‘Humor, cultural understanding, and engagement key to being a good diplomat’

Doha, Qatar: Georgetown University Qatar (GU Q) recently hosted a public talk by former Greek Ambassador Dimitri Alexandrakis, who currently serves as...

Doha, Qatar: Georgetown University Qatar (GU-Q) recently hosted a public talk by former Greek Ambassador Dimitri Alexandrakis, who currently serves as the university’s Distinguished-Diplomat-in-Residence.

The event, titled What Makes a Good Diplomat? provided an in-depth look at the key qualities and experiences that define effective diplomacy, and allowed students, faculty, and the public to engage with insights from the seasoned diplomat.

Introduced by Dean Safwan Masri, Ambassador Alexandrakis drew from his distinguished 42-year career as a diplomat, including his recent tenure as Ambassador of Greece to Iran from 2017 to 2022, a period marked by significant regional challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted the humanitarian side of diplomacy, recounting his role in facilitating one of Greece’s first vaccine donations to Iran’s Red Crescent, underscoring diplomacy’s capacity for positive impact, even amid political complexities.

During his talk, Ambassador Alexandrakis described the role of an ambassador as a “24-hour commitment” that requires constant engagement and a deep understanding of the host country’s culture and social dynamics.

He also noted that humour can be a valuable asset in diplomatic interactions, often helping to ease tensions and foster goodwill.