How are members of foreign ministries promoted? What practices dampen morale and what practices encourage it? What are best practices and how is the crucial issue of promotion handled across the world? Discuss these questions with veteran diplomat and seasoned scholar, Ambassador Kishan S. Rana, in a DiploFoundation webinar on 30 January at 14:00 UTC.
[Update] Read Ambassador Kishan S. Rana's summary of the main themes discussed during the webinar. The recording is available here:
We are pleased to invite you to a webinar with Ambassador Kishan S. Rana, based on his policy brief on Promotion methods in foreign ministries, DiploFoundation’s second policy brief.
In it, Ambassador Rana argues that promotion methods are the central element of human resource management in foreign ministries. He makes three crucial suggestions for improvement, arguing that many countries have yet to establish proper methods of promotion, a lack of which undermines professionalism and morale; advocating for a shift from seniority-based promotions to performance-based promotions; and stressing that while acknowledging the tradition and ethos of each country, ministries of foreign affairs need to look at and learn from best practices across the world. In supporting these points, Ambassador Rana draws on a wealth of examples from India, Brazil, China, Peru, Singapore, Mexico, China, Japan, Germany, Australia, the UK, and the USA.
Ambassador Rana joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1960, retiring in 1995. He served as ambassador to Algeria, Czechoslovakia, Kenya, Mauritius, and Germany; Joint Secretary in Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s Office (1981–1982); and head of personnel administration in the Ministry of External Affairs. He is the author of Diplomacy of the Twenty-first Century (2011) and The Contemporary Embassy (2013).
He is happy to receive your questions and comments on his policy brief via e-mail (kishanrana@gmail.com).The webinar will take place on Friday, 30th January, at 14:00 UTC (15:00 CET). Participation is free but registration is required.
Registration is now closed.
If you have any questions or encounter any problems, e-mail Katharina Hone at katharinah@diplomacy.edu
