International Relations and Diplomacy Lunch Event:
This event was my first GSD Global Event. The conference was about following a career path in international relations. The speaker was a retired United States ambassador. The speaker began with introducing himself and his former career in international diplomacy. The focus of the event was on the importance of youth which was ironic because Natalie, Jesse, Tony, and I were the only youth there. The speaker explained that less and less young people are choosing to pursue a career in international relations. The speaker focused on the necessity of workers in international diplomacy. Specifically the job of diplomacy workers to promote healthy international relationships and serve as an example of an ideal citizen from your home country.
The presentation then shifted to discussing current foreign affairs and the complex roles of a United States ambassador in each unique situation. The conversation focused heavily on China and the United States international relationship with the Chinese government. Obviously, the United States and China do not have the best relationship, but when acting as an ambassador you have a responsibility to act rationally and politely under almost any circumstances. Although the presentation only touched on the United States relationship with China, there were many questions during the question and answer session that were completely focused on this concept. I personally felt this was missing the point the speaker was trying to make. The speaker wanted to focus on how international diplomacy maintains healthy international relationships and The United States relationship with China doesn’t feel like the best representation of this concept. On the other hand, international diplomacy has kept the political relationship between China and the United States civil and safe even if it isn’t friendly. I do think it makes sense that the conversation began to focus on Chinese relationships, considering when you think about the concept of international relations it would not be uncommon to simultaneously think of Chinese and American relations.