Ambassadors Guide (December 2010 Issue)

Note: Please submit your reports through the ingame subforum.


This version from the ambassadorguide is nothing more than a review from previous versions. Therefore I must express my thanks to Stilpo, the creator of this document, and both Manong Rizal and Mittekemuis who adapted it and made it better.

This document may seem quite long, but that is only due to the detailed nature. Being an ambassador does not take huge parts out of your time, but does ask a certain commitment.

May this guide help you to become a splendid ambassador. And I use the words “becoming ambassador” instead of “take the function of ambassador”, because that is, hopefully, the spirit with which you took up this beautiful opportunity. To meet people throughout the world is one of the things that makes eRepublic a great hobby. By being an ambassador you can link two communities, be a meeting point for eBelgium and discover a new world.

I wish you good times and good luck!


I. What is an eBelgian Ambassador and its functions?


First: An ambassador is a liaison to foreign nations.


They are the representatives of the incumbent government to these nations so they are expected to foster eBelgium's relationships to other nations and work for the benefit of the eBelgian government and the eBelgian people.

As ambassador you should think of yourself more as the eBelgium's "wing man". You are there to grease the wheels for higher-level diplomacy by actively working to generate an atmosphere of mutual respect and awareness between our two countries at both the government and public level. The idea is that pre-existing familiarity, understanding and respect lead to a better chance of cooperation and diplomatic success in the long-term. Moreover, public familiarity also increases the chances that regular citizens in your host country will choose to conduct business in eBelgium.


Second: Ambassadors are also to collect information


This information could be both general and private. Ambassadors are not technically considered "spies", but they are considered to be a vital link in our intelligence system because of their knowledge. Most things are kept secret, but if something important leaks in the media, please contact your MoFA know immediately.

What info?

Your final mission is to act as a policy advisor to congress and the government with regards to your assigned country or region. If foreign policy toward your country of expertise is being debated, you may be asked to provide background information on the situation and give your opinion. To help you be an effective policy advisor, and also to help you be a more effective ambassador in general, make sure to familiarize yourself with the basic history of eBelgium, the history your assigned country, and all of the major alliances. This does not mean you need to memorize anything complicated. Just know the basic motivations behind any current tensions or friendships.

Where to collect this information?

1. Through the forum and IRC. (to be found in the eBelgian Corps Diplomatic Handbook, see the other sticky in this subforum) Most of you might not be familiar with the local language, but by starting a topic on the foreign fora you give the host nation a way to contact you easily. Also, when you log in on IRC (a chatprogram which you could easily run in the background whilest being onto your other pcrelated passtimes), it’s usefull to enter the IRCchannel of your host nation. It makes it easier for them to contact you and vice versa. You’re off course always free to join the local conversation, and normally you’ll be a welcome guest.

2. Through the local MoFA or statesecretary for ambassadors. You don’t have to bother him every second, but make sure he knows you and know how to contact you. And if it’s a fun person, it’s an extra friend.

3. By following the local media. It’s not necessary to read every article, but mostly those papers are full of usefull information. Try to keep track of the topvoted articles on the interesting subjects (foreign policy) and of the government journals. If necessary, don’t hesitate to use google translate. This might sound quite amateuristic, but it gives an important view whether it contains usefull information or not.


II. Requirements


When you start up, we expect you to collect the basic information of your host nation and pass that on through the first post of a new topic in the Private FA Area of the eBelgian forums (http://www.erepbelgium.com). This post should at least contain irc, forum, hints on economy (raw materials e.g.), foreign info (alliances, MPPs, NE), government, congress. Try to update this post as much as possible. It will not only be a useful tool for yourself, but also for your MoFA and perhaps the person who follows you.

All ambassadors are asked to submit a first basic Embassy Report by the end of the first week after CP elections. You put that report in your nations topic, obviously. As the month progresses we expect updates on a regular base as something particularly interesting or relevant occurs. These reports should contain the important happenings on their foreign affairs and could cover interesting events on the field of economics or local politics. Once again, post them in the "Private Foreign Affairs area" of the eBelgium forums so that the ministers, other diplomats and congressmen/women may learn about and discuss it. If it is approved of being not to sensitive you could also publish it in an article.

