If you hang around the diplomatic scene, one thing is certain, you’ll pick up a number of clever analogies to describe the complexities of the job. I’ll share the new one I heard during the Diplomat of the Year Awards 2025. “Diplomacy is like hosting a dinner party for many people with various dangerous allergies and strong opinions. The challenge? Ensuring no one leaves the party hungry!” Her Excellency Ambassador Dr. Margret Verwijk’s analogy rang true throughout the event.
The best set of words I’ve found to describe the current state of international relations is fluid, dynamic and transient. With keen ears, I leaned in as ambassadors gave short impromptu acceptance speeches. In the speeches, which aligned with their countries’ foreign policies, I caught a few strong position statements and some rebuttals concealed in jokes. In those moments (to my delight), I felt like I was attending a tension-free debate. To me, that’s the essence of diplomacy; open, honest yet comfortable conversation.
The Diplomat of the Year Awards celebrate the contributions of members of the diplomatic corps to strengthening their home countries’ ties with Zimbabwe (and Zimbabweans) and maintaining relations with other ambassadors. I’ll end this post with His Excellency Park Jae Kyung’s words, “These awards are not just recognition of our past achievements but encouragement to do more in Zimbabwe.”
