An Experts' Guide to International Protocol
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
9789463727167 An Experts’ Guide to International Protocol An Experts’ Guide to International Protocol Best Practice in Diplomatic and Corporate Relations Gilbert Monod de Froideville and Mark Verheul Amsterdam University Press Cover illustration: Elmer Dumlao Cover design: Elmer Dumlao, Jordan Lay-out: Crius Group, Hulshout First edition: April 2016 Second edition: July 2016 Third edition: November 2018 Fourth edition: April 2021 isbn 978 94 6372 716 7 e-isbn 978 90 4855 485 0 nur 754 doi 10.5117/9789463727167 © Gilbert Monod de Froideville, Mark Verheul / Amsterdam University Press, Amsterdam, 2021 All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the written permission of both the copyright owner and the authors of the book. Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of the authors. Table of Contents Preface to the original edition by His Royal Highness Prince Carlos de Bourbon de Parme 9 Prologue 11 Acknowledgements 13 1. International protocol 17 Introduction 17 Protocol vs Etiquette 17 Etiquette and its History 18 Protocol and its History 20 Protocol and cultural differences 24 Interview with Professor Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, former Secretary- General of NATO 29 2. Precedence 41 Introduction and history 41 Comparison of countries around the world 44 Various facts, trivia, and guidelines 48 Protocol and the International Court of Justice by Dame Rosalyn Higgins, DBE, QC, former President of the International Court of Justice in The Hague 53 3. Seating arrangements and order of processions 59 Introduction 59 Tables 60 Conference settings 70 Posing for official group photographs 74 Seating plans during audiences and press conferences 74 Order of receiving lines 74 Order of processions 75 Seating in vehicles 76 Protocol at the United Nations and at Think Tanks – A Comparative Perspective by Dr Abiodun Williams, former President of The Hague Institute for Global Justice 77 4. Flag protocol 87 Introduction 87 Designs and colours 91 Flag Codes 95 Rules for using flags 97 Flag protocol and flag order 98 Application of flag protocol 100 Trivia 116 A genuine experience, protocol in an international institution , the European Parliament by Mr François Brunagel, former Head of Protocol of the European Parliament 117 5. Invitations and dress codes 125 History and introduction 125 General guidelines for composing an invitation 127 Forms of address 130 Examples of invitation texts 131 Dress codes 140 Diplomatic language and formal language: a code with a double meaning by Professor Olivier Arifon, former Professor at the Université libre de Bruxelles in charge of the chair in communication 152 6. Gifts and honours 165 Gifts 165 Honours 167 State visits by His Excellency Mr José de Bouza Serrano, former Ambassador of the Portuguese Republic to the Netherlands 176 7. Ceremonies 183 Introduction 183 Meaning of a Ceremony 183 Organising a Ceremony 184 Components of a Ceremony 185 State Ceremonies 186 State Visits 188 Laying of wreaths 197 Presentation of credentials 199 State funerals 204 Inauguration / Swearing-In and Coronation 206 Gun salutes 208 Guard of Honour / Ceremonial Guard 212 Escorts of Honour 214 Suite of Honour 215 Silent processions 216 Protocol at the Olympic Games by Mr Andrea Miliccia, former Protocol Manager for the London 2012 Opening Ceremony 217 8. The protocol officer 225 Introduction 225 The focus of a protocol officer 226 Four stages for a successful high-level event 230 Unforeseen circumstances 234 Speech by Ivo van Vliet, Jeroen Koks, and Ruben Nederpel 236 Protocol is a basic principle of professional success by Mr Jean Paul Wijers, Managing Director and founder of the Protocolbureau, and the Institute of Strategic Relationship Management 239 Presidential Protocol by Mr Lahoud Lahoud, Director-General, Chief of Protocol & Public Relations Department of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Lebanon 245 9. Guest and host 249 Role of host 249 Mutual interest 249 Guest list 253 Guest’s checklist in order to facilitate strategic networking 254 Interview with Mr Martin van Pernis , former President of the Board of Siemens, the Netherlands 257 Protocol and Dance by Mr Samuel Wuersten, Artistic Director Holland Dance, and former Member of the Executive Board of Codarts Rotterdam 269 10. Protocol and stakeholder engagement during and after the COVID-19 pandemic 273 Introduction 273 Contributions from around the world 276 Overall Top 40 lessons learned as well as predictions and recommendations for the (near) future 316 Authors’ biographies 323 Bibliography 329 Websites 331 Illustrations and photographs 333 Index 337 9 Preface to the original edition by His Royal Highness Prince Carlos de Bourbon de Parme During the heyday of the Age of Discov- ery, voyagers like Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama explored totally new