It is also highly recommended for ambassadors to be familiar with the eBelgian IRC channel for instant chat. Anybody is welcome in this channel, and you will often find the MoFA and other government ministers here who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
IRC Channel: #eBrussels (irc.rizon.net)
Direct link for new users: http://mibbit.com/?channel=%23eBrussels&server=irc.rizon.net


III. Some cardinal rules


During diplomatic exchanges, make sure to keep the following cardinal rules in mind. Breaking any these cardinal rules may be grounds for dismissal. They are quite logical, but keep them always in mind.

1) Always show respect to our host country and NEVER insult them (publicly or privately). The same goes for your comments about eBelgium. If you feel that your government is doing a poor job, keep it to yourself during official diplomatic communications (you can criticize all you want back home).

2) Always maintain that eBelgium is neutral in the ongoing conflicts between EDEN, Terra, NWO and/or other alliances. Also, keep your personal biases about EDEN, Terra and NOW to yourself when you are ambassadoring. We have no intention of joining any of them unless due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g. we are under direct threat of invasion).

3) Never accept any money or donations of any kind from a member of your host country's government for any reason. If you do receive a donation, you must return it immediately.

4) If your MoFA, CP or supervisor gives you a specific task to do you must complete it. If you are unable to complete it or you know you going to be inactive for more than a few days, please let somebody know beforehand.


IV. You’ve reached the end of this guide. Congratulations!


Contact your incumbent MoFA/StateSecretary if you have any other questions.

CP July 2011: fhaemita
MoFA July 2011: Jamster737
SSFA July 2011: N/A

Glad somebody is finally taking a real interest in the ambassador program again. Good luck Manong!

"We are a member of the ONE alliance because officially it is a neutral, defensive alliance"

^ might want to update this part

Stilpo wrote:Glad somebody is finally taking a real interest in the ambassador program again. Good luck Manong!

"We are a member of the ONE alliance because officially it is a neutral, defensive alliance"

^ might want to update this part

Lol. I just copied and pasted what you wrote. Lol, Ill fix that!

Manong Rizal wrote:

Stilpo wrote:Glad somebody is finally taking a real interest in the ambassador program again. Good luck Manong!

"We are a member of the ONE alliance because officially it is a neutral, defensive alliance"

^ might want to update this part

Lol. I just copied and pasted what you wrote. Lol, Ill fix that!

ONE has been classified as finished. So I think Belgium should join EDEN, its safe, secure and just seems a lot more friendly then Phoenix, in my opinion.

Rowan Quigley wrote:
ONE has been classified as finished. So I think Belgium should join EDEN, its safe, secure and just seems a lot more friendly then Phoenix, in my opinion.

Safe?
We're basicly surrounded by Phoenix country and you think Belgium is safe when they join Eden?
That is very naive thinking you will be safe.
Belgium should just stay neutral as it is now.

Fhaemita Malodorous wrote:

Rowan Quigley wrote:
ONE has been classified as finished. So I think Belgium should join EDEN, its safe, secure and just seems a lot more friendly then Phoenix, in my opinion.

Safe?
We're basicly surrounded by Phoenix country and you think Belgium is safe when they join Eden?
That is very naive thinking you will be safe.
Belgium should just stay neutral as it is now.

If someone takes on Belgium, you have Norway, Sweden, Finland and Poland not to far away.

with the current natural ennemies, it wouldn't rlly bother anyone of our neighbours just to quickly declare us natural enemy, conquer us and have us occupied for the rest of our eLife. With the new resources, some even benefit from it: Nl can get fruit and iron, or UK just fruit (never thought brussels would become this vital to europe )
and the other EDEN nations would have to liberate us through a RW or through a long invasion. If Poland reaches flanders, they will have to fight PHX on 3 fronts: against UK, against french and against german RW. Not rlly ideal. And the scandinavian countries aren't powerfull enough to get to us even.

just to say that neutrality is fine for the moment

Im glad no one noticed that I got my months totally wrong.

Reviewed.