FAITH BASED DIPLOMACY
The Challenge To Development
by
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“Developing countries have become obsessed by the desire to promote development diplomacy. Most of them, however, are succumbing to the utopian views of careerism and elitism. Whether or not they are aware, development diplomacy cannot succeed when diplomatic missions have no decision making powers. It does not matter who is appointed for the job. What matters is speed in which decisions are made.”
“For far too long, diplomatic missions have been left in helpless situations from the beginning of their initial operations. When opening diplomatic missions, traditionally some governments send a team of officers from headquarters mandated with the purpose of acquiring property at the new mission location. Usually, the officials spend no less than two weeks scouting for the property. Because they are visiting a new country much of their time is spent on sight seeing and vacationing. No matter how experienced they maybe back at home, they cannot be objective enough to make good choices”.
“The best approach is to send the future First Secretary in advance to the new mission station in the capacity of Charge d’ affaires to identify the property”
“Development diplomacy has evolved and it is now an international issue. To the developing countries, it is an innovation, but not to the developed countries. Since ancient times, the developed countries have always pursued development diplomacy. In fact the colonial enterprise was a development diplomacy program as its main aim was to look for cheap raw materials from foreign countries. The industrial revolution was the precursor to the flow of foreign direct investments to poor countries during that time. To the contrary, the poor countries did not do anything to promote the foreign direct investment as is the case now.
“Some developing countries have the belief of projecting poverty when promoting development diplomacy. The leaders of such countries would better be politely advised that the perception and reaction to poverty situations vary from person to person. For instance, some people abstain from associating with poverty stricken countries. Such people are not interested in visiting countries that are ravaged by poverty for reasons known to themselves.”
“Poverty cannot and will never be a comparative advantage. Everyone knows that poverty exacerbates criminality”.
“Development diplomacy requires level headed people who appreciate that every country was created by God before they were created. Human beings only became inhabitants of the individual countries at God’s pleasure. In that respect, there is no one country which is better to God. The relative material differences are man made. Any country can change its material wealth with faith in God. Therefore, the people to be appointed should have the heart to serve others and not themselves. Exodus
“Development diplomacy means the promotion of economic interests by diplomatic missions”
“No wonder that suddenly the term development diplomacy has been popularized to the point of losing meaning. Over usage of the term has left an optimistic impression that the end of poverty is within reach. When citizens are told about the change to development diplomacy, they become elated, nobly persevering for the day when their living standards will also change for the better.”
“Obviously, this is a wrong message to people who are suffering from poverty…… It is better to advise them to place their hope in God and discover His gifts by reading the scriptures. It is only through faith in God that lasting solutions to poverty will be found. Jeremiah 9:23-24 warns against people who boast without understanding and knowing God as the Lord.”
“Political system cannot provide the solutions to poverty. The problem with political systems is with the leaders who champion them. Any political leadership not inspired by the power of faith is bound to fail as politics is the process of governing oneself well before governing others. Some people
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About the Book
Faith Based Diplomacy-The Challenge to Development is not just another book on diplomacy. It is a book in its own class. Concisely written and imbued with pragmatism, it outlines a vision of hope to poverty-stricken people making a concerted effort to improve their situations. Based on practical experience and influenced by faith, Ambassador James John Chikago’s book is useful reading for those possessing faith based values; specifically, people believing that God created the Universe before creating mankind and those sensitive individuals aware that poverty is not a permanent condition relegated to any specific ethnic identity. Beginning with the early pages, Chikago defines “diplomacy” as statesmanship, disavowing the assumption that diplomacy is a new invention by modern states. Instead, the author shows how the Holy Bible makes references to diplomacy in the books of 2 Samuel 10:2, 2 Corinthians 5:20, and Ephesians 6:20 With the consolidation of democratic regimes and the flowering of democracy worldwide, the author explores the problems diplomatic missions from developing countries face in the world’s new political environment. For instance, he extols those ordinary citizens in developing countries who courageously question the status quo of resident diplomatic missions in search for something better, but also deplores public anger for performance improvements at diplomatic missions explaining that such anger is misdirected because diplomatic missions are not independent entities. The author contends that governments in developing countries have acted responsibly by implementing development diplomacy as a strategy for improving the performance at diplomatic missions.While the change to development diplomacy has aroused a sense of optimism among some citizens, the author cautions that many unwisely place too much hope in political systems and man-made solutions alone. Ambassador Chicago reminds readers of the prophet’s promise in Isaiah 44:2a; “He who made you will help you”. He also notes that Pastor/author Rick Warren(has stated that no person was born by mistake, and that God has a purpose for all of us ; God plans who will be born and when.In other words, while adopting development diplomacy is a positive step, it is not a silver bullet and it means little without God’s blessings. The resolution of poverty in developing countries will be realized through prayers and by asking God for an awakening to correct value systems. Faith Based Diplomacy- The Challenge to Development is a thoughtful and stimulating discussion for politicians, the diplomatic community, bureaucrats and students of diplomacy everywhere.
About the Author
James John Chikago is the Ambassador of the
He is a born again Christian; believing that no country can realize any economic development without placing faith in God. The faith must be steadfast; not the type that wavers from time to time like a ship in high seas.
He calls himself a man of two worlds; combining 23 years of private sector experience; involving the production of beer, furniture, ladies wear and tea manufacture with diplomacy. He believes the background has enabled him to author this book.
He describes
He says the purpose of his books is to create a new way of thinking in developing countries. He believes that solutions to old problems cannot come from old thinking. The new thinking requires new ethics. And the correct ethics are in the Holy Bible. As a born-again Christian, he believes that the implementation of development diplomacy will not realize anything without placing faith in God. He says the book is his ministry to believers in developing countries of the world.
Apart from his rich private sector experience, Ambassador Chikago holds a number of professional qualifications including MBA degree in public sector management from the
He loves watching television, reading and writing during his leisure time.