Czech Ambassador: “Diplomats are often lonely”

Ambassador Hynek Kmoníček shared the secret to promoting his country, a diplomat not only needs talent but also knows how to become a "star" in the eyes of international friends through his own values.

Czech Ambassador to Vietnam, Hynek Kmoníček. Photo: Dan Nguyen

I understand that you have had an interesting journey from a musician to a diplomat. What makes diplomacy so appealing to you? Ambassador Hynek Kmoníček: Diplomacy is a field with many traditions, and some things only make sense when you experience them firsthand. For example, why do diplomats have to adhere to a strict dress code? At first glance, this may not seem important. But in fact, the way a diplomat dresses shows respect for his or her counterparts and is also a way to project a professional image. When you dress well, what you say will be taken more seriously. And as a diplomat, you represent not only yourself but also a country. For example, you are walking into an important meeting. If you are well-dressed and polite, your counterpart will focus on what you have to say. But if you show up with a pink feather on your head, all the attention will be on your strange appearance rather than the content of the conversation. That is why diplomats always follow certain codes of conduct, however rigid they may seem. The rules of dress, communication, and diplomatic protocol are tools that help us project a professional and trustworthy image. The same is true of some Asian traditions, where rituals that are difficult to understand and seem unnecessary to outsiders play an important role in maintaining community cohesion. That is why many Europeans do not understand Asian culture. The same is true of diplomacy. Codes of conduct seem simple, but they are the foundation for building long-term relationships. So how do you bridge the cultural gap, especially between Europe and Asia? Ambassador Hynek Kmoníček: First and foremost, it is important to have an open mind. We cannot force someone to change to suit us. Diplomacy is not a war, but a dance, in which each side must find a way to get along with the other. To build good relationships, we need to understand each other. It is important to listen, understand the other side's point of view and look for common ground. When we understand why the other person thinks and acts the way he does, we will find the right solution. One of the biggest challenges for a diplomat is to find a balance between integration and preserving identity. How can I understand Vietnam without actually becoming Vietnamese? My job is to understand Vietnam and its needs, but not to adopt them as my own. We need to have a deep understanding of the culture of the country we are working in, but at the same time we must remember that we are representing our own country. Being a native speaker is completely unnecessary and can even lead to unnecessary misunderstandings. The art of diplomacy is knowing how to connect with other cultures without losing yourself. It is a continuous learning process that requires patience, tact, and an open heart.

At his home while serving as Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Kmoníček erected a wall displaying paintings collected from all over the world, including Vietnam, Israel, Thailand, Peru, India, etc. Photo: Michele Bendal.

Do you have any advice for young people who want to enter the diplomatic service? Ambassador Hynek Kmoníček: Diplomacy is a career that requires passion and great sacrifice. Before deciding to pursue this path, young people need to clearly understand the challenges that this career brings. The life of a diplomat is not only about luxurious business trips and high-level meetings, but also about months away from home, having to adapt to a new living environment and constant changes. Frequent relocation can cause many difficulties for you and your family. Your children will have to adapt to a new learning environment, and your spouse will also face challenges when integrating into a different culture. That is why I often compare diplomacy to military life. You need to be mentally and spiritually prepared to face these changes. In addition, diplomats also need to prepare themselves mentally to face feelings of loneliness and homesickness. After many years of working abroad, you may feel like a guest in your own country. However, these diverse and rich experiences will help you mature and have a deeper insight into the world. Therefore, before deciding to pursue a diplomatic career, you need to ask yourself whether you are really ready for such a life. If you are someone who likes stability, diplomacy may not be the right choice. However, if you are passionate about exploring, love to communicate and want to contribute to your country, this will be an interesting and meaningful career.

At an international food festival in Washington DC in June 2021, Czech Ambassador Hynek Kmoníček prepared Czech folk food for the audience. Photo: The Georgetowner.

I came across an interesting fact about the Ambassador while reading his biography — he is known to be an avid cook, an avid art collector, and enjoys other cultural activities such as music and movies. What role can cultural diplomacy play in this area, according to the Ambassador? Ambassador Hynek Kmoníček: Cultural diplomacy is not only a diplomatic tool, but also a bridge between cultures. Sharing personal interests, such as food or art, makes it easier for me to connect with people on a deeper level. If you are an ambassador of a major power, you can justify your boredom and bureaucratic personality. But for a small country like the Czech Republic, you need something interesting about yourself to build your reputation in the diplomatic community. I will give you an example from my experience as an ambassador in Washington. The fact that I can cook different dishes, from Czech cuisine to snake meat, has helped me get noticed in the diplomatic community in the US! This is an unexpected way that I have been able to build good relationships with colleagues and partners. If they find you interesting, they will also find your country interesting. Finally, can you share your memorable moments from your diplomatic career? Ambassador Hynek Kmoníček: I hope I have brought a breath of fresh air to diplomacy. I always think that I do things a little differently. Many diplomats tend to live in a safe, predictable world. So they make things more boring to avoid any risks. My approach is the opposite! I try to make boring rules and procedures more interesting. If this is how I am remembered, as someone who made diplomacy more alive, then those will be the things I feel most proud of and most memorable for.

Pham Vu Thieu Quang

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/dai-su-sec-hynek-kmonicek-nha-ngoai-giao-thuong-co-don-2330819.html