Diplomacy and Governance: Is this the track for you?

As college application deadlines draw near, senior high school students are in a rush to discern what track they envision for themselves in the near future. Choosing the right program is among the integral steps of this process. As Asians, we are accustomed to meeting specific expectations pertaining to our careers. Oftentimes, we are expected to either focus on business, law or the health sciences.

Given the evolving nature of the world, the fields of Diplomacy and Governance, although unheard of paths for some – as there are only a few Philippine higher education institutions offering these – have been gaining traction in recent years.

Similar to how I was feeling when I was discerning what program to pursue for my undergraduate course, there is really one perplexing question that needs to be answered for those who aspire to pursue these interrelated fields: what should I be doing in preparation for the courses I will be taking?

Read…Read. READ. Reading is a vital part of one’s journey as a Diplomacy and Governance major. This is not merely because you need to expect tons of readings, it is also a way for you to stay attuned with the current developments both in the national and global arenas. These two arenas will be the focus of your entire study.

Confidence-building starts with risks. Not everyone is innately blessed with public speaking skills. However, there is no need to fret, as skills requiring a greater extent of confidence can be honed over time. Most of the time, interestingly, it begins with you taking a risk that would allow you to go beyond your comfort zone.

The world is a dog-eat-dog world; however, cooperation is still the best way. As future diplomats and civil servants, it is expected of you to always practice restraint – to choose cooperation over competition. After all, cooperation is the driving force of the United Nations and other international organizations, like ASEAN, for instance – all these you will be able to familiarize yourself with in your courses.

Know your why. Diplomacy and Governance-related programs can be tedious. At times, you will even doubt yourself and your capabilities. This is the very reason why knowing your “Why” is integral. This may come in the form of an advocacy, something that piques your interest or a niche you wish to pursue later in life. Knowing this “Why” would motivate you to keep going.

These tips are not a one-size-fits-all solution. We perceive things from our respective contexts as individuals. However, in the current state of our world – where chaos, divisions and isolation seem to triumph over cooperation and equity – the system certainly needs more diplomats and civil servants who aspire to make this world a better place to live in.

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Josue Raphael Cortez is a full-time faculty of the De La Salle-College of Benilde School of Diplomacy and Governance.