Six new Heads of Missions are undergoing a one-week orientation at the Foreign Service Institute, after which they will be deployed to their various posts overseas and were challenged by Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge to be strategic thinkers.
According to a GINA press release, the Foreign Affairs Minister noted the timeliness of the orientation since this will be the first time several of the appointees will be serving in the diplomatic corps.
“We’ve therefore taken the opportunity at this point in time to put on a mini programme…so as to expose them to a variety of requirements and identify for them a range of hazards that they may encounter in these new positions,” said Greenidge.
The Minister challenged the Heads of Missions to be strategic thinkers, analyse their issues and use technology to efficiently address concerns or issues that they will face during their tenure, the release stated.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently examining plans for its restructuring, the release stated.
“The reality is that the training that is required to make Embassies abroad efficient is not only required to be directed at the new Heads of Missions, but we also have to do something about deficiencies in house, right here in Georgetown,” Greenidge explained.
According to the release, the restructuring plans include an enhanced recruitment of skilled staff and a greater reliance on technology to improve response time from overseas Heads of Missions.
