. Unlike in the past, the voice of small-states is becoming increasingly louder and decisive on the international arena as they have realised that there is a need for them to speak with one voice, rather than as individual states on issues of international importance.
In this context, Dr Insanally’s book will be a guide to action for our diplomats as he has had vast first-hand experience and knowledge as a diplomat from a small state.
It is indeed a welcome publication coming from one of our most esteemed, brilliant and experienced diplomats and it would certainly be a help to our younger emerging diplomats as it would provide a sound insight into international diplomacy from a small-state perspective.
After retiring from an illustrious and long diplomatic career, Dr Insanally left us wondering whether he had called it a day and wanted to simply relax during the rest of his life as many are wont to do. However, this timely and pertinent publication is refreshing and shows that while out of public view he was quietly working on his book.
Notably, part of the proceeds from the book will be given to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs towards the development of young diplomats. Copies of the book were presented to the ministry, the National Library, the University of Guyana (UG) library and the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre.
This clearly shows that the veteran diplomat, even though in retirement, is committed towards making a continued contribution to our diplomatic strategies.
According to Dr Insanally, small states can and do play an important role in international affairs; with a strategic vision of the future, assertive diplomacy and inspired leadership, these states can be able to have a greater say in matters of concern and to compete in an increasingly complex and liberalised world.
He said the book, which is dedicated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, does not cover his entire diplomatic life but rather, is focused on the period when he held the Presidency of the UN General Assembly and Chairmanship of the Group of 77.
Acknowledging the value of Dr Insanally’s book, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodgrigues-Birkett said there is no doubt that the book will be of immense value and an asset for the serving and upcoming diplomats in Guyana and others as well.
“Ambassador Insanally mentioned in his book that he was more interested in the practice of diplomacy rather than the theory of diplomacy, and practice he did. Many have written on various international issues but few had the distinguished career and first-hand experience as that of Ambassador Insanally which gives added credence to the contents of this book,” she asserted.
The minister stressed that it would be unfortunate if the experiences and lessons learnt from such a distinguished diplomatic career spanning over four decades go unwritten and hence not shared with others.
She said that for Guyana, as a small state relying on principles, and for other small states who share these principles, multilateral action was and still remains central to pursuing their goals for the greater good of the world.
The minister is most correct as international relations are an exceptionally important aspect of citizenship in a global society. As our world becomes smaller and smaller through communication technology, rapid air transportation and a complex international economy, the value of peaceful and cooperative relationships between nations is increasingly important.
And with so many trouble spots around the world, including the Middle East, Africa and Asia, diplomacy would have to play an increasing role in resolving these conflicts. Unlike in the past, the voice of small-states is becoming increasingly louder and decisive on the international arena as they have realised that there is a need for them to speak with one voice, rather than as individual states on issues of international importance.
In this context, Dr Insanally’s book will be a guide to action for our diplomats as he has had vast first-hand experience and knowledge as a diplomat from a small state.
