I was very interested to see a letter last month in The Jamaica Gleaner newspaper with the above title, expressing confusion and scepticism as to the purpose of Embassies.
Given that I work in one (a High Commission is just the name for an Embassy between Commonwealth Countries), this set me thinking. I love my job and feel hugely privileged to represent my country in Jamaica. But my colleagues and I can only be successful if those outside our organisation understand what we do. This includes the many Jamaicans we work with.
It seems to me that Embassies and the people who work in them have changed a lot over the years. Nonetheless, it has struck me both here and in previous jobs, that old perceptions of out-of-touch officials can persist.
We try to spend a lot more time than in the past engaging the public, including through social media. The Gleaner letter is a good reminder that there has to be a continuous effort for Governments to be more open about how they work and to communicate to foreign audiences.
There is though one central simple point about Embassies which seems obvious to me, but perhaps not to the public, including the Gleaner correspondent. It is that any diplomat is there primarily to carry out the wishes and pursue the interests of his or her own Government. I am very conscious that it is the British taxpayer ultimately that pays my wages and those of all of my colleagues.
My colleagues at the High Commission are doing a huge range of things: yes, delivering visas (contrary to popular perception, through a fair if rigorous process), but also helping British nationals in need of assistance; helping British companies wanting to do business here; cooperating with Jamaican partners in the fight against crime affecting both countries; administering a large development programme and helping Jamaican returnees from the UK reintegrate into life back here.
As part of the senior Management team, it’s my job to help ensure that whatever we do, together we focus on promoting the interests of the United Kingdom in Jamaica, and in that context, good UK-Jamaica relations.
Similarly, I am sure that anybody who works for the Jamaican Government overseas puts Jamaica’s interests at the forefront of their activities. If I may say so, I think the Jamaican High Commission in London focussed brilliantly on this during the Olympics last year, through events that promoted Jamaica.