Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Indonesia (KEMENLU RI) has 1965 diplomats only. The number is considered as less number than the number of Indonesian population is accounted 253 millions. Hence, there is high occasion to be a diplomat, at it needs a diplomat who has not only knowledge of foreign policy but also the best characteristics in order to comply Indonesian diplomacy.

It was conveyed by Muhammad Hery Saripudin, M.A., Head of Policy Analysis and Development Agency of Asia Pacific and Africa KEMENLU RI, in a public lecture by the theme of “How to Be a Diplomat” to students of International relations of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (HI UMY) in a Meeting Room of A.R. Fachruddin A UMY, on Wednesday (14/01).

“Being a diplomat is deemed exclusive in Indonesia. In fact, it is sensible since the selection is adequate rigorous and has certain criteria. Being diplomat is required to have a personality used to a diplomat’s duties. In Indonesia we have 1965 diplomats, and it is still less because the population is about 253 millions. Thus, I tell you that diplomats are needed and, noticing my experience, it is selected who has the best characters. That is the most essential since a few have it,” he explained.

Hery expounded that many prospective diplomats passed the foreign language qualification phase and the insight of foreign policy knowledge, but who passed interview section were just a few. Based on his experience being the examiner of prospective diplomats for 3 years, he argued that the interview was assessed the characteristics. As Hery was the examiner, the ones who had good characteristics were few.

“Besides language and foreign policy knowledge, the most importance is characteristics. As my experience became the examiner in the interview, I rarely asked foreign policy knowledge, but what I inquired is about their personality or other aspects, which were far from foreign policy, since I examined the characteristics. The character is the main asset that a diplomat should have because they would confront many people from various areas in the world,” told Hery who was in charge in South Africa, Canada, and the United States of America.

Furthermore, Hery also explicated that students, who are interested in being a diplomat, should prepare themselves by reading and comprehending a diplomat’s duties and responsibility, governing techniques using in diplomacy such as communication techniques and psychology, and being able to understand the context in conditioning of diplomacy.

“If you are interested in being a diplomat, starting from now you have time to prepare yourself like reading and comprehending a diplomat’s duties and responsibility, governing techniques using in diplomacy such as communication techniques and psychology, and being able to understand the context in conditioning of diplomacy,” he continued.

In the end of the lecture, Hery quoted the statement of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono that “Indonesian diplomats should have high confidence since we believe that Indonesia goes to the better future.” (Shidqi)