By Ya Awa Touray
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, through the Diaspora and the Migration Directorate, recently held for the staff of the Ministry a lecture on the theme: “The Gambia’s foreign policy, at a challenging global political scene”.
Led by Mr. Amat Jeng, a renowned Gambian-Swedish who holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations, and a double master’s degree in Political Science, and International Humanitarian Studies, the lecture provided MoFA staff the platform to interact and share best practices and success stories.
Mr. Jeng availed the participants the opportunity to familiarize themselves with issues including: Factors that influence foreign policy; what shapes the foreign policy of small states like The Gambia; how does diaspora and non-state actors shape foreign policy; with the inevitable rise of China, what are the dynamics shaping China’s foreign policy towards Africa, Gambia in particular? Dynamics that will shape the world in post-Ukraine war; have we reached the demise of a bipolar world? How can small states like The Gambia navigate through a multipolar world? Can international organisations replace the nation-state? What is the future of diplomacy in an increasingly polarized world?
The Permanent Secretary and Head of Diplomatic Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Ambassador Lang Yabou on behalf of the Hon. Minister commended Mr. Amat Jeng for the top-notch lecture. He said the knowledge sharing session was a very interesting one; especially the discussion on patriotism and nationalism. “Patriotism is everything, love for one’s country is everything,” posited Ambassador Yabou.
He said listening to the presentation, he was impressed with the topics that were discussed and urged the Director of Diaspora and Migration of the Ministry, Mr. Musa Camara to organise more of its kind.
The Director of Diaspora and Migration, Mr. Musa Camara who facilitated the public lecture, also thanked Mr. Jeng and promised to bring more experts, professors and practitioners amongst the Gambian Diaspora in a bid to tapping their expertise for our young diplomats.
In conclusion, Director Camara posited that ministries should be institutions of learning, touching base with new knowledge, emerging concepts and current discourses and MoFA cannot afford to lag behind in this endeavour.
