On Friday  26 June  the Clingendael Institute celebrated the closing of the Course for Junior Policy Officers from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Dutch more commonly known as the 'Klasje'). 26 participants received their well deserved certificates from the  Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Bert Koenders, while in the company of relatives, friends and other guests.

Foreign policy not determined by the MFA alone

The closing cermony marked the official end of an intensive, three month programme in which the participants increased their knowledge of the various policy areas of Dutch foreign policy. Foreign policy is no longer solely the domain of the MFA.

The interdepartmental composition of the group is a good example of this development: Minister Koenders warmly welcomed the twenty young MFA policy officials as new colleagues at his ministry. He also welcomed the six participants who represented other ministries as well as the Directorate of Foreign Relations Curaçao. They will be representing the international interests of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

A good diplomat

The Minister also shared some of his personal observations about being a diplomat. A good diplomat connects people, is flexible, service oriented and a team player. He or she is someone who, in addition to having the knowledge and expertise of foreign policy, also has EQ (emotional intelligence) and who knows how to build and sustain networks. After his speech, Minister Koenders answered some questions from the audience, moderated by Clingendael Director Prof. dr. Ko Colijn.

Sweet memories

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"5443","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"321","style":"width: 350px; height: 234px; float: right;","width":"480"}}]]During the speeches that followed, many memorable moments from 'Klasje 2015' were shared; reflecting both the social as well as more serious elements…

Conducting negotiation simulations, preparing files for a ministerial meeting wih Parliament, writing memo’s and speeches, developing a European lobby strategy. This is just a modest selection of a wide range of assignments that were executed over the past three months.

Similar assignments also feature in the Course on Foreign Relations (or Leergang Buitenlandse Betrekkingen (LBB)), once the cradle of the 'Klasje', and still taking place at the Institute each year. The LBB prepares Dutch professionals and people with international ambitions for a successful career in international relations.

Clingendael wishes all participants of the 'Klasje 2015' good luck in their career at the MFA and the other ministries!

- 1 July 2015