The Role of Diplomacy in Sustaining America’s Position

During the Symposium: The Role of Diplomacy in Sustaining America’s position, U.S Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley establishes the challenge and joy of an “ordinary” diplomat as she shares her 30-year experience in the field. As the first woman to lead a diplomat mission in Saudi Arabia, she recounts the crippling presence of inequality across the Middle East.

On her first trip to the country, she entered the meeting room entirely packed with men. As she was handing diplomas to the Saudi Arabians who taught English as the second language, some men refused to touch her hand; outside the building, hundreds of women ưere watching the event on television. While she was walking outside, a lot of Middle Eastern women approached her and showed their appreciation that the U.S has sent a woman to their country on such a mission. Abercrombie-Winstanley claims that she, though being an international, owns more rights and has crossed more social thresholds during her time in Saudi Arabia than the local women have ever done in their lifetime. Disheartened by the patriarchal laws that forbid women in Saudi Arabia to establish their own business or travel abroad with permission from a male family member, Abercrombie-Winstanley appreciated her privileges that she received back in her hometown and said, “It is only when I am overseas that I’m truly and fully American.”

In addition, Abercrombie-Winstanley is a fervent advocate of public education, which she claims serves as the lifeblood and indicator of a country’s health. She raises her concern about the staggering number of U.S children not being able to receive proper education and stresses the importance of having a national standard that includes all the people coming from different backgrounds and social classes.

From the informative talk, I learned that the power of any country depends on the vital interrelation of “Three Ds”: development, defense, and diplomacy. A nation can possess earth-shattering military power, a well-structured economic and political system, but still languishes in the international environment due to its weak foreign policy. In the times when the global-burning issues such as COVID 19 and climate change are negatively altering the world, diplomacy becomes more important than ever to assemble the countries and promote international cooperation for a mutual cause.

In addition, the well-delivered speech by Abercrombie-Winstanley affected me as a Vietnamese student currently studying in the US. I felt fortunate to be able to pursue an education in such a developed country while also reminding myself of my responsibility that follows. Bearing some duties resembling that of a diplomat, I introduce the culture of my country to my friends, correct any misconception or stereotype, and also learn about their backgrounds. I strive to establish cross-cultural friendships that open ways for deeper connection.