Arnold Foote (right), Dean of the Consular Corps of Jamaica, listens to Irena Cousins, Honorary Consul for Poland, at yesterday's launch of the certificate course in International Relations and Diplomacy at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston. The two-week course is organised by the Consular Corps and the Centre D'Etudes Diplomatiques et Strategiques of France and will run from June 2 to 13. - Norman Grindley /Staff Photographer ARNOLD FOOTE, Dean of the Consular Corps, is encouraging Jamaican professionals, Government officials and businessmen, especially those involved in exports, to participate in the Certificate Course in International Relations and Diplomacy, which is scheduled for the University of the West Indies, Mona, from June 2 to 13.
Mr. Foote said that with globalisation, international relations was not only for persons engaged in the diplomatic services but, especially, for persons who interacted with international companies and organisations to better understand the ramifications of the changing world orders.
"It affects how we trade, how we do business and how we communicate," he said.
The Consular Corps of Jamaica has organised the two-week certificate course in association with the Centre D'Etudes Diplomatiques et Stratigiques of Paris.
Mr. Foote said that it was the first time in the history of the Consular Corps of Jamaica that such collaboration was being undertaken and that it had been endorsed by the International Federation of Consular Corps and Associations (FICAC), the world consular corps body.
"I am pleased to tell you that Jamaica was co-opted as a member of the executive of FICAC in October 2002 and I have the honour to represent Jamaica and serve in that capacity at this time," he said.
The course had become necessary because more responsibility was being placed on consuls by sending states "because of economic considerations" Mr. Foote said.
