UWI Diplomatic Academy Enhances Protocol Capacity of Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The UWI Institute of International Relations’ (IIR) Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean (DAOC) has once again met some of the training needs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, highlighting its sustained role in the buildout of the Ministry’s capacity building work programme. At the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from February 17th to 21st, the DAOC delivered virtually a customized version of its flagship module titled ‘Protocol and Diplomacy: A Guide for the Modern Professional’. Comprising 10 mostly protocol officers, the majority of this module’s cohort recently joined the Ministry.   

“This module builds on the success of other DAOC-facilitated diplomatic training that Bahamian public officials have benefitted from in recent years, including an in-person Diplomatic Academy module on protocol and diplomacy that was mounted exclusively for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nassau in June 2024. The recently concluded follow-on module is a testament to the successful training partnership between the DAOC and The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” said the DAOC’s Manager Dr. Nand C. Bardouille.    

He commended the Ministry’s leadership team for backing this training, hailing the cohesive and productive working relationship the DAOC has with The Bahamas Alrae Ramsay Institute of Foreign Affairs (BARIFA). The training arm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, BARIFA supported the delivery of the customized module. “These kinds of training initiatives are aligned with and are responsive to the country’s foreign policy priorities, and we are honoured to lend our expertise accordingly,” Dr. Bardouille added.    

During remarks he delivered at the module’s Opening Ceremony on February 17th, Permanent Secretary Mr. David Cates informed participants, “The [training] programme is comprehensive with a number of exciting topics.” 

The module’s curriculum was designed to fit the specific needs and context of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stemming from consultations between the DAOC and BARIFA.

The goal of this training was to upgrade the relevant protocol skills of participants, such that they are able to perform their protocol-related duties flawlessly and professionally. In this regard, four objectives took centre stage in respect of the following training-related framing: diplomacy, protocol, the role of the foreign ministry and the protocol department, and planning state events.

Ms. Gail P. Guy, a retired diplomat and protocol consultant, served as the module’s lead facilitator. Ms. Marise Warner, an attorney-at-law and international law specialist, served as the module’s co-facilitator.

Ms. Guy noted, “Module participants were enthusiastic about the training.” She also commended their engagement with assigned coursework, underscoring the camaraderie of the cohort and the robust peer-to-peer learning on display.

A key feature of the protocol-dimension of the module was a virtual roundtable, held on February 21st, which Ms. Guy spearheaded. The roundtable topic: ‘Protocol as Praxis’. Module participants were thus exposed to subject area perspectives and professional experiences of senior international experts in the field. The panelists were as follows:

• Ambassador Marilyn Zonicle (Moderator), retired Ambassador-at-large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
• Phillipa Lawrence, former diplomat and international affairs professional (formerly Chief of Protocol at the United Nations Office at Vienna).
• Keisha Rochford-Hawkins, Certified International Etiquette and Protocol Consultant (formerly Protocol and International Relations Advisor to the Office of the President, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago).
• Sheila Roseau, Advocate and Leader in Gender Equality and Social Development (Conference Coordinator, 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States).

Acting IIR Director Dr. Annita Montoute, who delivered welcome remarks during the module’s Opening Ceremony, noted that “recent global developments have raised questions about the relevance of diplomacy, particularly as larger states assert their influence and impose their will on others.” Her contention: “These circumstances underscore the necessity for smaller states to be well-prepared to navigate the complexities of an increasingly turbulent environment and the constricted policy space they face.”    

Dr. Montoute concluded, “Given our status as small states with limited physical capacity and natural resources, it is crucial to enhance our human resources and social capital, leveraging these assets to achieve optimal outcomes in our engagements. By the conclusion of this training, you will be better equipped and your skills refined to operate with greater effectiveness and confidence within your respective fields.”   

Ms. Keva Bain, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered the feature address to the module’s Closing Ceremony held on February 21st. In recalling the curricular focus of the module, she affirmed its value to and importance in supporting the development of a cadre of Bahamian protocol professionals.      

Ambassador Zonicle also delivered remarks at the module’s Closing Ceremony. Her remarks, capped off by a strong endorsement of this training, reinforced key aspects of protocol-related learning in the module and best practice in the field of protocol.    

Following this well received send-off for the module participants, a representative of the cohort moved a vote of thanks to the DAOC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all resource persons who contributed to the success of the customized training. This task fell to Mr. Kwano Nottage, Executive Guest Services, Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, who also took the opportunity to reflect on key takeaways for the learners regarding the module.