GLOBAL PROTOCOL AND ETIQUETTE FOR PEACE AND PROGRESS by Jose de Asis Jr.

The world is becoming borderless. Information Technology sets the trend.  Wherever you are in the world, you are still connected with your friends and loved ones. In terms of update and news, you are one with the rest of the world. Social media connects long lost friends and relatives and they are reunited again. Whatever changes we have experienced and enjoyed, still the basic courtesy and etiquette remains the same. Countries alike maintain political diplomacy with one another and carefully forever live up to promote peace and order. Despite the efforts made in maintaining diplomatic relations, some countries are in trouble and in war with one another. Conflict in terms of ideology and territorial claims are just one of the many reasons why countries are fighting and not in good terms. Superpower countries aspire to be the leader of the world and spend billions for military operations. In order to gain competitive advantage , they need to put  strategies into action.

We belong to different race and culture. We have different ideals and aspirations. We live in different parts of the world. Our experience and economic status varied. Developed countries are leading the way, developing countries are showing progress and some countries are left behind struggling for survival. Though differentiation sets us apart, we live in one world and we share the same horizon. As one people we share the same common goal, peace and progress for everyone. World peace has been challenged before our time. The powerful and the mighty conquered the weak and the powerless. Kingdoms rise and fall and many great leaders saved their people. Two world wars have passed and the effects were devastating. From that experience, humanity learned the value of peace and the atrocities of war.  

Every country is dependent with another. Human and natural resources are distributed. No one has the monopoly and the sole control of the things freely given by our Creator. We have imports and exports of the things we need and needed by our brothers and sisters. We have abundance with one thing and  deficiency with the other. In order to live we need to interact and maintain good relations with the rest of the  world.

Topics like diplomatic relations, protocol and etiquette were not a part of the business curriculum in our college days. Yes, I agree that as a catholic university we need to study about religion and philosophy. As a business course, incorporating diplomatic relations in our studies will prepare the students for future foreign assignments. Global awareness for individual differences and preferences must be known and respected.  Having diplomats positioned in one country is an advantage. This is one way to achieve major foreign policy and national security goals.  It provides an opportunity to develop trusted relationship and assess military loyalty. While diplomats and citizens are in one foreign country, there are ceremonial rules to be observed in all official interaction between states and their agents. The act of respecting each unique customs and traditions is a recognized system of international courtesy. Good manners and right conduct are expected for every foreign visitor and their representatives. Their acts and representation are crucial as they are the ambassadors of their country.

We have diplomacy in order to have representations in other countries. We need to gather information and provide consular services (protection of the citizens and settlement of trade issues) to millions of overseas workers. We need to have policy adviser and negotiator when the need arises. For us Filipinos, diplomatic relations with other countries is very important.  Global protocol and proper etiquette made us known worldwide. Millions of Filipinos are working around the globe. We belong to a very talented race and we are in demand in terms of our service to our employers. Overseas workers contributed so much in our economy  and in return must be accorded with protection and assurance of safe living outside our country. However, because of greed and abuse of power, some of our officials did not make good of their duties and responsibilities.

More and more Filipinos are working abroad. This is a very positive sign for our country and the next generation to come. We put diplomatic relationship and proper etiquette in high standard. The trust and respect of foreigners to us Filipinos must never fade. We have to maintain the standard and even go beyond to surpass expectations. As a father of two teenagers and a toddler, I have to impose discipline to my children. I will inculcate in their young minds the value and importance of protocol and etiquette in their everyday dealings with people from different walks of life. I firmly believe that every family has the great influence to their growing children. Education starts at home. The learnings we acquire from school and our environment completes the package. Consistency in our words and actions will eventually become a habit. It will become a way of life.