Thandie Mwape | SOAS University of London (original) (raw)
Thandie Mwape (Ms) is a Zambian national with 15 years of experience in international relations/public policy (humanitarian, development and peace/security affairs). Thandie has 15 years with UNOCHA on emergency response and resilience in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Geneva and New York
less
Uploads
Papers by Thandie Mwape
Today, the resident embassy serves as a state’s representative outside its territory. The role th... more Today, the resident embassy serves as a state’s representative outside its territory. The role that resident embassies play evolved out of practices and challenges of diplomacy in ancient times, developing through the Roman and Byzantine empires to eventually become a norm in Europe established by the French System of Diplomacy that emerged from the seventeenth century to the First World War. Since then, the resident embassy has undergone further change, particularly with the trend of globalization in the twentieth century, but nonetheless remains a relevant institution in the conduct of diplomacy.
This essay attempts to explain the role of resident embassies in advancing diplomacy by taking a comparative analysis of ancient non-resident diplomatic conduct and post-seventeenth century diplomatic practices through resident embassies. The analysis takes note of the common function that the two systems have served in advancing inter-state relationships for their governments, and particularly highlights the challenges of ancient diplomatic practice as relates to treatment of foreign dignitaries.
The essay argues that the role of a contemporary resident embassy is important in its function of strengthening bilateral ties in the context of strengthening peace, amongst other functions performed by consular services of resident embassies. In discussing the resident embassy in a globalized world, the essay describes the role of the resident embassy in communicating to the public through new information technologies, while noting some challenges and opportunities that globalization presents.
Today, the resident embassy serves as a state’s representative outside its territory. The role th... more Today, the resident embassy serves as a state’s representative outside its territory. The role that resident embassies play evolved out of practices and challenges of diplomacy in ancient times, developing through the Roman and Byzantine empires to eventually become a norm in Europe established by the French System of Diplomacy that emerged from the seventeenth century to the First World War. Since then, the resident embassy has undergone further change, particularly with the trend of globalization in the twentieth century, but nonetheless remains a relevant institution in the conduct of diplomacy.
This essay attempts to explain the role of resident embassies in advancing diplomacy by taking a comparative analysis of ancient non-resident diplomatic conduct and post-seventeenth century diplomatic practices through resident embassies. The analysis takes note of the common function that the two systems have served in advancing inter-state relationships for their governments, and particularly highlights the challenges of ancient diplomatic practice as relates to treatment of foreign dignitaries.
The essay argues that the role of a contemporary resident embassy is important in its function of strengthening bilateral ties in the context of strengthening peace, amongst other functions performed by consular services of resident embassies. In discussing the resident embassy in a globalized world, the essay describes the role of the resident embassy in communicating to the public through new information technologies, while noting some challenges and opportunities that globalization presents.