by Miceál O’Hurley
DUBLIN – Diplomacy in Ireland – The European Diplomat is pleased to announce a further award of the Diplomatic Service Medal with Honours. The Awards and Medals, which are presented annually to individuals and/or organisations, are conferred in recognition of their contributions to diplomacy, bilateral and multilateral relations, the promotion of peace and prosperity as well as other core values of diplomatic efforts.
Diplomatic Service Medal with Honours will be bestowed upon ‘Dr. Sasa’ who serves as the Union Minister of the Ministry of International Cooperation and Spokesperson of the National Unity Government of Myanmar (the interim Government of Myanmar confronting the military junta) as well as serving as a Special Envoy to the United Nations. Dr. Sasa’s nomination was applauded by the Burmese People in Ireland (CRPH & NUG Supporters) who will accept Dr. Sasa’s award and medal on his behalf due to travel restrictions caused by the pandemic.
A graduate of the Yerevan State Medical University (Armenia), Dr. Sasa is the founder of the charity ‘Health and Hope’ which promotes development in Myanmar and trains community volunteers as health workers. As part of the National Unity Government and Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CPRH – the Interim Burmese government) which opposes the military junta that took control of the country in April 2021, Dr. Sasa now serves as the CRPH’s Special Envoy to the United Nations. As one of his first acts as Special Envoy, Dr. Sasa wrote to the United Nations Security Council on 22 April 2021 to remind the UNSC about its commitment to honour its ‘Responsibility to Protect’ (R2P) commitments with reference to the 2021 Myanmar protests and the violent response by the anti-democratic and violent military junta. Dr. Sasa has announced his commitment to the democratic values, entitlement to justice and respect for human rights of all people.
Diplomatic Service Medal
About the Diplomatic Service Medal
The Diplomatic Service Medal is struck as a medallion suspended from a bar and ribbon of blue and yellow reflecting the colours adopted by the European Union of which Ireland is an integral member. Burnished silver in colour, the medal depicts Nike, the goddess of victory surrounded by the eleven of the twelve stars of the European Union signifying that the work of the European Union and diplomats everywhere is never complete. Tradition holds that Nike represents the mythic gods as the embodiment of victory in both war and peaceful competition. As uniquely depicted on the Diplomatic Service Medal, the goddess Nike, faithful to the foundational commission of diplomats, is rendered without her sword associated with military might and instead holds aloft the torch of truth, knowledge and service lit with the flame of wisdom in her left hand while in her right she embraces the laurel wreath of peace.
The Diplomatic Service Awards are an annual event hosted by Diplomacy in Ireland – The European Diplomat. The Certificate and Medal are of exceptional design depicting the victory of diplomacy over conflict. The awards are conferred by the Editor and the Awards Chairperson each December.
Two Types of Awards for Diplomacy, International Relations, Research, Teaching & Service
The Diplomatic Service Award is a certificate that can be awarded to individuals who merit special recognition owing to their exceptional contributions of service in the fields of diplomacy, foreign affairs or international relations, in research or teaching in the academy, or in distinguished service rendered to diplomats. When the Diplomatic Service Award is conferred it is done so by means of a certificate describing the acts that merit the award.
The Diplomatic Service Medal is a medal struck in metal suspended from a clasp and ribbon. It may be conferred upon those who serve in the domestic or foreign services, holding diplomatic rank, or those who have rendered exceptional service to diplomats and the cause of diplomacy. When the Diplomatic Service Medal is conferred it is accompanied by a certificate describing the reason for the award of the medal.
Medal Conferral Categories
Diplomatic Service Medal with Honours – This category is deferred solely upon those holding the dignity of Ambassadorial or Ministerial rank, or by those who discharged the rank of Chargé d’Affaires. It appears with a silver oak leaf device attached to the ribbon to denote the special dignity for which the medal was awarded. The medal is accompanied by a Certificate describing the reasons for the medal being conferred.
Diplomatic Service Medal – The medal suspended from the ribbon is awarded to all other recipients of the medal accompanied by a Certificate describing the reasons for the medal being conferred.
Diplomatic Service Medal with Valour Device – If any recipient is presented with the award for having exhibited exceptional valour in diplomatic service for the betterment of humanity, or the safety of civilians, which merits the award of the Diplomatic Service Medal with Valour. In this instance, a ‘V’ device surrounded by a laurel wreath is attached to the ribbon to denote this rare and special distinction. The medal is accompanied by a Certificate describing the reasons for the medal being conferred.
Award Certificate
Diplomatic Service Award – Those whose contributions are deserving of recognition may be awarded the Diplomatic Service Award – Certificate of Recognition.
Conferral of Medals and Awards
Annual December Awards – The Diplomatic Service Medals and Awards are generally presented annually in December. However, the medal or award may be awarded at any time by a decision of the Editor and Awards Chairperson.
Comments from Editor-in-Chief Miceál O’Hurley
“We recognise the work of Dr. Sasa at this pivotal moment in the life of the Burmese people. His stated commitment to protect his fellow Burmese people from the violence of the military coup d’etat in Myanmar and ensure all people are afforded democracy, justice and human rights is worthy of support. Dr. Sasa’s efforts to save lives through the Health and Hope charity he founded, to preserve the democratic institutions the people of Myanmar has struggled to erect and his promotion of a diplomatic solution through his work as Special Envoy to the United Nations represents the best of diplomatic work in the cause of peace, justice and humanity,” said O’Hurley.
Comments from Awards Chairperson Oksana Shadrina
“Protecting vulnerable human beings from repressive regimes who see to overturn the democratic will of the people, and live by a rules based-order of law, as espoused by the United Nations and as enshrined in international law is heroic work for a diplomat. We look forward to the CRPH and National Unity Government in fulfilling their commitments to all peoples and restoring democracy in Myanmar,” said Shadrina.
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For More Information Contact:
Miceál O’Hurley, Editor-in-Chief
Diplomacy in Ireland – The European Diplomat
Email: editor@diplomacyireland.eu
Telephone: (086) 107 0017 or (01) 254 4747