lands, peoples, and practices around the globe at the command of the Spanish and Portuguese kings. Two centuries earlier, the Venetian tradesman Marco Polo had travelled the renowned Silk Road to finally reach the Mongol Empire. From formal procedures at the court of Kublai Khan to prayers in colourful Hindi temples in India to more basic rituals of the Indians in North America, they experienced that international communication and cooperation were becoming more important than ever. Even though protocol had already been part of life for thousands of years in different parts of the world, the expansion of diplomatic relations and global commerce in the following centuries increased the relevance of good knowledge and understanding of the practices in international protocol. As it was in former days, protocol still plays an important role in the twenty-first century in the social and diplomatic traffic among heads of state, government officials, and authorities. As reflected in this book, protocol can be seen in the corporate world as conducted attention not only based on international practices and respect, but also as a means to acquire important orders and to meet with the right people. Over the years, my family and I have encountered many occasions where protocol plays a pivotal role. With deep-rooted ties with Italy, Spain, France, and the Netherlands, I have experienced many similarities in the use of protocol within these countries, but there are certainly subtle differences as well. Numerous books have been written on protocol with most often a par- ticular focus on the practices in the specific author’s country. However, the authors of this book provide an overview of the implementation of protocol 10 AN EXpeRTS’ GUIDE TO INTERNATIONAl PROTOCOL as practiced around the world. Drawing upon the extensive experience they gained during their careers, which eventually took them to every continent, they provide their unique insights into a wide range of subjects related to international protocol. Experiences of other experts as well as influential persons in diplomacy, business, culture, and sports from around the world are also shared which adds personal touches to the content. Due to the involvement of persons from different generations with various cultural and educational backgrounds, I am convinced that this book will be a valuable guide for anyone in the public, private, or academic sector in the future. 11 Prologue In the spring of 2001, a long-lasting collaboration began between Gilbert Monod de Froideville and Mark Verheul. It was at the wedding of TTRRHH Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, where Gilbert was responsible for the overall programme as Master of Ceremonies and Mark assisted him, along with many others from the Protocolbureau, as usher in the Grote Kerk in The Hague. Shared involvement in several other royal events followed over the years, and after Mark’s graduation in Sydney in 2005, he started working as a right-hand to Gilbert at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. Gilbert retired a year and a half later and had the privilege of working in the Middle East as consultant and trainer for a royal court, an experience that provided him with valuable insights into the Middle Eastern culture. Mark joined him there in 2008, and it was then that the initial plans arose to write a book together, but it still took a couple of years before actually deciding to give it a try. In March 2014, on the eve of the start of the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, Gilbert was one of Eva Jinek’s guests on the Dutch talkshow Jinek to elaborate on the many protocol aspects related to such a high-level conference with world leaders attending from around the globe. After the programme she mentioned that Gilbert should consider writing a book and that was the trigger for a brainstorm with Mark about what such a book should cover. They soon agreed that the book should give an overview of the implemen- tation of protocol as practiced around the world, since every organisation and government is dealing with aspects of international protocol as an instrument of relationship management. In this respect, they talked about the importance of diplomatic hospitality in international relations and international business, seen from a protocol perspective. And although modern life grows increasingly casual, in many sectors, protocol still reigns supreme. The book therefore offers an overview of its associated practices, including those found within the context of diplomatic relations and the business world. Focusing on a wide range of countries and cultures, the book covers topics like precedence, seating arrangements, the history and use of flags, ceremonies, invitations, dress codes, gifts, and decorations. Media and security aspects, instructions for the protocol officer, guest engagement, and the role of the host in strategic networking are also covered.