Ambassadors’ Week 2016
The traditional Ambassadors’ Conference has now become a full “diplomatic week”, in line with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development’s objective for greater openness. This latest version of Ambassadors’ Week, to be held in Paris from 29 August to 2 September 2016 on the theme of “Security, territories and Europe”, confirms this trend.
Why hold an Ambassadors’ Week?
This week is an opportunity to gain a greater insight into the work of Ambassadors and to enable the public to learn about major topical diplomatic issues. Among the themes addressed this year: the fight against terrorism, the future of Europe, economic diplomacy with speed-dating between “1 Ambassador and 1 entrepreneur” and territorial issues in diplomatic action.
Another goal this week is for the highest French authorities to set out the roadmap for the heads of diplomatic posts for the year ahead. It also enables Ambassadors to talk among themselves and to debate with elected representatives, experts and civil-society or private-sector representatives.
Each day, a theme linked to foreign policy priorities and current debates within French society is addressed during working sessions and/or public sequences.
An Internet-friendly Ambassadors’ Week
In a major innovation, this year Internet users can take part in the work and interact with Ambassadors and special guests all week via a dedicated digital and multimedia platform.
In addition to the sequences open to the public and entrepreneurs (on 29-30 August), a Social Room was created for the event: live debates, testimonies, behind-the-scenes coverage and interviews with special guests will be available on social networks, via #SemaineAmbass. You can find the Social Room events timetable on France Diplomatie.
A multilingual week
Finally, this week opens up the opportunity to showcase one of the Ministry’s strengths: foreign languages. Throughout the event, students from the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO), one of the oldest and most prestigious language schools in Europe, will take us behind the scenes at Ambassadors’ Week in the language which they are learning.
Via blog entries and interviews with special guests, experience Ambassadors’ Week through the prism of some of the languages used at the Ministry.