Deputy Foreign Minister B. Elias Shoniyin has admonished students of the Foreign Service Institute, FSI to utilize the opportunity given to them at the institution owing to the number of qualified and experienced instructors that will impart their life positively as they embark on their long career journey.
According to Foreign Ministry Release the Deputy Minister made the statement when he remarked on Friday, November 23, 2018 at the orientation exercise commencing the reopening of the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Deputy Foreign Minister Shoniyin emphasized that the Foreign Service is not a wealthy journey but a place to come, learn and serve one’s country. Mr. Shoniyin used the occasion to thank the Officer-In-Charge of the Institute Mr. John S.M. Yormie, Jr. for his energy and efforts to gather everyone to attend the program.
He said diplomats are not politicians that is why they should be truthful and objective in the execution of their duties. “To be a successful diplomat, you must be a team player and not to make followers“ he stated.
The Ceremony was held at the Institution campus on the 2nd floor of the Foreign Ministry on the Capitol Hill. For his part, Ambassador George W. Wallace, Jr, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Lecturer of the Institute gave an historical background and significance of the formation of the FSI.
The renowned Liberian Diplomat further asserted that the establishment of the FSI can be attributed to the farsightedness of President William V.S. Tubman, who he said saw the need to put an end to foreigners representing Liberia at the diplomatic level.
“President Tubman negotiated with the United States Government to train Liberians in International Relations; this was successful when eleven Liberians were trained by the American Government in Washington D.C in the 1940’s.”, he emphasized.
He further told the occasion that Liberia negotiated with the United States Government to send teachers to teach at the Institution as well. The former Foreign Minister commended the then Secretary of State for his role played in helping to open the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute, adding the Foreign Service field is jealously guided.
Ambassador Wallace cautioned the students to be respectful, Laconic in their speeches and a good listener. He reminded them of a British writer comment that states “Liberians diplomats are one of the best in the Foreign Service fields”
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Also speaking, the President of the most recent class Ms. Ora Barclay Keller shared her experience at the Institute, stressing that as a promising diplomat, one needs to be punctual and informed at all time as the FSI instructors would always be on top of trending issues.
For her part, Deputy Foreign Minister for Administration and Instructor of the Foreign Service Institute, Hon. Marie Coleman admonished the students of the FSI to be attentive; promising to share her personal experiences as former Inspector General of the Liberian Foreign Service.
