A Coffee Chat with Latin American Diplomats: Reflections on Foreign Service
A Students Building Community story written by Santiago Rubio, President, Latin American and Caribbean Society
Multiple Latin American diplomats were hosted by the Latin American and Caribbean Society (LACAS) at GU-Q for their event titled “A Coffee Chat with the Ambassadors: Reflections on Diplomacy and Foreign Service.” The gathering offered more than 70 students and faculty members an opportunity to engage with representatives of seven Latin American embassies in Doha and to learn about the distinct nuances of the life of a diplomat.
Speakers included ambassadors from the Embassies of Brazil, Cuba, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama as well as the consuls of Uruguay and Colombia. The event also included the presence of Dr. Francisco Marmolejo, President of Higher Education at Qatar Foundation.
Photo: Left to Right: Luis Figuereido (Ambassador of Brazil), Álvaro Segura (Ambassador of Costa Rica), Óscar De León (Ambassador Cuba), Pascual Del Cioppo (Ambassador of Ecuador), Musa Asvat (Ambassador of Panamá), Juan Benavides (Consul of Uruguay), Santiago Rubio (LACAS President), Emilia Pacheco (LACAS President).
The diplomats were welcomed by Dean Clyde Wilcox and introduced by the Presidents of the Latin American and Caribbean Society, Emilia Pacheco and Santiago Rubio. The diplomats applauded the initiative of the Latin American student club leaders for organizing the event, and thanked the GU-Q community for their interest in learning about their careers and the Latin American and Caribbean region.
The special guests discussed the essence of serving as diplomats from a Latin American perspective, the paths that they followed in order to be in the position they are right now, some fundamental skills that every diplomat should have and how to apply them in negotiations, and various pieces of advice they would give foreign service students. The event concluded with a rapid-fire question and answer session where students, faculty members, and diplomats exchanged ideas. For President Emilia Pacheco, “this part was a fun activity that ended the event on a joyous note: GU-Q students got to know the diplomats on a more informal level, and shared some laughs with them.”
Russell Adzedu, a second-year student majoring in International Politics noted, “the event was very well-planned out and insightful. Despite not being a person of Latin or Caribbean descent, I was able to closely follow the discourse. I left the event feeling very enriched and I cannot wait to see what else the club has in store!” President Santiago Rubio pointed that, “the event could have not been carried out successfully without the synergy of the LACAS associate members and the GU-Q Events team.” President Rubio remains committed to continue giving his best and contributing to the academic community.
The Latin American and Caribbean Society seeks to broaden the GU-Q community’s understanding of Latin America and the Caribbean on political, social, economic, and cultural levels. The society brings together diplomats, scholars, journalists, and students to discuss current regional issues centered on Latin America and the Caribbean, allowing students to apply what they learn in the classroom to contexts outside of South Asia and the Middle East.
The Students Building Community series offers students a chance to share their club events and activities with a wider audience by sharing their own perspectives and role in building community across GU-Q.