Grassroot Diplomat

Grassroot Diplomat
Motto Bridging the gap between governments and civil society
Formation August 2011 (2011-08)
Founder Talyn Rahman-Figueroa
Type Diplomatic consultancy
Headquarters London, England
Services Citizen diplomacy, public diplomacy, political consultancy, diplomatic leadership
Chairman
 Peter Botting
Non-executive director
 Dr Paul Clark
Abbey King Khawaja
Adam Ratani
Aristos Peters
Nicola Savidge
Tace Bayliss
John Kraus
Advisory councillor
 Dr Jamie Shea
Dr Linda Papadopoulos
Dr Iftikhar Ayaz
Linford Andrews
Zero Kazama
Mission To refocus policy back to the people's interest
Website www.grassrootdiplomat.org

Grassroot Diplomat is a UK-based non-profit, non-political, diplomatic consultancy established in 2011. It is the first and only consultancy of its kind to bridge the gap between governments and civil society.

History

In 2011, Grassroot Diplomat was founded by Talyn Rahman-Figueroa[1][2] as a not-for-profit.[3][4] Rahman-Figueroa used her high-level contacts and diplomatic training to create a practical consultancy that facilitated trust and better communication between governments and civil society.[5][6]

After formally registering the business in July 2013, Grassroot Diplomat held a launch event in November 2013 at the Embassy of Bulgaria, London, which was hosted by Konstantin Dimitrov and Dr Jamie Shea.[7]

Grassroot Diplomat has managed policy-related projects in 10 countries worldwide.[8][9][10]

Mission and objective

The name Grassroot Diplomat comes from the concept of grassroots diplomacy. Pioneered by Rahman-Figueroa, the concept merges and creates a link between political leaders and the rest of society to ensure that policies created are in the public interest.[5] Rahman-Figueroa's idea of Grassroot Diplomat means supporting citizen-led projects and endorsing their voices to government officials[11] by creating links absent of political affiliations or ties to any governmental association. Grassroot diplomacy focuses on how to connect influential members of society to ordinary citizens and creating role models among government officials represent its constituents.[12]

As an independent diplomatic agency, Grassroot Diplomat has no allegiance to any government in order to remain apolitical[8] and assists on strengthening policy-related projects to clients anywhere in the world.[10]

Services

Primarily as a consultancy, Grassroot Diplomat offers strategic development on policy-related projects and match-makes diplomatic avenues to strengthen relationships between governments and those of whom that the projects targets.[11]

Grassroots Diplomat works exclusively with governments and civil society and does not take on corporations as its clients.[10] Members of the organisation network with diplomats, politicians, and celebrities including Desmond Tutu, Sir Bob Geldof and Kofi Annan.[10]

In the context of leadership, the organisation also offers Diplomatic Leadership training and coaching sessions to individuals interested in working, liaising or expanding into international relations and trade.[13]

Grassroot Diplomat Initiative Awards

In May 2012, the Grassroot Diplomat Initiative Awards was established to recognise outstanding diplomats and politicians who represent the people's interest at the highest level.[14] It honours a total of three diplomats and three politicians in the areas of policy delivery and influence, public support on social causes, and business assistance and job creation.

In January 2013, Rahman-Figueroa was the host of the inaugural Grassroot Diplomat Initiative Awards.[15] She later passed on the role to television psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos to host the second awards in 2014. Forthcoming events will be held in partnership with The May Fair in London.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Athavale, Shruti (June 2012). "A new type of diplomacy". Polemics. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  2. ↑ Ayob, Shreen (13 March 2012). "Why Politicians and Youth Issues Don't Mix". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "Earn your right for privilege: Lessons of Grassroot Diplomat". Lead-HER-Ship. 1 March 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  4. ↑ Karim, Mohammed Abdul; Karim, Shahadoth (October 2013). British Bangladeshi Who's Who (PDF). British Bangla Media Group. p. 23. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  5. 1 2 Sandiford-Watts, Amy (20 April 2012). "Interested in a career in foreign affairs?". Durham: Palatinate. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  6. ↑ "Talyn Rahman-Figueroa, Diplomatic Consultant". Gateway Associates. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  7. ↑ "Anthea Turner Model of Diplomacy". London: Evening Standard. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  8. 1 2 Franco, David J. (31 January 2012). "Grassroot Diplomat: The Power of Relationships". InPEC. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  9. ↑ "Grassroot Diplomat at Envision UK, November 2012". London: Grassroot Diplomat. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Pitts, Beth (16 January 2012). "Grassroot Diplomat: The 26-Year Old Entrepreneur with Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan & Nick Clegg In Her Network". The Next Woman. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  11. 1 2 "Talyn Rahman-Figueroa – Helping Governments and NGO's Communicate". Peace Is Sexy. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  12. ↑ "Grassroot Diplomacy In The Developing World". Career Geek. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  13. ↑ "DipSoc Meeting with Talyn Rahman-Figueroa, Director of Grassroot Diplomat". Royal Holloway. 10 March 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  14. ↑ Rahman-Figueroa, Talyn (24 May 2012). "Time to nominate your unsung hero". Politics First. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  15. ↑ "Grassroot Diplomats Recognised". Embassy Magazine. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
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