In the 1990s, an advert for a brand of chocolate depicted a sophisticated gathering hosted by the foreign ambassador of an unspecified country. It hinted at a gilded existence of cocktail parties and small talk among influential, wealthy guests. Iszi Lawrence finds out how the stereotype of the diplomatic world compares with the reality of international relations. Who does the real work behind the scenes and who has the power? When we see powerful leaders on the world stage shaking hands and signing treaties, what has led up to that moment? Iszi discusses first hand experiences of the diplomatic world with the American diplomat Maryum Saifee and the former High Commissioner of Maldives to the UK, Farah Faizal. They are joined by Dr. Lorena de Vita, a historian of diplomatic relations to explain how their work impacts all of us. Plus World Service listeners from across the globe share their thoughts on what diplomats actually do. Produced by Fiona Clampin for the BBC World Service.
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The distinct musical genre of amapiano can be heard in clubs and parties all around the world.
It's a sound born out of the unique cultural identity of South Africa.
I am Legendary Chris and I'm going to take you on a journey of exploration as we dive into the history of the music.
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Of the many quotes you'll find on the Internet about what diplomacy means, this is one of my favourites.
Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions.
Whether the British wartime leader Winston Churchill said it or not is by the by because for me it encapsulates what diplomacy is.
Persuasion, negotiation, influencing, all the while letting the other person have your way, as another statesman put it.
So Farah, do you have a favourite diplomacy quote?
I think the closest I would come to my favourite diplomacy quote is something my former lecturer and tutor at Keele University wrote in her book.
Dr.
Lorna Lloyd wrote that the essence of diplomacy is communication.
Whether you agree or disagree, you still communicate.
And if we stop communicating, if he stopped engaging, then it's a failure of diplomacy.
So I think I would add to that that the basic essence of diplomacy is indeed communicating.
Communicating.
Would you agree with that?
Maryam, what is your favorite quote?