The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alfredo Moreno, attended the graduation ceremony of 20 students from the Andrés Bello Diplomatic Academy's Training Course for Diplomats, "Enrique Silva Cimma Class, " and of 13 students of the International Course in Diplomacy, coming from Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Uruguay.
The ceremony, held in Las Camelias Patio at La Moneda Palace and led by the President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, was also attended by the Acting Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Daniel Carvallo, and the Director of the Diplomatic Academy, Ambassador Pablo Cabrera.
In his speech, Minister Moreno said: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the professionals who contribute and work for it –where you belong now– in Chile and in your countries, contribute in a decisive way to the implementation of a truly national coordination of foreign policy, keeping in mind the welfare of all Chileans and always giving priority to the defense of the country's permanent interests. Whether in trade diplomacy, political diplomacy, cooperation diplomacy or in any of the fields covered by diplomacy, the old saying "unity is strength" retains all the wisdom it has always had."
Similarly, Minister Moreno urged the graduates to "never forget that diplomacy still has a personal value. Personal relations, contacts, the way of feeling empathy for others, understanding what another person and another country think. These include not only our own interests but also the interests of others, which are still essential qualities to be a good diplomat, before, today and tomorrow."
In his main speech, President Sebastián Piñera congratulated the graduates, saying, "Undoubtedly, the obligations and commitments you acquire through this oath are precisely what Chile needs to continue to deepen its insertion into the world and to continue to strengthen ties with all the countries in the world." He also gave special words to graduate foreign students for "having chosen the Diplomatic Academy of Chile for this training process. I urge all of you to never forget this oath, because this oath must accompany you throughout your life in the service of your respective countries."
President Piñera presented the student Paula Monsalve Espinoza with the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs Award" for Best Student, while the "Spirit of Diplomacy Award 2013" went to the representative of Honduras, Henry Castillo Ruiz.
Minister Moreno handed over the diplomas to the Chilean students who joined the Foreign Service permanent staff and presented Argentine student Gabriel Hernán Rivera, who graduated from the 2013 Training Course, with the "Peace and Friendship" prize.
For his part, the Acting Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Daniel Carvallo, handed over the "Andrés Bello Award" for Best Research Project to Pablo Callis.
The solemn ceremony was also attended by the Director of the Andrés Bello Diplomatic Academy, Ambassador Pablo Cabrera; Diplomatic Corps accredited to Chile; General Directors and Directors at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Chancellor of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile; the Director of the San Carlos Diplomatic Academy (Colombia); and the Director of the National Foreign Service Institute (Argentina); faculty members of the Diplomatic Academy; and relatives of the graduate students.