Nassau, BAHAMAS – The College of The Bahamas School of Social Sciences, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, recently hosted a lecture at The College under the topic, “The Relationship between International Diplomacy and National Governance.” The lecture informed and educated the public about the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration within national governance.
Dr. Rodney Smith, President of The College of The Bahamas, welcomed officials and foreign diplomats to the lecture, stating that it is the beginning of many future collaborations with the government, and specifically, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We at The College are keen to deepen our relationship with government ministries and through doing this we continue to fulfill our mission to support and drive national development through teaching, research and innovation and service to the community. With this mission as our guide we are committed to increasing our research capacities at all levels and across all disciplines,” said President Smith.
During his remarks, Dr. Smith noted that, it is intrinsically important to ensure that there is collaboration between academia and the government to provide viable solutions towards foreign policy and national development. Some of the plans proposed by The College are the implementation of a Public Policy and Governance Institute along with implementing a degree in international diplomacy for future students.
Speaking first at the event was Mrs. Keisha Ellis-Hunt, Adjunct Professor of Political Sciences at The College of The Bahamas for Political Science. Mrs. Ellis-Hunt earned a Master’s Degree in International Policy and Economics and serve as a member of the National Reparation’s Committee for the Government of The Bahamas. During her intriguing and historically enlightening presentation, Mrs. Ellis-Hunt highlighted the deep rooted challenges that small island states, such as The Bahamas, face within the context of globalization and post-colonial realities.
“Have you ever joined a game of Monopoly that had already begun? You get your $1,500 and you feel rich. You feel like an equal player. There are rules that everyone has to follow and the ojectives are clear. But the others have been playing for an hour; they own the railroads, utilities and the best property. You roll the dice and make your move but quickly find that with every play you either end up paying rent or going to jail. Your money is quickly redistributed to the people who own the property. Your cleaverness means nothing because you never have an opportunity to use it. No one is cheating, no one is forcing you to go to jail but according to the rules, that is where you belong. No one is saying that you cannot own property you simply don’t have the means or the opportunity to aquire any. Imagine that the game has been played for four hundred years, where the world is the board and us as the pieces. For centuries they have played and for the last 50 years have allowed us a seat at the table…this is our history and this is the world we live in” explained Ellis-Hunt.
The keynote lecture was presented by Sheila Carey, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration. Her presentation focused on practicalities of international diplomacy and how it related to the governance of the country. During the lecture, Ms. Carey assured the audience that negotiations are transparent and are always communicated to the public before any treaties are signed. She reiterated that international diplomacy presents an opportunity of trust between two governments and/or international organisations. Therefore, while negotiations are occurring, The Commonwealth of The Bahamas as a small island state will continue to uphold its reputation of being a trustworthy sovereign country with earned integrity.
“The majority of the world’s states are small. Rather than regulate small states to the sidelines, the study of small state diplomacy provides tremendous insight into the practice of modern diplomacy itself. As such, diplomacy practiced by small states is a subset of the basic themes and methods of diplomacy in general and small states are necessary and active partners in the global community of nations. Studies suggest that in an effort to overcome the vulnerabilities faced by small states lack of over economic and military power, susecptiabliy to external forces, vulnerability etc. Small states compenstate for their lack of power by seeking to promote their interest in international institutions and emphasising the soft power inherent in international legality. Thus, the Bahamian foreign service officer can sit at the negotiating table representing this country’s policies with the same rights as his or her big country counterparts,” explained Carey.
The lecture was closed by the Chairperson of the School of Social Sciences, Dr. Christopher Curry, and Assistant Professor of History. He mentioned that this is the first of many lectures that will provide opportunities for collaboration between the College and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The public lecture, sponsored by Bristol Wines and Spirits was one of the main events for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Diplomatic Week. It is also the first lecture of The College of The Bahamas School of Social Sciences 2015/16 Public Service Lecture Series. Other lectures currently being discussed are “Decentralisation of Local Government” and “Public Administration and the Rule of Law”. The collaboration is hoped to be with the appropriate government ministry.
The event was attended by the Hon. Frederick A. Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration he mentioned that “the lecture was a concise and illuminating presentation on the work of the Foreign Service.” Also attending was H.E. Dr. Eugene Newry, Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Rhoda Jackson, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, H.E. Alma Adams Ambassador to the People’s Republic of Cuba along with Consul Generals and Honorary Consuls for The Commonwealth of The Bahamas to Missions and international diplomats visiting from Jamaica and Cuba.
