A two-day seminar began in Douala yesterday to address the principles and ethics of the corps.

“Being a diplomat is not putting on nice suits, but it is a profession with principles, science, ethics and a way of life.” The Secretary General at the Ministry of External Relations, Felix Mbayu, leading a five-person delegation from Yaounde, was addressing some 22 trainees shortlisted for a two-day seminar at the Douala Protocol and Consular Branch office, yesterday December 12, 2013.

The seminar that holds at the Banquet Hall of the Littoral Governor’s Office falls in line with keeping the staff up-to-date with an understanding of the 1963 Vienna conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations. In a bid to ameliorate service provision within the corps, the trainees will be provided with effective and pragmatic refresher lessons.

The overall objectives, Felix Mbayu unveiled, are to ensure a smooth transfer of knowledge and experience acquired by their facilitators, instil new age development and know-how, acquaint the staff with diplomatic rules and regulations aimed at boosting their daily output on the terrain.

Given that a diplomat incorporates the image of his country wherever represented, the learners were urged to show proof of personal qualities such as humility, discretion, commitment and self discipline, in order to soar the country’s flag high in their profession.