by Miceál O’Hurley
DUBLIN – Diplomacy in Ireland – The European Diplomat would like to announce further awards of the Diplomatic Service Medal. The Awards Committee has chosen to recognise the contributions of individual leaders from the fields of Journalism and Public Relations who distinguished themselves by working with Ambassadors, Diplomats, Consul and Honorary Consul as part of a professional development training day in October 2021 for the diplomatic corps serving in Ireland. The event, held at the Stephens Green Club, Dublin was organised by Diplomacy in Ireland – The European Diplomat Editor-in-Chief, Miceál O’Hurley with the assistance of Oksana Shadrina. The professional development day was sponsored by Turkish Airlines and Revolut. Each honouree will be conferred with the Diplomatic Service Medal in the annual Diplomacy Awards 2021 which will be held virtually this year. The Awards Ceremony will be streamed on 30 Decmeber 2021 at: www.diplomacyireland.eu
The Honourees
Those individuals being recognised for their individual contributions to the field and high level practice of diplomacy are:
- Martina Byrne – CEO, Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII)
- Ken Murray – Journalist, EuroNews
- Liam Kennedy – Direction, UCD Clinton Institute
- Alireza Haji Hosseini – Journalist & Producer – CNN Academy
- Eoghan Tomás McDermott – CEO, The Communications Clinic
- Cormac Bourke – Editor, Irish Independent
- Catherine Fegan – Special Correspondent, Irish Independent
- Jon William – Managing Director, RTÉ News & Current Events
Patron for Journalists & PR Leaders
The Patron for the eight honourees from the fields of journalism and public relations in the Diplomacy Awards 2021 is MComm Communications which is led by Managing Director Mr. Richard Moore. Based in Dublin city centre’s Georgian district, adjacent to Government buildings, State Departments and agencies, MComm Communications offers clients the reach of a global leader with the responsiveness and expertise of a specialist firm. Mr. Richard Moore, who himself worked with the diplomatic corps during his previous service with the Department of Foreign Affairs, brings experience, insight and perspective into public relations, crisis management and public affairs.
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. This year’s awards, which will be held virtually due to the pandemic, will be video recorded and streamed online on 30 December 2021 at: www.diplomacyireland.eu
Comments from Editor-in-Chief Miceál O’Hurley
“It is with great pride that I will see these distinguished, professional and incredibly gifted colleagues be recognised for their meaningful contribution to the field and practice of diplomacy,” said O’Hurley. “Because Ireland believes in freedom of the press, and our society values transparency public life, these leaders from the fields of journalism and public relations can practice their profession safely and with a robust zeal, not always to the liking of diplomats, politicians or public figures, but for the public good. Their willingness to engage with the diplomatic corps was indispensable in ensuring that both journalists and diplomats can do their jobs better and in so doing, create a more informed public body,” concluded O’Hurley.
Comments from Awards Chairperson Oksana Shadrina
“With a public ever more skeptical of those in public service and desiring reliable reporting, and facing constant challenges to freedom of the press, these outstanding leaders we have chosen to recognise deserve great praise for their engagement with the diplomatic community,” observed Shadrina. “Each of the honourees walked the fine line of maintaining their professional detachment from those diplomats they may one day interview while at the same time sharing hours of their insights, wisdom and experience with the assembled Ambassadors and diplomats,” remarked Shadrina. “I know the diplomats found it very useful to hear about the concerns of journalists and public relations professionals of this caliber. Likewise, the honourees have made know they too found the candid exchange with Ambassadors and other diplomats insightful and beneficial and the exchange will serve the honourees and diplomats in better meeting the public’s need for reliable, timely and insightful information. For this and more they are to be congratulated and deserve our recognition,” Shadrina concluded.
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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
